Empathetic Witness: Recent Episodes
Angelina Pratt
Season 1 of Empathetic Witness produced seventeen (17) episodes and was my debut into the podcast world. I found the process to be exciting and exhilarating. The podcasts satiated by curious nature, aided me in meeting and getting to know new people, and discovering new knowledge and information. Sharing is an important part of Indigenous Peoples ways of being and doing. I want to share the experience of discovery of new skills and the feeling of purpose and a reason to be and to wake up each day with podcast listeners. Empathetic Witness wants you to challenge assumptions about Indigenous Peoples. It encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons to embrace true reconciliation as we examine truths, explore reparations, and show up in the world willing to learn and accept the responsibility of reconciliation. Empathetic Witness addresses a whole array of topics encompassing the impact of the creation of residential schools, cultural genocide, the Indian Act, mental health, resilience, and survival. The end goal is to have every listener finish the podcast of the day with a sense of hope and optimism no matter how difficult the conversation. Each podcast is an hour long. Listening can occur in a commute to and from work, a road trip, an hour set aside for self actualization, or even while preparing a meal. All podcasts involve conversations with Indigenous people who share their experiences and honour each and everyone of us with their enthusiasm, presence, and wisdom. Season 2 has begun with the same enthusiasm and a new focus. The new focus will include generating more podcasts with a larger audience and an expansion of learnings. The initial 1st season had a vision of supporting Seventh Generation Indigenous Foundation and Training (GIFT) seventhgift.ca and its focus was trauma related.
The 2nd season will concentrate solely on Empathetic Witness and its journey. It will include less conversations on addictions and trauma and will concentrate more on triumph and resilience. Empathetic Witness guest will be inspirational First Nation community leaders who will share personal stories that will encourage and motivate listeners to thrive rather than survive. Future episodes will include interviews with a human rights activist from Lima Peru, an Indigenous Musician, a Dene language keeper, a political leader on economic development, exciting and motivating First Nations self-sufficiency narratives, and much more. Grab a tea, listen and take part in the Empathetic Witness Podcast journey of discovery, excitement, and pride. See You There.
We don't often get the opportunity to talk to a musician about his creative process, I was fortunate enough to interview John Southworth!
Grab yourself some tea and listen to our conversation.
· Introduction to music in Toronto, Canada
· Niagara
· Rialto
· Creating music that does not exist, being authentic and taking risk
Links below are to his music, videos and the short film he mentioned in our chat.
John Southworth British Canadian musician
https://jsouthworth.substack.com/
https://www.johnsouthworth.ca/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFUSfmK2OXE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-UtaPOSPo4&list=RDEMqWXpkAa2dt32y1Ot1VbNvA&index=2
Empathetic Witness is recorded on Algonquin unseeded territory land.
Show Notes April 9th, 2024, Empathetic fWitness interview with Dr. Elsa Stamatopoulou Human rights lawyer, Columbia university.
Dr. Elsa Stamatopoulou joined Columbia University in 2011 after a 31-year service at the United Nations with some 22 years dedicated to human rights, in addition to 8 years exclusively devoted to Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Indigenous issues and women’s rights were part of her portfolios and pro volunteer work since 1983. She became the first Chief of the Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2003. She taught the first-ever course at Columbia on Indigenous Peoples’ rights (2011), the first course on cultural rights (2016) and is the first Director of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Program at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights. She co-founded and was co-chair of Columbia’s University Seminar on Indigenous Studies from its inception in 2014 to 2020.
Edited books: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 50 Years and Beyond (ed. with Y. Danieli and C. Diaz), 1998, Baywood Publishing Co. She oversaw the first edition of the UN publication State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, New York, 2009. She has edited five volumes on Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the second four published by the Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University: Indigenous Peoples and Borders (co-editor with Sheryl Lightfoot), 2024, Duke University Press; Global Indigenous Youth: Through Their Eyes”, (co-editor with D. Angel and V. Carmen-Lopez), 2019; Walking and Learning with Indigenous Peoples : A Contribution to the 5th Anniversary of the International Summer Program on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Policy at Columbia University, 2018 (co-editor. with P. Calla); Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Unreported Struggles
• Introduction, Elsa’s rich background, Indigenous participation historical overview
• Anti-racism anticolonialism
• Doctrine of discovery
• Cultural Heritage, Moral high ground
• Three pillars of the declaration of independence
• The word Indigenous
• UNDRIP international instrument for the recognition of cultural rights and self determination
• American Indian Movement (AIM)
• Truth & Reconciliation
• Accomplishment at the UN
• Legacy question
• Indigenous Woman of the Americas ( IWA)
• Significance of cultural dress
• Aveda beauty products cultural appropriation
•Chief to Chief negotiations.
• Actions moving forward
• Education, Training changing of hearts and minds
• Awareness of Indigenous issues at the UN Permanent forum
Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed this podcast, please like and subscribe.
A Vision of A Global Indigenous Science Institute Think Tank.
Our Conversation covered these topics:
• Educational
• Informational
• Indigenous worldview
• Controversial
• Recommendations for being environmentally conscious
• Recap of my 3rd year
• Kuni Albert’s background
• Tailing ponds
• Government absence of emergency preparedness
• Government’s priority
• Industry’s blindspot
• Impact benefit agreements
• Indigenous Environment Global Think Tank, A Vision
• Traditional medicines and ceremony
• Developing an Indigenous monitoring handbook
Dr. Manish Plaha MD https://www.drmanishplaha.com/
My guest is Dr. Manish Plaha MD
Show Notes - in February I interviewed Doctor Plaha on my podcast, Empathetic Witness. I reached out to him after I began taking a course he is delivering online, and in one month I have already experienced a profound shift in who I am and discovered a way to see a possibility to have healthy whole relationships. Who should listen to this podcast:
- People having a difficult relationship with others, family, in-laws, business partners, spouse or life partner.
- People who recognize there is more to life and wish to show up big in service for others
- People who are curious about our limiting beliefs and how to change that narrative
- Meditators who want tap into a deeper state of being
- People on a self-growth journey looking for a pathway
Embodied Consciousness description of the course is taken from Dr. Manish Plaha
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.manish.plaha/
He is a UK trained medical doctor and General Practitioner. He designs transformational experiences involving the heart, mind, body connection resulting in shifts in health and mindset energy which leads to the discovery of improvement in well-being. For example recognizing that life has even more to offer than what we've experienced, and the way to discover our true potential and highest quality of life is through an exploration and transformation in the inner landscape. In this podcast we discuss many practical ways to accomplish this.
He designs transformational experiences involving the heart, mind, body connection resulting in shifts in health and mindset energy, leading to the discovery of improvement in well-being. For example, recognizing that life has even more to offer than what we've experienced, and despite achieving our goals, there's a feeling that something profound remains untapped, preventing us from reaching our greatest potential.
Our conversation covered the following
- Breathwork
- Indian residential schools in Canada
- recalibrating body energy centres
- Aphantasia, the inability to voluntarily form images in one's mind
- Shadow work
- Ayahuasca, an Indigenous medicinal plant
- Meta meditation
- Time as a construct
- legacy question
- An effective method to share insightful and beneficial tools with family and friends
- Doctor Manish Plaha's background
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and the exponential speed of technology
EU Butterfly Model a Revolutionary approach to Elderly Care – A Slower Gentle Approach
Who will benefit from listening to this podcast
• Baby boomers
• Anyone with an elderly parent or sibling
• People with cognitive decline
• Planning and looking for elderly care for a loved one
Moira Welsh is an investigative journalist with the Toronto Star, Moira has co-authored investigations that have won three National Newspaper Awards and a Michener Award for Public Service Journalism.
She was a finalist for the Justicia Award for Legal Reporting and the Canadian Hillman Prize.
Who should listen to this podcast:
Baby boomers, or if you have relatives searching for a humane elderly care facility. If you have cognitive decline and are searching for a long term care for your future, because this podcast will direct you to what to look for as you're searching, and the questions you need to be asking because of these new philosophy in elder care. Our conversation covered
• The butterfly effect model explained
• Humanity in care
• Medication and lack of a freedom to roam
• Liability issues restricting small appliances like toasters
• Aging in the right place. Longer home care in your own home with support system in place
• Natural Occurring retirement community (NORC) , for example neighborhood with older residence or condo living
• Green household community he model in the United states Trent University
• Blue zone method
• Life Purpose, tap into what was a meaningful residence when they were younger and incorporate that interest into day to day routine.
• Being seen, understanding the mindset of the elders
• Humor
• Pat Armstrong – clothing
LINKS
Book:
https://www.amazon.ca/Happily-Ever-Older-Revolutionary-Approaches/dp/1770415211/ref=monarch_sidesheet
Who should listen to this episode:
• Everyone who has experienced any form of Trauma
• Everyone who is searching for a purposeful life
• Everyone who lost something of value, be it innocence, language, or culture
Introduction to logotheapy – A method to heal mental. and spiritual human suffering based on individual values.
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Recognize that a harm was done because of a wrong
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We don’t lose our humanity because of the harm done to our humanity
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Everyone processes trauma at a different speed and helping must start at where the person is mentally, and spiritually
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Discover our human values
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Through healing and reconciliation, we find our life’s purpose
Resources – E Viktor Frankl
https://gtfeducation.org/faculty-staff/edward-marshall-md-ph-d/
• Man’s Search for Meaning
• Yes, to life In spite of Everything
• The doctor and The Soul
• Viktor E Frankl’s logotherapy and Existential Analysis Theory and Practice
• The Will to Meaning, Victor Frankl
• The Pursuit of Meaning, Viktor Frankl logotherapy and life, Joseph B Fabry
Season 3 Theme:
Healing is within Us - You Must Find the person inside of you where nothing is impossible, Deepak Chopra
Obscurity to extraordinary, a Denesuline/ Buddhist /Catholic writer and podcast host. Journey in this episode a conversation on the genesis of Empathetic Witness Podcasts with host Angelina Pratt. Interviewed by her husband Alan.
Our conversation covered:
• Recap of seasons one and two
• Alcohol Anonymous 12 step program
• Len Pierre
• Secondary trauma that overwhelms
• Rupert Ross, former prosecutor in Kenora.
• Viktor Frankel
• Logotheapy humanity
• How I see who I am as a Buddhist Dene Catholic
• 3rd season – Quantum Healing
It was a pleasure to have a meaningful conversation on topics stemming from our hearts.
Tiokasin is a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation of South Dakota. Tiokasin is the founder, host, and executive producer of 24 year old First Voice Radio Syndicate which airs in 270 radio stations in US and Canada. He is a global public speaker.
He is also a master musician and a teacher. Magical ancient and modern sounds Tiokkasin performs worldwide and has been featured at the cathedral of Saint John The Divine, Lincoln Centre Madison Square Garden and the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The United Nations as well as many Universities and concert venues. He is a sun dancer in the tradition of the Lakota Nation.
If you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe, and share it with your friends you won't want to miss this episode.
https://www.patreon.com/Ghosthorse
Chris Kendall is a Registered Holistic nutritionist, Health Coach and long time skateboarder. I guarantee you will hang off his every word because he walks his talk. His story of transformation is inspiring.
Chris is raw vegan. I decided to review some of the books and videos I had to do a deep dive into raw veganism for this interview and still learned something new speaking to him. Chris tells the story of how being Vegan helped him recover from a horrible motorbike accident, he and his girlfriend had.
The first thing I noticed, not sure why I hadn't noticed it before is that most raw vegan people have amazing energy, clear eyes, and flawless skin. But the most important thing to me is that they project clarity and love for humanity. Even in my communication with Chris by email and texting, his enthusiasm and love for humanity comes through in a big way. I want some of that energy! Humanity needs that energy. The modern American diet, (MAD) Is flawed and not healthy. All we must do is look at the epidemic of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Chris is a dynamic high energy being, our conversation covered these topics;
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Fasting
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Raw benefits of Raw Food nutrition
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Breathing
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Yoga
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Microbiome
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Global Pandemic/ building immunity using fruit
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Vegan lifestyle and family
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Honeybees
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Animal trauma motivates vegans to become activist.
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Buddha significance
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Calm Mind
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Way of the Peaceful Warrior movie
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Blue zone
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Rwanda, community
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Olive oils
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Benefits of whole foods
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Sodium high and blood pressure
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His accident and recovery
https://therawadvantage.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/therawadvantage?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therawadvantage?_t=8gUFfxENO5G&_r=1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tra.kendallchris
Raw Advantage recipe books, merch and helpful tools to become raw: https://therawadvantage.com/shop/
Subscribe and share this episode if you enjoyed it.
If this podcast resonates with you, please subscribe and share it with your friends.
My guest is Indigenous chef, Shane Chartrand, he is the Executive Chef at the celebrated restaurant River Cree Resort and Casino, Enoch Alberta, on the Treaty 6 territory.
Evidently as we talked about food, the care and attention Shane gives to the food that he prepares brings him joy. It is more than food to him; it is about his experiences and his connection with others through food. But be careful not to describe his craft using the word “palette”, I decided to use a phrase instead. Refined taste buds to describe how this chef uses his experience with different tastes to refine his mastery in the culinary world. Our conversation covers the following:
• How to set up your workspace
• Bannock is not a health food, but it is a gift
• Diabetes
• Food is medicine
• Stress
• Inspiration from culinary arts
• Indigenous foods, celebrating culture
• What being adopted means to Shane
• Significance of his tattoos
• His legacy
• Canadian Food Guide
It is June 21 the longest day of the year. Happy Solstice! l had a wonderful chat with the President & Co-founder of Unstoppable Conversations, Mr. Vik Maraj.
The empathetic Witness podcast is recorded on unceded Algonquin territory.
My guest is insightful, brave, and authentic about his humanity. Mr. Vik Maraj has helped numerous corporations and individuals. Including Indigenous peoples worldwide, assisting them in discovering for themselves how their inherited beliefs hold them back from thriving.
If after you hear this powerful conversation about being human and how you are fearless, consider registering for this fantastic course coming up this September 19, 26, 2023
https://unstoppableconversations.com/for-leaders/being-a-leader/
If you think it may not be for you, consider it really might be. Don’t let fear stop you or pass the info on with friends who may be aligned with the course. There is much to benefit from it.
Thanks so much for listening. Don’t forget to rate and follow Empathetic Witness.
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As a child, when there were no limits and you could be free to be anything in the world, what did you want to become?
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What got you interested in Genes inheritance and transformation?
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Beliefs Creating space to BE. And our relationship to “because”
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Big or small
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What inspirers you to help people to commitment to transformation
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Claiming authenticity
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Transformation is creating in a space that is void.
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What is Unstoppable Communications’ distinction
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Shared Agreement “The Earth is flat”
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Inquiry sets you up for disruption
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The World Works, for everyone a true legacy
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Extras who are they?
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Relationships
A) What am I getting out of this relationship
B) What is it about me that is unresolved that makes me angry when you do X? ___
C) What am I not willing to tell you and blame you for why I won’t tell you?
Amarok Society Bangladesh Conversation with Dr. Tanyss Munro
Breaking Barriers in South Asia - Amarok Society teaching mothers reading and writing.
Liberates a community in Bangladesh.
• Teach mother’s (not to teach mothers but) to teach children
• Work in multiples of 5 so every Amarok school teaches 125 children
• It is unusual in that Amarok do this work in the slums. Most charity work is in rural villages, despite virtually all population growth in the next 25 years is happening in the urban slums, of least developed regions of the world.
Links to check out:
https://www.amaroksociety.org
https://www.amaroksociety.org/books
(for info on the books)
Enjoy the conversation and don’t forget to rate and follow if you haven’t already.
Much appreciated.
Drag Queen performers bring both fun and controversy on the beautiful island of Oahu, reading to children at a local community event.
Listen to the beautiful gift from the Honolulu community that has renewed Dan’s belief in humanity. I was very happy to interview the performance artist that caused this disruption in Hawaii, in May 2023.
Dan Paul Roberts is an artist originally from Texas. Dan created Candi Shell. Candi Shell is a gorgeous and hilarious singing drag queen in Honolulu, Hawaii. Candi is a comedienne who creates her own original music and song parodies as well.
As a child, I would’ve been ecstatic to have a drag queen read me children's stories. How fun it would be! Imagine the animation in the storytelling by these performers, it surely adds to the wild imagination of children. An experience to be enjoyed by young and old.
I am proud to call Dan my friend. It was such a pleasure to interview him.
Please enjoy our conversation!
www.candishell.com
https://instagram.com/misscandishell?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Drag Queen performers bring both fun and controversy on the beautiful island of Oahu, reading to children at a local community event.
Listen to the beautiful gift from the Honolulu community that has renewed Candi Shell’s disbelief in humanity. I was very happy to interview the performance artist that caused this disruption in Hawaii, in May 2023.
Dan Richardson is Candi Shell, who I am proud to call my friend. Candi Shell is a gorgeous and hilarious singing drag queen in Honolulu, Hawaii. Candi is a comedienne who creates her own original music and song parodies as well.
As a child, I would’ve been ecstatic to have a drag queen read me children's stories. How fun it would be! Imagine the animation in the storytelling by these performers, it surely adds to the wild imagination of children. An experience to be enjoyed by young and old.
It was such a pleasure to interview Dan. Please enjoy our conversation!
www.candishell.com
https://instagram.com/misscandishell?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Empowering People to Feed Themselves Since 1975
https://give.farmradio.org/give
An innovative radio station’s approach creates ripples and impacts millions of people over the last 40 years.
Farm Radio International is more than just a radio station. It is an educational lifeline for people in Africa. Building, creating a space, planting seeds that is taking root and producing local expertise by providing a space for Indigenous voices to be heard across the radio airwaves, reaching over 11 million Africans.
My conversation with Ian Pringle, Director of Programs, covers Farm Radio International’s beginning, vison, and a few successful projects, capacity building and innovative thinking.
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Scaling his voice, gender equality
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Building communication and dialogue platforms
3. Sustainable harvesting
Enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to follow!
My guest is a naturopathic Dr. Michelle Meyer ND, 30 years plus experience in heath and wellness at, The Rejuvenation Clinic in Ottawa, Ontario.
Our conversation in this podcast is for education purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician for health advice.
· Naturopathic practice explained
· Recognize when our body is out of balance
· Our body heals itself in the right environment, homeostasis we are nature.
· Fasting
· Sleep
· Indigenous foods and medicines
· Rest and recovery
Enjoy the episode!
Season One (1) of Empathetic Witness produced seventeen (17) episodes and was my debut into the podcast world. I found the process to be exciting and exhilarating. The podcasts satiated by curious nature, aided me in meeting and getting to know new people, and discovering new knowledge and information. Sharing is an important part of Indigenous Peoples ways of being and doing. I want to share the experience of discovery of new skills and the feeling of purpose and a reason to be and to wake up each day with podcast listeners.
Empathetic Witness wants you to challenge assumptions about Indigenous Peoples. It encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons to embrace true reconciliation as we examine truths, explore reparations, and show up in the world willing to learn and accept the responsibility of reconciliation. Empathetic Witness addresses a whole array of topics encompassing the impact of the creation of residential schools, cultural genocide, the Indian Act, mental health, resilience, and survival. The end goal is to have every listener finish the podcast of the day with a sense of hope and optimism no matter how difficult the conversation.
Each podcast is an hour long. Listening can occur in a commute to and from work, a road trip, an hour set aside for self actualization, or even while preparing a meal.
All podcasts involve conversations with Indigenous people who share their experiences and honour each and everyone of us with their enthusiasm, presence, and wisdom.
Season Two (2) has begun with the same enthusiasm and a new focus. The new focus will include generating more podcasts with a larger audience and an expansion of learnings.
The initial first season had a vision of supporting Seventh Generation Indigenous Foundation and Training (GIFT) seventhgift.ca and its focus was trauma related.
The second season will concentrate solely on Empathetic Witness and its journey. It will include less conversations on addictions and trauma and will concentrate more on triumph and resilience. Empathetic Witness guest will be inspirational First Nation community leaders who will share personal stories that will encourage and motivate listeners to thrive rather than survive.
A highlight of season two (2) was a conversation with film producer David Solomon from Adelaide Australia regarding his documentary “Two Brothers Walking found at https://empathetic-witness.captivate.fm/episode/storytelling- with-david-salomon
Future episodes will include interviews with a human rights activist from Lima Peru, an Indigenous Musician, a Dene language keeper, a political leader on economic development, exciting and motivating First Nations self-sufficiency narratives, and much more.
Grab a tea, listen, and take part in the Empathetic Witness Podcast journey of discovery, excitement, and pride.
Mahsi chogh (Thank you!)
A passionate activist’s career to empower and inspire Indigenous women of the Americas over 25 years.
My guest is Tarcila Zea Rivera, President of RESIDENTA DEL CONSEJO DIRECTIVO of Chirapaq , Lima, Peru and Marie, our interpreter. 85% of our conversation is in Spanish. Dont’t worry, I’m not fluent in Spanish! We were lucky to have Marie as our translator.
Tarcila’s activism has focused on the specific needs of Indigenous children and women in Ayacucho, her place of origin. Trying to improve the nutrition of Indigenous children with food from the native area, as a form of cultural affirmation.
The presence of Tarcila Rivera Zea has been decisive in international forums such as those in Nairobi , Cairo , Beijing , Durban and in the United Nations a permanent forum on Indigenous Issues.
Our conversation covers Tarcila’s work in South America and on the UN forum for Indigenous women. We discussed some of the challenges facing Indigenous women like intellectual property, commerce, and racism at the highest levels.
If you enjoy this podcast, please share with your network. Much appreciated.
David Salomon
(He/Him)
Interactive 360º Virtual Tour Creator and Filmmaker at Simply Splendid Productions
https://vimeopro.com/davidsalomon/showcase
David is a passionate digital media producer. He draws on systems thinking, storytelling, video production, photography, interactive design and virtual tour creation to create immersive experiences for businesses, institutions and organisations.
Be sure to check out David’s documentary:
Two Brothers Walking Documentary
https://ictv.com.au/video/item/3099?fbclid=IwAR1Fl3Q2IR9vl4nC_V6Bi6GWI39CN6LYoK1lZMJ6tKlOQJQXd2jIYlO_MAQ
It was such a pleasure having David on the podcast. I hope you enjoyed our chat together. Please don’t forget to follow Empathetic Witnesss and share the podcast with friends and family. Thank you.
*Podcast was recorded on the Algonquin unseeded Territory
Dr. Mervyn is a Canadian renowned Registered Psychologist, consultant and speaker on mental health, trauma, and youth.
Our conversation covers the impact of Covid lockdown on mental health two 1/2 years later. Coping skills and more.
Please enjoy our conversation and don’t forget to hit like and subscribe.
Thanks for listening!
https://www.nature4justice.earth/
http://www.landoftheancestors.ca/
Thaidene Nèné a national treasure of Canada. This land has nurtured and inspired countless generations of Dènesuhné.
"For the well-being of future generations, our way of life
needs to be exercised, nurtured, and passed on".
My conversation with Steve covered:
- How is indigenous knowledge transferred to society
today?
- How can we face the devastating facts of impact on
climate and still have hope
- What is the leadership doing today to mitigate climate impact
Hope you enjoyed our conversation with Steve Nitah.
Please be sure to follow for future episodes.
Thank you for listening to Empathetic Witness today
My First guest for 2023 was Norman Yakeleya. Former Indigenous politician. He was the Vice Chief in NWT for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Grand Chief of 26 Dene Nations. He is a consultant and is semi-retired.
Our conversation is authentic and sprinkled with wise thoughtful words on being Dene. He speaks of his 37 years of sobriety and why it is important to him. As he says, it was simple, but he made it complicated.
Our conversation reminded me of what it is to be Dene. To be Dene, is how we show up in the world, as kind, compassion and empathetic, accept things as they are live in the moment.
Being Dene is more than saying I am Dene, or our DNA it is our action behind the words. It is to keep a safe space for one another.
Treat women in your life your mother, sister, niece, aunt, daughters with respect and honor. See their beauty and strength.
Most of us no longer live off the land. The skills used on the land can serve you in the cities too.
Watch what women in your life do for you, your aunt, and your sisters. They are beautiful and strong. When you view them that way you will be less judgmental more caring, and tender towards them. That is being a Dene. Understand our connection to the land, get to know the seasons each season has a lesson, pay attention.
Being Dene is living with the laws of the Dene on and off the land.
Dr. J. Wortman MD a Métis doctor from Alberta. We went a little over an hour in our conversation and covered, diabetes, keto, fasting, hidden sugar, gut health, wheat intolerance, vegetable oil, and intermitted fasting.
My guest’s Journey from a childhood disease to becoming a physician advocating the return to our tractional diet to reduce illness.
We’re ending 2022 by setting you up for a healthy 2023! If you enjoy the podcast subscribe and share with your friends, Happy Healthy New Year!
Jean Teillet is a senior counsel with national law firm Pape Salter Teillet dealing with Indigenous rights law. She is also a published author of the monumental History of the Métis Nation in Canada, The North-West Is Our Mother. Her book is a gripping and very readable and meticulously researched history and has won the Carol Shields History Award among other accolades.
In addition to these accomplishments, I will be speaking to Jean about her early career and her decision to turn to the law. A direct descendent of Louis Riel’s brother, Jean’s advocacy has advanced Métis rights. She was lead counsel in the landmark Powley decision of the Supreme Court of Canada that established the legal basis for Métis Aboriginal rights under the Canadian Constitution. We speak about the Indian Act the adversarial legal process, which is long and costly for First Nations, and yet the Government of Canada persists in dragging Indigenous people into Court to prove their rights.
In this day of “pretendians” it is refreshing to speak to someone who is proud to speak about her Métis ancestry and the community that claims her.
What this bold statement is we need judges with lived experience from living on their reserve, in their communities who experienced the control of the Indian Act in all aspects of life as an Indian Act person.
My guest on Empathetic Witness this week is my friend, and former boss, the first Indigenous judge appointed to the Ontario Court of Appeal, Harry S. Laforme, A Member of Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, comes from a family of Chiefs, but he forged a different path and has torn down barriers by fearlessly drafting decisions that changed the laws of Canada, and liberated marginalized peoples.
Our conversation covers his legal career beginning in the late 70s until he retired from the bench in 2018. Being the only Indigenous person on the Appellate Court. We discuss complexities surrounding his ground-breaking decision that led to the legalization of same-sex marriages in Canada, also the constraints of the Indian Act and colonial policies that stem from that legislation.
If you are an Indigenous person, a lawyer, a Chief, or work in the band office, this podcast is for you, your friends, family, and community. Please share.
My guest for this episode is Chief R. Donald Maracle. He has been the Chief of his First Nation, the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte for nearly 30 years. This is particularly remarkable considering that there is only a two year term between elections. Before that, Chief Maracle was a member of the Council of his community for a number of terms.
In our discussion, he discusses the reasons for his remarkable longevity as Chief and fascinating history of the Mohawk people. Including the unique bond between the Crown and the Mohawks and the gifts that have been exchanged to commemorate that relationship over the centuries.
Please enjoy our chat!
My guest is a nurse, who works in addictions, Paul Garrigan, is an Irish Buddhist living in Thailand with his wife and son. He is the author of two books, Dead Drunk and Thai Fighter. He views life as an astonishing gift, and he says it might be considered ungrateful to have expectations about the duration of this gift and to be bothered by whether there are going to be more gifts following this one. This gift, of life, that is here right now, is one incredible gift.
Life is an astounding occurrence. We get to have this miraculous experience of being alive - why does it bother us so much that it might one day end? I suppose this is like the attitude many of us have when it comes to romantic relationships - we want them to last forever or we feel cheated and betrayed when it ends. Why does it have to be all or nothing? Doesn't it make sense, that we fully appreciate it while it lasts?
My conversation with Paul goes deep into who we think we are as humans, why we are afraid of dying. He illustrates this point by telling a story about a dream. The concept being his character in his dreams disappears when he wakes, just like life, we cease to exist when we die and that is all we know, but our experience does not die.
Paul's journey and recovery with addictions. Lucid dreaming, regular dreams, trusting our perception and bias, trauma, and pain, Buddhists perception of emptiness, meditation Paul gives three recommendations for his 15-year-old son to have a full and happy life.
My guest today is Chief Jocko, Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation in Ontario. Our conversation will challenge your preconceived ideas of an Indigenous Chief. When you think of an Indigenous Chief what comes to mind? You may assume the Chief is male, although more and more women are being elected as Chiefs these days. Next, you may think she might be legally trained. But you’d be wrong on both accounts. Chief Jocko breaks stereotypes. She has had many professions, from dog walker on the reserve, to Scottish funeral director! She is also a retired soldier. All her experiences have led her to hold an important position as leader of her community at a critical point in their history.
I invite you to listen to our conversation. You’re going to want to grab a cup of coffee and stay for the entire hour.
I decided to interview Chief Jocko after I investigated her unique background. What an extraordinary person!
This podcast is emotional, authentic and will grip at your heartstrings. The conversation covers the embodiment of two genders residing within one person and its rich history in Indigenous culture, the historical noble position held by two spirit people and how residential school degrades two spirit Indigenous people and compounded the trauma. The misrepresentation of the term to spirited, by the LGBQ community, and the challenge of coming out in a redneck northern Alberta community. The strength it takes to acknowledge being different at the same time honoring the gift, by sharing information and educating people. Please stay tuned to the very end when my guest talks about a lifesaving app that every indigenous person should have on their phone. Savercommunity.ca
We are busy unbundling the paradox of "Truth and Reconciliation" in Canada. There are key differences in the activities and commitments of the non-Indigenous population and that of the Indigenous peoples across the country. What is right for one side of this paradox is not always perceived as what's right for the other side. No matter, Indigenous peoples are animating the reclamation of languages, cultures, ceremonies, and their own truths, and waiting patiently for the non-Indigenous population to do their own work and face their own truths. It is prophesied that we will come together in peace and harmony, but not until we live the teachings.
A conversation with Jean and Roy Erasmus, two dynamic Dene certified councillors who use humour and authenticity in their approach to mental health therapy. They describe their empowerment approach to counseling by engaging clients through the use of humor and discovering their traditional skills. They provide counseling services to indigenous people in their area, while at the same time building capacity of indigenous counselors. In listening to this podcast you will hear in their voices their dedication and commitment to their profession, and clients.
Teaching to Thriving not just surviving a story of resilience. The bond between an extraordinary mother and her sons.
Side note: I apologize for the barking of neighbours dog in the background.
Evoking reconciliation, land back my conversation with Marion Cumming, a conversation about a powerful movement which is taking hold in Canada. How individuals can evoke reconciliation through giving land back to indigenous First Nations. It is private land that is transferred back for the use and benefit of indigenous people by restoring an historical wrong that was done to them when their land was stolen through colonization.
In part 2 of this special edition of the Empathetic Witness podcast, the interviewee again is the hostess of the podcast herself, Angelina Pratt and the guest host is Alan Pratt, Angelina's husband of 29 years and a lawyer for First Nations across Canada. Angelina talks in more detail about her personal experiences at Holy Angels Mission, and the discussion goes deeper into the broader importance of the residential school experience both as part of a broader deliberate plan to undermine First Nations by Canada and as part of a necessary ongoing need to educate the Canadian public about these issues. If you wish to go deeper on your own, here are some resources: Truth and Reconciliation Commission: https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/ Apology regarding Residential Schools by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (June 11, 2008): https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100015644/1571589171655 Help line for residential school survivors: 1-866-925-4419 Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line: 1-800-721-0066
In this special edition of the Empathetic Witness podcast, the interviewee is the hostess of the podcast herself, Angelina Pratt. Angelina speaks frankly about her childhood, her experiences in residential school and the path she took from being a young Dene child in Uranium City, Saskatchewan to being a positive seeker of answers in the fields of nutrition, wellness, reconciliation and trauma recovery . The guest interviewer is Alan Pratt, Angelina's husband of 29 years and a lawyer for First Nations across Canada.
Today I discussed the neuroscience of trauma and resilience, and some of the indigenous cultural and healing practices that help build brain resilience and buffer toxic stress. My Guest is Dr. Mervyn a Métis psychologist who works with indigenous youth in British Columbia. Producer and Host Angelina Pratt, Music by Leonard Adam Saskatchewan Dene Musician, Artwork by Roger Deranger Indigenous Artist.
Demystifying the disturbing trend of self-identifying as Indigenous and misappropriating our stories. I invite you to a national conversation I am having with Dr. Betty Bastien. It is not a new conversation. It is important for me that our discussion came from a place of empowerment in the space of reconciliation. How do we achieve this? When our stories are told from a perspective that is not our own what harm is it creating? Who has the right to tell indigenous stories? We answer these questions and more.
The adoption of Aboriginal children into non-Aboriginal families has a long and complex history in Canada. In this episode our conversation explores an indigenous world view on adoptions and looks at the complex nature of belonging and kinship in an effort to explore how adoption is an integral aspect of colonization. How should we speak about adoptions, and when and how to introduce indigenous culture to the adoptee. Books by Janine; Walking this path Together, Aski Awasis
Len Pierre is a Coast Salish Indigenous wellness coach, educator, & curriculum designer from Katzie First Nation. He talks about his work with First Nations communities who deal with drug and alcohol addictions. In the first podcast interview titled “Decolonizing Addiction” Len talks about the struggles with decolonization. Decolonizing Substance use is a conversation about the harmful effects of stigma and why Indigenous peoples are over represented in addiction. Decolonizing Substance use is about creating a collective understanding about where addiction comes from, making clear linkages between colonialism, trauma, and substance use, as well as finding alternative and holistic ways to talk about substance use in our communities. Please listen to my conversation with knowledge keeper, Len Pierre.
In this podcast you will hear important new perspective on addictions. I will give you content that will keep you interested and coming back for more. We will interview experts, reveal stories and success in addictions. We will give you tips to handle your addiction or to address the addictions of others. I invite you to listen to the podcast Empathetic Witness.