Matriarch Movement

Matriarch Movement Podcast — Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation This episode, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild, sits down with Daniela Riojas — a medicine keeper, educator, musician, and artist whose roots stretch from the Coahuiltecan lands on the Texas-Mexico border to the Peruvian Amazon, where she trained under Shipibo and Ashaninka lineage holders and was initiated into ceremonial plant medicine work. Daniela is the founder of Indígena Medicina, creating sacred containers for healing rooted in Indigenous knowledge, plant medicine, and ceremony. Daniela and Shayla trace her path from growing up "siphoned" between two identities on the border, to activism in San Antonio, to the grief and long search that led her to her teachers in Peru. She opens up about her mother's passing and the ancestral womb work that initiated her deeper into her medicine path, what a dieta actually involves, and how Icaros - the songs of the plants - become a living technology for healing in ceremony. The conversation also turns practical: how to responsibly vet a ceremony facilitator amid the current plant-medicine boom, how she stays grounded through physical discipline and nutrition, and her advice for anyone trying to reconnect with lineage, land, or spirit when the elders and acces s aren't there. They close on matriarchy -Daniela's mother, her sisters, and the mentors who shaped how she leads with what she calls "heart-led advocacy." 01:11 — Guest introduction: Daniela Riojas, medicine keeper and founder of Indígena Medicina 02:31 — Daniela's roots: born in Eagle Pass, Texas, connected to the Coahuiltecan people 04:08 — Growing up "siphoned" between two identities on the Texas-Mexico border 05:31 — Activism in San Antonio and fighting for Indigenous voices in the story of the Alamo 07:00 — Shayla on fragmentation, residential schools, and reclaiming pride as a younger generation 08:00 — Daniela's advice for reconnecting to elders and spirit without direct access 12:39 — What a curandera is and how the term is used in her Peruvian lineage 15:21 — What a dieta actually involves — from 8 days to years-long processes 20:40 — Why she began dieting: her mother's passing and the womb work that followed 24:22 — Receiving the Icaros — the "songs of the plants" — as a form of coding technology 28:06 — How she holds the responsibility of space-holding without burning out 30:34 — Physical discipline and nutrition as grounding practices for ceremony work 34:19 — Navigating cultural appropriation and how to vet a ceremony facilitator 37:22 — Lateral violence and protocols for creating safety within community containers 41:47 — Daniela's mentorship for stepping into confidence, power, and self-expression 44:09 — Defining matriarchy: her mother, her sisters, and mentor Miriam Hosny 50:08 — Where to find Daniela: her website, Instagram, and upcoming European tour Follow Daniela Riojas at Intikhana for details on her mentorship, retreats, and upcoming tours. @danielariojas https://www.intikhana.com/ https://linktr.ee/danielariojas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matriarch Movement Podcast — Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Aysanabee joins Shayla Oulette Stonechild on the Matriarch Movement podcast for a conversation that moves from a trailer with no electricity in rural Ontario to the Juno Awards stage. Aysanabee opens up about growing up between Sandy Lake First Nation and a series of small northern communities, teaching himself guitar in the forest as a kid, and working in remote mining camps from age 12 - including two near-death experiences with a bear, a wolf pack, and falling through frozen ice, a moment that pushed him to finally commit to music. He shares the story behind his Polaris-shortlisted, Juno Award–winning debut album - a project born from daily pandemic phone calls with his grandfather, a residential school survivor, that turned into recorded interviews and ultimately an album that helped his grandfather find peace before he passed. Aysanabee also talks about the $40 application fee that led to a record deal over a socially-distanced "Zoom dinner," playing 184 shows in a single year, the emotional weight of representing a national reckoning around residential schools, and his recent trip to Taiwan, where he discovered strikingly similar songs, dances, and reclamation journeys among Indigenous communities on the other side of the world. The conversation closes with his hopes for the future of Indigenous music including his dream of seeing a global Indigenous pop star and a preview of what's next as he heads into the mountains to write his follow-up to his latest release, Edge of the Earth. @_aysanabee_ https://www.aysanabee.com https://www.tiktok.com/@aysanabee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation In this episode of the Matriarch Movement Podcast's Indigenous Voices of This Generation season, host Shayla sits down with the daughter and successor of Talaysay Tours' founder, — an Indigenous entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and keynote speaker whose work bridges culture, sustainability, tourism, and economic reconciliation. Raised on the Sunshine Coast and rooted in both the Squamish and Shíshálh Nations, she shares how a family teaching - "we are the land, and the land is us" - shaped her path from a barefoot kid at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park to running walking tours across Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler. The conversation traces the company's origin in 2001, growing up alongside her mother's entrepreneurial journey, the loss and revival of cultural knowledge after the Potlatch Ban and residential schools, and the little-known story of the Great Fire that shaped early Vancouver. She also opens up about building an Indigenous apparel line and skincare brand as extensions of cultural reclamation, what it means to mentor the next generation, and how she defines matriarchy in her own life and community. A conversation about land stewardship, intergenerational knowledge, and building Indigenous-led businesses that reflect who Indigenous people truly are. (00:00) Territorial acknowledgment and Season intro: Indigenous Voices of This Generation(01:06) Guest introduction with Talaysay Campo(02:12) Guest opens in language, shares ancestral village and territory(03:06) The guiding phrase: "We are the land, and the land is us"(05:04) How Talaysay Tours began in 2001 on the Sunshine Coast, growing up alongside the business(07:49) Childhood at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park; learning "sales" before she could spell(09:50) Going to business school at UBC, then joining the company full-time(12:35) The emotional and practical roots of starting a tour company as an Indigenous woman(14:03) Building community for cultural land ambassadors reconnecting with their nations (52+ guides hired since 2001)(17:30) On hierarchy vs. potlatch values in business partnerships(18:12) Company growth: from a family of 5 to 28 guides; new tour categories (Talking Trees, Spoken Treasures, Talking Totems, Salish Sea)(19:15) Healthcare-worker discounts and free tours as a form of reciprocity(21:01) What to expect on a Talking Trees tour; storytelling as the strongest teacher(24:42) The story of the Great Fire of Vancouver(31:15) The mission: helping guests feel grounded, redirected, and reconnected to the land(32:24) The bedtime story of Creator naming the trees — and why the Western Hemlock bows its head(34:29) Traditional medicinal uses of Western Hemlock and its role pre-contact(35:12) The Tem Cloud herring ceremony and its return after 120+ years(38:53) On Indigenous futurism: returning to original ways of caretaking and stewardship(41:08) Community touchpoints: Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, Squamish Nation Powwow, Bill Reid Gallery(42:15) Advice for Indigenous entrepreneurs: asking for community help, values as a compass(44:36) Lessons from touring in New Zealand and witnessing land-first tourism models(47:50) 2026 goals: healthcare industry partnerships, wellness and movement offerings, getting cultural teachings into school textbooks(54:54) Defining matriarchy: presence, truth-telling, and service to community(57:07) Closing thanks and where to find tours, skincare, and apparel @talaysay_campo @nenaglacial https://www.talaysay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation In this powerful episode of the Matriarch Movement Podcast, host Shayla Oulette-Stonechild sits down with Rueben George — writer, activist, Sundance Chief, and grandson of the legendary Chief Dan George. A member of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, Rueben spent over a decade leading the fight against the Trans Mountain Pipeline on his nation’s unceded territory, a journey documented in his national bestseller It Stops Here: Standing Up for Our Lands, Our Waters, and Our People, co-written with Michael Simpson. This conversation moves through Rueben’s family legacy and the intergenerational trauma of residential schools, his path to sobriety at 25 through ceremony, and the spiritual framework — enlightenment, reciprocity, and responsibility — that grounds his activism. He speaks candidly about building the Tsleil-Waututh Sacred Trust’s legal case against Kinder Morgan, his philosophy on economic sovereignty and choosing business partners, and his belief that colonization succeeds by disconnecting people from spirit. The episode closes with a rare, honest conversation about his psychedelic healing work — including his collaboration with Dr. Gabor Maté — and how his team has guided hundreds of residential school survivors and community members through ceremonial healing, bringing ancient teachings and modern medicine together to address trauma “as it happens.” A conversation about land defense, sobriety, lineage, and the spirit that connects them all. Rueben's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Stops-Here-Standing-Waters-People/dp/0735242801 Medicine Movie: https://medicine.movie @ruebengeorge4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by Shayla Oulette Stonechild, founder of Matriarch Movement, this season celebrates the Indigenous leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, athletes, knowledge keepers, and healers who are transforming industries while remaining deeply rooted in culture, community, and ancestral teachings.  Across bi-weekly conversations filmed on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, as well as with guests from across Turtle Island, we'll explore what it means to lead with identity, creativity, wellness, and relational responsibility.  Rooted in the Cree teachings of wâhkôhtowin (kinship) and manâchitowin (mutual respect), Matriarch Movement, exists to amplify Indigenous voices and create spaces where healing, storytelling, and community come together. Each episode bridges generations, honours Indigenous knowledge systems, and reminds us that language, land, culture, and story are inseparable.  Whether you're Indigenous, reconnecting to your roots, or joining us as an ally, these conversations invite you to imagine a future grounded in Indigenous brilliance, joy, and collective healing. Welcome to The Matriarch Movement. Let's begin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Sean Rayland Boubar, the founder of Red Rebel Armour, an Indigenous-owned streetwear brand and social justice business. Sean shares his transformative journey from being a gang member to becoming an entrepreneur focused on social impact. He discusses the importance of mentorship, cultural identity, and the challenges he faced while building his business. He highlights the the mission of Red Rebel Armour to create employment opportunities and reduce recidivism, while also addressing systemic barriers that affect Indigenous individuals. Sean envisions a hopeful future for Indigenous communities, where traditional values are integrated into modern life, fostering a sense of belonging and support. More about Sean Rayland: Sean Rayland (he/him) is the owner of Red Rebel Armour, an Indigenous-led streetwear brand with a social mission. It aims to reduce recidivism by offering paid on-the-job training to those reentering the community from the criminal justice system. This initiative has significantly aided formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives, fostering healing and empowerment. Red Rebel Armour integrates Anishinaabe culture into contemporary streetwear, forming a unique and impactful style that celebrates Indigenous identity and pride. The brand not only focuses on fashion but also on social impact, helping community members overcoming barriers to employment post-incarceration. It appeals to those who value Indigenous culture, authenticity, social responsibility, and artistic expression.Offering a diverse clothing line that fuses Anishinaabe motifs with streetwear designs, Red Rebel Armour collaborates with Indigenous artists, designers, and activists. These collaborations result in limited-edition collections that elevate Indigenous voices and generate economic opportunities within Indigenous communities. https://redrebelarmour.ca/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Osamuskwasis, a Cree and Dene fashion designer. She discusses her journey in fashion, starting beadwork at age seven, and launching her brand in 2020 with $500. She emphasizes the importance of patience and cultural connections in her work that have been passed down through generations. Together, Shayla and Osamuskwasis explore the deeper meaning of Indigenous fashion - not simply as clothing, but as a living expression of culture, healing, and sovereignty. From honoring hunters and warriors through her latest collection to dreaming of collaborations with global brands, her story is one of resilience, creativity, and matriarchal strength. More About Osamuskwasis: https://osamuskwasis.com/ https://www.instagram.com/osamuskwasis/https://www.vogue.com/article/osamuskwasis-roan-indigenous-fashion-designer Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Angel Aubichon, co-founder of Indi City, a brand rooted in cultural heritage and Indigenous economic sovereignty. Angel discusses her journey from beadwork to tech regalia, incorporating wearable tech into traditional regalia. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and cultural resurgence. Angel shares her challenges, including domestic abuse and scaling her business sustainably. She plans to relaunch her website in 2026 and expand her product line, emphasizing women in leadership roles. Shayla reflects on her journey as an Indigenous entrepreneur, inspired by a 2020 vision. More About Angel Aubichon: Angel Aubichon is a Cree/Metis woman from the Peepeekisis Cree Nation. Angel was born and raised in northern Saskatchewan and is currently residing in Calgary, AB. In her work, Angel is working to shift the current paradigm of Indigenous people and create a new perspective of the modern Indigenous person, using her experience as a urban native woman who grew up on the Rez, amalgamating her experiences. Currently Angel is working with partner Alex Manitopyes, towards building Indi City, a social enterprise consisting of an online store offering authentic Indigenous beadwork, custom visual design, community and storytelling. Currently they operate as an online community that is working towards rebranding the image of Indigenous Peoples’ from a first person perspective. https://www.instagram.com/indi_city/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this enlightening conversation, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild and renowned author Robin Wall Kimmerer explore the profound connections between Indigenous wisdom, language, and the natural world. You Robin shares her journey understanding the strength of the earth through plants and the importance of intergenerational knowledge. They discuss the responsibility we have towards the land, the healing power of nature, and the significance of curiosity in fostering relationships with the environment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of urban living, the importance of rituals for resilience, and the concept of two-eyed seeing, which integrates Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. Robin emphasizes the need for a grassroots movement to support the environment and advocates for the idea of 'land back' as a means of healing and restoration. More About Robin and Her Work: Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Bud Finds Her Gift, The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, which has earned Kimmerer wide acclaim. Her first book, Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for outstanding nature writing, and her other work has appeared in Orion, Whole Terrain, and numerous scientific journals. In 2022, Braiding Sweetgrass was adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith. This new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. Her website: robinwallkimmerer.com Her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinwallkimmerer/ Her movement Plant, Baby, Plant: plantbabyplant.com Photo credit: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Indigenous Wisdom and Healing (03:22) The Power of Language and Medicine (05:14) Childhood Connections to Nature (08:01) Responsibility Towards the Land (11:33) Intergenerational Knowledge and Healing (14:24) Embodied Healing Through Nature (17:53) Curiosity and Connection with the Natural World (20:30) Finding Grounding in Urban Spaces (24:42) Rituals for Resilience and Service (27:07) Two-Eyed Seeing and Indigenous Knowledge (29:24) Indigenous Futurism and Land Back Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Vina Brown, an entrepreneur and artist known as Copper Canoe Woman. Vina shares her journey of healing through art and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the significance of her name and cultural heritage. She discusses the impact of trauma, the importance of cultural humility, and the role of art in healing. Vina also highlights her "Generational Love" collection, inspired by her matriarchs, and her nonprofit, Rooted Resiliency, which focuses on community wellness. She stresses the need for grace, self-acceptance, and the power of transforming pain into empowerment. Vina encourages support through her social media and community initiatives. More About Vina Brown: Vina Brown is Nuučaan̓uɫ and Haíłzaqv, so her art reflects that. As a mother, trauma informed yoga teacher, and a full-time artist, Vina exudes a deep understanding of the world around her. Originally a beader, Vina follows the words of her Grandmother and adapts to materials as the world expands. Outside of work, she’s traveling between homelands, spending time raising her tiny human, and thinking through the next collection. https://www.coppercanoewoman.com/https://www.instagram.com/coppercanoewoman/https://www.rootedresiliency.com/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild welcomes Shina Nova, an Inuk creator from Tiohtià:ke /Montréal, who shares her journey becoming a content creator rooted in Inuit culture. Shina discusses the importance of representation, her relationship with her first matriarch, her mother, and the challenges she faces as an Inuk creator in a big city. The conversation also touches on the significance of language revitalization, the impact of social media, and advice for young Indigenous women looking to share their voices online. Shina and Shayla explore the importance of disconnecting from technology to reconnect with oneself through movement and nature. They discuss the personal significance of tattoos as symbols of growth and identity, particularly in relation to Inuit womanhood. The dialogue shifts to mental health, emphasizing the need for open discussions within Indigenous communities and the journey of healing. Shina Nova is an Inuk creator based in Montreal, Canada. She uses her platform to share and celebrate Inuit culture, language, and traditions while advocating for Indigenous representation. Through storytelling and lifestyle content, she fosters awareness and educates her audience on the realities of Indigenous communities—breaking stereotypes and reclaiming space in the digital and media landscapes. Beyond her advocacy, Shina is also a beauty and fashion enthusiast, embracing her femininity while staying true to her roots. Photo credit: Kevin Millet https://www.instagram.com/shinanova/ https://www.youtube.com/@shinanovaYT https://www.tiktok.com/@shinanova Recent highlights / work: Featured in Clin D’oeil Featured in TIME 100 Creators 2025 Speaking engagement at Inuit Youth Summit/Qarjuit Youth Council's 10th anniversary Speaking engagement at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness Speaking engagement at the Opportunity Fair in Kahnawà:ke Speaking engagement at WAVES with OCIL Participation in a community walk with Collectif de la Petite Enfance Partnership with CBC for Truth and Reconciliation Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild hosts Chyana Marie Sage on the Matriarch Movement Podcast, discussing her new book ‘Soft as Bones,’ which has become a national bestseller. Chyana shares her journey from a tumultuous childhood marked by abuse and intergenerational trauma to becoming a renowned storyteller. She emphasizes the importance of cultural roots, storytelling, and healing through writing and ceremony. Chyana also discusses her foundation's mission to create spaces for Indigenous storytelling and her ongoing projects, including a novel adaptation and a short film. The conversation highlights the power of Indigenous storytelling in healing and community building. More about Chyana Marie Sage: Chyana Marie Sage is a Cree, Métis, and Salish writer from Edmonton, Alberta. She has an MFA in creative nonfiction from Columbia University and lives in New York City. Chyana loves to travel and be with nature. She shares the pain of growing up with her father, a crack dealer who went to prison for molesting her older sister. In revisiting her family's history, Chyana examines the legacy of generational abuse, which began with her father's father, who was forcibly removed from his family by the residential schools and Sixties Scoop programs. Yet hers is also a story of hope, as it was the traditions of her people that saved her life, healing one small piece in the mosaic that makes up the dark past of colonialism shared by Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island. https://www.instagram.com/softasbones/ https://storestock.massybooks.com/item/temoIPlhFAidq8S_8vUqOw/⁠ https://chyanamariesage.com/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Ouellette Stonechild interviews Lena Minifie (Gitxaala/British), a Vancouver-based film and television producer. They discuss Lena's latest documentary, 'The Good Canadian,' which explores systemic injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. The conversation delves into the documentary's reception, the selection of interviewees, the emotional toll of filmmaking, and the importance of collaboration and trust in storytelling. Lena shares her personal connection to the issues presented in the film and emphasizes the need for self-care during the production process. The discussion also touches on the definitions of reconciliation, calls to action for viewers, and advice for storytellers. Lena expresses her hopes for the future of Indigenous storytelling and the importance of matriarchy in her culture. More About Leena Minifie: Her work includes producing Bones of Crows, Lily Gladstone: Far Out There, and British Columbia - An Untold History. An award-winning series producer, Leena has led impact campaigns for Indian Horse, The Grizzlies, and The New Corporation. She’s a Reelworld Producers Program fellow and 2024 Trailblazer. Leena’s upcoming directorial debut is THE GOOD CANADIAN, an investigative feature documentary that she has co-directed for APTN/CBC. WEBSITE: thegoodcanadian.film Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Lena Minifie and Her Work (01:11) The Good Canadian: A Documentary Overview (04:10) Audience Reception and Intentions (06:08) Interviewee Selection and Perspectives (09:10) Exploring Systemic Injustices (11:30) Filming Process and Emotional Impact (14:24) Collaboration and Trust in Storytelling (18:01) Personal Connection to the Stories (20:58) Self-Care During the Documentary Process (25:10) Navigating Discomfort in Conversations (30:41) Defining Reconciliation in 2025 (31:26) Calls to Action for Viewers (34:34) Advice for Indigenous Viewers (36:36) The Future of Indigenous Storytelling Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild speaks with the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Canada's first Indigenous Minister of Indigenous Services. They discuss the importance of Indigenous leadership, the role of Indigenous Services Canada, and the challenges faced by Indigenous communities. The minister shares her personal journey to leadership, the significance of matriarchs in her life, and the need for holistic approaches to health and well-being for Indigenous women and girls. The conversation also touches on the vision for Indigenous futurism and the importance of representation in all aspects of society, including policy-making. She offers advice for Indigenous youth aspiring to enter politics highlighting the importance of community engagement. Ahead of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, she discusses the need for healing, and the critical issues surrounding child welfare and Jordan's Principle. More About Minister Gull-Masty The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, member of the Cree Nation of Waswanipi, was elected as the Member of Parliament for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou on April 28, 2025. On May 13, 2025, she was appointed Minister of Indigenous Services, becoming the first Indigenous person to hold this role. Gull-Masty began her political career in 2014 when she was elected Deputy Chief of the Cree Nation of Waswanipi, where she held key portfolios including finance, housing, mining, and administration. In 2017, she later served as the Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Nation Government, and in 2021, she made history as the first woman elected Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Nation Government representing the Cree people in Northern Quebec. During her time as Grand Chief from 2021 to 2025, Minister Gull-Masty was recognized for her leadership in expanding protected lands, advancing moose conservation initiatives, revitalizing Cree language and culture, and promoting transparent governance and economic planning across the region and for promoting Indigenous women’s leadership. As Minister of Indigenous Services, Gull Masty brings a wealth of experience in Indigenous governance, environmental stewardship, and community-led development. https://www.canada.ca/en/government/ministers/mandy-gull-masty.html https://www.instagram.com/mandygullmastymp/ https://www.instagram.com/mandyingaround/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild welcomes guest Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson to discuss the significance of fire in Indigenous culture and its power in reconnecting us to the land amidst climate change. She shares her journey in bridging Indigenous knowledge with Western science and the challenges faced in reclaiming traditional fire practices. They explore the revival of traditional fire stewardship practices, the need for Indigenous leadership in fire management, and the role of matriarchs in these efforts. More About Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson and her work: Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson is Métis and grew up in Treaty 8 territory (northern Alberta, Canada). Her Métis relations are the Cardinal (Peeaysis Band) and Laboucane (Laboucane Settlement) families. She currently lives near Rocky Mountain House in Treaty 6 (central Alberta). Christianson was formerly a Research Scientist with the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada) and an Indigenous Fire Specialist in the National Fire Management Division of Parks Canada. Christianson works with Indigenous Nations across Canada on fire stewardship practices like cultural burning and collaborates with Indigenous peoples from around the world on decolonising land management. She also studies wildfire evacuations and advocates for Indigenous wildland firefighters. https://www.ilinationhood.ca/team-members/amy-cardinal-christianson She is the co-author of the books, First Nations Wildfire Evacuations: A guide for communities and external agencies and Blazing the Trail: Celebrating Indigenous Fire Stewardship. Christianson also cohosts the Good Fire podcast, which looks at Indigenous fire use around the world. https://thunderbirdcollective.ca/ https://yourforestpodcast.com/good-fire-podcast/2019/9/2/welcome-to-good-fire https://www.ilinationhood.ca/publications https://www.youtube.com/@indigenousleadershipinitiative/ https://www.ubcpress.ca/first-nations-wildfire-evacuations Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*Disclaimer* This episode discusses sensitive topics including violence against missing and murdered Indigenous women, children and two spirit people which some listeners may find triggering. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild speaks with Lorelei Williams, a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG). Lorelei shares her personal experiences with violence and loss in her family, which have shaped her advocacy work. She discusses the systemic issues surrounding MMIWG, the role of racism in law enforcement, and the importance of community healing through initiatives like Butterflies in Spirit, a dance group that raises awareness and honors the lives of those lost. The conversation highlights the emotional impact of their performances and the collective healing that occurs through dance, as well as the ongoing challenges and aspirations for change in the fight against violence towards Indigenous women and girls. More About Lorelei Williams Lorelei Williams is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and a dedicated voice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Born in Mission, BC and raised in Vancouver, BC Canada, Lorelei is from Skatin Nations, BC on her mother’s side and Sts’ailes aka Chehalis, BC on her father’s side. Driven by her own family’s experiences of loss and resilience, Lorelei has become a prominent figure in the movement for justice and healing. She is known for her tireless work with organizations and committees such as the Vancouver Aboriginal Community Policing Centre, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s Coalition, the Sisterwatch Committee, West Coast Leaf, the National Security Transparency Advisory Group, Sovereign Bodies Institute in California and the National and International Brigades in Mexico. Lorelei is the founder of Butterflies in Spirit, a dance group that raises awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and LGBTQQIA+ and the Disappeared through powerful performances. Her advocacy work has taken her around the world, across Canada, the United States, Latin America, and around Europe, more specifically, Graz, Austria, Rome, Italy, Cannes and Paris, France. Lorelei has gone as far as Mexico, Colombia, and Europe to speak at conferences, rallies, and events to shed light on the systemic issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada. https://www.instagram.com/butterfliesinspirit/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Tia Wood, a rising Indigenous artist from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. Tia shares her journey from growing up in a musical family to becoming the first Indigenous woman signed to Sony Music. She discusses the importance of representation and the challenges she faced while navigating the music industry. Tia emphasizes the significance of authenticity in her music and offers advice for young Indigenous artists looking to pursue their dreams. She also discusses her experiences moving between Canada and LA, her signing with Sony, and reflects on the responsibilities that come with her platform. As well, she tells Shayla about her creative process and the significance of mental health in her music. More About Tia Wood: https://tiawood.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/tiamiscihk/ https://youtu.be/ZJUl_voev0k Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Shayla Ouellette Stonechild speaks with filmmaker and Indigenous knowledge researcher Rebeka Tabobondung about the importance of reclaiming Indigenous birth knowledge. They discuss the Spirit of Birth, an eight-part docu-series that highlights Indigenous midwives and families restoring traditional birthing practices across Turtle Island. The conversation explores the role of midwives, the significance of community in the birthing process, and the empowerment that comes from reclaiming Indigenous knowledge. Rebeka shares insights on the importance of cultural ceremonies, the role of men in birth, and more! Spirit of Birth is a groundbreaking new unscripted series from Rezolution Pictures, now streaming in English and James Bay Cree on APTN Lumi. Created, written, and hosted by Anishinaabe filmmaker and MUSKRAT Magazine publisher Rebeka Tabobondung, Spirit of Birth brings viewers into the intimate and powerful stories of Indigenous birthers and the birth workers revitalizing ancestral practices. Based on Tabobondung’s 2016 short documentary The Spirit of Birth, this new series expands that vision into a vital resource for families and health care providers, and a compelling portrait of cultural revitalization in action. Currently available on APTN Lumi Watch the Trailer (2MIN): HERE Website: rezolutionpictures.com Facebook @spiritofbirth Instagram @spiritofbirthtv Learn about the Spirit of Birth App: spiritofbirth.ca ⁠https://indigenousmidwifery.ca/⁠ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild welcomes mental health and wellness advocate Chasity Delorme to discuss generational healing, community leadership and truth and reconciliation in action. Chasity shares her journey becoming an educational psychologist, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the roots of trauma. She discusses the impact of intergenerational trauma, and the significance of traditional healing practices as the antidote in reversing the effects. Chasity also discusses the role of matriarchs in Indigenous communities, the need for genuine reconciliation, and the power of language and cultural revitalization in healing. More about Chasity: Chasity Delorme is from the Cowessess First Nation; she is a mother of two daughters, and one culturally adopted son. Chasity is a graduate from First Nations University of Canada graduating with two certificates: in Intercultural Leadership and in Health Studies, also graduating with bachelor’s degree in Health Studies with a concentration in Indigenous Health. Most recently she completed a master’s certificate in Sustainable Community Development out of Royal Roads University in British Columbia. She continues her studies enrolled in the Master of Education Psychology program at the University of Regina; with this advanced education, it is her vision to provide alternative mental health therapy to indigenous youth. Her educational accomplishments have allowed her to be a part of the development of health programs that encompass Holistic, and Indigenous Ways of Knowing as part of healing and also promoting actionable movements of Truth & Reconciliation in the City of Regina. Between parenting, studies, and work she has volunteered for many community groups in Regina. In 2016 she was a recipient of CBC’s future 40 under 40 award, most recently she was awarded the “Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Award” for her many years of committee work and advocacy in Saskatchewan. She is an alumni to the Board of Directors in Regina, for YWCA Regina and the Community Engagement Research Unit at the University of Regina. https://www.facebook.com/chasity.delorme https://www.instagram.com/chazzydanielle https://www.linkedin.com/in/chasity-delorme-bhs-227114a5/ https://redbearlodge.ca/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/⁠ (00:00) Introduction to Chasity Delorme (02:15) Growing Up in Cowessess First Nation (06:30) The Journey into Wellness (11:45) Defining Indigenous Healing (17:20) Acknowledging Trauma as the First Step (22:10) The Role of Matriarchs in Community (27:50) Language and Healing (32:40) Intergenerational Trauma and Healing (35:15) The Importance of Spirituality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast, host Shayla Ouellette Stonechild speaks with Kaitlin B. Curtice, an award-winning author and poet. They explore themes of identity, belonging, and the intersection of Indigenous spirituality and Christianity. Kaitlin shares her journey in reclaiming her Potawatomi identity, the importance of rituals in her spiritual practice, and her approach to writing and storytelling. The conversation also delves into the concept of resistance, defining it in a holistic way that encompasses personal care, community building, and ancestral connections. They also discuss the challenges posed by AI in literature, the necessity of reconnecting with Mother Earth, and envisioning a future where Indigenous voices thrive and are celebrated. Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing. In 2020 Kaitlin’s award-winning book Native: Identity, Belonging and Rediscovering God won Georgia Author of the Year in the religion category. Native explores the relationship between American Christianity and Indigenous peoples, drawing on Kaitlin’s experiences as a Potawatomi woman. In 2023, Kaitlin released two books, first, Living Resistance: An Indigenous Vision for Seeking Wholeness Every Day, which examines the journey of resisting the status quo of hate by caring for ourselves, one another, and Mother Earth, and second, her first children’s book called Winter’s Gifts: An Indigenous Celebration of Nature, which is the premier book in a series of four books on the four seasons coming out with Convergent, RandomHouse Books. Her second book in the series called Summer’s Magic was released in 2024. Kaitlin's newest book, Everything Is a Story, is about the power of storytelling and how we use stories to harm or heal ourselves, one another, and Mother Earth. ⁠kaitlincurtice.com⁠ instagram.com/kaitlincurtice The Liminality Journal: ⁠https://kaitlincurtice.substack.com⁠ ⁠Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ (00:00) Introduction to Caitlin B. Curtis (02:03) Exploring Identity and Belonging (06:47) The Intersection of Christianity and Indigenous Spirituality (11:34) Rituals and Personal Spiritual Practices (15:11) The Journey of Writing and Storytelling (17:52) Defining Resistance and Its Realms (22:48) Navigating the Realms of Existence (27:14) The Power of Storytelling and Writing (31:27) The Impact of AI on Literature (34:25) Reconnecting with Mother Earth (36:50) Envisioning Indigenous Futurism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices