A Day To Listen

Host Kim Wheeler talks with Tina Keeper about her upbringing in her family, to being a role model at the age of 19 to middle school girls, being the first First Nation female to lead a prime time drama, serving as a Member of Parliament, and producing the number one show on CTV Comedy.

Host Julian Taylor speaks with Aly Bear, who was the first lawyer and youngest woman to ever be elected to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations. Aly shares her story about law school, how she almost quit and how a famous Métis matriarch inspired her to keep going.

Host Julian Taylor speaks with Sage Paul, the artistic and executive director of the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival in Toronto. Sage, who identifies as urban Denesuline, talks about the importance of traditional and contemporary fashions, and her own beginnings into the fashion world as a young girl. 

Host Kim Wheeler sits down with John R. Sylliboy to discuss the importance of the Mi’kmaq language, land welcomings, and what fluency really means.

Host January Rogers talks with Mohawk scholar Taiaiake Alfred on post-secondary educational institutions and who is driving what it means to be Indigenous in these spaces.

2023 Host Shoshona Kish speaks with Two-Spirit artist and performer Ilona Verley.  Hailing from the Nlaka’pamux Nation, Verley’s vibrant and boundary-pushing presence on the reality TV show “Canada’s Drag Race” garnered widespread attention. With a flair for combining Indigenous culture, pop culture, and stunning fashion, they challenge norms and embrace fluidity in both gender and creativity. Beyond the spotlight, Ilona is a passionate advocate for Two-Spirit visibility, mental health awareness, and Indigenous rights. Through their artistry and advocacy, Ilona Verley continues to reshape narratives, inspiring countless individuals to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate their unique journeys. You can follow along with Ilona Verley here: https://www.instagram.com/ilonaverley/

2023 Host Aysanabee speaks with Mi’gmaq entrepreneur Victoria LaBillois who owns Wejipeg Excavation Inc. and co-owns Wejuseg Construction Inc. She is from Listuguj, Quebec and has served both the First Nation and federal public service, working at the Band, regional, and national levels.  Victoria is currently serving as Vice-Chair of the National Indigenous Economic Development Board. Victoria holds a BA in political science and an MBA both from the University of New Brunswick. She holds a contractor’s license from Régie du bâtiment du Québec. From 2020 to 2022, Victoria represented the National Indigenous Economic Development Board in the development of Canada’s first National Indigenous Economic Strategy. She also served as co-chair for a national Steering Committee with the Canadian Construction Association. She serves as a mentor to Indigenous women at the Coady Institute in Nova Scotia as well as a coach and role model in several leadership and capacity development programs.  Helping to build skills around managing money, Victoria teaches financial literacy to Indigenous youth. Find out more about her work: https://www.wejuseg.com/

2023 Host Shoshona Kish speaks with Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan First Nation, and the Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.  She is also a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work. She has over 30 years of experience working in child welfare and Indigenous children’s rights and has published on topics relating to reconciliation, Indigenous theory, First Nations child welfare, and human rights. A recipient of the SSHRC Gold Medal, Cindy worked with First Nations colleagues on a successful human rights challenge to Canada’s inequitable provision of child and family services and failure to implement Jordan’s Principle. This hard-fought litigation resulted in hundreds of thousands of services being provided to First Nations children, youth, and families. Cindy is frequently sighted in the company of the Caring Society’s reconciliation Ambearrister, Spirit Bear, engaging children in meaningful actions to implement the TRC Calls to Action. Find out more about her work: https://fncaringsociety.com/

2023 Host Aysanabee has a conversation with Alan Greyeyes, the Festival Director for the sākihiwē festival who has been providing artist and project management services in the music industry for nearly 20 years. He also volunteers with the Polaris Music Prize board of directors; the RBC Convention Centre board of directors; and the Indigenous committees at the National Music Centre and the Winnipeg Folk Festival. In 2023, Alan received the Making a Difference award from the Winnipeg Arts Council and in 2020 he earned the Arts Award of Distinction from the Manitoba Arts Council. Alan is a member of Peguis First Nation. Find out more about Alan's festival: https://www.sakihiwe.ca/

2023 Host Aysanabee speaks with Sandra Laronde, is a visionary artist, director, choreographer, and leader renowned for her transformative contributions to the world of Indigenous performing arts. A proud member of the Teme-Augama Anishinaabe (People of the Deep Water), her creative journey is deeply rooted in her heritage. As the founder and artistic director of Red Sky Performance, Laronde has propelled Indigenous storytelling to global stages through innovative productions that blend contemporary dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. Her commitment to arts and cultural resurgence has earned numerous awards, recognizing her as a leader in Indigenous artistic expression. Laronde’s profound ability to merge tradition with innovation continues to inspire and redefine the boundaries of Indigenous performance, fostering cultural understanding and empowerment on an international scale. Learn more about Sandra: https://www.redskyperformance.com/