Ashley Callingbull is a model, actress, motivational speaker and activist. In 2015, Ashley became the first Canadian, and first indigenous woman to win the Mrs. Universe title.  Since winning the title, she hasn't slowed down! Ashley has appeared on the cover of magazines, in motion pictures, commercials and television shows. Most recenly Ashley was named the new face of the Nike N7 line of footwear, which features designs founded on Indigenous themes.

Born in the Enoch Cree Nation, in Alberta, Canada, Ashley went through her own difficulties as a child, and has experienced blatant racism later in life. She is an outspoken activist against abuse, and for Indigenous rights. Sought after as a motivational speaker, Ashley puts forward her ideas around overcoming life's obstacles and what needs to happen to achieve true reconciliation.

Climate change is affecting the Canadian Arctic at a much faster rate than other parts of the planet. However the Arctic and its peoples have a long history of adaptation and survival. Dr. Isla Myers-Smith is a global change ecologist from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Isla has 12 field seasons under her belt, conducting research in the Arctic and Sub-Antarctic. Dr. Myers-Smith is known for her enthusiasm and energy and she has successfully brought together teams of researchers, including "Team Shrub", with whom she continues to conduct research in the Arctic. 

Dr. Myers-Smith and Team Shrub study plants and how ecosystems are responding as the planet warms. Using traditional tools and new technology such as drones, they are capturing change on Qikiqtaruk, Hershal Island in the Yukon Territory in Northwest Canada in and around the tundra biome. Isla returned to the Arctic in 2019 with the Greening Arctic Project, capturing hotspots of tundra vegetation change at landscape scales. This research is meant to fill in gaps between on-the-ground ecological monitoring and observations from satellites in space. It is the hope that this project can help predict how plant life will respond to the rapid warming of the Canadian Arctic.

In this episode we discuss the increasing size of shrubs on Qikiqtaruk and across the Arctic tundra, shore erosion, slumping, animal migration patterns, adaptation of the land and people, the importance of cooperation between science and traditional Inuvialuit knowledge, and what the future of the Arctic may hold.

Kevin Koe has achieved curling greatness on the Canadian and world stage. With four Canadian Championships, two World Championships, and an appearance at the 2018 Olympics he has to be considered one of the greatest Canadian curlers of all time. Kevin comes from a family with a legacy of curling. His father Fred, brother Jamie and sister Kerry are all curlers of note, with national and international accomplishments of their own. However, perhaps not as well known by curling and sport enthusiasts, is Kevin's legacy from a cultural perspective.

In this episode we discuss with Kevin his last two curling seasons, the effects of COVID-19 on curling and what the game may look like when it returns, changes to Team Koe, Kevin's Gwich'in heritage, and roots in the Mackenzie Delta of the Northwest Territories in the Canadian Arctic, his father Fred and Grandfather Chief Jim Koe and much more.

Realistic and diverse representations of Inuit women and their relationships to their bodies is something that Canadian, Iqualuit, Nunavut-based artist Avianna Mackenzie has made a central theme in her digital illustration practice. Creating art that combats colonized views and understandings of womanhood and femininity, Avianna's work is created with a clear message of destigmatization and reinforcement of positive body image. Much of Avianna's work is inspired by interactions she observes and exchanges in on social media, a place where women are both granted agency over their own bodies and representation while simultaniously policed by others who seek to either shame or hyper-sexualize them.

On this episode we discuss Avianna's connection to her culture, colourism in the Inuit community, the motivation behind Avianna's art, battling the untruths of and misconceptions created by colonialism and religion, the role adopting traditional tattoos has played in Avianna's claiming her identity, challenges facing the Arctic and much more!

For more information on Avianna's art you can visit "Ulliaq Creations" on facebook and @ulliaq_creations on instagram.  

Jill Heinerth is an award winning, world renowned Canadian diver, cave diver, author and filmmaker. Her achievements include making TV series for PBS, the National Geographic Channel and BBC. She has consulted on various movies for directors including James Cameron. Jill is the author of the bestseller, INTO THE PLANET - My Life as a Cave Diver and has produced documentaries including We Are Water. Her work with Arctic on the Edge and the recent documentary Under Thin Ice is fascinating. Jill was the first person to dive inside iceberg caves of Antarctic and has penetrated further into an underwater cave system than any woman in history! In this episode we discuss with Jill her evolution as a diver and cave diver, her travels to Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) Nunavut Canada, the importance of Inuit knowledge and wisdom, the shrinking ice coverage of the Arctic regions, the speed of this change, animal feeding cycles out of sync, the importance of Arctic ice in the food chain, the connectivity of humanity, facing our fears and next steps related to climate change, and the implications of COVID-19

Melissa and Daniel Rogers live in Inuvik, Northwest Territories in the Canadian Arctic. Melissa is of Gwich'in and Inuvialuit decent and Daniel is Inuvialuit. Melissa and Daniel were both raised with a close connection to the land and when the COVID crisis struck they didn't wait for the virus to surface in the Arctic, they left town and headed to their traditional camp North of Inuvik. In this episode we discuss why Melissa and Daniel returned to the land, living in a tent in -30 temperatures, harvesting fish and caribou for food, their family histories, climate change in the delta and much more.

The small Canadian Arctic hamlet of Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay) is located on Victoria Island, and lies on the Northwest Passage in the Arctic Ocean. As do other Arctic communities, the hamlet faces many issues such as climate change, food insecurity, overcrowding in houses and now the Coronavirus. Despite these challenges, the community moves forward using traditional camps to heal those with addiction issues, engaging elders to teach traditional skills to the young, while also providing opportunities for the young to develop new strengths such as digital media production and other modern skills. In this episode we speak with Pamela Gross, the mayor of Iqaluktuutiaq, regarding these topics and more.

Bryson Syliboy is Mi'kmaw and Two Spirited. An outspoken advocate for both the Indigenous and LGBTQ communities on social media, he humerously refers to himself as "Bryson The Gaytive", and despite facing his fair share of detractors and haters, remains undetered. In this episode we discuss the challenges of being Two Spirited, the negative effects of residential school on culture, revitalization of the Mi'kmaw language, cultural appropriation, the use of racist symbols and more. Bryson's current Twitter handle is @ArnallLabrador.

Uqi Chuck Pizzo-Lyall is the recently elected Mayor of Taloyoak (formerly Spence Bay) Nunavut, Canada. One of a new breed of young, Northern leaders, Chuck and his community face many challenges in the Canadian Arctic. Chuck comes from a family of leaders. His grandfather, Ernie Lyall, came by ship from Labrador, Canada, and travelled the Arctic by dog team. He and Chuck's grandmother Nipisha, an Inuk from the Eastern Arctic, raised a large family and Ernie was a key interpreter and witness to many historic events in the Baffin Region over half a century. Chuck's father Charlie and Uncle Bill have played key roles in the politics and leadership in the Central Arctic over the years. Although wildlife and country food is still plentiful in the area around Taloyoak, the community faces many challenges. In this episode we discuss the cost of store bought food, maintaining culture and language, over-crowding in local housing, and what it takes to keep a community functioning in the far reaches of the Canadian Arctic.

Thomas Hoggarth is a professional lacrosse player with the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League. He grew up in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada however his roots are North of the Arctic Circle in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories. Thomas is of Gwich'in decent and proud of his cultural heritage. Lacrosse is one of the fastest and most physical team sports in the world however to many indigenous peoples it is of spiritual significance and a tribute to the Creator. In this episode we discuss Thomas's Gwich'in and Ojibwe heritage, his mother being part of the 60's scoop, the demands of being a professional lacrosse player, being a part of the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team at the World Championships, the spirituality of lacrosse and Thomas's growing status as a premier player in the premier box lacrosse league in the world.