Indigenous girls, women and Two‑Spirit people are disproportionately targeted by human traffickers. Detective Sergeant Matti Primeau and Crime Analyst Jessica Restoule of the Anishinabek Police Service explain what human trafficking is, and how traffickers use in-person and online tactics to prey on a person’s vulnerabilities. We discuss the importance of sharing protective tools with young people and providing supports for survivors. We also hear how a First Nations police service can be effective in addressing Indigenous human trafficking because it combines deep community knowledge, cultural understanding, and trusted relationships with strong intelligence‑gathering and multi‑jurisdictional collaboration.

* Some of the content of this episode may be upsetting to some listeners.

Links and Resources: 

Anishinabek Police Service – Human Trafficking 

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline 

Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking

Victim Services 

Ontario’s Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy 2025-2030 

Kids Help Phone – Human trafficking: how to recognize the signs

In November 2025, the Anishinabek Nation Chiefs in Assembly resolved to move forward with a relationship agreement between the Anishinabek Nation and the Health Sciences North Research Institute. The partners plan to develop research protocols in collaboration with our interested member First Nations.

Research protocols are tools that First Nations can use to assert their own data sovereignty and ensure that research in their communities respects Indigenous methods, and is aligned with their goals.

To learn more about Indigenous data sovereignty, I spoke with Rylee Restoule, the Coordinator of Indigenous Health Research at the Health Sciences North Research Institute. We talked about why it’s so important for First Nations to have a say in research and create their own data governance plans, as well as how Rylee’s connection to her Anishinaabe community, culture and language helps her to advocate for research that is strengths-based and respects our worldviews.

This podcast is produced by the Communications Department at the Anishinabek Nation.

Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/hithbkean9s7kjvr/2026-01-09_Rylee_Restoule_Bemaadizijig_Ganoonindwaa.pdf

Music: Minou-Pimatisiwin by Nigel Irwin and Chippewa Travellers, and A Very Warm Welcome by Justin Delorme, provided by Nagamo Publishing.

Rylee Restoule is a PhD student, researcher, advocate, and youth representative from Dokis First Nation. She is Francophone living in rural Northern Ontario. She has been crowned Miss Kikendaad 2025-2026. She works as the Health Sciences North Foundation (HSNF) Clinical Research Coordinator of Indigenous Health at Health Sciences North Research Institute (HSNRI). Rylee is an Anishinaabemowin learner, and student of the 2025-2026 Biidwewdamowaad Nimkiig Biidaabang cohort with Ninaatigoons Learning.  Her PhD research at the University of Saskatchewan is about “Informing health policy with the teachings of the tikanaagan to improve perinatal care and birthing practices for First Nations families in Northern Ontario.”  Rylee is passionate about research-backed health policy and encouraging youth to feel empowered within their culture!

Links and Resources: 

The First Nations Principles of OCAP

Indigenous Data Sovereignty and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS-2)

Manitoulin Anishinaabek Research Review Committee

Wajashk Creations 

Curve Lake First Nation is seeking to become the primary caretaker of Kinomaage Waapkong, also known as the Teaching Rocks, at Petroglyphs Provincial Park.

Former Curve Lake First Nation Gimaa Keith Knott discusses the history and significance of Kinomaage Waapkong, a sacred site to the local Michi Saagiig people, that has faced incursions from geologists, academics, and the province of Ontario since the 1950s.

This podcast is produced by the Communications Department at the Anishinabek Nation.

Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/sxmzrkz264783ery/2025-12-12_Kinomaage_Waapkong_Keith_Knott.pdf

Music: “Minou-Pimatiswen” by Nigel Irwin and Chippewa Travellers, “Animjiwan” by Daniel Monkman, “Those Who Came Before” by Mike Bern, “Down in the Valley” by Graeme Jonez, “Thoughts Will Wander” and “Star Shower” by Justin Delorme, provided by Nagamo Publishing. Grand Entry Song by Medicine Lodge Singers. 

Links and Resources: 

Kinomaage Waapkong – The Teaching Rocks

Curve Lake First Nation seeks to be caretaker for Kinomaage Waapkong

Keeping the Kinoomaag Waapkong sacred in modern times

https://anishinabeknews.ca/2025/05/keeping-the-kinoomaag-waapkong-sacred-in-modern-times/

DJ Fife Petroglyphs Provincial Park Ontario

#Heritage Stories – Interview with Anne Taylor

Kinoomaagewapkong – Teaching Rocks

Curve Lake First Nation

Petroglyphs Provincial Park

Pediatric Ophthalmologist Dr. Kourosh Sabri founded the Indigenous Children Eye Examination initiative (ICEE) to help fill a need for vision care in First Nations. Dr. Sabri shares how ICEE offers vision services in a more cost-effective way, and how ICEE is looking to bring other healthcare specialists into First Nations.

Links and Resources:

Helping little eyes see big things

https://anishinabeknews.ca/2025/10/helping-little-eyes-see-big-things/

Jordan’s Principle

https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1568396042341/1568396159824

https://www.cos-sco.ca/vision-care-is-health-care-canadas-vision-health-stakeholders-collectively-stress-the-need-to-support-vision-care-in-federal-budget/

Study of Bill C-284, An Act to establish a national strategy for eye care

Transcripts & Minutes - Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (44th Parliament, 1st Session)

Educator Kelly Crawford shares the process of creating treaty education materials, including “This is My Treaty,” a new children’s book co-authored with Anishinabek Nation Communications Director, Marci Becking. As Ontario observes Treaties Recognition Week in November 2025, Kelly reflects on why filling gaps in treaty awareness is important for all.

https://goodminds.com/products/mii-maanda-ndoo-kwiinwin-this-is-my-treaty

https://goodminds.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/ceci-est-mon-traite-this-is-my-treaty-fr

Teaching Treaty Promises to Kids As Young as Three

https://www.globalheroes.com/teaching-treaty-promises-to-young-kids/

Anishinabek Nation Education Resources

https://anishinabek.ca/education-resources/

Jenny-Lou Campbell, Executive Director of the Indigenous Centre of Excellence for Mineral Development (ICEMD), shares how this new Centre is dedicated to advancing Indigenous participation and bolstering the natural, technical, and financial capabilities of First Nations in the mineral development and mining sector.  Jenny-Lou Campbell will be sharing information about ICEMD in person at the 2025 Anishinabek Nation Economic Development Opportunities Forum.  

Music:

Minou-Pimatisiwin by Nigel Irwin/Chippewa Travellers, and Washed Away by Wolf Saga, Licenced by Nagamo Publishing.

https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/fsq85aynea9qpupf/2025-09-29_ICEMD_Campbell.pdf

Links and Resources:

Anishinabek Nation Economic Development Opportunities Forum

https://www.anedo.ca/

Indigenous Centre of Excellence for Mineral Development

https://www.icemd.ca/

Waubetek

Waubetek Aboriginal Mining Strategy

Anishinabek Nation Economic Blueprint

Anishinabek Nation Economic Blueprint Revitalization

Anishinabek Nation Below the Surface report

https://www.anishinabek.ca/Flipbooks/MiningReport.pdf

Anishinaabe mother Rebeka Tabobondung’s intimate docuseries “Spirit of Birth” explores the resurgence in Indigenous birth practices across Turtle Island. It is now streaming on APTN Lumi.  In this episode, Rebeka shares the important role that Indigenous midwives played in First Nations communities before colonization; why Indigenous-led midwifery practices and training programs are so important; and how both Indigenous and non-Indigenous health providers are collaborating to incorporate traditional birth practices and create culturally safe spaces for our families.

Links and Resources:

https://aptnlumi.ca/details?assetId=13291501&assetType=621&intent=info&seriesId=1186706057359742-1

Rebeka Tabobondung's original "Spirit of Birth" short documentary

https://muskratmagazine.com/muskrat-presents-spirit-of-birth-a-short-doc-restoring-indigenous-birth-practices/

National Council of Indigenous Midwives

https://indigenousmidwifery.ca/

Association of Ontario Midwives

https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/indigenous-midwifery

Seventh Generation Midwives Toronto

https://www.sgmt.ca/

Tsi Nón:we Ionnakerátstha (Birthing Centre), Six Nations of the Grand River

https://www.snhs.ca/child-youth-health/birthing-centre/

K'Tigaaning Midwives, Nipissing First Nation

http://ktigaaningmidwives.com/

Eeyou Istchee Pimaatisiiwin Chiskutimaachawin (EIPC) Utinaausuwin (Midwifery) Training Program

https://www.creehealth.org/about-us/departments/pimuhteheu/midwifery-education-program

‘A sacred experience’: Indigenous midwives revive birthing traditions to deliver babies at home

https://midwiferymasters.mcmaster.ca/3651-2/

Kehewin Cree Nation brings traditional birthing back to community

https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/kehewin-birthing-midwifery-program-1.7523188

Birth Alerts - First Nations Child and Family Caring Society

https://fncaringsociety.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/AAE_BirthAlerts_Final.pdf

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Jessica Tait, Sustainable Transportation Manager with Indigenous Clean Energy, helps First Nations and businesses plan for the upcoming transition to more electric vehicles on our roads. Canada's Electric Vehicle Availability Standard sets sales targets for new zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and by 2035, 100% of new light duty vehicles sold in Canada will be ZEVs.  In our conversation, we talked about why working towards ZEV adoption and ZEV infrastructure is important for economic development and the wellbeing of First Nations, special considerations when installing ZEV chargers in First Nations, and how ZEV champions from our Anishinabek Nation communities have successfully adopted ZEV technology. Jessica will be at the upcoming Anishinabek Nation Economic Development Opportunities Forum (ANEDO) this October (2025) to share resources about ZEV vehicle options and ZEV charging infrastructure, and will also offer ZEV test drives in partnership with Plug'n Drive! 

Music:

Minou-Pimatiswen, by Nigel Irwin and Chippewa Travellers, and Washed Away, by Wolf Saga, Licenced by Nagamo publishing.

Plug’N Drive

Electric Vehicle Availability Standard

ICE Network

The Anishinabek Nation Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Program works to increase the general level of awareness and knowledge of community members about FASD, by offering unique culturally based programs and workshops, providing specialized training and resources to build capacity, and political advocacy to broaden the scope of FASD services for First Nations.

Transcript: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/j6igwi7aewpi4wik/S02E05_FASD_Awareness_Transcript_FINAL_2025-07-31.pdf

Links and Resources: 

Anishinabek Nation Health Secretariat

CanFASD - Canada FASD Research Network 

August 27, 2025: Bewiidookaagejig - Southwest Regional FASD Gathering, Chippewa of the Thames 

Nokomis Mary Elliott talks about our journey to healing from the impacts of colonialism and intergenerational trauma as Anishinaabe kwe-wuk, families, and communities. Nokomis Mary is Anishinaabe Kwe from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She shares her knowledge and wisdom about Anishinaabe traditions and spirituality to organizations across Ontario, including the Anishinabek Nation’s HIV Program. Nokomis Mary believes that we can regain our power and wellbeing as Anishinabek by reconnecting with our culture and ceremonies. 

Music:

Indian Day Schools in Canada

Canada’s reckoning with colonialism and education must include Indian Day Schools

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