In the season finale of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Craig Abotossaway, Executive Director of Mnaamodzawin Health Services, to explore the meaning of Indigenous wellness through a decolonized lens.

Craig shares powerful insights on identity, creation stories, colonization, cymatics and and drumming.

Together, we unpack the difference between cultural and spiritual practices, the limitations of institutional language, and the importance of humility, respect, and open-mindedness in our healing work.

In this episode, Matt and Sam catch up with Dr. Nav Persaud - a family physician, researcher, and longtime advocate for health equity - to explore the impact of research and land-based healing.

Through years of connection with Gwekwaadziwin Miikan and its participants, Dr. Persaud reflects on the limitations of western medicine, the importance of humility, and what is means to redefine success in healing.

This conversation is about decolonizing healthcare - not by tweaking the systems, but by listening to those it has long ignored. From walking our remote camp setting with his children to witnessing healing through language, land and reconnection - Dr. Persaud invites us to rethink everything we thought we knew about treatment.

In this episode, we welcome Tee Duke, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at U of T Mississauga. From her roots in Treaty 3 to her leadership in education and community development, Tee walks us through stories of resilience, digital disconnect, and what it means to build Indigenous presence in colonial spaces. We talk traplines, truth, and the tools our ancestors gave us to survive and thrive. This episode is an invitation to ground yourself, reflect, and reconnect.

In this episode, we connect with Dr. Jules Koostachin, an award-winning filmmaker, storyteller and change maker. This inspiring conversation is filled with laughter and heavy insight as we discuss her journey in film and how the art of Indigenous storytelling has evolved through the years.

To learn more about her work, please visit: https://juleskoostachin.com/

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Pamela Williamson who was the Executive Director of a progressive Indigenous primary health care organization, Noojmowin Teg Health Centre.

This episode touches on leadership, research, outcome measurements, and the importance of mentorship through a humbling and inspiring conversation with a community leader.

In this episode, we sit down with Rob Mellan to discuss his journey and ever-evolving relationship with Gwekwaadziwin Miikan. From building 30-foot cedar strip canoes to timber frame buildings and harvesting fur bearers, Rob Mellan sure has a lot of interesting hobbies.

This episode is dedicated to the memory of George Hagen - Tuesday, March 18th, 1952 - Saturday, April 29th, 2023. George along with Rob Mellan was our original instructor when Gwekwaadziwin staff and participants first took their first Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course. Following Georges passing Gwekwaadziwin Miikan was able to become stewards of Georges trapline and continue the relationship with the line to this day. Miigwetch George for the lasting impact you have made on the trapping community at large and specifically for Gwekwaadziwin Miikan staff and participants.

In this episode, we are honoured to share our open and honest conversation with Oob-Kobijun, Donald Cada Baa. Don Baa was an important member of the Gwekwaadziwin Miikan community where he provided cultural and therapeutic support, as well as lots of laughter to participants and staff.

From his memorial card:

“Don Spent his life journey using the gifts given to him by the Creator to help so many, not only in his career but along his spiritual journey. To those he helped, know that you helped him as much as he helped you. He was also very proud to have walked in a path of sobriety for over half of his life.”

Listener warning: some of the material in this episode discusses grief and loss, abuse, and other heavy topics. If you're in Ontario and need support, here are some resources you can reach out to:

• Talk Suicide Canada – Call or text 988 anytime for free and confidential support
• ConnexOntario – 1-866-531-2600 (mental health, addiction, and gambling support)
• Hope for Wellness Hotline – Call 1-855-242-3310

In this episode, Matt and Sam connect with member of the Ontario provincial parliament, Michael Tibollo. At the time of the recording, Minister Tibollo was the inaugural Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and has since transitioned into his new role as the Associate Attorney General.

This conversation explores the importance of evidence based data, community-driven initiatives, Ontario's Roadmap to Wellness and the notion of reconciliation.

In this episode, we connect with Roger Beaudin to reflect on the start up of Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, a career in community driven health care, and his once in a lifetime chance to score on an NHL and Olympic level goaltender in front of friends and family.

In this episode, we connect with Dr. Karen Minden to reflect on the creation of two land-based programs, Pine River Institute and Gwekwaadziwin Miikan.