In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Matt and Sam sit down with Dr. Nav Persaud — a family physician, researcher, and longtime advocate for health equity — to explore the role of research within land-based healing.

Through years of connection with Gwekwaadziwin Miikan and its participants, Dr. Persaud reflects on both the value and the limitations of western approaches to mental health and addictions care. This conversation moves beyond traditional definitions of treatment and success, challenging listeners to consider what healing looks like when it is grounded in land, culture, and connection.

This episode explores:

• The difference between research and outcome measurement
• Why traditional metrics often fail to capture meaningful healing
• The importance of listening to participant experiences and stories
• How connection to land, culture, and family shapes wellness
• The role of humility in healthcare and research

Dr. Persaud also shares reflections from his time visiting Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, including moments that reshaped his understanding of healing — from walking the land with participants to witnessing the broader impact on families and communities.

At its core, this conversation is about rethinking systems — and recognizing that meaningful change doesn’t come from simply adjusting existing models, but from listening to voices and knowledge systems that have long been overlooked.

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Tee Duke for a powerful and honest conversation about identity, leadership, and finding balance between different worlds.

Tee shares his journey navigating life between urban environments and home community, and the lessons that come with staying grounded in who you are while moving through spaces that don’t always reflect that identity. Through lived experience, she speaks to the importance of connection — to land, to culture, and to self — as a foundation for both personal growth and leadership.

This episode explores:

• The challenges and realities of walking in multiple worlds
• How identity shapes leadership, decision-making, and purpose
• The importance of staying connected to community and culture
• Reflections on growth, accountability, and self-awareness
• What it means to lead in a way that honours those who came before you

At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful question:

What are we doing today that would make our ancestors proud?

This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about where you’re going — it’s about how you carry yourself along the way, and who you remain connected to as you move forward.

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Dr. Jules Koostachin — an award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and member of Attawapiskat First Nation — for a powerful conversation on storytelling, identity, and the responsibility of carrying our voices forward.

Drawing from her work in film, theatre, and the social service sector, Dr. Koostachin shares how storytelling has always been embedded in Indigenous life — from sitting with family and listening to stories, to creating films that reflect lived experience, truth, and spirit.

This episode explores:

• The importance of Indigenous-led storytelling and representation in media
• How stories can create connection, healing, and cultural continuity
• The impacts of intergenerational trauma — and the courage it takes to confront it
• The role of mentorship and lifting up the next generation of storytellers
• How film and media can be used as tools to reclaim narrative and shift perspective

Dr. Koostachin also reflects on her work, including projects like Aski Boys and Wapikoni, and the deeper intention behind them — not just to inform, but to inspire, connect, and create space for Indigenous voices to be heard on their own terms.

At its core, this conversation reminds us that storytelling is more than expression — it is responsibility, relationship, and a pathway to healing.

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

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Dr. Pamela Williamson — a member of Moose Deer Point First Nation, longtime health leader, and passionate advocate for Indigenous wellness.

With over 15 years of experience as an Executive Director in Indigenous primary health care, Dr. Williamson shares her journey from post-secondary education into health leadership, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From transformational leadership to the power of collaboration, she offers insight into what it truly means to serve community in a meaningful and sustainable way.

This conversation explores:

• The importance of collaboration over competition in building effective services
• How culture and spirituality are foundational to Indigenous health systems
• The role of mentorship, lifelong learning, and leadership development
• Why land is essential to wellness — as vital as the air we breathe
• The growing need for evaluation, research, and outcome measurement in Indigenous-led programs

Dr. Williamson also speaks to the evolving landscape of Indigenous health, emphasizing the importance of working together to create wraparound supports that reflect the realities of community. Her perspective bridges systems, generations, and ways of knowing — offering both practical guidance and deeper reflection.

As she reminds us, meaningful work is never done alone — and the most impactful change happens when we move forward together.

Episode 5: Rob Mellan — Land, Learning, and Adapting in Real Time

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Rob Mellan — a lifelong outdoorsman, instructor, and knowledge holder with deep experience in canoe building, trapping, and land-based living.

Rob shares stories from a lifetime spent on the land, including his work building 30-foot cedar strip canoes and teaching fur harvesting, management, and conservation. More than skills, this conversation explores the mindset required to truly be on the land — one rooted in humility, adaptability, and respect.

As Rob shares, “If you’re not willing to adapt out there, it’s going to be a tough go.” That perspective reflects a core truth of land-based healing — the land teaches in real time, asking us to stay present, adjust, and grow through whatever is in front of us.

This episode is a reflection on learning through experience, the importance of relationships, and the enduring teachings that come from the land.

Dedication

This episode is dedicated to the memory of George Hagen (March 18, 1952 – April 29, 2023)

George, alongside Rob Mellan, was one of the original instructors when Gwekwaadziwin staff and participants first took part in the Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course.

Following George’s passing, Gwekwaadziwin Miikan was honoured to become stewards of his trapline and continues that relationship with the land to this day.

Miigwetch George for the lasting impact you have made on the trapping community and for your contributions to 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

Episode 3

The Honourable Michael Tibollo – Building a Continuum of Care

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we speak with The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General of Ontario.

This conversation was originally recorded while Minister Tibollo was serving as Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, where he helped lead the development of the province’s Roadmap to Wellness strategy.

In this wide-ranging discussion, we explore:

• the importance of building a continuum of care for mental health and addictions • why long-term, bed-based treatment remains a critical part of recovery • the role of prevention, housing, and wraparound supports • why solutions must be community-driven and culturally appropriate • the growing recognition of Indigenous-led land-based healing models

Minister Tibollo also reflects on his experiences visiting communities across Ontario, listening to local leaders, and supporting innovative approaches that address the root causes of addiction and mental health challenges.

This episode highlights the importance of collaboration between governments, communities, and Indigenous organizations to build systems that support recovery and long-term wellness.

Learn more about our work: www.gwek.ca

Roger Beaudin – Community Leadership and the Foundations of Land-Based Healing

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Roger Beaudin, longtime Health Director for M’Chigeeng First Nation and former Enaagdenjged (Band Manager).

Roger reflects on the early conversations and community leadership that helped shape the vision for Gwekwaadziwin Miikan and the development of land-based approaches to healing on Manitoulin Island.

Throughout the discussion, Roger shares insights on:

• why short-term treatment models often fail to meet community needs • the importance of longer-term, land-based healing approaches • how youth programming, culture, and sport strengthen community wellness • the role of aftercare and ongoing support in recovery • lessons from decades of leadership in Indigenous health and governance

This conversation highlights how community-driven leadership and strong relationships have been essential in building sustainable mental health and addictions services.

Roger also shares reflections on leadership, balance, and the importance of maintaining strong connections to culture, land, and community.

This episode is part of our Origin Story series, highlighting the people and partnerships that helped bring Gwekwaadziwin Miikan to life.

Learn more about our work: www.gwek.ca

Episode Title: Our Origin Story (Part 1): Dr. Karen Minden and the Foundations of Land-Based Healing

Episode Description: In the first episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we return to the beginning of our program’s origin story with Dr. Karen Minden, founder of Pine River Institute and a key influence in the early development of Gwekwaadziwin Miikan.

Dr. Minden shares the personal journey that led her to create one of Canada’s leading residential treatment programs for youth and families, and reflects on the core elements of wilderness and land-based healing — including safety, structure, peer culture, family involvement, and long-term engagement.

Together, we discuss:

• how land-based and wilderness models support emotional regulation and growth
• the importance of risk management and organizational culture in remote programming
• why outcome measurement matters — and how programs can start small
• building new models outside traditional systems
• early lessons that helped shape Gwekwaadziwin Miikan’s continuum of care

This conversation explores both the philosophy and the practical realities of creating culturally grounded, land-based mental health and addictions programming.

About our guest: Dr. Karen Minden is the founder of Pine River Institute, established in 2006 to provide residential treatment for youth with mental health and substance use challenges. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2010 for her groundbreaking work in adolescent mental health.

This episode is part of our Origin Story series, highlighting the people and partnerships that helped bring Gwekwaadziwin Miikan to life.

Learn more: www.gwek.ca