Biases - we all have them but are we acknowledging ours?  Are we questioning the reasons behind those biases? Are we grouping everyone that looks the same into the same category (whether good or bad)? Are we letting one instance dictate how we perceive a certain culture or skin colour? 

Lynn shares some of her experiences being indigenous but perceived white and being in a relationship with a black man. Discussions about her worry and preparation in raising a mixed coloured-child and how one backpack gave her a glimpse of what it feels like to be black these days. 

Feel free to share your comments directly with Lynn on Instagram @themixedmamalife

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Did you know that people who speak different languages perceive time or measure time differently? That being fluent in 2 or more languages and mixing those languages during a conversation is called code-switching? Learn about this and much more in this week's episode. Lynn dives into her "faux-pas" when it comes to speaking English, how she managed going from all French to all English schools and what exactly is "Franglish?" Even if you just speak English - you should get a laugh and enjoy the descriptive translations of counting to 100 in French - no wonder they say French is complicated! 

- New York cab driver describing counting in French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rmBqIFeHN8

- Emmanuel Acho “proximity breathes care and distance breathes fear”.

In honour of International women’s day and women’s month this episode is all about women!  We go way back to the Klondike gold rush, the first indigenous nurse and Lynn’s grandmother’s history on how she gave up her “Indian status” when she married her non-indigenous husband. From the gender inequalities of the Indian Registration Act to the present-day gender inequalities and how women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. The reality that being a girl/woman means that you’ve experienced fear in one form or another while walking or being alone in public.  Ever held your keys between your fingers or cross the road when someone’s approaching? Yup – that feeling. Lynn also discusses this year’s international women’s day theme which is #choosetochallenge and her challenge to all listeners.

https://canadianwomen.org/the-facts/women-and-pandemics/

Follow me on Instagram @themixedmamalife

Racial representation in all forms of media is very important, especially for our younger generations.  We still have a long way to go and not just in having diverse actors in media but in the producing, directing, writing and all aspects of media. The episode explores the positive outcomes of having role models that look like you and the possible repercussions when they don't.  You'll learn the shocking suicide stats and interesting facts about the Indigenous people occupying Canada and Lynn shares her experiences growing up in a bilingual household (French and English).  And even though black history month was in February - we need to keep it going all year long and Lynn shares suggestions on how you can be an ally to the black (BIPOC) community.

-Quote in podcast by Shayla O. Stonechild - IG @Shayla0h

-Book: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho https://uncomfortableconvos.com/

-Bilingual Movies: Les boys (1997) and there are 2 sequels.  

-Suicide statistics in Canada - https://www.suicideinfo.ca/resource/indigenous-suicide-prevention/

Are you caught up in trying to keep up with the Jones? Being judged for a recent choice you've made? Have your priorities changed which has some friends or family questioning you? Relatable to everyone, in this episode, Lynn goes over her list of things that you shouldn't be asked to explain or asked to justify yourself about. What's on your list of things you don't need to justify? 

Lynn explores the ever popular question anyone who looks or is different gets asked: "So what are you?" or "Where are you from?" meaning that you can't be from here? *insert eye roll*.  She also shares her own experiences about being asked that question, the reality that society categorizes people based on looks, how to approach that question (if at all) and the importance of preparing our mixed children for these types of conversations.  

You can share your experience with this question on Instagram @themixedmamalife or on the new Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/Themixedmamalife