In this episode, Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, a storyteller from Nacho Nyak Dun, shares her life’s work preserving and sharing Indigenous oral traditions. She recounts her early experiences recording stories from elders for Yukon land claims, the founding of the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, and the importance of different types of stories—ancestral, regional, community, family, and personal. Louise emphasizes that stories are living, adaptive, and often teach through humor, symbolism, and layered meaning. She explains how storytelling strengthens memory, builds community, and maintains cultural connection, especially among Elders.

In this episode of InDigital Insights, Mi’kmaw storyteller Ivan J. White joins host Monique Manatch to explore the philosophical and political dimensions of Indigenous knowledge, AI, and intergenerational survival. They discuss the limits of artificial intelligence in replicating creativity, the risks of commodifying Indigenous culture, and the long-term effects of colonial systems. Ivan shares stories from Flat Bay, speaks to language revitalization, and reflects on survival amidst systemic erasure. The conversation highlights the urgency of storytelling as a vessel for cultural resilience and stewardship.

In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch speaks with Ivan J. White—Mi’kmaw musician, writer, filmmaker, and storyteller from Flat Bay, Newfoundland. Ivan reflects on his path into storytelling, rooted in a critical moment during school when colonial narratives misrepresented Mi’kmaw history. Through writing, music, and filmmaking, Ivan works to preserve community memory and reclaim truth, often challenging historical fabrications. He shares how early access to books and family support in music helped shape his voice, and how community-driven filmmaking became a tool for both healing and documentation. They also discuss cultural representation, language loss and revitalization, and the tensions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous storytelling approaches.

In this episode of InDigital Insights, Monique Manatch interviews Alanis Obomsawin, discussing the power of storytelling and its connection to Indigenous languages and cultures. They explore how traditional oral storytelling techniques vary among nations and reflect cultural distinctiveness, the challenges of translating Indigenous concepts into Western frameworks, and the role of respect and listening in documentary filmmaking. Alanis reflects on her experiences growing up, cultural preservation, and the impact of digital tools like video games and AI in revitalizing Indigenous languages and narratives. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in cultural continuity and education, and the progress made in representing Indigenous voices in media.

In this episode of InDigital Insights, Algonquin Anishinaabe author, artist, and advocate Lynn Gehl joins host Monique Manatch to discuss Indigenous knowledge, artistic practice, and resistance through creative expression. Lynn shares her journey as an artist and activist, including her legal battle in Gehl v. Canada, her exploration of traditional forms like petroforms, wampum belts, and birch bark scrolls, and the deep teachings found in Indigenous symbolic literacy. Her art is a blend of traditional, political, and digital forms rooted in Anishinaabe teachings. The conversation also explores the role of heart knowledge, cultural protocols, and the evolving responsibilities of Indigenous artists and thinkers in the digital age.

 In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch speaks with Evan Butler, a filmmaker and artist whose work explores identity, heritage, and self-expression through digital media. Evan discusses his journey from traditional art to digital tools and the role of storytelling in cultural preservation. He shares experiences from teaching animation and filmmaking, his involvement in Indigenous cultural revitalization, and his documentary projects capturing community narratives. The conversation also touches on the intersection of Indigenous culture, digital artistry, and emerging technologies like AI in cultural preservation. 

In this episode of InDigital Insights, Monique Manatch speaks with Steve Diabo, an interactive artist and creative technologist. Steve shares his journey of integrating technology with Indigenous storytelling through his art installations, like Ancestor's Gate, which won the New Artist in Digital and Interactive Award at the ImagineNative Festival. He reflects on reconnecting with his community, embracing his identity, and using digital tools to promote Indigenous culture. Steve also discusses the potential of video games as a medium to teach sustainable living and Indigenous values, highlighting his vision for a survival game that blends traditional knowledge with modern technology.

Monique Manatch hosts Wes Day, a multimedia artist and founder of Fresh Shift Productions, on InDigital Insights. The conversation covers Wes’s filmmaking journey, from his start with community media to creating culturally significant content. They discuss the evolution of technology in storytelling, the importance of capturing Indigenous traditions, and the interplay between digital media and Indigenous knowledge. Wes reflects on his experiences working with elders, mentoring youth, and his creative philosophy, emphasizing authenticity and connection to land and community.

In this episode of InDigital Insights features Monique Manatch in conversation with Scott Benesiinaabandan, a contemporary Indigenous visual artist. They discuss Scott's journey from photography to experimental media, his engagement with Indigenous language and politics, and the intersection of digital artistry and cultural reclamation. Topics include the use of technology like VR in storytelling, the role of language in shaping worldview, and the challenges of digital sovereignty. The episode reflects on the evolving role of art in reclaiming Indigenous narratives and its resonance across global communities.

In this episode of InDigital Insights, Monique Manatch speaks with Aerial Sunday-Cardinal, a multidisciplinary artist from Goodfish Lake. They discuss the intersections of Indigenous culture, art, and digital technology. Key topics include the reclamation of traditional knowledge, the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities, and the integration of cultural values into digital and artistic practices. Aerial shares her journey of preserving oral traditions and the challenges of ensuring cultural protocols in artistic representation.