Métis Speaker Series

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with Elder Patricia Ekland, a retired librarian and policy analyst who now supports Métis communities working with MNBC teams, including mentorships of Métis Masters and PhD scholars. She shares her journey of identity, from discovering her Métis heritage after her mother’s passing, to reconnecting through land-based teachings in Saskatchewan and BC. Through reflections on plant medicine, harm reduction, and cultural wellness work, she speaks to listening deeply, intergenerational silence, and healing from colonial loss. Elder Patricia emphasizes the importance of community, art, and responsibility to spirit, reminding us that healing is a lifelong journey rooted in land, connection, and truth.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with Cheryl Dodman, proud Métis leader, community advocate, and President of the Kelowna Métis Association. Cheryl shares her passion for creating welcoming spaces where Métis people can access support, reconnect with culture, and build meaningful relationships. From language learning and beading workshops to trauma-informed services and community events, she discusses the importance of making cultural resources available and accessible. Cheryl reflects on how involvement in the Métis community transformed her own life and why identity, belonging, and connection are essential to mental wellness. Tune in to hear her insights on the teachings of the Medicine Wheel and the power of community in helping people thrive.

In this episode, we sit down with Ren Jager, a Two-Spirit Métis Harm Reduction Program Specialist with MNBC, and Topher Burke, a Two-Spirit Métis leader of their chartered Métis community and the Regional Two-Spirit Representative for MNBC Region 4, for a powerful discussion on Two-Spirit identity, cultural reclamation, and creating safe spaces within Métis communities. Together, we explore the historical roles of Two-Spirit people prior to colonization, the lasting impacts of colonialism on gender roles, and the work being done today to reconnect people with their cultural history. They share stories of advocacy, healing, and community building. Tune in to hear why connection to land, spirit, self, and community remains at the heart of healing, and how making spaces for Two-Spirit voices helps strengthen the circle for everyone.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with MNBC’s Vanessa Khaira, Ryan Nielsen, and Cayleigh Borsboom for an honest conversation about harm reduction, recovery, and the healing power of culture. Drawing from their own lived experiences with grief, addiction, sobriety, and mental wellness, they share how connection, empathy and cultural belonging can transform lives. From the importance of meeting people where they are at, to the role of community and storytelling in recovery, this episode explores why healing looks different for everyone. Tune in to learn how relationships, trust, and reconnecting with Métis identity can help people move forward with hope, purpose, and belonging.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with Catherine Pennington, a proud Métis, mother, and KPMG’s National Lead of Indigenous Advisory Services. As a social worker by trade, and licensed Psychotherapist, Catherine bridges major indigenous infrastructure with community wellness. She shares powerful insights on “culture as medicine” and explains why community connection is a vital alternative to Western “talk therapy”. She discusses how a sense of duty called her back to mental health work during the pandemic, her commitment to support rural and indigenous mental health, and her mission to break intergenerational cycles of silence. Tune in to learn why mental health is an act of stewardship for your community and how to embrace the healing power of your own identity.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with Ariana Fotinakis and Vanessa Lesperance, the founders of Decolonize and Rize, for a transformative conversation on dismantling the deeply rooted colonial systems in our lives and workplaces. Both being proud Indigenous women who reclaimed their roots as adults, Ariana and Vanessa share how their personal journeys of cultural reconnection inspired their mission to combat burnout and colonial capitalism. They discuss their unique framework, which includes responding, ascending, loving, and embodying, and the vital importance of “rest as resistance” in a high-pressure world. Tune in for their insights on bridging the gap between colonized structures and indigenous wisdom, and how returning to our roots can help us all move towards authentic, human-centred action.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rekindling the Sacred Fire by Chantel Fiola - https://uofmpress.ca/books/rekindling-the-sacred-fire

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with award-winning Michif writer katherena vermette for a profound exploration of identity and history. From her roots in Winnipeg’s North End to becoming a leading voice in Canadian literature, katherena discusses her mission to fill the gaps of Métis history through her works like A Girl Called Echo and her latest novel, Real Ones. She emphasizes the power of seeing oneself in books and celebrating achievements from fellow Métis authors stepping up and taking up space. Tune in to hear how she uses storytelling as a portal to the past and why she chooses to center the work over her persona in her pursuit of authentic, human-centred narratives.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with Miguel Vielfaure, the Métis entrepreneur and visionary behind Étchiboy. Miguel has spent two decades blending heritage with humanitarianism by bridging North American Métis culture with South American craftsmanship. We dive into the traditional Métis sash’s fascinating evolution, from its origin as a voyager tool, the era of 19th-century “knock-offs”, and its role today as a powerful cultural identifier. Tune in to hear how Miguel is reclaiming this art form to support marginalized artists, while encouraging a new generation to create their own Métis traditions.

Métis Speaker Series Season 8 is set to launch on June 15!

Follow the show to catch every episode as it is released.

In this episode of the Métis Speaker Series, we sit down with Carmen Carriere, Minister of Health and Wellness and Chair of Métis Women BC, and Dean Gladue, Region 3 Director, Minister of Métis Rights, Minister of Sports and Active Living, and Associate Minister of Justice. They share insights from their recent trip to New York City, where they represented Métis Nation British Columbia at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. The Forum, guided by the principles of UNDRIP, sets global standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of Indigenous peoples. Carmen and Dean reflect on what stood out most during the event, why international advocacy matters, and how they’re bringing those lessons home to their everyday work in B.C.