On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Brittany Lavallee, a passionate youth advocate, researcher, and PhD student at the University of Manitoba. We explore Brittany’s journey growing up in Northern Manitoba and how her experiences shaped her adaptability and connection to her Indigeneity. 

We discuss her transition into human rights advocacy, her research on birth alerts at the First Nations Family Advocate Office, and her work supporting at-risk youth within the justice system.

Britt also reflects on her international humanitarian studies, her personal experience with grief and healing, and her current leadership role advising provincial legislation with the Matriarch Circle.

Brittany’s Links:

• LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brittanyslavallee7727

• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/brittanylavallee

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• Tiktok: / ourstorytellers

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytel...

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• Youtube: / @ourstorytellers

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of the child welfare system, birth alerts, the justice system, Indian residential schools, day schools, cancer, and the loss of a parent. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction & Protocol(01:22) Growing Up RCMP & Moving Around(03:15) Teenage Years & Identity Crisis(07:04) Studying Criminal Justice(09:30) Volunteering in Ecuador(12:06) Human Rights & Birth Alerts Research(18:42) Front-Line Youth Work & Rites of Passage(26:20) Gladue Reports & Systemic Challenges(31:33) Pursuing a Master's Abroad(38:37) Studying Humanitarian Aid in Jordan & Serbia(46:21) Mother's Illness & Passing(48:40) Spiritual Signs, Dreams, & Dimes(01:00:41) Thesis Challenges & OCAP Principles(01:05:39) The Raccoon Blooper(01:18:35) The Matriarch Circle & Provincial Strategy(01:23:27) PhD Journey & Future Goals(01:28:19) The Meaning of Ceremony & Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish matriarch and project cultural advisor, Yvonne Wyss.In this conversation, Yvonne and her son catch up to review the special moments and "put a cherry on top" of their 20-episode series exploring the Squamish Nation. Yvonne reflects on the intensity and joy of visiting with community members, sharing how she learned surprising stories about her own grandparents and discovered close family connections at several intervals in their genealogies. Together, they discuss the diverse and intriguing experiences of their guests. From those who grew up with deep access to culture to those who spent their lives finding their way back to where they came from.Yvonne reflects deeply on the powerful clips that went viral during the series, including John Spence’s teachings on the eagle feather, Gwen Harry’s resilience through the Indian Hospital, and Uncle Rennie's explanation of the burning ceremony, a tradition Yvonne first witnessed as a six-year-old child. The episode highlights the resilience of Indigenous families coming home to claim their traditions and the importance of mentorship.This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation.This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ISO’s Instagram:   / indigenousscreen  X: https://x.com/screen_officeFacebook:   / iso.bea  Follow Our SocialsTiktok:   / ourstorytellers  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytel...Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-S...Youtube:    / @ourstorytellers  Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of Indian residential schools, assimilation, ongoing harm, and colonial impacts. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(02:15) Series Reflections(02:59) Genealogy & New Family Discoveries(05:14) The Eagle Feather Teaching(08:55) Indian Hospitals & Gwen Harry(16:10) Spirit Clothing & The Burning Ceremony(22:23) Diverse Spiritual Journeys(26:32) Coming Home & Bill C-31(30:43) The Legacy of Blanche McDonald(35:59) The Art of Bannock(43:16) Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we are joined by educator and knowledge keeper Cherie Baker.In this episode, we sit down with Cherie Baker Queen. Adopted during the 60s Scoop and raised in a Squamish family in Mission, Cherie shares how spiritual experiences guided her back to her birth family. She recounts returning to Ahousaht, where she was welcomed at a potlatch, given a name, and brought home by the Chiefs.Cherie also reflects on her work in education and her approach to balance, described as carrying a pencil in one hand and a feather in the other.

This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:

https://iso-bea.ca/

ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/

X: https://x.com/screen_office

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/

Follow Our Socials

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of the 60s Scoop, adoption, and intergenerational trauma. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(04:55) Ancestral Introduction

(06:27) Growing Up

(20:05) Role Models

(22:03) Adoption & Searching for Family

(45:19) Ceremony Means

(51:06) Reflections on Intergenerational Trauma

(01:06:04) Next Generation

(01:09:24) Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we are joined by Tammy Zalischuk.

Tammy’s life story is a testament to the resilience required to break cycles of trauma. In this honest conversation, she takes us from her nomadic childhood picking fruit in the United States to her life in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver. She reflects on the deep, often painful influence of her mother, a residential school survivor whose own suffering shaped the family’s dynamic, but who also instilled a fierce survival instinct in her children.

Tammy opens up about her journey through addiction and how spirituality helped her find the way back to herself. From the healing power of putting her hands in the dirt to garden, to the joy of reconnecting with her large extended family in Mount Currie and Skookumchuck, Tammy’s story is one of redemption, forgiveness, and love.

This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Tammy for her vulnerability and for sharing her message of peace and non-judgment.This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/X: https://x.com/screen_officeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/Follow Our SocialsTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdrYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1wContent Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, addiction, and graphic details regarding abuse in Indian Residential Schools. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(04:23) Family Roots(23:34) Teen Years(30:25) Addiction & Spiritual Awakening (37:47) The Healing Power of Gardening (01:04:45) Mom’s Activism & The Drum (01:17:11) Love & Peace (01:22:31) Dedication & Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we are joined by Squamish journalist and educator, Latash Nahanee.

Latash speaks about growing up in the village of Eslha7an and the different worlds that shaped him. He contrasts his experience in Roman Catholic schools with time spent in the Longhouse, where he first heard the drums and began attending ceremony at 13. He reflects on the influence of his mother, who supported the family through cedar basket weaving, and his father, a community leader and handyman who emphasized hard work on their family farm.He also discusses his path through education and media, from developing an interest in English literature to becoming CEO of Kahtou News, guided by mentor Blanche Macdonald. Latash shares stories from his career, including interviewing public figures, and speaks plainly about colonization, cultural strength, and accountability. He closes by offering advice for future generations and dedicating the conversation to his grandchildren.This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Latash for his wisdom, his stories, and for sharing his guidance for the next generation.This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/X: https://x.com/screen_officeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/Follow Our SocialsTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdrYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1wContent Warning: This episode contains discussions of the Catholic church and school system, as well as brief mentions of addiction and overdose within the community. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca. Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(11:13) Growing Up(39:12) Kahtou News & Blanche McDonald (47:41) Spirituality(01:01:43) Matriarchy (01:16:29) Ceremony

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Gitxaala storyteller and filmmaker, Leena Minifie.

Leena grew up between Prince Rupert and Kitimat and describes herself as a curious, energetic child with a deep love for art. From copying dance moves on TV to joining a breakdancing crew at six-years-old, creativity shaped her early life. Leena’s curiosity pushed her to cold-call media companies and create her own opportunities in the media space. In this conversation, Leena reflects on her career journey from music promotion to co-producing/co-directing the documentary The Good Canadian.

She talks about turning the camera back on non-Indigenous people and institutions to examine systemic racism, the resilience it took to co-direct the CBC 5th Estate documentary and producing on Bones of Crows while the discovery of unmarked graves, and her refusal to be boxed in creatively. She also shares how comedy has become part of her search for balance.

Watch the Good Canadian:CBC Gem: https://gem.cbc.ca/the-good-canadianAPTN: https://www.aptn.org/media-centre/shows/the-good-canadian/

Leena’s Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leenaminifie/?hl=enStories First: https://www.storiesfirst.ca/

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Tiktok: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Our-Storytellers-61551840299922/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of the residential school system, the discovery of unmarked graves, and systemic racism. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:04) Early Life

(13:52) Teenage Years

(17:36) Breaking into Media

(24:52) The Good Canadian

(48:00) Storytelling

(57:22) Ceremony

(01:10:07) Comedy

(01:14:09) Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Nisga'a and Squamish Elder, Dehlia Nahanee.

Dehlia grew up in the Nass Valley village of Nisga’a nation before roads and electricity, surrounded by family, stories, and culture. She shares memories of village life, from wild horses running through town to evenings by the stove listening to her grandmother’s teachings that blended faith and tradition.

In this conversation, Dehlia reflects on leaving the north for school, the loss of her language, and the path her education took her on. She shares how she met her husband, her journey into becoming an Elder, and the teaching of Chenchenstway, the canoe philosophy of supporting one another through life’s challenges.

This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Dehlia for sharing her story with us.

This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/

ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/

X: https://x.com/screen_office

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/

Follow Our Socials

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of colonial schooling systems, the loss of Indigenous languages, and historical trauma. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:09) Early Life

(20:53) Family History

(41:31) Community Child-Rearing

(53:55) Moving South

(58:17) Academic Journey & Culture Shock

(01:06:37) The Teaching of Chenchenstway

(01:15:45) Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish Nation matriarch Frances Nahanee. 

In this conversation, she takes us back to her childhood on the Mission Reserve, where she grew up in a small wartime house alongside her fourteen siblings. She shares heartfelt memories of her parents. Her father was a resourceful man who meticulously recorded ancestral names and histories for elders like August Jack Khatsahlano and Andy Paull. Her mother is described as a powerhouse grounded in prayer, who always made room for extended family despite experiencing her own early hardships and the tragedy of losing her sister at a residential school.

Fran opens up about her unique path, from moving to Sechelt and opening a Native gift shop with the support of the Sechelt Nation, to eventually buying the business and passing it down as a legacy to her son. She reflects deeply on Coast Salish genealogy, the traditional protocols of sharing ancestral names, and the profound importance of youth learning their language and songs for holistic wellness.

This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ISO’s

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/

X: https://x.com/screen_office

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/

Follow Our Socials

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of Indian residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and colonial impacts. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(05:19) Childhood

(31:18) Entrepreneurship

(38:48) Kinship, Naming Protocols & Cultural Laws

(57:58) Traditional Teachings & Sustainable Stewardship

(01:03:51) August Jack & Major Matthews

(01:23:40) Ceremony

(01:43:47) Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish Nation matriarch, Christine Baker.

Christine carries a deep connection to the land and waters of her territory. As the daughter of the late Chief Simon Baker (Khot-La-Cha), she shares incredible stories of a childhood defined by hard work and the rhythm of the tides. She describes life on the Capilano reserve, recounting days spent harvesting clams and crabs on the shore, picking berries to support the family, and the lessons of discipline and care instilled by her parents.

In this conversation, Christine takes us through the different chapters of her life; from her years working in the local canneries to her travels around the world as a cultural ambassador, sharing Squamish songs and culture in places like Germany and New Zealand. She reflects on the resilience required to overcome the impacts of residential school, the importance of knowing your family tree, and the joy of seeing her culture revitalize through her children and grandchildren.

This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Christine for her generosity, her humour, and for sharing her journey with us.

This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:⁠https://iso-bea.ca/⁠ISO’s

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/screen_office⁠

Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/

⁠Follow Our Socials

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of Indian residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and colonial impacts. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:15) Early Life

(08:40) Chief Simon & Emily Baker

(15:20) Cultural Ambassador

(26:50) Working in the Cannery

(33:15) Community

(42:55) Next Generations

(47:10) Closing

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish Nation matriarch, Victoria Michels.

In this conversation, she takes us back to her childhood on the Mission Reserve, sharing memories of her parents, her father, a dedicated longshoreman who provided for his family with quiet strength, and her mother, a residential school survivor whose spirit remained unbroken despite the hardships she endured.

Victoria opens up about her own diverse journey, from breaking barriers as a female longshoreman to advocating for her people as a Native Courtworker and serving with the Squamish Nation Trust. She reflects deeply on the impacts of residential schools, the healing power of ceremony.

This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. 

This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:

https://iso-bea.ca/

ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/

X: https://x.com/screen_office

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/

Follow Our Socials

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdr

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of Indian residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and colonial impacts. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.