Teachings In The Air

“We’re blessed that we have these gems. By gems, I mean Native communities that have held teachings of the heart, for humanity.” – Dr. Lee Brown

The 2nd episode of Season 5 is called “Witness”, Gerry Oldman shares a discussion with guest and friend Dr. Lee Brown.

Dr. Lee Brown is the former Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Health in the College of Health Disciplines, and the Co-author of “The Sacred Tree”, an educational curriculum based in Aboriginal values and Epistemology.

Gerry and Dr. Lee Brown share their teachings in conversations about the #StrongHeart. They share stories of gifts they were given in their journey to healing and attaining a #StrongHeart. The long-term effects of trauma and negativity have played roles in our communities. Dr. Lee Brown shares personal knowledge and experiences alongside Gerry in how they have seen the sequence of events that led to where we are today as Indigenous People. This episode, we also hear when #StrongHeart got added to #StrongHeartMindBodySpirit.

“That’s what I’d like to address this season, is to help us understand how our mind, our body, and our spirit can be weakened, but more importantly, how we can Strengthen it” – Gerry Oldman

Welcome back to Teachings in the Air with host Gerry Oldman and the brand new Season 5 titled “Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Spirit.” This is episode one of the new season, where Gerry discusses what he hopes to see the direction of this new season. Gerry shares some stories about his past, the community, teachings, and identity. Also, discussed are some of the subjects Gerry would like to address, and some of the guests he’d like to see appear on the podcast to share their stories.

Previously, we asked Gerry Oldman to write a blurb about Season 5 and this is what he said:

We have a new season for Teachings in the Air coming in October. The theme for the new season is “Strong Heart, Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Spirit”. The content I am creating have been influenced by the stress of COVID and the changing climate that we are living. The podcasts will reflect on how our resilient ancestors coped and dealt challenges and how we can emulate them. The guests that we are calling are an echo/reflection of our ancestor’s wellness way of life. I look forward to sharing Teachings that create solutions and that wake up the resilient spirit." - Gerry Oldman

“My guidelines to live by today are to accept my original self, not try be anybody else, but to know who I am.” - Gerry Oldman

The final episode of TIA Season 4 is "Saying Hello".

Gerry’s shares his road to reconciliation and encourages us to say hello to our problems so we can say goodbye to them. The episode allows Gerry to share deep feelings, teachings surrounding Reconciliation. Gerry teaches us that seeking or giving forgiveness in the world can be a difficult task but can be done.

Kustkum'ckcuw to all for listening to Season 4 - Indigenous Is.

Teachings In The Air has collaborated with the National Indigenous Diabetes Association for Part 1 of Diabetes & Safety in Ceremony.

Gerry shares space with Dr. Karen Hill M.D from Mohawk Nation and Elder Treffrey Deerfoot from the Siksika Nation and Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Nation.

Gerry, Treffrey and Karen break down what diabetes is, how it affects our bodies and how we may incorporate our traditional knowledge to overcome this modern obstacle.

This episode with National Indigenous Diabetes Awareness day on May 7th and will debut in 3 parts.

Kustkum'ckuw to our panelists and the National Indigenous Diabetes Association for this partnership.

"Whatever way you can find peace, I encourage you” – Gerry Oldman

Let the Ceremony Begin!

Gerry shares his personal journey and relationship to Ceremony.

He says he is still on the learning path and changing as he goes.

If you’re unsure about ceremony, Gerry encourages you to Let the Ceremony Begin!

“Because of retrieving my spirit, I achieved a lot of my goals."

Gerry teaches us how to commit to love and shares how he retrieved his spirit. He teaches us about commitment, love, and wellness to achieve our personal goals. This extraordinarily personal episode shares the many ways that Gerry has asked found help, positivity, and teachings that led him back to his spirit.

Cuystwi! (Let’s go!)

“To me, the Uncles and Aunties, WE'RE the teachers...” – Gerry Oldman

Today’s episode is a panel recording of the Ask Aunty/Ask Uncle panel from the Cloud Connections Conference(CCC) which was hosted by the Indigenous Youth Wellness team, February 16-18.

“Aunties and Uncles” is hosted by Savannah Minoose, alongside Gerry, Naomi Bob and Sarain Squakin of the IYW team. They discuss the importance of Aunties and Uncles as role models, their community position as an aunty or uncle and how vital these positions are for youth, and an entire community to help grow as one.

For more information about the Indigenous Youth Wellness Team, visit www.indigenousyouthwellness.ca

“I encourage you to embrace yourself as who YOU ARE.” – Gerry Oldman

“Indigenous Is..” is the theme of the fourth season of Teachings In The Air. All My Relations is a very personal insight into all that surrounds identity and what makes you, YOU.

Gerry covers subjects like ancestry, status, community, healing, growth, family and the teachings he carries with him.

Gerry reminds us that the teachings are everywhere and it’s up to us to pick them up.

Today you are all Gerry Oldman and the Teachings In The Air team’s relatives. Kustkum'ckcuw

“A lot of the podcasts I do, what I hear coming from my guests is Love, and Love is a commitment.”

Today’s episode of Teachings In The Air is called “Cradle to the Grave.” Gerry Oldman hosts his guests from NITEP(The Indigenous Teacher Education Program) Marny Point, Teneille Shea, Jennifer Anaquod, and Johanna Sam. NITEP began as an elementary teacher education program in 1974, in response to needs expressed by Indigenous people throughout BC for a more effective and relevant teacher education program. Gerry shares a discussion about the program that helps educate teachers and instructors on Indigenous matters including teaching methodology, testing and assessment, and curriculum. Education starts as soon as you’re born, and we continue learning our entire journeys.

NITEP shares their stories and paths that led them to where they are today educating and promoting the Indigenous ways of wellness, educating, and growing. They share the importance of not giving up on yourself. The NITEP team talk about their dreams and difficulties growing up as an Indigenous person in the education sectors, finding and building the support systems for our people.

"Laughter has opened me up and freed me, to be me.." - Gerry

Gerry teaches us that Laughter is Medicine. He shares the way humour has been an important aspect of Indigenous life and community. This episode delves into how laughing can help us by bringing joy and happiness, even the most difficult of times.

Laughter is Medicine is a look into one of the many ways we can heal and unite as a people.