Welcome to episode 9 of The In-Between People Podcast.

In this episode Val Ooshag, Leslie Spence, and Amelia Fox interview Member of Parliament for Edmonton Griesbach, Blake Desjarlais.

Blake Desjarlais (he/him) was born in ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᕀᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton) and raised in the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement.

Blake made history in September 2021 when he was the first openly Two-Spirit person elected to the House of Commons. Blake is currently Alberta’s only Indigenous Member of Parliament.

Prior to his election, Blake was the National Director of the Métis Settlements General Council.

Blake currently serves as the Caucus Vice Chair and Critic for Treasury Board, Diversity and Inclusion, Youth, Sport and Post-Secondary Education. Blake is the Deputy Critic for 2SLGBTQI+ Rights and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

Blake is proud to call the Boyle Street neighbourhood in Edmonton Griesbach home.

Miigwetch to our listeners and enjoy episode 9!

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to the 8th episode of The In-Between People Podcast. In this episode, we are joined by Bean Fiddler and Mardee Beardy.

In this episode we introduce Bean (Kay) Fiddler and talk to Mardee Beardy from Bearskin Lake. We discuss our favourite things about our communities, our identities, how remoteness impacts our identities, resources, stories, and the importance of pronouns.

Miigwetch to our listeners and enjoy episode 8!

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to the 7th episode of The In-Between People Podcast. In this episode, we are joined by our guest Elder Ed Lavallee. In this episode, Elder Ed recalls teachings, powwows, resources, Two-Spirit gatherings, and shares his stories.

More on Ed below:

Edward Lavallee is a traditional Plains Nehiyaw (Cree) of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan.  He attended the University of Saskatchewan and has worked as co-editor of the Native People newspaper, published by the former Alberta Native Communication Society, now the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta.  He has studied Aboriginal history, spirituality and philosophy with elders during a five- year stint at the Indian Cultural College, now affiliated with the First Nations University of Saskatchewan.  He has worked with Aboriginal organizations across Canada and for federal and provincial governments in various management positions.  Presently he volunteers as an Indigenous Advisor and Elder in Edmonton and sits on the Board of Directors of several Edmonton organizations.

Miigwetch to our listeners and enjoy episode 7!

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to the 6th episode of The In-Between People Podcast. In this episode our hosts are joined by the one and only Kenya Rami to discuss her entry in the drag world and how she's grown into the drag queen she is today!

Kenya Rami is a drag artist whoʼs roots of drag began in Thunder Bay, Ontario. As a black queer activist they have worked on amplifying the voices of racialized youth initially in Northern Ontario and since moving to the GTA has expanded their scope. Kenyaʼs drag style is fun and preppy often performing current hits and cult classics, while ensuring they tie their art to black empowerment and addressing various social and politics issues. In 2019 Kenya, along side their drag mother and daughter founded the Haus of Injustice with Pink Mafia Productions as a place to amplify the voices of racialized queer performers as well as better connect with young queer folk in the community and provide safe spaces to challenge our communitiesʼ ideals and systemic processes. While now residing in the GTA, Kenya still frequents Thunder Bay to work with youth furthest away from opportunity. As well as advocate for Northern Ontario Queer Rights.

Kenya is a prominent queen and can be found @kenyarami on Instagram!! Go give her a follow and reach out if you have any questions about beginning your drag journey.

Miigwetch to our listeners and we hope you enjoy episode 6!

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to the fifth episode of the In-Between People Podcast. In this episode we are joined by our guests: Melody McIver, Dylan Fobister, and Janine Frogg. The Niizhaayek Alliance team was invited to participate in the first ever Two-Spirit Gathering and Powwow organized by Grand Council Treaty No. 3 hosted in Iskatewizaagegan 39 First Nation in August 2021. In this episode we give a brief history of Two-Spirit gatherings, organizations, and powwows followed by interviews conducted at the GCT#3 2-Spirit Powwow where we discuss the importance of these gatherings for 2SLGBTQ+ First Nation youth.

The powwow song in the podcast is a jingle dress song that originated from Whitefish Bay. It's a song about Warrior Women and was sung by a local drum group from Iskatewizaagegan. 

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to the fourth episode of the In-Between People Podcast. In this episode we were joined by Alec O’Nabigon where he discusses his journey. We strongly believe in amplifying trans voices in our communities and raising awareness about struggles faced. Alec’s story is one story of many. Alec’s message to our listeners: My name is Alec Charles O'Nabigon I am 22 year old 2spirited queer trans man, I was born in Thunder Bay Ontario and raised in Ginoogaming First Nation and proud Ojibway! 

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to episode 3! 

We are thrilled to have Ron Indian Mandamin join us with his insights and teachings he received growing up in the Mide lodges. In this episode, Ron shares portions of the Anishinaabe creation story. Among topics he covers are: our Creator, Nanabooshoo and his siblings, Nanabooshoo’s travels, the three sisters, as well as other stories. Listening to these stories, it reaffirms Anishinaabe understanding and acceptance of gender-diversity prior to colonization. 

Speaker bio: Ron Indian-Mandamin is an Ojibwe-Anishinaabe from Iskatewizaagegan #39 (Shoal Lake, Ontario ~ Nimama – My Mother) Independent First Nation, and Gichi-Mashkosii Minis-ziibiing (Big Grassy River ~ Nindede – My Father) Ojibwe Nation. Ron identifies as a gay man. Ron is a full-time educator, currently a Culture and Language Support Coordinator for BIMOSE Tribal Council in Kenora, Ontario. Ron also continues to teach and provide on-going educational awareness of First Nations culture, in collaboration with various health and educational institutions working collectively with members of our communities in restoring historical and ancestral knowledge, including social sciences and human evolution. Ron also is accredited with Health Canada as a Spiritual Care Giver, a Spiritual Support Services provider, and is also a conductor of the Midewin situated in his home community of Shoal Lake. Midewin: a spiritual foundation specializing in wholistic healing and wellness. The work entrusted to Ron as a knowledge keeper is to promote a healthy balance in our lifestyle and lifestyle choices, creating a better understanding of one’s self. Ron is also entrusted to provide several rites of passages for the Peoples. Ron was raised in a spiritual, traditional and contemporary lifestyle by his parents, who both worked in the professional area of Community and Social Services, including First Nations Governance and Infrastructure safety. Ron was given by his parents the tools necessary to assist not only himself, but others on how to flourish and prosper in today’s modern society and on-going changes, utilizing our indigenous culture, healing methods and using the current trends, allowing to become aware and educated in the importance of common unity and social enrichment. These tools can provide a solid foundation of cultural bridging within Nations. 

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Welcome to the second episode of The In-Between People Podcast.

On this episode we feature special guests Dr. James Makokis from Saddle Cree Nation in Treaty 6 territory and Anthony Johnson from Navajo Nation. They are the winners of Canada's Amazing Race season 7. It was incredibly sacrit to have them join us and discuss trans health. Their words and teachings are beneficial to all 2SLGBTQ+ youth out there.

Watch out for our next episode!

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.

*TRIGGER WARNING*

Welcome to the first episode and thank you for checking in!

In this episode we talk about our coming out stories, reclaiming our identities, how colonialism affects us as two-spirit young people in our communities and families, as well as our aspiration for the work we conduct.

We hope to see you in the next episode!

HELPLINE:

Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868

LGBT Youth Line: 1-800-268-9688 or Text: 647-694-4275

You can find us on Instagram and Facebook @niizhaayekalliance or send us an email at [email protected].

This podcast is made possible by Youth Opportunities Fund - Ontario Trillium Foundation.