The Packsack Project

Gerry Brandon is a world-renowned chef and innovator from Dokis First Nation, passionate about people and Northern Ontario. After a successful career in finance, Gerry pursued becoming a chef at the Stratford Chefs School, which led to opening many restaurants and extensive travel. Gerry recently opened L'Autochtone Taverne Américaine and has breathed new life into a retailer called Busters Mini-Mart in Haileybury (Temiskaming Shores).  At L'Autochtone Gerry and his staff fuse dishes with First Nation, French and English influences from scratch. We speak with Gerry about the changes he is driving in this small community and the mindset shift that Northern communities need to thrive. 

_

The Packsack Project is a collaborative podcast from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre's Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) and NORDIK Institute, sharing real life stories and experiences of Northern Ontario's resilience.

In today's episode, we speak with Dr Catherine Cervin, Vice Dean Academic at NOSM University (formerly the Northern Ontario School of Medicine) about innovations in health education for Northern Ontario. The NOSM University has an amazing track record of developing a culturally responsive healthcare system within Northern Ontario. We cover a number of topics including Dr Cervin's approach to the practice of family medicine in the North and how NOSM University is responding to doctor shortages that communities are facing. Since recording this episode it was announced that NOSM became the first Independent Medical University in Canada! 

_

The Packsack Project is a collaborative podcast from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre's Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) and NORDIK Institute, sharing real life stories and experiences of Northern Ontario's resilience.

Continuing our exploration of Sandhill Cranes in northern Ontario we speak with those on the ground seeking ways to adapt and mitigate the damage to crops. We speak with Justin Gaudet (Valley Growers) as he describes the different methods he has been using to curtail the damage to his potato crops. We also speak with Christopher Sharp about a new biological control product called Avipel that farmers are interested in adopting through research and experience from the United States. Finally, we continue our conversation with Chief Dean Sayers who shares the significant cultural role Cranes continue to have for Indigenous peoples. Join us as we get a better understanding of the crane's larger impact on the region and the people who call it home.  

_

The Packsack Project is a collaborative podcast from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre's Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) and NORDIK Institute, sharing real life stories and experiences of Northern Ontario's resilience.

Over the next two episodes we're looking at the impact that Sandhill cranes are having on agriculture, and the important cultural role they've had for Indigenous peoples. We will hear about the perspectives on the impact that cranes have had and are currently having. 

Who we spoke to:
- Chief Dean Sayers, Batchewana First Nation 
- Christopher Sharp, Population Management Biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service 
- Justin Gaudet, Owner of Valley Growers 

Through this dialogue, we'll explore the strategies that researchers and farmers have come up with to mitigate their impacts on the agricultural sector. Along the way, we'll get a better understanding of the crane's larger impact on the region and the people who call it home. 

_

The Packsack Project is a collaborative podcast from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre's Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) and NORDIK Institute, sharing real life stories and experiences of Northern Ontario's resilience.

The Packsack Project is an exploration of resilient rural and Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. We will hear from people, businesses, and organizations who are adapting to change in ways that is reflective of Northern Ontario’s culture and geography.

In this Introduction we’ll hear from the Packsack Project’s creators, Dr. Sean Meades and David Thompson along with host Dr. Gayle Broad.

Dr. Sean Meades is the Research Director of NORDIK Institute, an innovative community-based research hub affiliated with Algoma University dedicated to building healthy, resilient communities.

David Thompson is the Manager of the Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN), a catalyst of agri-food innovation that is an initiative of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre with a mandate for building a resilient agri-food sector in Algoma.

In this episode we share how the Packsack Project got started, where it’s going, and how you can be involved.

_

The Packsack Project is a collaborative podcast from the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre's Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN) and NORDIK Institute, sharing real life stories and experiences of Northern Ontario's resilience.