Warrior Life

Truth Before Reconciliation Book Talk

Niigaan Sinclair and Sean Carleton Confront Residential School Denialism in New Book

Warrior Life Podcast with host Pam Palmater

In episode #186, Dr. Niigaan Sinclair and Dr. Sean Carleton discuss their new edited collection, Truth Before Reconciliation: Confronting Residential School Denialism, published by the University of Manitoba Press. The collection features chapters by Indigenous residential school survivors, activists, and others who share their knowledge, expertise, insights, and lived experiences in relation to residential schools and the rise of denialism.

Niigaan Sinclair is an Anishinaabe, award-winning author, media commentator, and professor from Peguis First Nation. He teaches at the UofM in the Dept. of Indigenous Studies. Niigaan is also an award-winning columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press.

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/biographies/niigaan-sinclair

Sean Carleton also teaches History and Indigenous Studies at the UofM and confronts denialism in his academic, media, and published works. You can check out his other published works on his website:

https://www.seancarleton.com

You can buy their new book, Truth Before Reconciliation, here:

UofM Press: https://uofmpress.ca/books/truth-before-reconciliation

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B054ehwMD

Here is the link to the organization to which they have donated all the proceeds from their book:

Indian Residential School Survivors Society: https://www.irsss.ca/

You can also check out Niigaan's previous best-selling book, Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre, published by McClelland & Stewart, here:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/673193/winipek-by-niigaan-sinclair/9780771099175

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B0drvZMsT

You can also check out Sean's previous best-selling book, When the Pine Needles Fall: Indigenous Acts of Resistance, published by Between the Lines, which he co-authored with Ellen Gabriel, here:

Between the Lines: https://btlbooks.com/book/when-the-pine-needles-fall

Amazon: https://link.amazon/B01I7wOo7

——-

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Eel River Bar First Nation from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory in New Brunswick, Canada).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which helps lift the voices of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs! https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

You can also watch the Warrior Life Podcast video versions on my Pam Palmater YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@pampalmater

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

________

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

______

THANK YOU TO ACAST for hosting the Warrior Life Podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoë Craig-Sparrow on the End the Cut-Off Campaign

Zoë calls on Canada to end the second-generation cut-off in Indian Status

Warrior Life Podcast with host Pam Palmater

In episode #185, we hear from Indigenous human rights advocate Zoë Craig-Sparrow about the End the Cut-Off Campaign, which calls on Canada to end the second-generation cut-off in Indian status and bring an end to the legislative extinction of Indians (First Nations) in the Indian Act. Existence of extinction - there is no middle ground.

Zoë is a member of the Musqueam Indian Band and is a long-time advocate of human rights, Indigenous-specific rights, and the environment. She’s currently the Vice-President of Justice for Girls – an organization that promotes social, economic and environmental justice and an end to violence in the lives of Canadian teenage girls who live in poverty - and is also working on her PhD at the University of London in the UK. 

For more information, check out the End the Cut-Off Campaign website here:

https://www.endthecutoff.ca

End the Cut-off on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/endsecondgen/?hl=en

End the Cut-off on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/endsecondgen

Stay tuned for the upcoming short doc called End 2nd Gen Cut-Off!

You can also access the academic article Zoë and I co-authored for the University of Miami's International and Comparative Law Review entitled: "Tools of Genocide: Forced Assimilation in Canada" here:

https://repository.law.miami.edu/umiclr/vol33/iss2/6/

Here is the previous Warrior Life Podcast episode with Zoë, in case you want to learn more about her work and advocacy:

https://warriorlifepodcast.ca/zoe-craig-sparrow-on-indigenous-girls-leading-the-way

You can follow Zoë on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/zoecraigsparrow/?hl=en

——-

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Eel River Bar First Nation from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory in New Brunswick, Canada).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which helps lift the voices of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs! https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

You can also watch the Warrior Life Podcast video versions on my Pam Palmater YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@pampalmater

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

________

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

______

THANK YOU TO ACAST for hosting the Warrior Life Podcast!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wolastoqey Aboriginal Title in New Brunswick

Chief Trish Bernard and Renée Pelletier Explain Wolastoqey Aboriginal Title

In episode #184, we hear from Madawaska Maliseet First Nation Chief Trish Bernard about the current Wolastoqey Nation Aboriginal Title claim. She is joined by the Wolastoqey Nation's legal counsel, Renée Pelletier of OKT Law, to help explain the claim and dispel misinformation circulating in the media and online. They help us understand the differences among Aboriginal rights, treaty rights, and Aboriginal title (land rights), and what a successful claim of title means for New Brunswickers. Hint: No one gets kicked out of their homes.

For more information about the Wolastoqey Nation, check out their website: https://wnnb.wolastoqey.ca

To find out more about Renée's work at OKT Law, click here: https://www.oktlaw.com/team-members/renee-pelletier

Check out the Wolastoqey Nation's Ally Toolkit and how you can engage in meaningful reconciliation: https://wnnb.wolastoqey.ca/wp-content/uploads/ally-toolkit.pdf

——-

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation) from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which features the leadership, advocacy, and important contributions of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs!

https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

You can also watch the Warrior Life Podcast video versions on my Pam Palmater YouTube channel a week after the audio version goes live:

https://www.youtube.com/@pampalmater

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

_________

A special thank you to ACAST for supporting the Warrior Life Podcast and Indigenous podcasters all over Turtle Island!

________

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

EDIT: A small error in editing this episode has since been corrected.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brent Edwards aka Mooselegs

Mooselegs on Life, Love & Positivity

In episode #183, we hear from Cree entertainer, Brent Edwards, also known as Mooselegs from Fort Albany First Nation. He talks about the origins of his show name "Mooselegs" and how he grew up in a family that loved humour and how that translated into improv shows and even a TV segment! I made sure to subject him to speed round of "which would you choose" questions. You can decide how he did.

His website is www.mooselegs.ca

His Facebook is Mooselegs Consulting

If you are interested in booking him, his email is [email protected]

——-

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Ugpi'ganjig (Eel River Bar First Nation) from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which features the leadership, advocacy, and important contributions of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs!

https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

You can also watch the Warrior Life Podcast video versions on my Pam Palmater YouTube channel a week after the audio version goes live:

https://www.youtube.com/@pampalmater

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

__________

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Five Things with Pam and Niigaan

Niigaan Sinclair Talks Canadian & US Politics

In episode #182, we hear from Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, an Anishinaabe professor, author, and award-winning columnist with the Winnipeg Free Press. He recently won Canada's Best Columnist at the 77th National Newspaper Awards in Toronto - the second time he's won it! His book, Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre, is a national bestseller and winner of the 2024 Governor General's Literary Award for Nonfiction.

Today, I asked him about five issues in the headlines right now: (1) his recent award, (2) Prime Minister Mark Carney, (3) Alberta separation, (4) BC's back-tracking on DRIPA (BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act), and (5) RCMP surveillance of Indigenous peoples. We also talked about three schools renaming themselves after his late father, the Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, who headed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

You can buy a copy of Niigaan's latest book, Wînipêk: Visions of Canada from an Indigenous Centre, here:

https://amzn.to/4nzFEx0

You can also sign up for Niigaan's free newsletter - Biidaajimowin | News from the Centre - here:

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/newsletter/biidaajimowin-signup

His Twitter (X) account is: https://x.com/Niigaanwewidam

You can also buy the late Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair's book, Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation, here:

https://amzn.to/42yyRKn

You can listen to my last podcast interview with Justice Sinclair, entitled: Murray Sinclair on His Life, Work & Advocacy on Feb.27, 2023:

https://warriorlifepodcast.ca/murray-sinclair-on-his-life-work-advocacy

——-

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Eel River Bar First Nation from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory in New Brunswick, Canada).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which helps lift the voices of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs! https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

You can also watch the Warrior Life Podcast video versions on my Pam Palmater YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@pampalmater

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cindy Blackstock on "Clash Actions"

Cindy discusses how class actions and human rights often clash

In episode #181, we hear from Dr. Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan Nation and Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. She is a well-known advocate and public educator on the rights of Indigenous children and families in Canada. Cindy is a frequent guest on the Warrior Life Podcast, providing us with important updates on her work to push Canada to end racial discrimination against Indigenous children and families.

Today, she shares the article that she and I published in the Genealogy journal called: "Clash Actions: Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights and Class Actions. She and I talk about our research on how class actions do not always protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. We also discuss the serious ethical concerns raised by some class action lawyers and recent court cases. We end with our ideas on how the system could be reformed.

You can find the open-access (free) journal article: "Clash Actions: Indigenous Peoples' Human Rights and Class Actions" here:

https://www.mdpi.com/2313-5778/9/4/122

The court case we referenced is called: Nootchtai v. Nahwegahbow Corbiere Genoodmagejig Barristers and Solicitors, 2025 ONSC 6071 (CanLII) found here:

https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onsc/doc/2025/2025onsc6071/2025onsc6071.html

You can find more information about Cindy's work at the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society here:

https://fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness

-------

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Eel River Bar First Nation from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory in New Brunswick, Canada).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which helps lift the voices of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs! https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

You can also watch the Warrior Life Podcast video versions on my Pam Palmater YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@pampalmater

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cindy Blackstock on CHRT Letter Decision

In episode #180, we hear from Dr. Cindy Blackstock, a member of the Gitxsan Nation and Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society. She is a well-known advocate and public educator on the rights of Indigenous children and families in Canada. Cindy is a frequent guest on the Warrior Life Podcast, providing us with important updates on her work to push Canada to end racial discrimination against Indigenous children and families. Today, she explains the recent Canadian Human Rights Tribunal letter decision (CHRT) approving the Ontario Final Agreement between First Nations in Ontario and the federal government on long-term reform in child and family services for First Nations on reserve.

Here is a list of her previous episodes so you can go back and listen to them in any order you like:

Cindy Blackstock Update on Jordan's Principle - Feb.27, 2025

Cindy Blackstock on Long-term First Nation Child Welfare Reform Draft Settlement - Sept.20, 2024

SCC Decision on Federal Indigenous Child Legislation (panel with other guests) - Feb.20, 2024

Cindy Blackstock on Canada's Latest Litigation Tactics - Dec.9, 2022

Cindy Blackstock on AFN-Canada Settlement - Oct.28, 2022

Cindy Blackstock on Compensation for First Nations Kids - Feb.25, 2021

Cindy Blackstock on Bill C-92 Indigenous Child Welfare - Nov.29, 2019

Cindy Blackstock on CHRT Compensation Order - Nov.22, 2019

Cindy Blackstock on Justice for First Nations Kids - Part III - Apr.19, 2019

Cindy Blackstock on Justice for First Nations Kids - Part II - Apr. 12, 2019

Cindy Blackstock on Justice for First Nation Kids - Part I - Apr.5, 2019

You can find more information about everything we discussed in the podcast here:

https://fncaringsociety.com/i-am-witness

Hi! I’m Dr. Pam Palmater, an Indigenous lawyer, professor, author, and podcaster. I create educational videos, podcasts, blogs, and other content about Indigenous issues. I am a citizen of the Mi’kmaw Nation and a member of Eel River Bar First Nation from Mi’kma’ki (Mi’kmaw territory in New Brunswick, Canada).

I am the producer and host of the Warrior Life Podcast, which helps lift the voices of Indigenous leaders, advocates, land defenders, water protectors, actors, artists and even chefs!

https://www.warriorlifepodcast.ca

If you want to follow me on my social media, here is my Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/pampalmater

Please note: Nothing in this podcast/video advocates for violence on Indigenous territories.

Please also note: The information contained in this podcast/video/stream should not be misconstrued as legal, financial, medical and/or personal advice; nor should it be relied on as such. These podcasts, videos, and live streams are for educational purposes and represent fair political comment. Any pictures, audio clips and/or video clips that do not belong to me or are from the public domain remain the copyright of the owners and are used under the fair use rule for educational purposes.

If you would like more information about these issues, you can check out my website at:

https://www.pampalmater.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.