YXE Underground

Beth Cote shares a wonderful story at the end of this episode that illustrates the potential of a new downtown library in Saskatoon.

Now, I'm not saying you should skip to the end of the book (or podcast in this case) because there's plenty of good stuff in the first 43 minutes, but when you hear Beth's story of a conversation she has with a Halifax baker and the pride he had in his city's new library, you'll understand why her work means so much to her.

Beth Cote is the Director of Public Services for the Saskatoon Public Library. She oversees all the Library's frontline programming and ensures it connects with the organization's goals and vision.

She has also played an important role in the organization's efforts to secure funding for a new downtown branch that would replace the Frances Morrison Library, which was built in 1966.

I've been following the SPL's efforts to build a new downtown branch for months and wanted to know more about the role the Frances Morrison Library plays in our community. I feel very lucky to have met Beth because her passion for libraries and community is really inspiring, and her ability to clearly articulate a vision of what a downtown library should be is impressive. I left our conversation so darned excited for what this new space will be!

This episode of YXE Underground is sponsored by the great folks at Congress Beer House in downtown Saskatoon. It's one my favourite places to grab a great meal and enjoy a pint from anywhere in the country! A big thank you to the entire Congress team for supporting the podcast.

Subscribe to YXE Underground wherever you find your podcasts and please leave a review! 

YXE Underground is a proud member of the Saskatchewan Podcast Network. 

Thank you for listening and supporting a local, independent podcast! And a big thank you to the Saskatoon Public Library for being so wonderful to work with. Go visit your local library!! 

Cheers...Eric

CORRECTION: In the first part of our conversation, Beth says that research shows kids need to have 10,000 books read to them to build the skills to be ready to learn to read. She messaged me a few days later that the number is actually 1,000. That's about one book a day for the first three years of life. 

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Thursday night was special and meaningful for many people here in Saskatoon. The Surviv(her) cancer support group, founded by Amy Morris, hosted an event called 'Portraits of Surviv(her)s.' It paired local photographers with Saskatoon women who are cancer survivors and fighters. It also created a wonderful sense of community.

The portraits were displayed throughout the event room at LB Distillery. Beside each professional portrait was a 5x7 photo selected by the subject of the photo along with a write-up describing what that small photo meant to them. The stories served as a window into each person's battle against cancer and put into perspective what it meant for them to be in the room on that night. 

Alyssa Noonan was one of those cancer fighters who shared their story and had their portrait taken. The local photographer she was matched with was our very own Janelle Wallace! I am so proud to work with Janelle on every episode of YXE Underground and it was wonderful to see her talents and character celebrated. You'll hear Alyssa and Janelle in this bonus episode.

You will also hear from Amy Morris and Kim Swetecki, who you may remember from Season One of the podcast where we took an in-depth look at cancer support in Saskatoon. Amy is the founder of Surviv(her) and Kim organizes the events for the support event. Both are cancer survivors and both had their portraits featured at the event. They were kind enough to share their thoughts on the evening in this episode.

Two things really hit home for me while attending the event. The first is the power of photographs. You will hear Alyssa and Kim share some really raw and powerful emotions of their cancer journeys sparked entirely by their photos. I know it's cliche to say that a picture says a thousand words, but that thought kept running through my mind while talking with the women featured in the event. 

The second is how strong the sense of community was in the room. Everyone there had some connection to cancer and where there to support for one-another. Amy and I talked at the end of the night about how necessary it is to have that community in Saskatoon. I have been told many times by cancer survivors and fighters that your life gets put on hold when battling the disease, which I think makes being a part of a community being created by Surviv(her) all the more important. 

For the women who took part in the event and showed up on a frigid January evening, the sense of understanding and camaraderie in Surviv(her) is real and important. I hope that comes through a bit in this bonus episode.

Thanks for listening and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review of YXE Underground. 

Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

There's nothing like a compelling story to prove a point. That is certainly the case in this episode of YXE Underground which focuses on the work being done at the Global Gathering Place in Saskatoon. 

The stories shared in this episode will make you realize the important work being done at the Global Gathering Place in helping newcomers and refugees settle into their new lives in our city.

Afton Tolley and Sol Barrones are the featured guests. I have known Afton for several years. She is the Program Coordinator and has been with the Global Gathering Place for 11 years. Afton has seen her organization adapt and grow as Saskatoon has become more diverse. She is also seeing more local businesses realize the potential when it comes to hiring newcomers. 

Sol was once a client of the Global Gathering Place. She and her family arrived from Mexico 10 years ago. A lawyer by trade, Sol attended classes at the Global Gathering Place to improve her English. She quickly fell in love with the sense of community present in the organization and eventually started volunteering. Sol is now the Life Skills Coordinator and works closely with government-supported refugees helping them navigate their first few months in Saskatoon. 

Both Sol and Afton share some very personal and meaningful stories in this episode that show the important role the Global Gathering Place serves in Saskatoon. What I also love about this episode is the voices of newcomers scattered throughout. Their stories are worth celebrating and might just make you want to volunteer at the next Coffee and Conversation! 

This episode of YXE Underground is sponsored by 13 Pies restaurant in downtown Saskatoon. If you're looking for an incredible slice of pizza and a great cocktail, be sure to pay 13 Pies a visit! A big thank you to Blair and Brad for their support of the podcast. 

This episode was an absolute blast to assemble. The stories will be stuck in your head for days (in a good way!) and the sounds will give you a sense of what life is like at the Global Gathering Place. 

Thank you for your continued support of a local, independent podcast! 

Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Begin a conversation with Julia Holliday-Scott and you'll quickly notice a few things: She is always looking to help people who need it the most, which makes her a perfect fit as Support Services Coordinator for AIDS Saskatoon. She is also very articulate and can raise several compelling arguments and opinions in the span of a few seconds. She definitely kept me on my toes during our conversation at the new headquarters for AIDS Saskatoon on 20th Street!

I wanted to learn more about the organization and specifically the Safe Consumption Site. Julia's came highly recommended by Jessica Fisher from OUT Saskatoon (who was featured in an earlier episode of YXE Underground) and it's easy to see why. Julia's passion for helping our city's most vulnerable is inspiring. Her work ethic and kindness make her well-suited to help those people who visit the drop-in centre at AIDS Saskatoon seeking advice and guidance. 

We cover a lot of ground in our conversation. Julia explains why our city needs a Safe Consumption Site and why it's a project she wanted to become involved in. She discusses her experiences as a frontline support worker and the impact it has on the community. Julia also opens up about the importance of self-care and why it's a necessary part of her life. 

I learned so much from Julia; not only about the importance of the Safe Consumption Site, but about how we are treating people in our community who desperately need supports. Julia doesn't seek any kind of spotlight for her work so I feel very lucky that she agreed to share her story and knowledge on the podcast!

Thank you for listening and supporting a local, independent podcast. Subscribe for free to YXE Underground on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast app. Stream this episode on the website or Spotify. 

This episode is sponsored by Hometown Diner. If you're looking for a heck of a breakfast or brunch...or donut...go visit Hometown Diner on 20th Street! A big thanks to their crew for supporting the podcast.

If you know of anyone who is making a difference in #Saskatoon but is flying under the radar, please send me a note on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or by email: [email protected]

Have a happy and safe holiday season, a Happy New Year, and we'll chat in 2020!

Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

In June, I received an email from Lauryn Kronick, who is the Education and Prevention Coordinator at AIDS Saskatoon. They asked if I wanted to take part in National HIV Testing Day, which is on June 27th.

My first thought was yes, of course. HIV rates in Saskatchewan are incredibly high compared to the rest of the country. Maybe if I tweeted about it and did something for the podcast, people might learn something, was my thinking.

But then I started to come up with reasons why I shouldn’t do the test. Many reasons. Reasons that, when I look back on it, I feel kind of embarrassed about. So, I called Lauryn and we talked. Actually, I talked a lot and she patiently listened. Lauryn is a good listener.

A few weeks after our conversation, I met Lauryn and a lovely registered nurse named Mel at Saskatoon Sexual Health on 2nd Avenue to receive an HIV test. You are about to hear that test as well as a conversation with Lauryn about some of the fears I had. We also discuss the importance of testing and why this means so much to Lauryn. 

This bonus episode leads into next week's brand new episode of YXE Underground. It features Julia Holliday-Scott, who is the Support Services Coordinator for AIDS Saskatoon. In the episode, we discuss Saskatchewan's first Safe Consumption Site, the stigma surrounding HIV, and why she wanted to be involved in the creation of the Safe Consumption Site. 

Subscribe to YXE Underground for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favourite podcast app. Stream episodes on Spotify or the website. 
 

I learned so much doing this HIV test. I hope you do too.

Thanks for supporting a local, independent podcast! 

Cheers...Eric 

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Spend five minutes with Bayani Trinidad and Forrest Eaglespeaker and several things become clear. One, they are passionate about their work. Two, they thrive on seeing people change and grow when it comes to their thoughts on Truth and Reconciliation. Three, they have way too much fun together!

Bayani and Forrest work for a non-profit organization called Canadian Roots Exchange. It was formed in 2008 as a way to bring indigenous and non-indigenous youth together to work towards Reconciliation. In 2016, the organization opened an office in Saskatoon, which is where you will find Bayani and Forrest, working hard in their office at Saskatoon's The Two Twenty.

The work Bayani and Forrest are doing when it comes to Truth and Reconciliation focuses on Saskatoon's youth. When I say youth, I mean mostly people who are university age. People who have learned about the horrors of Indian Residential School System in school and recognize the importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and now want to learn more and be involved in making Reconciliation a reality in Canada.

In this episode, you will learn what Bayani and Forrest are doing with to help young people achieve these goals. You'll discover how they use education and leadership to empower youth, and you'll find out why they are so passionate about the work they do. 

What I love about Bayani and Forrest is they themselves are young people who have stepped into leadership roles in our community and are embracing the challenges that come with Truth and Reconciliation. As Forrest states in the podcast, "I think change starts on a personal level. You don't see entire societies and entire communities change all at once. You see it in individuals. In that aspect, I definitely see it happening. It makes me feel good because any change in the right direction should be celebrated and should be looked at as a huge success."

You're going to love Bayani and Forrest! They chemistry and passion is inspiring and the work they're doing in Saskatoon is really important. Plus, you'll get to hear an original song by Forrest...aka...The North Sound, at the end of the episode! How cool is that?!?!

Subscribe to YXE Underground for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favourite podcast app. You can also stream episodes on Spotify, the I Heart Radio app, or the website. 

This episode of YXE Underground is sponsored by ACE Burger. If you love cheeseburgers and milkshakes as much as I do, you need to visit ACE Burger on the corner of Broadway Avenue and 9th Street cause I am telling you, they make a mean burger and shake! Thank you to ACE Burger for their financial support of this local, independent podcast. 

Enjoy listening to Bayani and Forrest and thank you for all of your support!

Cheers...Eric

 

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Matt Ingrouille wants to see change in Saskatoon when it comes to drug and addiction issues, and he realizes the best way to bring about this change is at the grassroots level. It's one of the reasons why Matt, a Constable with the Saskatoon Police Service, started the non-profit organization, Say Know. 

Say Know is a drug education project that is doing incredible work raising drug and addiction awareness in Saskatoon. The Say Know website states its mission is, "to tackle the illicit drug trade through education. For far too long, our society has been fighting gate wrong end of the war. It's time to reduce the demand of drugs, rather than focusing, wasted efforts, on the supply."

Matt was kind enough to meet me in Riversdale on a hot July afternoon this past summer and we went talked about the current state of drugs and addictions while walking throughout the neighbourhood. 

Matt is articulate and passionate with his words. He also one of the most empathetic people I have ever met, and that comes through in the last half of this episode when we focus on why he started Say Know.

In no way does Matt hold back in this episode. We look at how crystal meth is destroying so many lives in Saskatoon and why it is the drug of choice for so many people. We discuss some of the innovative ways different organizations could work together to solve our drug and addiction issues, and Matt explains how is own personal challenges have fuelled his passion to bring change through Say Know.

I know you will learn a lot about what is happening in our core neighbourhoods here in Saskatoon in this episode. I also hope you will realize just how fortunate we are to have someone like Matt Ingrouille to help get our community out of this crisis. 

Thank you so much for listening to YXE Underground. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or your favourite podcast app. You can also stream episodes on Spotify, the I Heart Radio app, or the YXE Underground website. 

Cheers...Eric 

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Do you know where your food comes from? It’s a question Arlie LaRoche is very passionate in answering. Arlie and her family own and operator Farm One Forty, a holistically managed farm about twenty minutes southwest of Saskatoon. As Farm One Forty's website states, “we are a local, sustainable and natural choice for Saskatoon’s ethical eaters.”

What stands out about Arlie is how passionate she is in educating people, not only in Saskatoon but across the province, about where their food comes from and how her animals are cared for.

Arlie takes YXE Underground host Eric Anderson on a tour of her farm (storm free!) and discusses her love of animals, why she chooses to farm in a holisitc way, and how she copes when it's time to say goodbye to her cows, pigs, chickens and sheep. Arlie also explains what led her and her husband to open Odla, a new restaurant in Saskatoon's Broadway neighbourhood.

This episode also features insight on the Farm-to-Table movement currently taking place in Saskatoon and the province by freelance reporter and author, Jenn Sharp.

It's really exciting to begin a new season with Arlie's story. You will quickly connect with her caring and selfless nature, as well as her passion and humour. Please subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast app or stream episodes on the YXE Underground website or Spotify. Please feel free to leave a review of the podcast if you have time.

Thank you for supporting a local, independent podcast, and thank you for listening to Arlie's story.

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Janelle and I were really excited to visit Arlie LaRoche at her farm, Farm One Forty, southwest of Saskatoon last Thursday. Arlie is doing some really great things for Saskatoon's food and culinary scenes and she is a fantastic talker. We were also excited because the skies were really dynamic last Thursday, which would make for some great photographs (if you follow us on social media, you'll see some amazing pictures).

There was a tornado watch in the area but the scariest looking clouds were to the northwest and we were heading southwest, so we thougth we were fine.

We were wrong.

In this episode, you'll hear how a massive storm grinds our interview with

When I was listening to the tape of our Farm One Forty adventures last week, I knew I wanted to share it with you right away. So that's where the idea for this bonus episode came from.

You'll also hear an update on Season Two of YXE Underground, which launches in September, and an exciting new initiative called the Saskatchewan Podcast Network (of which this podcast is proud to be a part of.)

Thank you for your continued support of this local, independent podcast and I hope all of you are having a wonderful summer. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you find your podcasts. You can also stream episodes on the website and Spotify. And please tell your friends about YXE Underground...word of mouth really makes a difference!

Have a great rest of your summer and talk to you in September.

Cheers...Eric

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis

Constable Derek Chesney has a way of communicating that makes him perfect for his job with the Saskatoon Police Service. It’s direct, respectful, and full of empathy.

He credits his style from growing up on a ranch in southeast Saskatchewan surrounded by cowboys.

“I got to listen to a lot of old guys BS back in the day, and they tell stories of humanity and people,” explains Chesney.

The veteran police officer is a member of the Saskatoon Police Service’s Cultural Relations Unit. It’s job is to help forge relationships and build connections between the police force and different communities within the city.

The unit started in the early 2000’s as an attempt to repair the disconnect between the indigenous population and the SPS. While that remains an important focus, Chesney says the scope of his work has changed thanks to Saskatoon’s growing diversity.

This is the final episode of Season One. Thank you so much for listening, subscribing and supporting this local podcast. YXE Underground will return for Season Two with new episodes this September. If you know of someone who is doing something great in our community but is flying under the radar, please let Eric know. Email him at [email protected] or fill out a nomination form on the website.

Thank you again for all of your support and have a wonderful summer!

• Host, Producer, Editor: Eric Anderson
• Theme Music: Andrew Dickson
• Website: https://www.yxeunderground.com
• Recorded: On Treaty 6 Territory and the traditional homeland of the Metis