Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin: Season 3, Episode 7 - Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow

Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin: Season 3, Episode 7 - Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow

Season 3, Episode 7: Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow – Leadership, Service, and the Teachings That Guide Us In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Chief Rodney Nahwegahbow of Whitefish River First Nation for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, community, and the teachings that continue to shape his life. From growing up on the land as the son of a fisherman, trapper, and harvester to serving with the Ontario Provincial Police, UCCM Anishnaabe Police, and now as Chief of Whitefish River First Nation, Rodney reflects on a lifetime dedicated to serving others. Together, they explore how the values learned through fishing, trapping, harvesting, and family continue to influence leadership today. Rodney shares his perspective on Indigenous policing, governance, mental health, language revitalization, youth mentorship, and the importance of listening with compassion. He also discusses balancing Western systems with Anishinaabe ways of knowing, building trust within communities, and why meaningful change begins with understanding people and their experiences. Throughout the conversation, Rodney returns to a simple but powerful message: leadership is rooted in relationships. Whether speaking about policing, raising children, supporting community members, or preparing the next generation, he reminds us that respect, humility, encouragement, and connection remain some of our greatest strengths. This episode is a reflection on service, purpose, and the responsibility we all share in caring for our communities. Whether you're interested in Indigenous leadership, public service, community wellness, or the teachings that guide Anishinaabe life, you'll find wisdom, humility, and inspiration in this conversation.

Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin: Season 3, Episode 6 - Lisa Osawamick

Season 3, Episode 6: Lisa Osawamick – Healing, Purpose, and Living Mino Bimaadiziwin In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Lisa Osawamick—therapist, educator, author, and founder of Zhaagwadwin Counselling and Consulting—for an inspiring conversation about healing, resilience, and finding purpose through life's challenges. Lisa shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Toronto and Sudbury to reconnecting with her home community of Wiikwemkoong. Along the way, she reflects on being raised by a strong single mother, becoming a single parent herself, navigating personal struggles, achieving 25 years of sobriety, and earning her master's degree while raising five children. Through every chapter of her life, Lisa has remained committed to her own healing while dedicating herself to helping others. Together, they explore the importance of self-reflection, ceremony, education, and connection to culture in the helping profession. Lisa speaks candidly about the value of doing your own healing as a helper, the role of land-based practices in wellness, supporting youth and families, and why building meaningful relationships is at the heart of community care. The conversation also highlights the importance of Indigenous identity, mentorship, and creating opportunities for the next generation to thrive. Lisa shares powerful insights into private practice, community leadership, and the teachings that continue to guide her work, including the Anishinaabe concept of Mino Bimaadiziwin—living a good life through balance, purpose, and connection. Whether you're a helper, educator, student, parent, or someone on your own healing journey, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing is lifelong, growth is always possible, and each of us has the ability to bring light into the lives of others.

Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin: Season 3, Episode 5 - Anne Marie Thibault & Stephanie Corbiere

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Anne Marie Thibault, Clinical Director at Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, and Stephanie Corbiere, Team Lead for Withdrawal Management and Harm Reduction, to explore the growth of one of Manitoulin Island's most important new health services. Together, they share their personal journeys into the helping profession, the evolution of Gwekwaadziwin Miikan over the past eight years, and how a small weekend withdrawal management pilot has grown into a 24/7, year-round program providing culturally grounded support for individuals on their recovery journey. The conversation explores what withdrawal management and harm reduction really mean, addresses common misconceptions about addiction and recovery, and highlights how compassion, dignity, culture, and connection to the land are integrated into every aspect of care. Anne Marie and Stephanie also discuss the importance of meeting people where they are, supporting families, reducing stigma, and creating a continuum of services that extends from withdrawal management through treatment, housing, and long-term aftercare. Listeners will also hear about the innovative approaches being developed at Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, including culturally responsive programming, housing and recovery supports, community partnerships, and the organization's vision for expanding services to meet the growing needs of Indigenous communities. Whether you're interested in addictions services, Indigenous models of healing, mental health, or community wellness, this episode offers an honest and inspiring look at the people and programs working to create hope, healing, and lasting change across Manitoulin Island and beyond.

Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin: Season 3, Episode 4 - Graham McWaters

Season 3, Episode 4: Graham McWaters – Hockey, Community, and Creating Opportunities In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Graham McWaters, founder of the Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive, to discuss the power of sport, community, and creating opportunities for Indigenous youth across Canada. Over the past 11 years, Graham has helped collect and distribute more than 6,000 bags of hockey equipment, 10,000 hockey sticks, and hundreds of sets of goalie gear to Indigenous communities from coast to coast. What began as a simple effort to help one community has grown into a national initiative that continues to remove barriers and create opportunities for youth to participate in sport. Together, they explore the impact of hockey on mental health and wellness, the importance of mentorship and community support, the challenges families face in accessing sport, and the countless stories of young people whose lives have been changed through participation in hockey. The conversation also highlights the role of partnerships, volunteerism, and reconciliation in action, while reflecting on how sport can build confidence, connection, resilience, and hope. Whether you're a hockey fan, community leader, parent, coach, or someone interested in creating positive change, this episode is an inspiring reminder of what can happen when people come together to support the next generation. To learn more about the Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive, make a donation, or register for the annual fundraising golf tournament, visit: Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive https://www.theiropportunity.com/indigenoushockeyequipmentdrive [https://www.theiropportunity.com/indigenoushockeyequipmentdrive]

Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin: Season 3, Episode 3 - Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad

Season 3, Episode 3: Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad – Indigenous Health, Identity, and Returning to Our Own Ways of Knowing In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad, Anishinaabekwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, nurse, educator, researcher, and community advocate. Sharlene shares her journey from growing up on Manitoulin Island to becoming a registered nurse, researcher, and professor. Drawing on her experiences in health care, academia, community-based research, and Anishinaabe teachings, she reflects on identity, belonging, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the importance of creating health and wellness approaches that are grounded in community. Together, they explore Indigenous health, cultural safety, community-led research, traditional foods and medicines, access to care, the impacts of colonization on health systems, and the importance of remembering who we are and where we come from. The conversation also highlights the role of family, culture, ceremony, language, and land in supporting wellness and healing. This thoughtful and inspiring discussion offers listeners an opportunity to reflect on what it means to bring your whole self to the work you do while helping shape a future rooted in Indigenous knowledge, self-determination, and community well-being. To learn more about Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad and her current projects, visit: Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad – Laurentian University Faculty Profile [https://laurentian.ca/academics/faculty-directory/swebkamigad?utm_source=chatgpt.com]