Settle Down

Breaking Cycles, Building Legacy: An Interview with Georgina Lightning - Episode 12

In this powerful season finale of Settle Down, the aunties sit down with legendary actor, filmmaker and matriarch, Georgina Lightning, for one of the most raw, emotional and inspiring conversations of the season.  From hilarious rez stories and motherhood moments to deep conversations about intergenerational trauma, healing, storytelling and legacy, Georgina opens up about everything: surviving cancer, confronting complex PTSD, raising children while breaking cycles, and why Indigenous stories are one of the most powerful natural resources we have. This conversation dives into the realities Indigenous creators face in film and television, the fight for funding and representation and Georgina’s bold vision to make Alberta the Indigenous film capital of the world. Along the way, the hosts reflect on parenting, identity, healing, entrepreneurship and what it means to leave something better for the next generation. Please note: This episode contains discussions of suicide, sexual assault and trauma, if you are distressed, please reach out to the distress line at 988. Settle in for a beautiful, emotional and unforgettable end to Season One.

More Than a Destination: An Interview with Chelsey Quirk - Episode 11

In this episode, the hosts sit down with Chelsey Quirk, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Alberta, for a dynamic conversation about the future of Indigenous tourism - and the responsibility that comes with it. From her journey through government, corporate spaces and now leading an Indigenous-led organization, Chelsey shares what it takes to navigate leadership, community expectations and the pressure to grow, while staying grounded in values. Together, they unpack: *  Why Indigenous tourism is about far more than travel - it’s economic development, storytelling and reclamation  *  The tension between authenticity and commercialization  *  The realities of balancing motherhood, leadership and community responsibility  *  How Indigenous entrepreneurs are redefining success on their own terms  Grounded in humour, honesty and a whole lot of heart, this episode is a reminder that the work isn’t just about building businesses - it’s about building futures.

Identity Isn't a Checkbox - Episode 10

What starts with hot flashes and laughter quickly turns into one of the most raw and complex conversations yet. In this episode, the hosts dive into identity, what it means, who defines it and why it is never as simple as a checkbox. Through powerful personal stories, they unpack the realities of being Indigenous women navigating systems that were never designed for them, including status cards, band membership, Métis identity and the lasting impact of colonial policies. From reconnection journeys to the emotional weight of not feeling like enough, this conversation does not hold back. The hosts explore lateral violence, the rise of pretendianism and the tension between protecting community and making space for those finding their way back.They ask the hard questions:  * Who gets to claim identity?  * At what cost?  * What responsibility comes with it?  * And how does it shape the businesses they are building and the futures they are fighting for? Grounded in honesty, humour and lived experience, this episode reminds us that identity is layered, evolving and deeply personal. So settle in. This one goes deep.

We're Allowed to be Angry - Episode 9

This episode of Settle Down dives headfirst into a conversation many people avoid but every Indigenous woman knows intimately: anger. What starts with a hilarious story about teenage rebellion quickly shifts into something deeper and more complex. Shani, Felicia, Vanessa and Mal unpack what it really means to feel, suppress, express and channel anger, especially under the weight of stereotypes that label Indigenous women as “too much” the moment they speak up. From navigating patriarchal workplaces and being dismissed as “the angry one,” to confronting systemic barriers in business, government and everyday life, this episode pulls no punches. The hosts explore how anger is often rooted in grief, injustice and generations of lived experience, recently from surveillance of Indigenous leaders to ongoing inequities that still show up today. But this isn’t just about rage, it’s about what you do with it. Whether it’s transforming anger into action, using it as fuel for entrepreneurship and advocacy, or reclaiming it as a valid and necessary response, each host shares a different relationship with anger, and why all of them are valid. Grounded in powerful cultural teachings about release, ceremony and community care, this conversation asks a bigger question: What if anger isn’t the problem...but the catalyst? Honest, raw, and at times uncomfortable, this episode is a reminder that anger can be a force for accountability, change and ultimately—healing.

Reclaiming the Role of Our Fathers and Men - Episode 8.5

This week, Settle Down shares a powerful bonus episode: the full, heartfelt conversation between Vanessa and Teresa on the role of Indigenous fathers and male role models. What begins as a reflection on traditional fatherhood, grounded in community, responsibility, and cultural teachings, unfolds into a deeply personal and honest dialogue about loss, identity, and healing. Together they explore how colonial systems disrupted men’s roles in family and community and how many are now finding their way back through culture, ceremony and connection to the land. At the heart of this episode is hope. Through stories of nephews, sons, and grandsons reclaiming their purpose, Vanessa and Teresa speak to the quiet strength of men who are stepping into both provider and caregiver roles, often while navigating grief, forgiveness and generational trauma. They highlight the importance of spirituality, the guidance of Elders and the simple but profound teachings (like forgiveness and reconnection) that help rebuild identity and belonging. This conversation is raw, reflective and deeply moving, a reminder that healing is happening, that roles are being reclaimed and that the fire within each of us can always be rebuilt. We’ll be back next week with a new episode. Until then… settle down.