Our Storytellers

Brittany Lavallee - Youth Advocacy, Spiritual Connections, The Matriarch Circle

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Brittany Lavallee, a passionate youth advocate, researcher, and PhD student at the University of Manitoba. We explore Brittany’s journey growing up in Northern Manitoba and how her experiences shaped her adaptability and connection to her Indigeneity.  We discuss her transition into human rights advocacy, her research on birth alerts at the First Nations Family Advocate Office, and her work supporting at-risk youth within the justice system. Britt also reflects on her international humanitarian studies, her personal experience with grief and healing, and her current leadership role advising provincial legislation with the Matriarch Circle. Brittany’s Links: * LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brittanyslavallee7727 [https://ca.linkedin.com/in/brittanyslavallee7727] * Linktree: https://linktr.ee/brittanylavallee [https://linktr.ee/brittanylavallee] Follow Our Socials * Tiktok: / ourstorytellers * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytel [https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytel]... * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-S [https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-S]... * Youtube: / @ourstorytellers Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of the child welfare system, birth alerts, the justice system, Indian residential schools, day schools, cancer, and the loss of a parent. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca. Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction & Protocol(01:22) Growing Up RCMP & Moving Around(03:15) Teenage Years & Identity Crisis(07:04) Studying Criminal Justice(09:30) Volunteering in Ecuador(12:06) Human Rights & Birth Alerts Research(18:42) Front-Line Youth Work & Rites of Passage(26:20) Gladue Reports & Systemic Challenges(31:33) Pursuing a Master's Abroad(38:37) Studying Humanitarian Aid in Jordan & Serbia(46:21) Mother's Illness & Passing(48:40) Spiritual Signs, Dreams, & Dimes(01:00:41) Thesis Challenges & OCAP Principles(01:05:39) The Raccoon Blooper(01:18:35) The Matriarch Circle & Provincial Strategy(01:23:27) PhD Journey & Future Goals(01:28:19) The Meaning of Ceremony & Closing

Yvonne Wyss - Family Connections, Traditional Ceremonies and a 20-Episode Series Review

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we sit down with Squamish matriarch and project cultural advisor, Yvonne Wyss.In this conversation, Yvonne and her son catch up to review the special moments and "put a cherry on top" of their 20-episode series exploring the Squamish Nation. Yvonne reflects on the intensity and joy of visiting with community members, sharing how she learned surprising stories about her own grandparents and discovered close family connections at several intervals in their genealogies. Together, they discuss the diverse and intriguing experiences of their guests. From those who grew up with deep access to culture to those who spent their lives finding their way back to where they came from.Yvonne reflects deeply on the powerful clips that went viral during the series, including John Spence’s teachings on the eagle feather, Gwen Harry’s resilience through the Indian Hospital, and Uncle Rennie's explanation of the burning ceremony, a tradition Yvonne first witnessed as a six-year-old child. The episode highlights the resilience of Indigenous families coming home to claim their traditions and the importance of mentorship.This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation.This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDBFQnZuYXlBNXVtdFQ1bE9YV3Npbl9uSHEtUXxBQ3Jtc0tuQnR5S1lRdl9FRmtYUm5VbmVCTlh6N2hQczVGdkppZGNQZzlfZkF0Zy0xbGFmY3BjcTl5Q0FNbVFoZ0l2VFdsUjZ0c3lKWDVwRklNcy1hek54Q0cxREFvS1FZSTVoY2txVWFyaE5hblVoT2tCOE5rNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fiso-bea.ca%2F&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]ISO’s Instagram:   / indigenousscreen   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZTVWhheW11X0J2TnQwcmtYZXJxRzJabUVrQXxBQ3Jtc0tsV19YMERjY0JYTVdqQTR4U3VxTXA2ZXZBb1RETTBnbVkzT01XX09EaGF3V3FlbmQ0M3hpaW9pYlFBZDJ3bWRGSlNNX2NUVUZaNy1wdGZSUmRuOHNLR2ViZzA5NlpKdE5xdmlOT1R0SHY2UTVVV1ViYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Findigenousscreen%2F&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]X: https://x.com/screen_office [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblZnUF9nd2JOQ1NjbE5WUTZHdGVYX2hNbHMwUXxBQ3Jtc0ttSUg4SDNtVjZxdWVUQWFKUjMyeFhNTjZ1Mk9fNjhoNk9EYVlEOVFBdlZUcHB1Qy1BVE1lcjU0R1RRSHBMT1lKUzdiNjE4YmxGQnJvZ1RNREZCclNzT2NUNmRvQzFYa01BeDhSVndYTXd1YklDdzNxVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fx.com%2Fscreen_office&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]Facebook:   / iso.bea   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDNEMlEwVWhaRlJmdjd4S1lwc1ZYRzNvVTVtd3xBQ3Jtc0tsVFU2ZkU4VTl4bGVlQjNtVG5aNmRDQS1LWU91bkNWZkQ1a1RXX0U3b2V5X3VIcXdsTWROelZpanRBd08xbUFfVXFaVEZpUFludFRYUWFIaUs5ZTVBS25IaTVlbHZ5RzVSajg2RVI2dUg2S3BqR2sxZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FISO.BEA%2F&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]Follow Our SocialsTiktok:   / ourstorytellers   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa18yeUszdl8wUDMwejE0ZDRkY3d3TFdUQktGUXxBQ3Jtc0tubHJBZUxwQTdNU1JqdVVHQzFhZGlMeGtnVnBXVnNVTUd0eDJQNlphMmhfblpDMmpWcU1YT0dTRGFoYkRzX2YxeWlQTmRZM3pWbl8tM2xsSkwyM2hWaW8tZEEtNUVhOU03RnQxc1k5eW8zSmFTVjJ3UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40ourstorytellers&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytel... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWpPMHhwMnI2RHNvMVZDMEpTdjE2VHBONDBSd3xBQ3Jtc0ttVXk3Ni1Gdzl6dERsNFE5NUtOMzRWZHZ3SUFTNnhCYW5kY2t2b3lVRUZGSVN2WHg2a3RIQ0tkWmc2SFA3ZlNZeTVkSEQtUC16b1ZXS1Y3enVjY3ZoM1BvU3BaNHkya3F0alYwN1oxbXNvLVQ3MWJZVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fourstorytellers%2F%3Fhl%3Den%25E2%2581%25A0&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-S... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUo5eURLbG1NdjNrS05vU0tKcXNfMHlsWjNDQXxBQ3Jtc0tsQU1OanlCYnpsTnV1aUpXVUFhZEQtR2h0OUNmNGp0bmdwaVJuNE9XamlwLUEwUmllb1poaHYyQmxGRG4yWEFfNnctNFFmaDE5c3J4eWRwdjVaRjZVdng1WlR1MzVWcDdmRGRWTnBHTFd4T3FGNlZQQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpeople%2FOur-Storytellers%2F61551840299922%2F%3F_rdr&v=R0bnveO7Pj4]Youtube:    / @ourstorytellers   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w]Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of Indian residential schools, assimilation, ongoing harm, and colonial impacts. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline is available 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.Timestamps:(00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4]) Introduction(02:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=135s]) Series Reflections(02:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=179s]) Genealogy & New Family Discoveries(05:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=314s]) The Eagle Feather Teaching(08:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=535s]) Indian Hospitals & Gwen Harry(16:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=970s]) Spirit Clothing & The Burning Ceremony(22:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=1343s]) Diverse Spiritual Journeys(26:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=1592s]) Coming Home & Bill C-31(30:43 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=1843s]) The Legacy of Blanche McDonald(35:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=2159s]) The Art of Bannock(43:16 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0bnveO7Pj4&t=2596s]) Closing

Cherie Baker - The Sixties Scoop, Ancestry DNA and Search Angels

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we are joined by educator and knowledge keeper Cherie Baker.In this episode, we sit down with Cherie Baker Queen. Adopted during the 60s Scoop and raised in a Squamish family in Mission, Cherie shares how spiritual experiences guided her back to her birth family. She recounts returning to Ahousaht, where she was welcomed at a potlatch, given a name, and brought home by the Chiefs.Cherie also reflects on her work in education and her approach to balance, described as carrying a pencil in one hand and a feather in the other. This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office: https://iso-bea.ca/ [https://iso-bea.ca/] ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/ [https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/] X: https://x.com/screen_office [https://x.com/screen_office] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/ [https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/] Follow Our Socials Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdr Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1w Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of the 60s Scoop, adoption, and intergenerational trauma. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca [http://hopeforwellness.ca]. Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction (04:55) Ancestral Introduction (06:27) Growing Up (20:05) Role Models (22:03) Adoption & Searching for Family (45:19) Ceremony Means (51:06) Reflections on Intergenerational Trauma (01:06:04) Next Generation (01:09:24) Closing

Tammy Zalischuk - Addiction, Spiritual Awakening and The Women’s Warrior Song

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we are joined by Tammy Zalischuk. Tammy’s life story is a testament to the resilience required to break cycles of trauma. In this honest conversation, she takes us from her nomadic childhood picking fruit in the United States to her life in the Fraser Valley and Vancouver. She reflects on the deep, often painful influence of her mother, a residential school survivor whose own suffering shaped the family’s dynamic, but who also instilled a fierce survival instinct in her children. Tammy opens up about her journey through addiction and how spirituality helped her find the way back to herself. From the healing power of putting her hands in the dirt to garden, to the joy of reconnecting with her large extended family in Mount Currie and Skookumchuck, Tammy’s story is one of redemption, forgiveness, and love. This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Tammy for her vulnerability and for sharing her message of peace and non-judgment.This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/X: https://x.com/screen_officeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/Follow Our SocialsTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdrYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1wContent Warning: This episode contains discussions of domestic violence, addiction, and graphic details regarding abuse in Indian Residential Schools. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(04:23) Family Roots(23:34) Teen Years(30:25) Addiction & Spiritual Awakening (37:47) The Healing Power of Gardening (01:04:45) Mom’s Activism & The Drum (01:17:11) Love & Peace (01:22:31) Dedication & Closing

Latash Nahanee - Kahtou News, Blanche Macdonald and Media Sovereignty

On this episode of Our Storytellers, we are joined by Squamish journalist and educator, Latash Nahanee. Latash speaks about growing up in the village of Eslha7an and the different worlds that shaped him. He contrasts his experience in Roman Catholic schools with time spent in the Longhouse, where he first heard the drums and began attending ceremony at 13. He reflects on the influence of his mother, who supported the family through cedar basket weaving, and his father, a community leader and handyman who emphasized hard work on their family farm.He also discusses his path through education and media, from developing an interest in English literature to becoming CEO of Kahtou News, guided by mentor Blanche Macdonald. Latash shares stories from his career, including interviewing public figures, and speaks plainly about colonization, cultural strength, and accountability. He closes by offering advice for future generations and dedicating the conversation to his grandchildren.This episode is part of our special series supported by the Indigenous Screen Office, highlighting voices connected to the Squamish Nation. We are incredibly grateful to Latash for his wisdom, his stories, and for sharing his guidance for the next generation.This podcast is brought to you by the Indigenous Screen Office:https://iso-bea.ca/ISO’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousscreen/X: https://x.com/screen_officeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISO.BEA/Follow Our SocialsTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourstorytellersInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourstorytellers/?hl=en%E2%81%A0Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Our-Storytellers/61551840299922/?_rdrYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOD4F24xePk1OcYxInkS1wContent Warning: This episode contains discussions of the Catholic church and school system, as well as brief mentions of addiction and overdose within the community. Please take care while listening. If you need support, the Hope for Wellness helpline offers immediate help 24/7 at 1-855-242-3310 or online at hopeforwellness.ca. Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(11:13) Growing Up(39:12) Kahtou News & Blanche McDonald (47:41) Spirituality(01:01:43) Matriarchy (01:16:29) Ceremony