Steven Nitah, a Dene from the Northwest Territories, negotiated a protected area in the heart of diamond mining country and his traditional territories. As Steve will tell you, this protected area, five times the size of Prince Edward Island, is an essential part of reconciliation for his people because it’s about co-governance. Why You Should Listen Canada has a dark history of bypassing Indigenous treaty rights to take land for national parks. Steven has helped shift...

If you think the United Nations has nothing to do with your day to day life, think again. Lawyer and United Nations Special Rapporteur David Boyd will show you how the human right to a healthy environment is a game-changer for reconciliation. Why You Should Listen Nobody in the world should bear a disproportionate burden of pollution on behalf of the rest of us so we can drive and fly, and do all the things we do. But, Indigenous Peoples do. This episode reminds us that...

Nicole Redvers walked into the wrong lecture at the University of Lethbridge and it changed her life. Now, as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, she works to help heal using traditional Indigenous medicine and Western medicine. Why You Should Listen The Indigenous approach to medicine focuses on guidance and healing while Western medicine focuses on solutions. This episode highlights how reconciliation in Indigenous health helps people heal in a safe, supportive way, across...

From residential school to singing on stage with George Jones, George Tuccaro shares his courageous journey from the drunk tank to professional CBC broadcaster, and why personal healing is essential to reconciliation…and joy. Why You Should Listen After being separated from family and forcibly stripped of their culture, many Indigenous Peoples who attended residential schools still suffer. It’s critical to understand how the legacy of residential schools and colonialism continue...

What do a Cree Elder, a theologian, and an ex-Moderator of the United Church of Canada all have in common? They are all Stan McKay, and he’s going to talk to us about what a covenant of reconciliation is, and why the earth needs to be part of it. Why You Should Listen To build strong relationships with each other and the earth we need to look at reconciliation holistically. This episode sheds light on TRC Call to Action 46 and highlights how we all live together on this earth,...

Engineering Professor Kerry Black says that engineers working with First Nations need to focus on building relationships not just buildings. She’s passionate that her profession has some fundamental changes to make if they are going to be part of reconciliation. Why You Should Listen Canada is a water-rich country, so why are 33 Indigenous communities still living under 52 long-term drinking water advisories today?  Before engineers can help, they need to be better...

Her mother was murdered when Lesa Semmler was eight. Now a politician and advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Lesa explains why having a place to go can save a life and is vital for reconciliation.  Why You Should Listen Reconciliation calls for understanding. Lesa helps listeners gain a deeper understanding of how colonization can play out in the individual lives of Indigenous women and girls today.  Her honest and stark account of what’s...

Professor Diana Lewis and Professor Heather Castleden are frustrated that First Nations still get resistance from big power utilities when they want to build renewable energy projects. For them and the First Nations they work with, reconciliation is based on good energy. Why You Should Listen Indigenous Peoples across Canada have developed energy projects that deliver clean, affordable and reliable power to their communities. This episode provides examples of what happens when...

Environmental lawyer and now green party politician Dianne Saxe reveals how speaking truth to power sometimes comes at great personal cost and that when it comes to environment and reconciliation, hope combined with action is the only way forward.  Why You Should Listen The news around climate change isn’t always bad. In this episode, you’ll hear inspiring stories of how Indigenous Peoples across Canada are combating climate change. If you’re looking for a way to make a positive...

Dan Christmas helped transform his community, Membertou First Nation, from rags to riches. He explains why creating an environment where business can thrive is key to reconciliation.   Why You Should Listen When Indigenous communities thrive economically, the rest of Canada does too. This episode explains TRC Call to Action 57 and shows how fighting racism and embracing change can advance economic reconciliation. About Our Guest In December 2016, Dan Christmas was...

Rapper Crook The Kid, also known as Dylan Jones talks with Merrell-Ann and Michael about his music, music in general, and how it connects to reconciliation. He talks about growing up, writing down lyrics as a teenager, and how he knew this is the career he wanted. and shares lyrics relevant to reconciliation.  About Our Guest Crook The Kid, born Dylan Jones, hails from Fort Good Hope, a subarctic community of about 400 people in northern Northwest Territories, 500 kilometres...

Bruce McIvor is the Principal of First People’s Law. He sits down with Merrell-Ann and Michael to discuss different aspects of Indigenous law. They tackle questions like ‘what are the differences between a chief and a hereditary chief?’ and ‘What is Indigenous Law and how is it different from Aboriginal law?’ Also, how can we best move forward? And Why is land rights so important? About Our Guest Dr. Bruce McIvor, lawyer and historian, is principal of First Peoples Law...

In this episode, Patti-Kay Hamilton talks about how sports can affect reconciliation in Canada’s beautiful north. She shares personal experiences of competing and coaching in the Arctic Winter Games and her time working with CBC North. (Images from Patti-Kay Hamilton.) See more photos from Patti-Kay Hamilton on her YouTube channel. About Our Guest Patti-Kay Hamilton is the author of Trapline to Deadline: Trading a Skinning Knife for a CBC Microphone. It is about...

Indigenous Economics and Reconciliation with André Le Dressay How have economics affected Indigenous Canadians? How do you bring First Nation governments into the regional economy? These are just a few of the questions that Merrell-Ann and Michael ask André Le Dressay, the Director at the Tulo Centre of Indigenous Economics. About Our Guest André Le Dressay Andre has been the Director of Fiscal Realities since its incorporation in 1992. André has significant...

The Role of Indigenous Taxation in Reconciliation with Chief Commissioner Manny Jules Michael and Merrell-Ann sit down with Chief Commissioner Manny Jules from the First Nations Tax Commission. They discuss how taxes play a role in reconciliation. Manny explains why he embraces the word “tax.” He also talks about how the Chinook Jargon word “taksis” dates back hundreds of years. About Our Guest Manny Jules Manny Jules was Chief of Kamloops Indian Band for 16 years,...

This special live-taped episode of Porcupine Podcast features water experts Eric-Lorne Blais, Kerry-Ann Charles, and Natasha Overduin. These three take on difficult questions about Water and Reconciliation in front of a live audience at the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) 2019 Conference.

Tony is the former Premier of the Yukon and author of several books. His latest, Hunting the Northern Character, is available on Amazon now. Canadian politicians, like many of their circumpolar counterparts, brag about their country’s “Arctic Identity” or “northern character”, but what do they mean, exactly? These southern perspectives often fail to capture northern realities. During decades of service as a legislator, mediator, and negotiator, Tony Penikett witnessed a. new northern...

Today, author and former Premier of the Yukon Tony Penikett talks about reconciliation within and between governments. He discusses his new book, Hunting the Northern Character, and touches on where Canada's been, where it's going, and how northern governments have approached these issues.

Reconciliation isn't just about learning about each other's values because both cultures have values towards land, but it's also about sharing the wealth of the land, the resources of the land. In this episode Merrell-Ann and Michael discuss reconciliation with three elders: Rodney Burns, Stan McKay, and Garry McLean. They attempt to define the concept of reconciliation and talk about their concerns, fears, and hopes for the future.

In this introductory episode, Porcupine writer Deborah Bowers turns the tables on hosts Merrell-Ann and Michael to find out why they're doing this podcast. She asks about their stories, backgrounds, and personal experience with reconciliation in Canada.