Episode 32- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada —

Our Truth Part one, Chief Na’Moks and Jesse Stoeppler

WHAT

This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders

across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices.

WHO

Chief Na’Moks is a Hereditary Chief of the Tsayu (Beaver Clan), one of the five

clans of the Wet’suwet’en Nation. The traditional name he carries is thousands

of years old and, as part of their matrilineal society, was also held by his

grandmother—who wore the very same regalia he wears today. The role of a

Hereditary Chief carries the sacred responsibility of protecting the 22,000 square

kilometers of Wet’suwet’en territory, a duty grounded in ancestral law that has

remained unchanged both before and after colonial contact.

As a vocal and respected leader, Chief Na’Moks has brought international

attention to the violations of Wet’suwet’en rights in the context of unconsented

resource development. He has spoken at the United Nations Headquarters in

New York and Geneva, sharing his people’s message about the militarized role

the RCMP plays on their territory. Since 2019, he has appeared in nearly 100

media interviews, both print and broadcast, denouncing what he describes as a

campaign of state-backed harassment, surveillance, and discrimination.

Jesse Stoeppler proudly calls the Skeena Watershed home. After completing a

degree in Europe he returned to start a family and raise two future leaders

amongst the peaks of the beautiful Bulkley Valley. Mentored by Hereditary Chief

and Matriarch Yaga’lahl (Dora B. Wilson) he embraces Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en

culture and has been actively participating in title & rights and Clan governance

as a member of Wilp Spookwx (Lax Gibuu / Gitumden). As a Project Manager for

a multi-million trust fund, Jesse was able to lead the way in establishing

comprehensive community planning, land use management and create his

community's Indigenous economic development.

MUSIC

Song: Signal To Noise

Composer: Scott Buckley

Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb

License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free

Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 31 - Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa, with Waasekom Niin

WHAT

Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine

Mandamin Baa

WHO

Waasekom Niin is Turtle Clan Anishinaabe from Saugeen First Nation and

the Kettle & Stoney Point First Nations on the southeastern shores of Lake

Huron.

He is an avid paddler, having led 4 ceremonial canoe journeys throughout

the Great Lakes to raise awareness about Water, Climate Change, and

Indigenous sovereign responsibilities. His journey began in response to the

Waterwalks, where he has been a protector and Eagle Staff carrier on 7

Walks.

Waasekom is known for starting Picking Up the Bundles Canoe Journey,

Niwiijiiwok Doodemak (Gathering of Clans), the Great Lakes Petition,

Gganoonigonaa Zaagigan (The Lake is Speaking to Us), and most recently

the Elegy of Ancestors.

MUSIC

Song: The Epic Hero

Composer: Keys Of Moon

Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusic

License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https://

creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 30 - Part 3, Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods,

with Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis

WHAT

Food sovereignty traces back to our original teachings, to learn about the

connection between the land and our food supply and connection to

community through traditional foods. Decolonizing our diet means

incorporating traditional foods to preserve and nurture our mind, body and

spirit and eliminate diseases that have long impacted Indigenous peoples.

WHO

Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis - Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis is a Nêhiyaw

(Plains Cree) instructor, researcher and writer from Ministikwan Lake Cree

Nation in Treaty 6 Territory.

Dr. Lewis has worked with higher learning institutions within the Prairie

Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the areas of Cree

Language Development and Instructional methodologies. His research

interests include language and policy development, second language

teaching methodologies, teacher education programming, and

environmental education.

For the past 15 years, Dr. Lewis has been working with community schools

in promoting land and language-based education and is the founder of

kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, a non-profit organization focused on holistic

community well-being and co-developer of Land-Based Cree Immersion

School kâ-nêyâsihk mîkiwâhpa.

MUSIC

Song: Flowing Energy

Composer: Keys Of Moon

Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusic

License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/

licenses/by/3.0/

Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com