“Don’t ever feel that this is insurmountable—it isn’t. Let’s play the long game, because our ancestors played the long game.”

— Barb Martin

In this episode of Rekindling the Fire, host Rachel Robinson sits down with Barb Martin—a Mi’kmaq leader and lifelong advocate—to explore healing, leadership, and what it means to carry the work forward across generations. Drawing on more than 40 years of experience, Barb shares how Indigenous approaches to wellness—grounded in culture, land, language, and relationships—can reshape both community care and broader systems. Together, they unpack cultural safety, Two-Eyed Seeing, and the importance of strength-based, community-led approaches. This conversation invites listeners to reflect on connection, courage, and our shared responsibility to support future generations.

In this Episode:

• “Playing the long game” in wellness and systems change
• The role of Elders and intergenerational knowledge
• Two-Eyed Seeing: balancing Indigenous and Western approaches
• Why cultural safety is defined by those receiving care
• The importance of land, language, and community connection
• Strength-based approaches to healing and resilience

Barb Martin is a Mi’kmaq leader from Eskasoni First Nation with over four decades of experience in Indigenous wellness, advocacy, and systems change. Her work bridges Indigenous knowledge and Western practices, grounded in relationships, respect, and community care.

Fast Four Reflections

Hope: Youth

Home: On the land, in ceremony

Meaning: Her work and spirituality

Gift: Grounded strength

Rekindling the Fire is produced for the First Peoples Wellness Circle

by David McGuffin and Graham McGuffin (ExploreProductions.ca)

Music by Nagamo Publishing.

For more on the work of the First Peoples Wellness Circle please visit www.fpwc.ca

Listener Care Notice

This episode discusses colonial impacts and intergenerational trauma. Please take care while listening and access support if needed.

Support Resources

• National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419
• Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310
• Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988