Maria Lucas is a Black-Métis woman whose heritage inspired her to study Indigenous-Crown relations. Lucas speaks from her lens as a lawyer, but also includes her Catholic traditions. Learning to live in the tension of it all Maria Lucas provides valuable insights for educators on how to approach Reconciliation through intercultural and interreligious understanding. Maria Lucas speaks about the importance for educators to know the significance of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), the words of Pope Francis during the Indigenous delegation's visit to Rome in April 2022, as well as, the forthcoming Papal visit to Canada.

Maria Lucas has been interviewed on numerous occassions but the podcast interview done with Honourable Graydon Nicholas hosted by MP Garnet Genuis is what inspired Frances Maddalozzo to fine tune to Lucas' intercultural and interreligious perspective.

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Listen to how these 4 group of Master of Education students came together after taking a course titled, "Privileging Indigenous Oral Traditions and Storywork in International Indigenous Research," with Dr. Mukwa Musayett (Shelly Johnson). Their mantra was simple, "We come as learners to listen." Then we reflect and see how we can give back in meaningful ways. Dr. Mukwa Musayett is the world's first Saulteaux Canada Research Chair in Indigenizing Higher Education. Dr. Mukwa Musayett is also an Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University in the Faculty of Education and Social Work. Frances Macapagal Maddalozzo, Chuying Jiao, Harsimran Kaur Grewal, and Marion Erickson reflect and share how they came to partake in this student-led Indigenous Podcast Series privileging Indigenous oral traditions past, present, and future.

Editor's Note: This is just a draft episode and the final version to be released at a later date. We wanted to release this episode in preparation for the next episode connected with Maria Lucas. We wanted to air Lucas' interview prior to the Papal visit given the content of the interview. For Accessibility: PDF and Word transcripts to follow once final episode is complete.

Chuying Jiao interviews Laura Grizzlypaws regarding Indigenous language revitalization.

Laura Grizzlypaws was born and raised in Lillooet, British Columbia in the Interior Plateau region, she is of St’át’imc descent. Her St’át’imc name is “Stálhalamcen – Grizzly Paws,” She belongs to the people of Xwisten the Bear Clan. She is a dancer, drummer and a singer/songwriter, an academic, educator and a language and cultural advocate.

Grizzlypaws shares that Language holds a vast array of information from thousands of years of culture and how we relate and connect to the land as well as each other. It is a powerful indicator of a tribal group's identity; it is a critical way to maintain links within one's cultural past and present future identity. Language is rooted and connected in the community and the land, and it needs to be taught more naturally, whereas it is not being trained as a subject. Language is more immersed in the Indigenous culture practice, songs, and dance in hunting and storytelling. All these can be related. The interview also discussed what we can do as students and instructors in the educational institutions and how we can move these barriers forward with our identities. Bringing public awareness in how to become an ally is not just learning Indigenous knowledges and walking away; but becoming an ally means becoming involved, educating, sharing, and publicizing and promoting the important values of the Indigenous languages and culture.

For Accessibility:

Transcriptions to be provided in PDF and Word.

Dr. Shelly Johnson (Mukwa Musayett), Saulteaux and Canada Research Chair in Indigenizing Higher Education walks us through the history and the traumatic experiences of First Nations and expresses a hope for a better future. Harsimran Kaur Grewal seeks directive on how Higher Education Institutions and Faculty can support achieving Reconciliation through Educational efforts and mentorship. This podcast episode is inspiring and uplifting as it provides new pathways for the future.

Transcriptions: To be provided