Women Warriors

Patrice Mousseau is a member of the Fort William First Nations. She is the creator and owner of Satya Organics Inc., providing NPN approved, certified USDA organic products to serve those with skin conditions, and for those that want a legitimate alternative to steroid products. She became a conscious entrepreneur when her daughter developed eczema and needed help. Her products are now available in 600 stores across Canada, and Satya Organics was recently awarded BC Aboriginal Business of the Year, and Startup Canada's Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year. On today's episode Patrice shares: What Satya means and her business philosophy. The story of how she started her company. Advice for startup entrepreneurs, and where she started. Winning SheEO and how it's supporting her business. How the five winners of SheEO divided $500,000 between their businesses. The new way of doing business, and how Indigenous women are leading the way. Mentorship in business – taking good advice and knowing your business

Dr. Jennifer Leason: Keesis Sagay Egette Ekwé (First Shining Rays of Sunlight Woman) is a Saulteaux-Métis Anishinaabek Kwé (woman) and mother of Lucas (age 8) and Lucy (age 5). Jennifer is of mixed ancestry and her Indigenous roots are from Duck Bay, Pine Creek First Nation and Camperville, Manitoba. Jennifer was recently appointed to Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and is grateful to the First peoples and communities of Treaty 7 and Métis Nation Alberta, Region III. Dr. Leason's research interests are Canadian and International Indigenous peoples health, with a focus on Indigenous maternal-child and reproductive health.  On today's episode Jennifer shares: The story of how Jennifer and I met two years ago online. The barriers she had to overcome during grad school. Feeling guided by her family and ancestors. The first time she was called Dr. Jennifer Leason. How her family's health struggles impacted her as an Indigenous healt

Dr. Karlee Fellner is currently an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Education Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary. Karlee has been working with diverse clients in counselling and assessment since 2007, and has designed and taught courses in education, counselling, and psychology at universities and a private First Nations college. She has also published book chapters and research articles in the fields of psychology, health, education, and social work. Karlee has been practicing Aboriginal Focusing-Oriented Therapy (AFOT) since 2013, and is currently an AFOT instructor with the program through the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Her work focuses on decolonizing and Indigenizing health services, curriculum and pedagogy, research, and counselling through applying Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. On today's episode Karlee shares: Honoring our "trauma wisdom" Shirley Turcotte of Aboriginal Focusing-Oriented Therapy (AFOT). Using our messages to move towards balance. Integrati

Dr. Karlee Fellner is currently an Assistant Professor in Indigenous Education Counselling Psychology at the University of Calgary. Karlee has been working with diverse clients in counselling and assessment since 2007, and has designed and taught courses in education, counselling, and psychology at universities and a private First Nations college. She has also published book chapters and research articles in the fields of psychology, health, education, and social work. Karlee has been practicing Aboriginal Focusing-Oriented Therapy (AFOT) since 2013, and is currently an AFOT instructor with the program through the Justice Institute of British Columbia. Her work focuses on decolonizing and Indigenizing health services, curriculum and pedagogy, research, and counselling through applying Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. On today's episode Karlee shares: Reconnecting with her heritage and culture. Healing through her work and dissertation. Validating Indigenous research paradigms and methodologies a

Juanita Lindley's mission is to inspire those struggling in and with addiction. She is also in recovery from addiction and healing from the impacts of intergenerational trauma of the residential school era. Juanita founded her own company, Keepin' it Real Addictions Services and offers counseling and motivational speaking. She is currently enrolled in a Masters of Education program at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC. On today's episode Juanita shares: Her personal struggles with addiction. How childhood and community trauma was intertwined with her addiction. How she felt her culture hindered her sobriety at first. The most important healing tool in her recovery. Teaching prayer. The toughest part of sobriety. Reentering the social scene in recovery. Setting boundaries with loved one and friends in addiction. Advice for families struggling with addicts in their lives. Learning our behaviors and patterns as our key to freedom. Learning how to trust. The unreal expectations in the current recovery m

Helen Oro is Plains Cree from Pelican Lake First Nation and the founder of Helen Oro Designs Inc. She takes her traditional First Nation beadwork and adorns modern day accessories such as heels, sunglasses, clutch purses etc. She also produces fashion shows creating opportunities for Indigenous people aspiring to pursue careers in the fashion and model world. Internationally recognized for her designs and work, Helen aims to create a positive image for Indigenous women everywhere. On today's episode Helen shares: How she started beading. Her childhood and teenage years described as the "dark ages." How motherhood changed her life. Her first piece of beading and following her passion. How beading helps her focus as an adult with ADHD. The starting point of joining beading and fashion shows. Her international travel experiences for fashion shows. Australia and Canada exchange fashion shows. London Fashion show and protesting #NoDAPL. Producing fashion show and working with First Nations youth. Dangers of the f

Chief Lady Bird is an Anishinaabe (Potawatomi and Chippewa) artist from Rama First Nation with paternal ties to Moose Deer Point First Nation. She grew up on-reserve and is currently based in Toronto. Her work exists at the crux of her experience as an Indigenous womyn, wherein critiques of Nationalism and Indigenous identity reclamation meet, resulting in imagery that empowers Indigenous peoples and challenges the lens through which Indigenous people are often viewed. On today's episode Chief Lady Bird shares: Why she prefers to be called Chief Lady Bird as opposed to her given name, Nancy. Her journey to becoming an artist. Her relationship with her spirit sister and main collaborator, Aura. Reclaiming Indigenous presences in urban spaces through large-scale art projects. Addressing racist and ignorant comments on her work. Commentary on how her artwork – the assumption that it's about murdered and missing Indigenous women. Explanation of her beadwork glyphs art project. Her thoughts on creating beautiful,

Carly Morton is a First Nations psychic medium. She comes from a long maternal line of strong spirituality and heightened intuition. She shares her journey to mediumship and how we can all benefit from strengthening our intuition and learning from the people, places and situations we find ourselves in. She believes nothing is an accident and life lessons are coming to us all the time.   On today's episode Carly shares: Her childhood experiences and inclinations towards mediumship. The purest times to connect with your inner knowing. How to strengthen your intuition. Why people ignore their intuition. The importance of boundaries and intuition. What lead her to develop her intuition and her stepping-stone to mediumship. The common themes people ask about in readings. How we know if a loved one is near. How being a medium has helped her with personal healing. The most challenging aspects of being a medium. How to rid yourself of negative energy. How being a medium impacts her family. Dealing with ske

Jean Cardinal is the co-founder of Dene Wellness Warriors, an Indigenous focused wellness business based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories that offers one-to-one counselling, wellness coaching and workshop facilitation. She is a member of the Canadian Professional Counselors Association, and she is the only Indigenous therapist recognized by Health Canada to work with Residential School Survivors and their families. Dene Wellness Warriors has recently been contracted to facilitate a New Day Program, a program for men who have used violence in their relationships, but want to change this behaviour to better their relationships with themselves, their partners, their children and their communities. On today's episode Jean shares: Where she met her co-founder and life partner, Roy Erasmus at Rhodes Wellness College. Her calling to become a professional counselor. How her training as a certified life coach helps her clients reach their goals. The importance of being a healthy role model for other women. Engag

Dr. Sonja Wicklum is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. She has extensive experience in rural family medicine, preventive health, nutrition education, and obesity management. She is the co-founder of Women Warriors, and is passionate about preventing illness and contributing to a great Canadian healthcare system. On today's episode Sonja shares: Why we started the Women Warriors program. Her experience creating Indigenous based wellness programming. Creating the Canadian Aboriginal Nutrition Deck (CANdeck). Her role in obesity medicine. Her top three obesity myths. Explanation of weight bias. Why Indigenous peoples have a higher rate of type II diabetes. Her advice as a family medicine doctor to help Indigenous patients work better with their doctors. Long-term vision for Women Warriors. Selected Links from this Episode Department of Family Medicine University of Calgary Alberta Government Recreation and Physical Activity Division Connect with

Dr. Carrie Bourassa is a Chair in Northern & Indigenous Health and Senior Scientist at Health Sciences North Research Institute in Sudbury (HSNRI), Ontario and the Scientific Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (IAPH) at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She is Métis, belonging to the Regina Riel Métis Council #34. Dr. Bourassa is the first woman to be appointed as the Scientific Director of IAPH and shares how her perspective as a Metis woman guides her in this role. On today's episode Carrie shares: Her academic journey from undergrad to Ph.D. Her path to becoming a researcher. The realization that her purpose was to serve community. A snapshot of Indigenous health research over 15 years. The importance of humility as an Indigenous researcher. Being guided as a Metis woman in the position of Scientific Director of the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health. Living well with lupus. How racism impacts health. Importance of cultural safety in the healthcare system. &nb

Fostering Indigenous women leaders and building our participation in politics, and policymaking is an absolute must if we are to prosper in Canada. "The United Nations says that a critical mass of at least 30% women is needed before legislatures produce public policy representing women's concerns and before political institutions begin to change the way they do business." (https://www.equalvoice.ca/facts.cfm). Caroline Cochrane, MLA for the Range Lake Riding and passionate advocate for women in politics holds the following portfolios for the Government of the Northwest Territories: Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, & Minister Responsible for Addressing Homelessness. Her previous work for 20 years in the non-profit sector, her role as a Metis woman, mother, daughter, and troubled youth has all contributed to her unique perspective as a politician and advocate for transparenc

10 Practical Steps to Implement Reconciliation Read the The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action. It will take you 20 minutes to read the entire document and they are easy to understand. Visit the TRC website and watch their videos. Access the two free Massive Open Online Courses offered by the University of British Columbia – Reconciliation through Indigenous Education or the University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada.   Support independent Indigenous media. My favorite is Rick Harp's Media Indigena Also my podcast, Women Warriors. I have no agenda other than the truth and I do my best to show case Indigenous women's voices in a respectful manner. Volunteer at Indigenous events. This summer Alberta is hosting the World Indigenous Games in the Edmonton area from July 2nd to the 9th. Educate your children on residential school. I've included a link complied by CBC of 10 books about residential school to read with your kids ranging from ages 4-12. Support Indigenous artis

The purpose of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was to acknowledge the physical, emotional and spiritual trauma from the residential school experience, and " guide and inspire Aboriginal peoples and Canadians in a process of reconciliation and renewed relationships that are based on mutual understanding and respect" (www.trc.ca). They created 94 recommendations aka Calls to Action for residential school healing. For many years Marcia Mirasty has been directly involved in healing and reconciliation for her community of Flying Dust First Nations. Her experience speaking and presenting for the last twenty years in northern Saskatchewan, working as a Health Director for her community, and as a Mental Health Therapist for the Department of Health, First Nation and Inuit Branch gives her unique insights to what Indigenous peoples in Canada need in order to heal. On today's episode Marcia shares the importance of language and culture revitalization, her action steps for making change in co

Indigenous people are an underrepresented demographic in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Deanna Burgart is an Indigenous chemical engineer, or self-proclaimed Indigeneer that believes diversity is the key to the future of STEM. She's the co-owner of Indigenous Engineering Inclusion, a company that has built its foundation on sustainability, mentoring and the Seven Sacred Teachings. She understands the value that culture and arts brings to STEM and mentors Indigenous youth through the Power to Choose camp, a program offered by the Alberta Women's Science Network. On today's episode Deanna shares her story of being an Indigenous adoptee, finding her birth parents, choosing her career as a chemical engineer, how her culture has influenced her company, advice for girls pursuing STEM, and the lessons she learned from a recent life altering event. "I believe the industry and the profession needs different perspectives to find solutions to the world's greatest challenges." Deanna Burgart on

For years there has been controversy over the development of BC Hydro's Site C hydroelectric dam on the traditional lands of Treaty 8 First Nations. Helen Knott shares her fight to save her traditional territory against the Site C development in the Peace River Region surrounding Fort St. John, British Columbia. She connects violence against the land and violence directed at Indigenous women in her poignant spoken word poetry, writing, and activism. On today's episode Helen shares her journey to becoming a writer and poet, how she became an activist, how it changed her, her political trips to Ottawa to advocate against Site C, her struggle with addiction starting at age 13 and how she healed with ceremony and traditional treatment. "With my words I try to be able to come full circle. If I'm talking about a specific issue I want to make sure it has some element of healing to give back to the listeners." Helen Knott Today on the Women Warriors Podcast Her role as a family navigator & connection to communit

As the daughter of parents that survived residential school, Karen has witnessed and been a part of the economic and social tragedies of Indigenous peoples: the daughter of an alcoholic father, a high school drop out, and a young single mom. Her strong intuition that knowing one's culture, kinship system, community and Indigenous identity saved her, and her children from the cycle of intergenerational trauma. The belief in herself, community and family support, and having Indigenous academic mentors allowed Karen to complete her Bachelor of Arts, Masters in Education, and is currently enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Alberta.    On today's episode, Karen shares the magic of her traditional territory, Manitoulin Island, the importance of reclaiming our kinship systems, how yoga transformed her life, and her experience running for Edmonton public school trustee.  "One of the unfortunate realities, particularity of my parents time –both my parents are residential school survivors - t

Celebrating Indigenous people's heritage, accomplishments, and beauty through the arts including photography and written word counteracts the negative stereotypes in popular media. Tenille Campbell does exactly that, and goes one step further by openly exploring the concepts of Indigenous sexuality and love. Tenille's voice in the arts includes Sweetmoon Photography, the blog Tea & Bannock, and her new book, #IndianLovePoems.   On today's episode, Tenille brings her humor and wit to discuss being a self-taught photographer, and how she balances her roles as a PhD candidate, single mother, business owner, and creative.   "I wanted to have a collective where I could look at another Indigenous women and be like "you get it" and they would "get it." And I wouldn't have to explain why we don't photograph ceremony or why we're not going to photograph someone wearing a headdress that they imported from China." Tenille Campbell on creating Tea & Bannock Today on the Women Warriors Podcast Grow

Saskatchewan has a core group of Indigenous female entrepreneurs that are changing the way society views Native women. Devon is the founder of SheNative, a social enterprise that empowers Indigenous women through creating opportunities and providing guidance for Indigenous artisans, suppliers and designers. Since June of 2016 Devon has accomplished three major feats: becoming a new Mom, opening a storefront location at Saskatoon's The Centre Mall, and raising $23,000 to create a new line of clutches and bags.   On today's episode, Devon shares how she dealt with bullying in her teens, overcame her fear of public speaking, her childhood dream of being a fashion designer, and launching a successful Kickstarter campaign.   "I used to be so afraid to say what I'm thinking. It takes a lot of practice. Practice wearing your heart on your sleeve and speaking from the heart." Devon Fiddler on public speaking Today on the Women Warriors Podcast How she healed from bullying in her teens (5:05) How

The Indigenous youth suicide crisis has been overwhelming and heartbreaking for Indigenous communities across Canada. Tunchai, and her brother, Kelvin, originally from the Northwest Territories, are familiar with the hardships that Indigenous youth in remote communities face and decided to create a multi-media campaign, We Matter.org. The purpose of We Matter.org is to bring hope to Indigenous youth through short video messages from people that have been through similar circumstances, or want to reach out and show they care. The website allows anyone to upload video messages, poetry or artwork. On today's episode, Tunchai shares how they were inspired by the US project 'It Gets Better,' her journey to claiming her two-spirited identity, using poetry and ceremony as a tool for healing, and the role models that make her cry.   "You are so incredibly special. You are so loved. Even if it feels like you are completely alone, you're not – our ancestors are with you. There are people across Turtle Island who a