A new podcast series, developed by a northern Saskatchewan Indigenous storyteller aims to take listeners on a captivated journey of global issues through an Indigenous perspective.
“Nohcimihik/ Into the Bush” launched Wednesday with three episodes: Melina Laboucan-Massimo explores her experience growing up in northern Alberta, discussing the barriers communities face in the energy and environmental sector. Tawhiao McMaster discusses the impacts of colonization and the resiliency of Indigenous nations around the world. Danii Kehler highlights the importance of granting personhood to Antarctica and the need to protect the environment for future generations.
“Why are there not more Indigenous voices on this podcast,” asked podcast creator Jordyn Burnouf? “Why am I not hearing about the experiences we have as people who are naturally stewards of the earth and who have grown up with these values and guiding principles.”
Burnouf who is from Ile a la Crosse and a member of the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation drew inspiration from her mentor, the late Harold Johnson.
She said through her discussions with Johnson, he asked how do you give a voice to people with traditional on-the-land knowledge, who may not have academic certificates? How do you pass that knowledge, which has value on to the world?
“How do I bridge that gap,” she asks? “How do I honour my friend and move that forward? It’s just something very real where stories have the power to change the world.”
More podcast episodes are planned with a centenarian Cree elder from Ile a la Crosse who lives off the land and exploring blackholes in space.
“Nohcimihik/ Into the Bush” can be streamed on Apple Music and Spotify or through https://www.nohcimihk.com/
(Photo courtesy of Jordyn Burnouf Facebook.)