Podcasts/Oral Histories/Stories
Research speaks on the importance and value that storytelling holds in respect to knowledge for many Indigenous communities and people around the world. This same study found that social workers and social service systems tend to focus on the acute presenting issues, but those issues are only one part of the grief experienced and outlined within these stories.
These stories offer insight into how Indigenous people navigated through grief to find healing and ultimately, the stories witnessed by the researchers underlined the fact that "connections to family, culture and ceremony are important components of healing". The researchers concluded that "it is necessary for social workers to know the history of place from an Indigenous perspective and promote Indigenous rights".
The following podcasts, oral histories, and stories are narrated and focused on the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous creators and authors.
- This PlaceBased on the acclaimed graphic novel anthology, This Place is a 10-part journey through one-hundred and fifty years of Indigenous resistance and resilience.
- KīwewKīwew is a five-part podcast in which Governor General award-winning author David A. Robertson dives into his family's history and mysteries as he discovers and connects with his Cree identity.
- ThunderbayThunder Bay, hosted by Ryan McMahon, is a critically acclaimed podcast series exposing the hate-crime and homicide capital of Canada. This podcast is now a docuseries on Crave.
- Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild"Unreserved is the radio space for Indigenous voices – our cousins, our aunties, our elders, our heroes. Rosanna Deerchild guides us on the path to better understand our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations." - (CBC, n.d)
- The Secret Life of CanadaThe Secret Life of Canada is about the stories and histories many may not know about Canada. While not solely FNIM focused, The Secret Life... covers a wide range of FNIM topics such as the season three episode "You should know The Indian Film Crew", which delves into the First Nations film crew that created films for the National Film Board in the late 60s.
- StolenStolen is comprised of two seasons that focus on two separate cases. The first looks into the disappearance of a young Indigenous mother named Jermain Charlo, and the second follows the host's father's experiences in the residential school system. This podcast is the winner of both a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award.
Oral Histories
- Traditional Stories and Creation StoriesWhile not classified as a podcast, this resource is a repository of oral histories where you can listen to traditional Indigenous creation stories, told in six Indigenous languages, as well as English and French.
- Indigenous CitiesIndigenous Cities presents memories from Indigenous community members based in cities across Canada; memories that have been interpreted by Indigenous artists to create a unique audio storytelling experience.
Memoirs/Interviews
- Connecting Myself to Indian Residential Schools and the Sixties ScoopA piece by Alexa Salazar and Noela Crowe-Salazar that recounts a story passed down to Noela about her father’s experience at an Indian Residential School. It is written as a conversational, interview piece between mother and daughter.
- Canada Files | Cindy BlackstockA video interview with Cindy Blackstock who discusses her advocacy on behalf of Indigenous children in Canada and her position as Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society.
Documentaries
CBC Gem offers many programs and documentaries that explore the history of FNIM people and provide introductions to the activists fighting for a more equitable future.
Similarly, the National Film Board of Canada contains an array of FNIM stories that can be streamed for free. The National Film Board's YouTube channel which also offers some shorter, free content.
Courses, Webinars, and other Learning Opportunities
This section offers some suggestions on further training/opportunities for learning.
Courses/Training Programs
- University of Alberta: Indigenous CanadaIndigenous Canada is a course offered by the University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies. This course explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores complex experiences Indigenous peoples face today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Take the course for free here.
- ANCFSAO's Becoming an Ally: Culturally Safe Child Welfare Practice with First Nations, Métis and Inuit FamiliesA training program wherein participants will learn what cultural safety means in practice, historical and ongoing colonial practices, and how to create a culturally safe space. Contact ANCFSAOTrainingDepartment@ancfsao.ca to register.
- Reconciliation EducationA collection of online courses and films that provide a comprehensive, customized anti-racist education in line with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.
Webinars/Seminars
- FNIM IdentificationA webinar conducted by Maureen Bulbrook from the Indigenous Counsel, Office of the Children’s Lawyer that explores the importance of identification, locating the child’s affiliated Indigenous community/communities, and delves into the obligations that a CAS must fulfill. The slides and other resources can be accessed here.
- Native Child & Family Services of Toronto’s Decolonizing Child Welfare Webinar Learning SeriesProvides an overview of the current state of Indigenous child welfare services in Toronto, including a review of the
challenges and opportunities for a redesign in the context of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to
Action, the enactment of Bill C-92 and the Child Welfare Redesign initiatives in the province of Ontario. Access recorded sessions here. - Wanted: Moral Courage in Social Work with Dr. Cindy BlackstockThe seminar is an opportunity for social workers to gain knowledge of Dr. Blackstock’s social work practice, the lessons she has learned, and how we can make a difference in Saskatchewan. The seminar emphasizes the importance of moral courageousness in social work practice.
Further Learning
- Native LandUsing this app, you can learn about the history of the land you live on, including the cultural traditions and customs, languages, and treaties. Another helpful resource you can use to learn more about the land you live on is Whose Land.