Chatter That Matters: Celebrating Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month — a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience & diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Canada. This grouping of Chatter That Matters episodes reflect the perspectives of Indigenous Canadians who embrace possibility, faith and hope.

“Every conversation can have an impact on reconciliation,” says Indigenous activist, speaker and author Sandi Boucher. As more and more Canadians gain knowledge of the history and heritage of Indigenous Peoples, the quantity and quality of these conversations are improving, leading to an increase in both awareness and action.

In this Chatter That Matters collection of stories that highlight Indigenous entrepreneurs, activists, leaders and allies, remarkable guests share the battles they have faced, the progress that has been made so far and the challenges that lie ahead. Hear stories of residential schools, alcoholism and abuse that don’t ultimately end in despair, but in empowerment, change and hope.

Chatter That Matters episodes that celebrate Indigenous heritage

1. Phil Fontaine on truth and reconciliation.

Former National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Phil Fontainewas one of the first residential school survivors to reveal the physical, psychological and sexual abuse that consistently took place at the hands of the Catholic Church. In a conversation that reflects on the past and paints a hopeful vision of the future, he shares how he managed his bitterness, channelling it into a lifelong pursuit of acknowledgement and change.

2. Indigenous Speaker, Activist and Author Sandi Boucher Shares a Path Forward to Reconciliation.

Sandi Boucher is living proof that your past doesn’t have to be your future. In this episode of Chatter That Matters, she shares her journey, her history and her hope for a future that acknowledges the past, but isn’t defined by it. Her book The Path is a detailed action plan for Indigenous/ Canadian reconciliation.

3. Jennifer Ménard-Shand on Her Journey From Chaos to Purpose.

In this episode, Indigenous-French-Canadian Entrepreneur Jennifer Ménard-Shand shares how she climbed out of the chaos of her youth and built a life centered around purpose and happiness. She embraces this quote by C.S. Lewis: “We can’t go back and change the beginning, but we can start where we are and change the ending.”

4. Mothers know best, but will the rest?

Patrice Mousseau, an Ojibway mother who didn’t want to treat her daughter’s skin condition with steroid cream dug into traditional medicine and medical research, identifying natural and organic ingredients that could help cure her eczema. What started as a crock pot recipe in her kitchen has evolved to a thriving business. Satya Organic Skin Care is in over 900 retailers across Canada.

All episodes can be found and listened to on the RBC Discover blog linked HERE.

This article is shared directly from the RBC Blog for Indigenous History Month with permission. For more information, episodes, and content - please visit the RBC Discovery Blog.