Our Indigenous Voice – Learning & Celebrating National Indigenous People’s Day
Content Warning: This podcast of See Hear Love contains details regarding Residential Schools in Canada that may cause trauma invoked by memories of past abuse. We recognize the need for safety measures to minimize the risk associated with triggering.
A National Indian Residential School Crisis Line has been set up by the Government of Canada to provide support for former Residential School students. You can access emotional and crisis referral services. You can also get information on how to get other health supports from the Government of Canada. Please call the Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you or someone you know is triggered while listening to this podcast.
If you are not a residential school survivor, but you would like support and prayer as you navigate the difficult emotions surrounding this conversation, you can reach out to our crossroads prayer partners 24/7 at 1-866-273-4444 or on crossroads.ca/247prayer Our intention with this podcast is to learn from Indigenous sisters. To lean in and sit with them in their grief, anger and sadness, and to mourn with them. We stand with our sisters in solidarity and support, and we stand up against injustice and racism, together. Thank you for listening.
Today we Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day and the 25th Anniversary of celebrating the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit & Metis peoples!
Host Melinda also listens to two inspiring Indigenous women who share their stories and brave thoughts on:
– how they’re doing, feeling and their honest thoughts with the discovery of the 215 remains of children discovered at a residential school in Kamloops, BC and Residential Schools
-growing up as an indigenous young girl, teenager and now as a woman entrepreneur/leader with influence. What was that experience like?
-What is ONE LIFE LESSON YOU HAVE LEARNED as an Indigenous women -How we can be an effective and strong ally to them and their People. Our two guests are:
HOLLY FORTIER – a Cree/Dene from Ft. McKay First Nation, Alberta who was born in Treaty 7 Territory. She is the daughter of a Residential School Survivor, founder of NISTO CONSULTING, that specializes in the development and delivery of Indigenous Awareness Trainings and has been involved in the Alberta film industry since the early 1990’s, particularly in Indigenous theme productions such The Assassination of Jesse James with Brad Pitt and The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio. Holly is the recipient of the 2016 Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, Esquao Award for Culture and 2018 Alberta Aboriginal Role Model award. Holly is a mother of one daughter, two sons, and Kokum to three granddaughters.
STEPHANIE JOY STYRES – born and raised in the beautiful Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Stephanie Joy, Mohawk turtle clan, is the President/CEO of Market Place Solution Inc. A First Nations consulting firm that specializes in Community Revitalization, Leadership/Management Training and Indigenous Research. Stephanie Joy has over 18 years of experience working with Six Nations Community in employment and training, program evaluation, and strategic planning. Stephanie Joy recently completed her Masters in Public Administration & Governance at Queens University. She is presently completing a PHD in Policy Studies – Public Administration and Governance at Ryerson University.