Arctic Canada - The Culture Cure

A new approach to providing invaluable, data-driven insights into sea-ice thickness and local ice conditions in the Canadian Arctic is utilizing traditional knowledge combined with technology. SmartICE is an award-winning technological innovation for the North. It is the world's first climate change adaptation tool to integrate the traditional knowledge of sea ice with advanced data acquisition and remote monitoring technology. In this episode we discuss this groundbreaking approach with SmartICE Executive Director, Carolann Harding, and SmartICE Regional Operations Lead for Nunavut's Qikiqtaaluk Region, Andrew Arreak. 

Ashley Callingbull is a model, actress, motivational speaker and activist. In 2015, Ashley became the first Canadian, and first indigenous woman to win the Mrs. Universe title.  Since winning the title, she hasn't slowed down! Ashley has appeared on the cover of magazines, in motion pictures, commercials and television shows. Most recenly Ashley was named the new face of the Nike N7 line of footwear, which features designs founded on Indigenous themes.Born in the Enoch Cree Nation, in Alberta, Canada, Ashley went through her own difficulties as a child, and has experienced blatant racism later in life. She is an outspoken activist against abuse, and for Indigenous rights. Sought after as a motivational speaker, Ashley puts forward her ideas around overcoming life's obstacles and what needs to happen to achieve true reconciliation.

Climate change is affecting the Canadian Arctic at a much faster rate than other parts of the planet. However the Arctic and its peoples have a long history of adaptation and survival. Dr. Isla Myers-Smith is a global change ecologist from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Isla has 12 field seasons under her belt, conducting research in the Arctic and Sub-Antarctic. Dr. Myers-Smith is known for her enthusiasm and energy and she has successfully brought together teams of researchers, including "Team Shrub", with whom she continues to conduct research in the Arctic. Dr. Myers-Smith and Team Shrub study plants and how ecosystems are responding as the planet warms. Using traditional tools and new technology such as drones, they are capturing change on Qikiqtaruk, Hershal Island in the Yukon Territory in Northwest Canada in and around the tundra biome. Isla returned to the Arctic in 2019 with the Greening Arctic Project, capturing hotspots of tundra vegetation change at landscape scales. This research is meant to fill in gaps between on-the-ground ecological monitoring and observations from satellites in space. It is the hope that this project can help predict how plant life will respond to the rapid warming of the Canadian Arctic.In this episode we discuss the increasing size of shrubs on Qikiqtaruk and across the Arctic tundra, shore erosion, slumping, animal migration patterns, adaptation of the land and people, the importance of cooperation between science and traditional Inuvialuit knowledge, and what the future of the Arctic may hold.

Kevin Koe has achieved curling greatness on the Canadian and world stage. With four Canadian Championships, two World Championships, and an appearance at the 2018 Olympics he has to be considered one of the greatest Canadian curlers of all time. Kevin comes from a family with a legacy of curling. His father Fred, brother Jamie and sister Kerry are all curlers of note, with national and international accomplishments of their own. However, perhaps not as well known by curling and sport enthusiasts, is Kevin's legacy from a cultural perspective.In this episode we discuss with Kevin his last two curling seasons, the effects of COVID-19 on curling and what the game may look like when it returns, changes to Team Koe, Kevin's Gwich'in heritage, and roots in the Mackenzie Delta of the Northwest Territories in the Canadian Arctic, his father Fred and Grandfather Chief Jim Koe and much more.

Realistic and diverse representations of Inuit women and their relationships to their bodies is something that Canadian, Iqualuit, Nunavut-based artist Avianna Mackenzie has made a central theme in her digital illustration practice. Creating art that combats colonized views and understandings of womanhood and femininity, Avianna's work is created with a clear message of destigmatization and reinforcement of positive body image. Much of Avianna's work is inspired by interactions she observes and exchanges in on social media, a place where women are both granted agency over their own bodies and representation while simultaniously policed by others who seek to either shame or hyper-sexualize them.On this episode we discuss Avianna's connection to her culture, colourism in the Inuit community, the motivation behind Avianna's art, battling the untruths of and misconceptions created by colonialism and religion, the role adopting traditional tattoos has played in Avianna's claiming her identity, challenges facing the Arctic and much more!For more information on Avianna's art you can visit "Ulliaq Creations" on facebook and @ulliaq_creations on instagram.  

Jill Heinerth is an award winning, world renowned Canadian diver, cave diver, author and filmmaker. Her achievements include making TV series for PBS, the National Geographic Channel and BBC. She has consulted on various movies for directors including James Cameron. Jill is the author of the bestseller, INTO THE PLANET - My Life as a Cave Diver and has produced documentaries including We Are Water. Her work with Arctic on the Edge and the recent documentary Under Thin Ice is fascinating. Jill was the first person to dive inside iceberg caves of Antarctic and has penetrated further into an underwater cave system than any woman in history! In this episode we discuss with Jill her evolution as a diver and cave diver, her travels to Ikpiarjuk (Arctic Bay) Nunavut Canada, the importance of Inuit knowledge and wisdom, the shrinking ice coverage of the Arctic regions, the speed of this change, animal feeding cycles out of sync, the importance of Arctic ice in the food chain, the connectivity of humanity, facing our fears and next steps related to climate change, and the implications of COVID-19

Melissa and Daniel Rogers live in Inuvik, Northwest Territories in the Canadian Arctic. Melissa is of Gwich'in and Inuvialuit decent and Daniel is Inuvialuit. Melissa and Daniel were both raised with a close connection to the land and when the COVID crisis struck they didn't wait for the virus to surface in the Arctic, they left town and headed to their traditional camp North of Inuvik. In this episode we discuss why Melissa and Daniel returned to the land, living in a tent in -30 temperatures, harvesting fish and caribou for food, their family histories, climate change in the delta and much more.

The small Canadian Arctic hamlet of Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay) is located on Victoria Island, and lies on the Northwest Passage in the Arctic Ocean. As do other Arctic communities, the hamlet faces many issues such as climate change, food insecurity, overcrowding in houses and now the Coronavirus. Despite these challenges, the community moves forward using traditional camps to heal those with addiction issues, engaging elders to teach traditional skills to the young, while also providing opportunities for the young to develop new strengths such as digital media production and other modern skills. In this episode we speak with Pamela Gross, the mayor of Iqaluktuutiaq, regarding these topics and more.

Bryson Syliboy is Mi'kmaw and Two Spirited. An outspoken advocate for both the Indigenous and LGBTQ communities on social media, he humerously refers to himself as "Bryson The Gaytive", and despite facing his fair share of detractors and haters, remains undetered. In this episode we discuss the challenges of being Two Spirited, the negative effects of residential school on culture, revitalization of the Mi'kmaw language, cultural appropriation, the use of racist symbols and more. Bryson's current Twitter handle is @ArnallLabrador.

Uqi Chuck Pizzo-Lyall is the recently elected Mayor of Taloyoak (formerly Spence Bay) Nunavut, Canada. One of a new breed of young, Northern leaders, Chuck and his community face many challenges in the Canadian Arctic. Chuck comes from a family of leaders. His grandfather, Ernie Lyall, came by ship from Labrador, Canada, and travelled the Arctic by dog team. He and Chuck's grandmother Nipisha, an Inuk from the Eastern Arctic, raised a large family and Ernie was a key interpreter and witness to many historic events in the Baffin Region over half a century. Chuck's father Charlie and Uncle Bill have played key roles in the politics and leadership in the Central Arctic over the years. Although wildlife and country food is still plentiful in the area around Taloyoak, the community faces many challenges. In this episode we discuss the cost of store bought food, maintaining culture and language, over-crowding in local housing, and what it takes to keep a community functioning in the far reaches of the Canadian Arctic.

Thomas Hoggarth is a professional lacrosse player with the Buffalo Bandits in the National Lacrosse League. He grew up in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada however his roots are North of the Arctic Circle in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories. Thomas is of Gwich'in decent and proud of his cultural heritage. Lacrosse is one of the fastest and most physical team sports in the world however to many indigenous peoples it is of spiritual significance and a tribute to the Creator. In this episode we discuss Thomas's Gwich'in and Ojibwe heritage, his mother being part of the 60's scoop, the demands of being a professional lacrosse player, being a part of the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team at the World Championships, the spirituality of lacrosse and Thomas's growing status as a premier player in the premier box lacrosse league in the world.

Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories is a community high in the Canadian Arctic, situated on the shores of the Beaufort Sea. Five young Indigenous filmmakers wanted to do something to show their concern with how climate change is affecting the world around them. They directed and filmed a documentary called, "Happening to Us." The film has garnered international attention and the youth have been invited to present it at a United Nations convention in Chile this December 2019. This episode of Arctic Canada-The Culture Cure features an interview with one of these youth, Eriel Lugt, and examines climate change through the eyes of Indigenous youth in the Arctic.

Tiffany Ayalik is an artist of many talents: storyteller, dancer, musician, throat singer, television host, actor. Of Inuit descent, Tiffany was born in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, in the Canadian Arctic. From an early age she learned the power of storytelling from the elders, a lesson that would have a lasting impact on her creative life. Tiffany is part of the throat singing duo, Piqsiq, and a member of the band, Quantum Tangle, which won a Juno Award in 2017 for Indigenous Album of the Year. Tiffany has numerous film credits including Sila, Two Lovers and a Bear, Edna's Bloodline, On Thin Ice, and Darkness by Sinister Oculus. Tiffany is also host of the television show, Wild Kitchen and her television credits include Little Dog, and A Christmas Fury. Most recently Tiffany was recipient of the Betty Mitchell Award (The Betty) for outstanding performance by an actress in a drama for her performance in the stage play, Cafe Daughter.In this episode we discuss the influence of Tiffany's mother, grandmother, and elders on her career, growing up in an environment with Dene and Inuit culture, musical experimentation, her experience playing twelve parts in a one person play, the historical vilification of throat singing and the importance of claiming it back, cultural appropriation, truth and reconciliation, and her other special skills including wrestling, firearms, gymnastics, fencing, wilderness survival, dog handling, biathlon, horseback riding, igloo building, stage combat and fly-wire training.

Robert Louie is a Canadian entrepreneur and owner/proprietor of Indigenous World Winery, Indigenous World Spirits and Kelowna West Manufactured Home Park in West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Robert is a former practicing lawyer and was a summer law instructor at the University of Saskatchewan. Of Salish decent, Robert served a total of 24 years as Chief of the Westbank First Nation. Robert was involved in treaty negotiations, and his leadership was critical in the negotiation of self-government for the Westbank First Nation. Robert is the Chairman of the First Nations Land Advisory Board and has been instrumental in getting First Nations into incremental self-governance. Robert is Chairman/Director of Peace Hills Trust, the largest aboriginal financial institution in Canada. He has held numerous board positions and appointments including advisor for Canada on the World Indigenous Business Forum promoting indigenous economic development and world trade, Board of Governor with the University of British Columbia, and Board Director and founding member with the Kelowna United Native Friendship Society. His many awards include Officer of the Order of Canada, Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal, Lifetime B.C. Achievement Award Aboriginal Business and most recently Honorary Fellow of Okanagan College. In this episode Robert discusses self-government, achieving success in life and business, truth and reconcilliation, ties to his culture and much more!

Dana Tizya-Tramm left his small home community of Old Crow in the Yukon Territory of Canada to move to the city lights of Vancouver, British Columbia. Feeling that there was a calling in life beyond his corporate job and upward mobility, Dana returned home to Old Crow. Old Crow has a population of 300, is situated inside the Arctic Circle, and has no road access. Home to the Vuntut Gwich'in, Dana reconnected with his culture and traditions in Old Crow. At age 31, he became one of the youngest elected Chiefs of the Government of the Vuntut Gwich'in. Since being elected as Chief, Dana has appeared before a U.S. Congretional Subcommittee in Washington regarding the protection of traditional calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd in Alaska from oil and gas exploration. He has also immersed himself in negotiations with the Yukon government on the Peel Watershed Regional Land Use Plan, and declared a state of emergency in Old Crow due to climate change. We were fortunate to have this insightful conversation with Chief Tizya-Tramm regarding the challenges facing the Vuntut Gwich'in, Canada and the world.

Sharon and Shirley Firth were born inside the Arctic Circle, deep in the vast Mackenzie Delta, in the small remote Canadian community of Aklavik, Northwest Territories. From these humble beginnings, in the land of the midnight sun and winters of endless darkness, the identical twins, who were of Gwich'in heritage, became groundbreaking, unmatched, Olympic Athletes. Among the first indigenous athletes to attend the Olympics on behalf of Canada, the twins competed in four consecutive Olympic Games and between them won 79 medals at the national championships, including 48 national titles!

An unknown man showed up in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1931, He said very little, only that his name was Albert Johnson. It was the beginning of an amazing tale that started with mischief and destruction of property, an epic chase across the frozen Delta, murder, and a mystery that has never been solved. Hugh Feagan recounts the sequence of events and strange circumstances, along with his interesting connection to the preservation of these historical events. 

Gerry Kisoun was born on the land in the Mackenzie Delta of the Northwest Territories in the Canadian Arctic, the second largest delta in North America. At a young age, his family moved from the trapline into the town of Inuvik. He grew up running dog teams and shifted between several jobs before heading to Regina, Saskatchewan and graduting from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) Depot Division as a regular member of the force. After postings in Alberta and the Yukon, Gerry returned to the Northwest Territories, stationed in Tuktoyaktuk on the coast of the Beaufort Sea and his home town of Inuvik. After a stellar 25 year career, Gerry retired. He worked in visitor services with Parks Canada passing his knowledge and love of the Delta on to tourists and youth engaged in on the land programs. Gerry was appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from 2011 through 2017, and served as interim Commissioner for a year when the position was vacant. Gerry was awarded the Polar Medal which recognized him as a respected elder who worked tirelessly at strengthening the awareness of Northern Canada and its peoples. In this highly entertaining episode we discuss Gerry's birth on the land, his unique cultural background, his experiences growing up running dogs, his career in the R.C.M.P., climate change, and his desire to keep teaching others about the Western Arctic and Beaufort Delta.

Clara Evalik's father came from nomadic beginnnings. His early life took him from Alaska, to the Western Arctic, to the Central Arctic, where he operated a trading post. Clara's mother was raised on the land and taught her children how to make their own clothing, maintain their language and to eat animals harvested from the land. Clara grew up in Ikaluktutiak, Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, in Canada's Arctic. Her family lived in town during the winter months and on the land at camp in the summer where they harvested Arctic Char for winter supplies, as well as eating other traditional foods such as geese, muskox and caribou. Clara's parents emphasized education as well as traditional values.They were lessons she used to become an executive in the governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. In this episode we discuss balancing the old with the new, Clara's involvement in the creation of the territory of Nunavut, the connection of the Inuit to the land, achieving success in the modern world, and the healing power for Inuit women who recently participated in a workshop on how to make the puhitaq, sunburst trim for the hoods of parkas, a special symbol of Inuit womens identity. We also have a surprise visit from Claras grandson.

Tom Beaulieu is the Member of the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly for the Tu Nedhe'-Wiilideh constituency in the Canadian North. Tom served as President of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, and as a Deputy Minister in the Northwest Territories Government, prior to being elected to office in 2007. He has served as Minister of several portfolios including Transportation, Public Works, Human Resources, Health and Social Services, Seniors and Persons with Disabilities. Tom is of Chipewyan decent and originally from Fort Resolution. Tom's father supported the family by trapping and Tom ran his own trapline early in life. In the podcast we discuss how Tom learned his language listening to elders, being forbidden from speaking his language in day school, the challenges of unemployment and addictions, how truth and reconciliation is different for everyone, and how he sees attitudes changing towards indigenous peoples.***We Apologize The Sound Quality Is Poor. Best Listened To With Headphones/Earbuds.***

Polar Bear hunter, Brent Nakashook of Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut, Canada, was raised by his grandparents on the land. Brent discusses the traditional way of life and the difficulties of juggling his work at a mine near Ikaluktutiak and his desire to stay connected with the land and his culture. 

Host Rob Feagan discusses his fond memories of growing up in small Northern communities, the humour and wisdom of elders, moving South and cultural confusion, physical and sexual abuse, moving back North, living in Cambridge Bay and returning home to the Mackenzie Delta.

Part 2 of our two part interview with film director, writer, producer of film and virtual reality content, Nyla Innuksuk. In this episode we discuss the Arctic as a setting for film and incorporating Inuit myths, the use of virtual reality to tell stories, bringing the value of indigeneity to projects, a truly unique summer job that helped Nyla get through school, and the potential pitfalls of cultural appropriation in work life.Nyla is Inuit, originally from Igloolik, Nunavut, in Canada's Arctic. Amongst other projects, Nyla recently collaborated with Jim Zub to help develop and co-write the first Inuit superhero, Snowguard, the newest member of the Marvel Universe superhero team, The Champions. Nyla produced and filmed the short horror film, Kajutaijuq, which was chosen as a Toronto Film Festival top ten short, and is working on several projects including one that will feature aliens in an Arctic setting.

Nyla Innuksuk is a film director, writer, producer of film and virtual reality content. She is a Ryerson Film graduate, and CEO of Mixtape VR. The short horror film that Nyla produced and filmed in Nunavut, Kajutaijuq, was chosen as a Toronto International Film Festival top ten short. Nyla was also named the inaugural ImagineNATIVE Indigenous VR/AR Artist in Residence.Nyla is Inuit and originally from Igloolik, Nunavut, in Canada's Arctic. Amongst other projects, Nyla recently collaborated with Jim Zub, to help develop the first Inuit super hero, Snowguard, the newest member of the Marvel Universe superhero team, The Champions. Nyla also co-wrote the Champions Annual with Jim Zub, which came out in December of 2018 and focused on Snowguard. In this episode Nyla discusses her journey to film making after moving South at eight years old, promoting and incorporating Inuit culture in varoius forms of media, and the need to overcome the negative influences of colonialism on the Inuit. 

Kylik Kisoun Taylor is the owner/operator of Tundra North Tours, a tourism company based out of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada, inside the Arctic Circle. Although of Gwich'in and Inuvialuit decent, Kylk was raised in the Southern regions of Canada. At sixteen years of age he returned North to meet his birth mother and family. The experience of rediscovering his culture was profound! In this episode, Kylik continues to discuss the importance of culture and the land, to people of the Mackenzie Delta and the Arctic. He outlines the goals of his company, to strengthen, and keep the connection strong between the indigenous peoples of the Delta and their customs, as well as to educate visitors from the South through the interactive experiences his tour company offers. He also shares the importance of embracing new ideas such as technology, without losing the connection to the land and cultural identity.

Kylik Kisoun Taylor is the owner/operator of Tundra North Tours, a tourism company based out of Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada, inside the Arctic Circle. Although of Gwich'in and Inuvialuit decent, Kylik was raised in the Southern regions of Canada. At sixteen years of age he returned North to meet his birth mother and family. The experience of rediscovering his culture was profound! In this episode Kylik discusses his journey North, discovering his cultural identity, the importance of the land and traditions to the indigenous people of the Arctic, and how it led him to the establishment of his tour company.   

Kyra St-Pierre is a Doctor of Philosophy, and Biological Sciences with specialization in ecology. She has been involved in studies around the world including humpback whale surveys on the coast of Australia, water quality work in Quttinirpaaq National Park in Nunavut, fieldwork in Southern Greenland for the Centre for Permafrost, fieldwork on how methylmercury moves from Arctic sea to land, and a study regarding record levels of mercury being reactivated and released from permafrost in the Western Arctic of Canada. Kyra discusses climate change, the reactivation of mercury into the foodchain as permafrost melts creating slumps in the land, and what this means for the Arctic and other parts of the world. 

Part 2 of our interview with Hugh Feagan - In this episode, Hugh discusses his experiences with residential schools in the North, forming lasting friendships with the people he policed, the important role of Special Constables, dog team patrols and much more. 

In 1950, Hugh Feagan left the family farm in rural Ontario, Canada, to pursue his dream of joining the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.). After the long train trip West, Hugh completed his training at Depot Divion in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and was posted to small communities North of the Arctic Circle. When Hugh retired from the force, the Gwich'n of Fort McPherson, N.W.T., held a feast and made both Hugh and his wife, Marj, honorary members of the Gwich'in Band to recognize their close relationship and service to the indigenous peoples of the Northwest Territories. Join us in part 1 of this interview, as Hugh discusses what made him want to join the R.C.M.P., training at Depot Division and his experiences when he was posted North of the Arctic Circle.

Arctic Canada - The Culture Cure - The podcast all about Canada's Arctic, the land, the people, the culture, and what it can teach the rest of the world. In this introductory episode, author Robert Feagan, will discuss his backgroun, growing up in Canada's Arctic as the son of a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the content of future episodes. Through interviews with elders, prominent community members, traditional hunters, politicians, artists, musicians and sports figures, discussions will focus on the preservation and revitaliztion of culture, history, climate change, colonialism, the legacy of residential schools and much more.