Turtle Island Voices

Gerald Auger discusses his exit from Hollywood and return to the original teachings. We learn what it is to be a four-directional human being and how the elders prophesied the events of today.Gerald is a spiritual leader, indigenous relations consultant, entrepreneur, and an award-winning director and actor. See Gerald as the powerful Pawnee Killer on AMC's Hell on Wheels. Gerald shares the experience of being refused a traditional Cree burial for his father by an Anglican priest in the short documentary Honor Thy Father.Follow Gerald on his social: Gerald Auger (@geraldauger) • Instagram photos and videos

Laurelle Watson is walking the talk. By opening the doors of Tansi Friendship Centre to all, she believes inclusion will help bridge the gap between the colonists and the first peoples. Communication is education.Tansi Friendship Centre SocietyBC Aboriginal Association of Friendship CentresChetwynd, BC'Tansi' is a friendly greeting in Cree, similar to hello, how are you? and is pronounced tahn-sih.

Elaine Alec and husband, Ryan Day, model leadership through the shared experiences that led them to one another. Elaine is the author of Calling My Spirit Back.Former Chief Ryan Day of the Bonaparte Indian Band from St'uxwtews, a community near Kamloops, B.C.  He is an economic advisor, distance and marathon runner,  and a former Health Researcher with First Nations Health Authority.  Ryan lives as close to tradition as one can while living in an urban setting, he finds solace in the back country.  He's also the proud husband to Elaine Alec, providing support in all her endeavors.  

Randy Gauthier discusses his humble roots from chainsaw operator to world-class chainsaw carver. Though he calls Moberly Lake, BC his home, you can find Randy in Harrison Mills, BC where he hosts carvers from around the world.Follow Randy on his social.

Art Napoleon shares some of his journey, his thoughts on the rollout of Truth & Reconciliation, and steps we need to take to implement real change. Listen to Art's music! And be sure to check out APTN's Moosemeat & Marmalade.Residential schools are only a small part of colonization harms. Learn 21 things you may not know about the Indian Act. Denied women statusIntroduced residential schoolsCreated reservesRenamed individuals with European namesRestricted First Nations from leaving reserve without permission from Indian agentEnforced enfranchisement of any First Nation admitted to universityCould expropriate portions of reserves for roads, railways and other public works, as well as move an entire reserve away from a municipality if it was deemed expedientCould lease out uncultivated reserve lands to non-First Nations if the new leaseholder would use it for farming or pastureForbade First Nations from forming political organizationsProhibited anyone, First Nation or non-First Nation, from soliciting funds for First Nation legal claims without special license from the Superintendent General. (this 1927 amendment granted the government control over the ability of First Nations to pursue land claims)Prohibited the sale of alcohol to First NationsProhibited sale of ammunition to First NationsProhibited pool hall owners from allowing First Nations entranceImposed the “band council” systemForbade First Nations from speaking their native languageForbade First Nations from practicing their traditional religionForbade western First Nations from appearing in any public dance, show, exhibition, stampede or pageant wearing traditional regaliaDeclared potlatch and other cultural ceremonies illegalDenied First Nations the right to voteCreated permit system to control First Nations ability to sell products from farmsCreated under the British rule for the purpose of subjugating one race —  Aboriginal PeoplesJoseph, B (2016). 21 things you may not know about the Indian Act. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/21-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-indian-act-1.3533613

Bev Lambert shares with us the weight of shame put upon her family and all indigenous people by the government. Though many of her immediate family were lost to violence and addiction, Bev rose out of the ashes to become a strong, proud Metis Cree matriarch. She gives credit to the importance of finding her culture and making the step towards sobriety by entering the Poundmaker's Lodge Treatment Centre.The Nechi InstituteJohn Bradshaw