The Legacy of Hope Foundation Presents: Indigenous Roots and Hoots

RiGEL website: https://therigelway.com/ hello@therigelway.com - no cost for a discussion, also on LinkedIn and the waitlist for the betausers is still open (can be found on website, linkedin, facebook, instagram)Aging out of foster careAamjiwnaang First NationRolling River First NationResidential School Day School The Sixties ScoopSilent SpeakersIn BC there’s a program called SAGE which helps youth who are aging out of care, there’s also funding for youth reconnecting with culture, as well as counselling, gym, and overall wellnessDorothy Thunder, Cree instructor at University of AlbertaFireweed Institute - Accelerator CohortHeartberry SodaKettle and HiveTradish CanadaTwo row wampumMartiall built from tech and systems side, but brittany really brought relationship, community and grounding. Rigel is built around trust, cultural safety and respect.RiGEL - star in the sky brightest star in Orion (hunter) constellation (his left foot). Martial is anishinaabe, anisihanaabe are star people and rigel is about finding your wayHanding down more than just physica assets, but sacred items, songs, ceremoniesBoth have spent most of their adult life reconnecting with their culture and communities. Says have encountered many who did not grow up with their culture, feel nervous or uncertain, but Brittany shares if you come with an open heart and prepared to do things in a good way, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. Language - Brittany is learning her language, Martial is learning some words and to introduce themselves.Brittany was raised by paternal grandparents (English and Norwegian). Brittany learned about RS in university, but still didn’t know family history in regards to it. When reconnecting with family in Manitoba, learned that her grandma attended. When her grandma was 10, her whole family died in a car accident and so she never left RS until she aged out. :(Met 4 years ago at a healing conference in Fort St. JohnRiGEL came to be bc indigenous communities deserve better systems of governance/authority, Martial is more on the tech side, Brittany more on the relationships and educational side. Trust, cultural safety and respectEconomic reconciliationAbout removing stigma around death and planning, taking some of the hardship off the people who are grieving immediately after the lossData sovereignty - All Estates have to be settled (applying for death certificate and these types of things). Estates are about responsibility.Section 87 of Indian Act - RiGEL helps turn messy pieces into a clear mapA lot of hoops to jump through when living on reserveIndian on reserve in indian act - your estate is subject to the minister of Indian affairs, where they then take over the will When you're planning your estate, it's about responsibility and love. Being open to feedbackIndigenous entrepreneurs - they are part of the fireweed cohort in 2026One of the biggest obstacles? The status quoIncorporated on November 26 of 2025In pilot discussion with 6 different nationsPilot beginning with a national bankLaunching personal data for anyone to sign up and use the platformWorking with team of lawyers to have power of attorney, will etc.. on RiGEL - where executor can know what to do as well as HOWExcited for beta testing to start next weekLargest wave of estate transfer in history (in the next 15 years with the baby boomers generation)Reconciliation Reconciliation is not comfortable or convenient and has to show up in systems that already exist. Who has access, who has authority? The more layers there are in a system, the harder it is to see the transparencyTRC’s 94 calls to action need to be implemented - in schools, hospitals and “every institution that’s been placed upon us”

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined in studio by former NHL hockey player John Chabot. John is an Anishinabeg Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi First Nation. In this interview, John shares details of his life, including playing professional hockey in the National Hockey League and in Europe, as well as the travel he continues to do through his work with the National Indigenous Alumni team and his charity, First Assist.Show Notes:Kitigan Zibi AnishinabegManiwaki, QCAlgonquian Language FamilyJohn ChabotNational Hockey League Pittsburgh PenguinsMontreal CanadiensDetroit Red WingsNew York IslandersOriginal SixThe Battle of Quebec (NHL rivalry)Hockey Night in Canada in Cree and InuktitutGuy LafleurRick NashMario LemieuxCody McCormickJamie LeachDevin BuffaloShoresyFirst AssistNish MediaAyaya Marketing and Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast, you can visit their website at ayaya.ca.

This week, host Gordon is joined by Waneek Horn Miller. Waneek is a Kanienkeháka Olympian, mother, motivator and an incredibly inspirational human being. In this interview she discusses the upbringing she received from her mother, including the value placed on sports and how it helped her navigate difficult moments in life, to becoming a role model and ultimately finding ways to honour and fulfill her responsibilities to give back.Show NotesWaneek Horn-Miller Kahentinetha Horn Dr. Ojistoh Horn Dr. Kahente Horn Miller Kaniehtiio Horn Coffee With My Ma - PodcastGovernment Apology to Former Students of Residential SchoolFederal Indian Day SchoolsManitou CollegeGhislain PicardKanesatake Resistance - Oka CrisisPost-traumatic stress disorder1973 Standoff at Wounded KneeClayton RubyJulius GreyAlwyn MorrisNorth American Indigenous GamesNational Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls No More Stolen SistersTRC CommissionersWab KinewCindy BlackstockOffice of the Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential SchoolsKairyn PottsAyaya Marketing & Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. You can visit their website at ayaya.caTo learn more about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit legacyofhope.ca

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by the impressive Inuk Elder Piita Irniq. Piita is a drum dancer, Inukshuk builder, former commissioner of Nunavut, Survivor of the Residential School System, and much more. As he shares in this interview, in spite of the hardships endured in the Residential School, he has lived a great life. Piita travels the world building Inukshuks, teaching people about Inuit culture and traditions, as well as leading efforts to support healing and Reconciliation.Show Notes: Destination Nunavut: Inuit cultureArviat, NUDestination Nunavut: Iglooklik, NUPiita IrniqLori IdloutRalph Ritcey Marius TungilikBishop Renald RouleauThe Honourable Murray SinclairPope Francis’ penitential pilgrimmage and visit to IqaluitChurchill Residential ShoolNCTR - Oblate PriestsChesterfield inlet - Turquetil HallJoseph Bernier Federal Day SchoolInuit Circumpolar CouncilHudson’s Bay CompanyBook of wisdom for eskimoAboriginal Healing Foundation94 Calls to ActionCalling Home Ceremonies - Veterans Affairs CanadaTruth and Reconciliation Commission of CanadaThe Nunavut Land Claims AgreementInukshuk controversy at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics- What is an inukshuk?Inuksuit: Silent Messengers of the Arctic by Norman HallendyInukshuk on Juno BeachInuksuk at the National Museum of Scotland Inukshuk at Acadia UniversityAyaya Marketing & Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. You can visit their website at ayaya.caTo learn more about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit legacyofhope.ca

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Elder Vince Kicknosway from Bkejwanong First Nation. Vince is of Pottawatomi ancestry and from the Loon Clan. Vince is a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In this interview, he reflects on his childhood experiences, including attending an Indian Day School, and later being separated from his family as part of the Sixties Scoop. Through his healing journey, Vince returned to his Traditional ways and has since become a source of guidance and support to many.Show NotesBkejwanong First NationThree Fires ConfederacyFederal Indian Day Schools Residential Schools in CanadaShingwauk Residential SchoolSixties ScoopOdawa Native Friendship CentreGignul Non-Profit HousingSpirit Talker - APTN TVIndigenous healing lodges - Correctional Service CanadaTheland KicknoswayMoosehide CampaignAyaya Marketing & Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. You can visit their website at ayaya.caTo learn more about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit legacyofhope.ca

This week on the Roots and Hoots Podcast, we are proud to release a music compilation episode. Featuring Indigenous musicians and singer-songwriters from the past six years, this episode includes music from each featured guest, along with stories of how their gift is a tool for healing and about the joys of performing and sharing their gift with others. List of guests in Music episode Errol Ranville and the ‘C-Weed Band’From episode 49 of Roots and HootsKirk HarperFrom episode 11 of Roots and HootsThomas LambeFrom episode 15 of Roots and HootsBrenda MacIntyreFrom episode 35 of Roots and HootsWilliam TagoonaFrom episode 37 of Roots and HootsSusan Aglukark From episode 58 of Roots and HootsErroll KinistinoFrom episode 9 of Roots and HootsAyaya Marketing and Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. Learn more about their services at ayaya.ca The Roots and Hoots Podcast is produced by the Legacy of Hope Foundation. For more information on the work we do, please visit legacyofhope.ca

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Dr. Lynn Gehl, a member of Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. Dr. Gehl joins us from Peterborough, as she shares important reflections on Wampum diplomacy, Algonquin history and the ongoing land claim process, along with her work on advocating for Indigenous veterans and Indigenous women and girls with disabilities.Show NotesFur trade in CanadaNipissing First NationAlgonquin PeopleAlgonquins of Pikwakanagan First NationSeven NationsTreaty of Oswegatchie (1760)Treaty of Niagara (1764)Truth that Wampum Tells - Dr. Lynn GehlDebwewin Journey - Dr.Lynn GehlMidewiwinOverview of Treaty Negotiations - Algonquins of OntarioMeet Joseph Gagnon, An Algonquin WW1 Veteran - Dr. Lynn GehlIndigenous Veterans DayAyaya Marketing & Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. You can visit their website at ayaya.caTo learn more about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit legacyofhope.ca

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Brandon Mitchell from Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation. Brandon has always had an innate talent for drawing, and in this interview, he shares how he developed a career in storytelling and animation - reminding listeners that we all have stories worth sharing and preserving.Show Noteshttps://birchbarkcomics.com/projects/sacred-circles/Birch Bark ComicsNi’gweg CollectiveIndigenous Story StudioThis Place: 150 Years RetoldListuguj salmon raidsIncident at Restigouche by Alanis ObomsawinGiju’s Gift by Brandon MitchellGlooscapAyaya Marketing & Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. You can visit their website at ayaya.ca To learn more about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit legacyofhope.ca

On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, we are joined by Douglas Sinclair, a member of Peguis First Nation in Treaty 1 Territory. Douglas is the publisher and founder of Indigenous Watchdog, a vital online resource which reports on the status of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and holds stakeholders accountable to progress made in real time. This episode is highly informative and instructive in terms of what stands in the way of making Truth and Reconciliation a lived reality for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.Show NotesIndigenous WatchdogPeguis First NationFort Alexander Residential School Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to ActionUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP)National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR)Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, 2025Bill C-15: An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on November 4, 2025 Bill 14, The Renewable Energy Projects (Streamlined Permitting) ActBill 15 - 2025 Infrastructure Projects ActUnceded: Understanding British Columbia’s Colonial Past and Why It Matters Now by George M. Abbott The Doctrine of DiscoveryCowichan Tribes v. Canada, 2025 BCSC 1490National Council for Reconciliation Bill 1 - Quebec Constitution Act, 2025Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada ActAyaya Marketing & Communications is a proud sponsor of the Roots and Hoots Podcast. You can visit their website at: ayaya.ca To learn more about Indigenous Watchdog, please visit: indigenouswatchdog.org To learn more about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, please visit: legacyofhope.ca