As Long As The River Flows

Episode 35 - The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Four, Frances Mahon and Erin Riley-Oetll WHAT This is part four of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices. WHO Frances Mahon is a fierce litigator. The core of her practice is defending people against serious allegations in a variety of settings, including complex criminal trials and appeals, police investigations, and constitutional government overreach. Frances provides legal services to individuals, families, non-profits, companies, and other organizations. She has appeared in courts and tribunals across the country, including frequent appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada. Erin Riley-Oettl currently serves as the Manager of Human Rights Law, Campaigns, and Advocacy at Amnesty International Canada since August 2023. Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who are committed to creating a future where human rights are enjoyed by everyone. No government is beyond scrutiny. Amnesty International uncovers the truth and holds human rights violators to account. MUSIC Song: A Better Future Composer: Miguel Johnson Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 33- The Criminalization of Indigenous Land Defenders in Canada - Our Truth Part Two - Sleydo' and Jesse Cardinal WHAT This is part one of a four part series on the criminalization of land defenders across Canada, highlighting firsthand experiences and legal injustices. WHO Sleydo' (Molly Wickham) is the spokesperson for the Gidimt'en check-point on Wet'suwet'en territory. She holds the name in Cas Yikh (grizzly house) and has been living on and occupying the territory since 2014 with her children. Gidimt'en check-point has been an Indigenous reoccupation site since 2018 which has been raided three times by militarized RCMP, once on January 7th 2019, on February 5th, 2020, and again on November 18th and 19th 2021, as a result of grassroots resistance to the Coastal Gaslink pipeline project which would bring fracked gas from northeastern B.C to an LNG terminal near Kitimat. Sleydo' has a masters degree in Indigenous Governance from the University of Victoria and is heavily involved in the Wet'suwet'en clan governance system. Jesse Cardinal is the Executive Director of Keepers of the Water. In this role, she has challenged the disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and created a more just environment for their work. One of Jesse's most significant achievements with Keepers of the Water is the successful mobilization to protect the Athabasca River. Tar sands, one of the largest industrial projects globally, generated enormous amounts of hazardous waste that was proposed to be dumped into the river. Jesse, her team, and other organizations presented scientific evidence and raised international awareness about the potential catastrophic impacts on the water, wildlife, and downstream communities. Their efforts prevented the dumping. MUSIC Song: Sanctum Composer: Scott Buckley Website: https://youtube.com/user/musicbyscottb License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 31 - Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa, with Waasekom Niin WHAT Saskatchewan Waterwalk: Carrying on the Legacy of Josephine Mandamin Baa WHO Waasekom Niin is Turtle Clan Anishinaabe from Saugeen First Nation and the Kettle & Stoney Point First Nations on the southeastern shores of Lake Huron. He is an avid paddler, having led 4 ceremonial canoe journeys throughout the Great Lakes to raise awareness about Water, Climate Change, and Indigenous sovereign responsibilities. His journey began in response to the Waterwalks, where he has been a protector and Eagle Staff carrier on 7 Walks. Waasekom is known for starting Picking Up the Bundles Canoe Journey, Niwiijiiwok Doodemak (Gathering of Clans), the Great Lakes Petition, Gganoonigonaa Zaagigan (The Lake is Speaking to Us), and most recently the Elegy of Ancestors. MUSIC Song: The Epic Hero Composer: Keys Of Moon Website: https://www.youtube.com/c/keysofmoonmusic License: Creative Commons (BY-NC 3.0) https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 29 - Part 2, Decolonization of Our Diets and Reclaiming Traditional Foods, with Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis WHAT Food sovereignty traces back to our original teachings, to learn about the connection between the land and our food supply and connection to community through traditional foods. Decolonizing our diet means incorporating traditional foods to preserve and nurture our mind, body and spirit and eliminate diseases that have long impacted Indigenous peoples. WHO Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis - Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis is a Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) instructor, researcher and writer from Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Dr. Lewis has worked with higher learning institutions within the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the areas of Cree Language Development and Instructional methodologies. His research interests include language and policy development, second language teaching methodologies, teacher education programming, and environmental education. For the past 15 years, Dr. Lewis has been working with community schools in promoting land and language-based education and is the founder of kâniyâsihk Culture Camps, a non-profit organization focused on holistic community well-being and co-developer of Land-Based Cree Immersion School kâ-nêyâsihk mîkiwâhpa. MUSIC Song: Journey To The Stars Composer: Savfk Website: https://youtube.com/savfkmusic License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 27 Water is sacred Tu' de'gha' Conference Part 2 WHAT August 1st to 3rd in 2024, Keepers of the water partnered with Kátł'odeeche First Nation and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), to hold the Water is Sacred Conference, in Katlodeeche First Nation. The conference looked within First Nations communities for guidance from traditional knowledge Keepers, for direction and solutions for watershed management within their territories. Keepers of the Water offers our support in uplifting Traditional Indigenous Knowledge as the path forward for solutions to fossil fuel-driven climate change chaos. WHO Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chief Na'Moks, also known as John Ridsdale, is a prominent figure known for his role in defending the Wet'suwet'en Nation's hereditary governance and territorial rights. Chief Na'Moks is the highest ranking chief of the Tsayu clan, and Chief Knedebeas, the highest ranking chief of the Gilseyhu clan and House Chief of the Unist'ot'en MUSIC Song: Good Day To Die Composer: Miguel Johnson Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCenTwNA8ioN37RD7bfNSUpA License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com Song: Good Day To Die Composer: Miguel Johnson

Episode 25 - Indigenous Bear Teachings - Jeff Wastesicoot, part 3 What - In numerous Indigenous cultures, the Bear, or Muskwa, holds profound significance. Numerous narratives and teachings delve into the importance of bear wisdom, medicines, and lodges. The bear imparts many lessons through its way of life, with courage standing out as one of the most significant teachings. Join Keepers of The Water as Jeff Wastesicoot explores Bear teachings… Who - In episode 25 we hear Jeff Wastesicoot is currently an adjunct professor with the University of Mantioba. He currently serves on the thesis committee that guides the research to the candidates, as they explore spirituality and laws as they relate to Nehiyew (Cree) governance. Jeff continues to dedicate much of his time to helping people overcome personal challenges through ceremonies, traditional medicines and counseling. He has dedicated his life to the preservation of the Nehiyew language and culture. Jeff recognizes the spirit within the tongue, as he interprets the parables within the Nehiyew language. He is recognized in the acknowledged among the First Nations community as a spiritual leader and traditional healer. The stories told to him in the Nehiyew language through ceremony and consult with the Elders remain, and he in turn, continues to promote this knowledge with other Nations throughout Canada. Jeff resides in Onihcikiskwapiwin Cree Nation with his wife Shelly, their children and Charlie. Music - Song: Way Home Composer: Tokyo Music Walker Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UC3lLfvhpPGtwd5qD25cMDcA License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 23 - Indigenous Bear Teachings - Daphine Pooyak part 1 What - In numerous Indigenous cultures, the Bear, or Muskwa, holds profound significance. Numerous narratives and teachings delve into the importance of bear wisdom, medicines, and lodges. The bear imparts many lessons through its way of life, with courage standing out as one of the most significant teachings. Join Keepers of The Water as Daphne Pooyak explores Bear teachings… Who - In episode 23 we hear Daphine Pooyak is a traditional teacher and cultural presenter from Nakota Cree Sweetgrass First Nation. Daphine is an amazing speaker who engages the listener to think deeply; just by talking and telling stories. Join Daphine as she dives into Muskwa and Bear teachings. Music - Song: Fire And Thunder Composer: Cjbeards Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCarvKz1XSCON68oeSZ1mlkg License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https:// breakingcopyright.com

Episode 21 - The Protection of Treaty with Margo Auger part 2 What - In Canada, treaty rights are constitutionally protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, recognizing and affirming the rights of Indigenous peoples. This protection ensures that treaties, including modern treaties, are given the force of law. Join Keepers of the Water as we pick up where Margo left off as she continues to discuss the protection of theses treaties. Who - In episode 20 we hear from Margo Auger, a Nehiyaw Iskew from Bigstone Cree Nation.She is a wife and mother to three beautiful children and Kokum to one handsome grandson.She is a working professional with over 26 years of experience. Her background is in First Nation Governance and Leadership, Executive Management, Chief Administration Leadership, and as a Certified Land Use Planner and Project Manager. She has worked in Municipal Government and the Energy Sector (oilsands companies) as Managing Growth Consultant, for the Alberta Government, and currently Treaty 8 First Nations. Music - 'Meanwhile' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Episode 19 - Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area's with Carrie Selin and Roy Auger What- Taken from a Webinar previously posted on Youtube on January 12, 2023. Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area's are lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems. Culture and language are the heart and soul of an IPCA. IPCA's vary in terms of their governance and management objectives. However, they generally share three essential elements: IPCA's are Indigenous-led, IPCA's represent a long- term commitment to conservation and IPCA's elevate Indigenous rights and responsibilities. Who - Carrie Selin is an environmental consultant providing project management support to Indigenous Communities that includes engaging community, teams, and partners to successfully execute project plans. She has extensive experience in facilitation, program planning, engagement and communication that supports the development and delivery of Indigenous economic and environmental projects. She works collaboratively with Indigenous communities to build capacity, identify community priorities, and facilitate processes to solve challenges. Carrie Selin, B.Sc. Project Management & Stakeholder Engagement - Solstice Environmental Management. Roy Auger is the Consultation Officer for the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement and regularly responds to and address's proponents looking to complete projects within our traditional lands. Proponents that contact our office are mostly within the oil and gas industry, however, all projects including water, sewer, power, telecommunications and roadways are subject to the regulatory process, thus, they are obligated to seek our consultation when requesting project approval through the Alberta Government's Aboriginal Consultation Office. Music - Song: If Only You Knew. Composer: Vorsa Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel UCU27SVe_x0TF8kyVDndguvg License: Free To Use YouTube license youtube-free Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 17 - Part 2 - Bigfoot/Sasquatch Indigenous Wisdom Teachings - Dr Kevin Lewis What- Taken from a Webinar previously recorded via Zoom on February 6th, 2025 Sasquatch, Sabe, Bigfoot – Known by Many Names Indigenous Wisdom Teachings Webinar Join us as we explore the mysteries of the land, water, and spiritual beings with esteemed Knowledge Holders: Who- Dr. Kevin wâsakâyâsiw Lewis is a nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) instructor, researcher and writer. Dr. Lewis has worked with higher learning institutions within the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in the areas of Cree Language Development and Instructional methodologies. His research interests include language and policy development, second language teaching methodologies, teacher education programming, and environmental education. For the past 15 years, Dr. Lewis has been working with community schools in promoting land and language-based education and is founder of kâniyâsihk Culture Camps a non-profit organization focused on holistic community well-being and co-developer of Land-Based Cree Immersion School kâ-nêyâsihk mîkiwâhpa. Dr. Lewis is from Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory. Music - Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Episode 15 - Part 3 - Water Knows No Boundaries: Releasing Toxic Tailings Ponds Won't Either What - Webinar previously recorded via Zoom on October 4th, 2022 Join Keepers of the Water and Environmental Defence as they dive into the alarming findings of their report which mapped decades of the toxic takeover of Indigenous territories by "tailings ponds," massive reservoirs of oilsands wastewater. In part 3 Jesse starts off by giving the audience some background the Dene Nation, and Ally poses questions from the webinar viewers to Jesse and Daniel. Then Ally wraps up the webinar with closing remarks Then Daniel a resident of fort Good Hope and a retired lawyer speaks on the Tailings Ponds and the idea of controlled release of these Tailings into the Athabasca River Who - Jesse Cardinal is from the Kikino Métis Settlement, where she grew up. She has seen many changes to the lands and waters in her life and a drastic decline in wildlife. She loves to listen to Elders talk about how the land was, even before she was born. Jesse has been a youth worker and social worker and has grown into the roles of coordinator and director for environmental groups. Daniel T'seleie is K'asho Got'ine Dene from Radili Ko (Fort Good Hope). He is a retired lawyer who currently works with Indigenous communities and organizations on Indigenous rights and land protection issues. Daniel is also the N.W.T. Outreach Manager with Keepers of the Water. Aliénor Rougeot Aliénor's interest for human and environmental rights started during her childhood in the South of France, where she became vocal on topics of biodiversity loss, women's rights, refugee rights and climate change. Music - Soul Searcher by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Episode 13 - Part 1 - Water Knows No Boundaries: Realeasing Toxic Tailings Ponds Won't Either What - Webinar previously recorded via Zoom on October 4th, 2022 Join Keepers of the Water and Environmental Defence as they dive into the alarming findings of their report which mapped decades of the toxic takeover of Indigenous territories by "tailings ponds," massive reservoirs of oilsands wastewater. Aliénor Rougeot, Climate and Energy Manager at Environmental Defence, will be joined by our host Jesse Cardinal, Executive Director of Keepers of the Water and local Kikino Métis. In part one Jesse gives opening remarks by giving background to Keepers of the water and speaks briefly about the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Who - Jesse Cardinal is from the Kikino Métis Settlement, where she grew up. She has seen many changes to the lands and waters in her life and a drastic decline in wildlife. She loves to listen to Elders talk about how the land was, even before she was born. Jesse has been a youth worker and social worker and has grown into the roles of coordinator and director for environmental groups. Aliénor Rougeot Aliénor's interest for human and environmental rights started during her childhood in the South of France, where she became vocal on topics of biodiversity loss, women's rights, refugee rights and climate change. These interests led her to the intersectional topic of climate justice, but it was only when she moved to Canada at the age of 17 that she truly understood the need for broad and collective mobilization for climate action. Music - Hymn to the Dawn by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

WHAT - 2023 was an un10recedented year for wildfires in the NWT with almost 70% of the population being evacuated to communities across the NWT and western Canada. A state of emergency was called and 13 communities including Behchoko, Fort Smith, Salt River First Nation, Smith Landing First Nation, Jean Marie River, West Point First Nation, Hay River, K'atl'odeeche First Nation, Enterprise, Ndilǫ, Dettah, Yellowknife and Kakisa were evacuated. The Dene Nation calls for the full independent public inquiry to begin as soon as possible. Dene authority and governance must be recognized and included in all response plans going forward. This podcast was created from the WEBINAR: Dene Nation Speaks Out on the 2023 Wildfires Devastation and Why An Independent Inquiry Is Needed which was streamed live on Mar 11, 2024 Part Four - In Part Four, moderator Bill Erasmus discuss's the need for the people to reach out to the Commissioner of the North West Territories, to express their desire for an independent inquiry into the 2023 wildfires, then we hear closing statements from Chief Fred Sangris, Elder Francois Paulette, and Chief David Echinelle. Finally Jesse Cardinal from Keepers of the Water recaps the webinar and provides contact information for listeners to reach out to the Commissioner of the North West Territories. Bill Erasmus - Mr. Erasmus was born in Yellowknife in 1954, and has spent much of his career in his homeland Denendeh. He acquired a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Alberta. Chief Erasmus' political expertise and strong leadership skills have brought significant change and advancement to all Peoples of the NWT (North West Territories). Chief Fred Sangris - was born in the Yellowknife Bay area to parents Morris (Tia Chee) and Theresa Sangris Nee' Black and grandfather, David (olter'caulther) Kamelli Sangris – grandson of the famous 1860 chief of the Coppermine River, Nayatii. Fred is a part of the long-standing leadership from the Kemili/Sangris family lineage and is a direct descendant of Chief Nayatii of the Copper Mine River and the edge of the wood Yellowknives Dene. Francois Paulette - A Denesuline and member of the Smith's Landing Treaty 8 First Nation Francois Paulette survived the residential school system before going on the become the youngest Chief in the NWT Indian Brotherhood in 1971. Chief David Echinelle - Is a traditional Chief from Begade Shotagotine, he is a traditional knowledge keeper and respected Elder, who has worked to advocate for the rights and protection of Dene lands, language and cultural practices. Jesse Cardinal is the Executive Director of Keepers of The Water and is from the Kikino Métis Settlement, where she grew up. She has seen many changes to the lands and waters in her life and a drastic decline in wildlife. She loves to listen to Elders talk about how the land was, even before she was born. Jesse Music: 'Shoulders Of Giants' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au