Gwekwaadziwin Miikan

Season 3, Episode 3: Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad – Indigenous Health, Identity, and Returning to Our Own Ways of KnowingIn this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad, Anishinaabekwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, nurse, educator, researcher, and community advocate.Sharlene shares her journey from growing up on Manitoulin Island to becoming a registered nurse, researcher, and professor. Drawing on her experiences in health care, academia, community-based research, and Anishinaabe teachings, she reflects on identity, belonging, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the importance of creating health and wellness approaches that are grounded in community.Together, they explore Indigenous health, cultural safety, community-led research, traditional foods and medicines, access to care, the impacts of colonization on health systems, and the importance of remembering who we are and where we come from. The conversation also highlights the role of family, culture, ceremony, language, and land in supporting wellness and healing.This thoughtful and inspiring discussion offers listeners an opportunity to reflect on what it means to bring your whole self to the work you do while helping shape a future rooted in Indigenous knowledge, self-determination, and community well-being.To learn more about Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad and her current projects, visit:Dr. Sharlene Webkamigad – Laurentian University Faculty Profile

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Sam and Matt sit down with Paul Francis to discuss Indigenous health leadership, traditional healing, and the future of reconciliation within Ontario’s health care system.Paul shares his journey from his Manitoulin and Thunder Bay roots to leadership roles in social work, education, mental health, addictions, and health care. Drawing on his experience at St. Joseph’s Care Group and his current work with the Ontario Hospital Association, he reflects on the importance of Indigenous-led approaches, cultural safety, and creating meaningful change within large institutions.Together, they explore the role of traditional healing alongside Western medicine, the importance of Indigenous representation in leadership, the ongoing impacts of residential schools and Indian hospitals, and what it takes to build health systems that are truly responsive to Indigenous communities.The conversation also touches on youth leadership, sports and wellness, mentorship, and the importance of staying connected to culture, community, and spirit.This episode offers an honest and thoughtful discussion about healing, health care, and the opportunities that exist when organizations commit to reconciliation as an ongoing relationship rather than a destination.To learn more about the Ontario Hospital Association and its work supporting Ontario's hospitals and health systems, visit: www.oha.com

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, Matt and Sam sit down with Dr. Nav Persaud — a family physician, researcher, and longtime advocate for health equity — to explore the role of research within land-based healing.Through years of connection with Gwekwaadziwin Miikan and its participants, Dr. Persaud reflects on both the value and the limitations of western approaches to mental health and addictions care. This conversation moves beyond traditional definitions of treatment and success, challenging listeners to consider what healing looks like when it is grounded in land, culture, and connection.This episode explores:The difference between research and outcome measurementWhy traditional metrics often fail to capture meaningful healingThe importance of listening to participant experiences and storiesHow connection to land, culture, and family shapes wellnessThe role of humility in healthcare and researchDr. Persaud also shares reflections from his time visiting Gwekwaadziwin Miikan, including moments that reshaped his understanding of healing — from walking the land with participants to witnessing the broader impact on families and communities.At its core, this conversation is about rethinking systems — and recognizing that meaningful change doesn’t come from simply adjusting existing models, but from listening to voices and knowledge systems that have long been overlooked.

In this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Dr. Jules Koostachin — an award-winning filmmaker, storyteller, and member of Attawapiskat First Nation — for a powerful conversation on storytelling, identity, and the responsibility of carrying our voices forward.Drawing from her work in film, theatre, and the social service sector, Dr. Koostachin shares how storytelling has always been embedded in Indigenous life — from sitting with family and listening to stories, to creating films that reflect lived experience, truth, and spirit.This episode explores:The importance of Indigenous-led storytelling and representation in mediaHow stories can create connection, healing, and cultural continuityThe impacts of intergenerational trauma — and the courage it takes to confront itThe role of mentorship and lifting up the next generation of storytellersHow film and media can be used as tools to reclaim narrative and shift perspectiveDr. Koostachin also reflects on her work, including projects like Aski Boys and Wapikoni, and the deeper intention behind them — not just to inform, but to inspire, connect, and create space for Indigenous voices to be heard on their own terms.At its core, this conversation reminds us that storytelling is more than expression — it is responsibility, relationship, and a pathway to healing.To learn more about her work, please visit: https://juleskoostachin.com/

Episode 5: Rob Mellan — Land, Learning, and Adapting in Real TimeIn this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we sit down with Rob Mellan — a lifelong outdoorsman, instructor, and knowledge holder with deep experience in canoe building, trapping, and land-based living.Rob shares stories from a lifetime spent on the land, including his work building 30-foot cedar strip canoes and teaching fur harvesting, management, and conservation. More than skills, this conversation explores the mindset required to truly be on the land — one rooted in humility, adaptability, and respect.As Rob shares, “If you’re not willing to adapt out there, it’s going to be a tough go.” That perspective reflects a core truth of land-based healing — the land teaches in real time, asking us to stay present, adjust, and grow through whatever is in front of us.This episode is a reflection on learning through experience, the importance of relationships, and the enduring teachings that come from the land.DedicationThis episode is dedicated to the memory of George Hagen (March 18, 1952 – April 29, 2023)George, alongside Rob Mellan, was one of the original instructors when Gwekwaadziwin staff and participants first took part in the Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course.Following George’s passing, Gwekwaadziwin Miikan was honoured to become stewards of his trapline and continues that relationship with the land to this day.Miigwetch George for the lasting impact you have made on the trapping community and for your contributions to Gwekwaadziwin Miikan staff and participants.

Episode 3The Honourable Michael Tibollo – Building a Continuum of CareIn this episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we speak with The Honourable Michael Tibollo, Associate Attorney General of Ontario.This conversation was originally recorded while Minister Tibollo was serving as Ontario’s Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, where he helped lead the development of the province’s Roadmap to Wellness strategy.In this wide-ranging discussion, we explore:• the importance of building a continuum of care for mental health and addictions • why long-term, bed-based treatment remains a critical part of recovery • the role of prevention, housing, and wraparound supports • why solutions must be community-driven and culturally appropriate • the growing recognition of Indigenous-led land-based healing modelsMinister Tibollo also reflects on his experiences visiting communities across Ontario, listening to local leaders, and supporting innovative approaches that address the root causes of addiction and mental health challenges.This episode highlights the importance of collaboration between governments, communities, and Indigenous organizations to build systems that support recovery and long-term wellness.Learn more about our work: www.gwek.ca

Episode Title: Our Origin Story (Part 1): Dr. Karen Minden and the Foundations of Land-Based HealingEpisode Description: In the first episode of Rooted in Gwekwaadziwin, we return to the beginning of our program’s origin story with Dr. Karen Minden, founder of Pine River Institute and a key influence in the early development of Gwekwaadziwin Miikan.Dr. Minden shares the personal journey that led her to create one of Canada’s leading residential treatment programs for youth and families, and reflects on the core elements of wilderness and land-based healing — including safety, structure, peer culture, family involvement, and long-term engagement.Together, we discuss:how land-based and wilderness models support emotional regulation and growththe importance of risk management and organizational culture in remote programmingwhy outcome measurement matters — and how programs can start smallbuilding new models outside traditional systemsearly lessons that helped shape Gwekwaadziwin Miikan’s continuum of careThis conversation explores both the philosophy and the practical realities of creating culturally grounded, land-based mental health and addictions programming.About our guest: Dr. Karen Minden is the founder of Pine River Institute, established in 2006 to provide residential treatment for youth with mental health and substance use challenges. She was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2010 for her groundbreaking work in adolescent mental health.This episode is part of our Origin Story series, highlighting the people and partnerships that helped bring Gwekwaadziwin Miikan to life.Learn more: www.gwek.ca