The Aunties Dandelion

What can food tell us about who we are?This month, we visit with Kendal Garlow, a Kanyen'kehà:ka food sovereigntist, entrepreneur, and recent graduate of McMaster University's Master of Indigenous Studies program.Through a Haudenosaunee lens, Kendal explores the relationships between food, identity, language, health, community, history, and belonging. Her master's research asked a deceptively simple question: How do Haudenosaunee food decisions influence identity, and vice versa?In this conversation, Kendal shares how Indigenous methodologies shaped her research process, why relationships mattered more than extraction, and what she learned from a significant so-called "failure" in previous academic adventures. Not a spoiler - but she let herself release the program, then came back super strong in her Indigenous Studies masters. She also discusses a decision that challenges conventional academic expectations: choosing not to publish portions of her research in order to protect the identities and stories of community members, including residential school survivors.Along the way, we talk about food sovereignty, Indigenous education, community wellbeing, and her work co-founding SproutSync, an Indigenous-led greenhouse technology company working to increase access to fresh food in communities.In this episode you'll learn:-How Haudenosaunee food systems shape identity, culture, and community wellbeing-How failure can be our greatest teacher -What Indigenous research methodologies look like in practice-Why relationships and responsibility matter in research-How food connects to language, health, memory, and belonging-What food sovereignty means beyond nutrition and agriculture - especially in food deserts such as Six Nations of the Grand River-Why some knowledge is meant to be cared for rather than published-How Indigenous entrepreneurship can support community food securityWhether you're interested in Indigenous knowledge, research, food systems, community development, entrepreneurship, or simply understanding the deeper stories carried by the foods we eat, Kendal offers practical insights and powerful reflections rooted in Haudenosaunee ways of knowing.Guest BioKendal Garlow is a Kanyen'kehà:ka woman from Six Nations of the Grand River, Wolf Clan, food sovereigntist, entrepreneur, and graduate of McMaster University's Master of Indigenous Studies program.Her work explores the intersections of food, identity, health, culture, and community through a Haudenosaunee perspective. Drawing on her background in psychology, Indigenous Studies, and community-based research, Kendal has focused on understanding how food choices both shape and reflect Indigenous identity.Kendal has also worked with Six Nations Department of Well-Being and food-focused initiatives that connect Indigenous foods with community health. In 2025, she and her husband Thomas Sweeney launched SproutSync, an Indigenous-led greenhouse technology company designed to help communities increase access to affordable, locally grown food.Links & Resources:Food, Identity, Sovereignty and Health: Kendal Garlow Connects the DotsKendal Garlow, SproutSync Ltd., Wins 2025 Pow Wow PitchKendal's Sprout Sync WebsiteCreditsHosted by Kahstoserakwathe Produced by The Aunties DandelionCo-Auntie and Treaty Partner: Tamara LouksEditor: Eve KrogmanAudio Engineer: Mariana Hutten Czapski#ListenToYourAunties Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our Aunties Emergent mentoring program returns as guest host Alex Jacobs-Blum Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ (Cayuga), Wolf Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River visits with Grandmother Renée Thomas-Hill Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), Turtle Clan, Six Nations of the Grand RiverAs a Haudenosaunee woman, Grandmother Renee Thomas Hill carries the deep responsibility of upholding and sharing the teachings of “Our” Way of Life, guided by peace, power, and righteousness. Renee is founder of Grandmother’s Voice, a visionary Indigenous organization that aims to unite Indigenous voices while extending a warm invitation to individuals from all directions.Renee is an auntie and grandmother to many and reminds us how the natural world cares deeply for us. “Right now it's the frogs that are singing and oh gosh, I get all excited hearing the frogs, and then when I wake up and I hear the birds singing, that's my medicine, says Grandmother Renee, “They're taking care of me. They're looking after me. The sun rises and it's taking care of me. So just those moments, slowing down and just appreciating everything that's around you is that medicine that builds up your immune system.”Alex Jacobs-Blum (she/her) is a Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ (Cayuga) and German visual artist and curator living in Hamilton, ON. Her research focuses on Indigenous futures and accessing embodied ancestral Hodinöhsö:ni’ knowledge. The core of her practice and methodology is a strong foundation in community building, fostering relationships, empowering youth, and Indigenizing institutional spaces. Her creative process is rooted in storytelling and challenging hierarchical power structures. Alex endeavours to facilitate transformative change infused with love and care.Check out our February interview with Alex as our guest!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month we visit with masterful interviewer Ansley Jemison (Seneca Nation, Wolf Clan), host of the Original Peoples Podcast (OPP). We loved that the “Eastern Door” show (TAD podcast from Kanyen’kehà:ka territory) is crossing over with Ansley's excellent “Western Door” show. We had a rollicking time covering culture, art, traditional teachings, clans, while exploring sensitive topics that lots of people shy away from. Ansley is great at opening conversations in a safe and thoughtful way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AUNTIE: Wa’tkwanonhweráton Sewakwékon! We’re starting strong in this Ohserá:se – this New Year – on The Aunties Dandelion podcast as we visit with Iehstoseranón:nha, who is Kanyen’kehà:ka and Bear Clan. Iestohseranon:nha is a feather protector, community connector, and graphic artist. She is also a survivor of the Sixties Scoop – a term that refers to Canada’s mass removal of Onkwehón:we children into the welfare system and non-Indigenous families without consent of their own families or communities. That removal began in the 1960s and continues to this day. Iehstoseranón:nha was 18 in 1989 when she found her biological family and spent these past decades reconnecting with her Mohawk territory at Akwesasne. She recognizes the unique emotional and spiritual perspective this epic journey brings. IESTOHSERANON:NHA: Adoptees like me – Indigenous, Native, Onkwehón:we that are just coming home – we have spent our lives on the colonial side, with a Native heart and a Native spirit. And so we see in each other and we see our colleagues: we are the bridges, right? Because we can sit in both worlds and we can connect that in a different way than anyone else. AUNTIE: Iehstoseranón:nha centers Indigenous women creatives as the owner, writer, and artist at Pass the Feather Indigenous, and founder of Indigenous Arts Collective of Canada – a registered charity. She was the first facilitator of the National Day of Truth Reconciliation on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill and founder of the National Indigenous Women Arts Conference. She takes the gifting of feathers seriously and I was grateful to receive a beautiful feather fan from her as we began our visit. IESTOHSERANON:NHA: To be really, really truthful – it is friendship making, it’s relationship making. And I don’t give them to many people but when I do it’s because someone has touched me in a way and given me time in a way that I never expected them to. And so my first response is to share that medicine with them because that is important medicine that I think that people forget about. It’s that flight and that connection to Sky World. AUNTIE: I feel a particular connection with Iehstoseranón:nha – whose name means “she keeps the feathers” because my name – Kahstoserakwathe – means Bright Feather – can you hear the similar Mohawk root word for feather - oshstòseri - in our names? It’s all about the feathers. We are Yetinistenha ne Tekaronkyakánere – the Aunties Dandelion and we’re sending a big wa’tkwanonhweráton to the Indigenous Screen Office – teyonkhiwihstekénha – who are providing us financial support for the third year in a row. And can you do us a big favor by liking and sharing our episodes – and subscribe to our feed on your favorite platform. It goes a long way to help us bring stories of Indigenous changemakers your way.          Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Beverly Jacobs - University of Windsor bio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nęyękwawęta'θkwáhshek - Tuscarora Language ProgramOnkwawénna Kentsyóhkwa - Six Nations Kanyen'ké:ha language program that helped Tuscarora Nation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's the FB page for Skaronhyasekò:wa - The Mohawk immersion school where Otsistohkwí:yo works with early years students and where Tehahenteh taught when the school was being built. Tekarahkwarásare = The Eclipse (the faces that lay over each other)Kayanere'kó:wa - The Great Law (the great space between steps) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Art Gallery of Hamilton - 500 Year ItchShelley Niro's Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.