Episode 6: Reconciliation In The Two-Spirited Community
On this episode, we speak with some of the strongest voices in Manitoba’s Two-Spirit community. We pose the question — has reconciliation happened within the LGBQTT plus community? Has it happened specifically within the lives of these Two spirit people?
The episode closes with “Road Salt” a track from supremely talented author, artist, poet and singer-songwriter Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s’s most recent album f(l)ight. Be sure to check out more of Leanne’s music at leannesimpson.bandcamp.com.
Our opening and closing theme music comes to us courtesy of Boogey The Beat — check out more of his brilliant work atsoundcloud.com/boogeythebeat. The interstitial music is courtesy of Bloom — you can hear more of their songs at bloom14.bandcamp.com.
Minogondaagan, was produced on Treaty One territory, the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Nehiyawak, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis nation.
We would like to thank the Community Radio Fund Of Canada, the University Of Manitoba’s Office Of Indigenous Engagement, the National Centre For Truth & Reconcilliation, the University Of Manitoba Student’s Union and UMFM 101.5 for their support in the production of this series.
Guests
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Albert McLeod
Our first guest is Albert McLeod, a Two-Spirit elder and educator from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis community of Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has over twenty years of experience as a human rights activist and is one of the directors of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba. Albert lives in Winnipeg, where he works as a consultant specializing in HIV/AIDS and Aboriginal peoples, Aboriginal cultural reclamation, decolonization, and cross-cultural training.
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Levi Foy
Our second guest is Levi Foy, also known under the drag persona Prairie Sky. He has been the Program Coordinator for Like That at Sunshine House since 2014. Foy is a two-spirit member of the Couchiching First Nation, raised on Treaty Two territory and formally educated in Winnipeg and Guelph, ON. Levi has lived in Mexico for three years, spent two adult years working in his community, and has worked in Winnipeg at the Main Street Project, Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre, and most recently was voted one of the Top Forty under 40 by CBC Manitoba.
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Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie
Our third guest is Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, an Anishinaabe Two-Spirit from Sagkeeng First Nation, who graduated from the University Of Winnipeg with a BA in Indigenous Studies and Political Science. Sadie-Phoenix was formerly was the Co-President of the UW Aboriginal Student Council, an Aboriginal Student Commissioner for the Canadian Federation of Students MB, and the Vice-President of External Affairs for the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association. Sadie-Phoenix is currently the National Executive Representative of the Circle of First Nations, Mètis and Inuit Students, and has worked on numerous on student led initiatives including the Indigenous Course Requirement and the Fossil Fuel Divestment Campaign.