The podcast
This is Porcupine. In this podcast series, hosts Merrell-Ann Phare and Michael Miltenberger explore reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians. Listen in as they have in-depth, funny, and revealing discussions with a variety of people, from activists to comedians, who are all focusing on reconciliation in big, small, and surprising ways.
Why “Porcupine”? There’s this old joke that goes: How do two porcupines hug? Carefully. And such is the story of reconciliation – at least so far.
Season Two
With: Steven Nitah
Steven Nitah, a Dene from the Northwest Territories, negotiated a protected area in the heart of diamond mining country and his traditional territories. As Steve will tell you, this protected area, five times the size of Prince Edward Island, is an essential part of reconciliation for his people because it’s about co-governance.
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Episode 2: The Human Right to a Healthy Environment: How It Can Transform Society and Achieve Reconciliation
With David Boyd
If you think the United Nations has nothing to do with your day to day life, think again. Lawyer and United Nations Special Rapporteur David Boyd will show you how the human right to a healthy environment is a game-changer for reconciliation.
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Episode 3: Addressing the Indigenous Health Gap: Reconciliation Through Bridging Western and Indigenous Medicines
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Episode 4: Finding Healing After Surviving Residential Schools in Canada
With George Tuccaro
From residential school to singing on stage with George Jones, George Tuccaro shares his courageous journey from the drunk tank to professional CBC broadcaster, and why personal healing is essential to reconciliation…and joy.
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Episode 5: Reconciliation: Redefined by an Indigenous Spiritual Leader
What do a Cree Elder, a theologian, and an ex-Moderator of the United Church of Canada all have in common? They are all Stan McKay, and he’s going to talk to us about what a covenant of reconciliation is, and why the earth needs to be part of it.
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Episode 6: Reconciliation and Serving the World Through Sustainable Engineering
Engineering Professor Kerry Black says that engineers working with First Nations need to focus on building relationships not just buildings. She’s passionate that her profession has some fundamental changes to make if they are going to be part of reconciliation.
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Episode 7: How Housing Could Save the Lives of MMIWG
With Lesa Semmler
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Episode 8: Exploring Reconciliation through Clean Energy in Indigenous Communities
Professor Diana Lewis and Professor Heather Castleden are frustrated that First Nations still get resistance from big power utilities when they want to build renewable energy projects. For them and the First Nations they work with, reconciliation is based on good energy.
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Episode 9: Reconciliation and Climate Change: Indigenous Peoples Taking Action
Environmental lawyer and now green party politician Dianne Saxe reveals how speaking truth to power sometimes comes at great personal cost and that when it comes to environment and reconciliation, hope combined with action is the only way forward.
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Episode 10: Indigenous Economic Reconciliation: The Way to a Strong Canadian Economy
With Dan Christmas
Dan Christmas helped transform his community, Membertou First Nation, from rags to riches. He explains why creating an environment where business can thrive is key to reconciliation.
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