Sitting by the Fire

We sat together with Elder Claudette Commanda and former Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick to discuss how Indigenous values can inspire leaders at all levels in the federal public service. What ensued is an inspiring conversation on values such as respect and equality, the principles of the talking circle applied to leadership, the spiritual meaning of humility, lifelong learning, mutual respect between generations, and the leadership of youth. Both guests had a lot to say on inclusion, one of the pillars of Beyond 2020, a very timely topic since systemic discrimination is at the forefront of many conversations these days. Whatever role you have in the public service, this conversation is a must-listen. Guests: Claudette Commanda, Anishinabe Elder  Michael Wernick, former Clerk of the Privy Council  Interviewer: Benoit Trottier, Indigenous Learning, Canada School of Public Service Music: Stéphane Eduardo Longtin An accessible transcript of this podcast is available on the Canada School of Public Service website.

In this two-part miniseries, we explore intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous individuals and communities. In this episode, we meet federal public servant Yves Pinette, an Innu from Maliotenam. He tells us about his experience, his background and his resilience in the face of the challenges of growing up in an Indigenous community. This episode is a conversation in French only. Guest: Yves Pinette Music: Pauline Ducharme and Stéphane Eduardo Longtin

In this two-part miniseries, we explore intergenerational trauma and its impacts on Indigenous individuals and communities. In this episode, Dr. Wesley-Esquimaux helps us understand intergenerational trauma by clarifying what happens when untreated trauma-related stress is passed on to multiple generations. She also provides evidence of the impact of intergenerational trauma on the health, well-being and social disparities facing Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Guest: Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Indigenous Chair on Truth and Reconciliation at Lakehead University, Orillia and Thunder Bay. She is from the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Lake Simcoe, Ontario. Music: Pauline Ducharme and Stéphane Eduardo Longtin

November 8 is National Aboriginal Veterans Day.  In the third part of our miniseries on Indigenous military service, we interview Sarah Leo, an Inuk woman from a small, isolated community of Nunatsiavut, Labrador. An accessible transcript of this podcast is available on the Canada School of Public Service website.

November 8 is National Aboriginal Veterans Day. In this second part of our miniseries on Indigenous military service, we talk with Brian Black, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario Veterans Council, about specific issues of Métis veterans, the federal government’s autumn 2019 apology, and the definition of veteran. An accessible transcript of this podcast is available on the Canada School of Public Service website.