Shows
Women In MediaThe Kim Wheeler Effect on Indigenous StorytellingSarah Burke welcomes back award-winning Anishinaabe/Mohawk storyteller Kim Wheeler, whose work has helped shape the sound of Indigenous media in Canada. She is a journalist, a producer, and a writer.
Kim updates Sarah on her various shows (how many shows can one woman have!?) and her recent achievements in live television. She reflects on the significance of September 30th for Indigenous communities. shares personal stories about her daughters' careers in the film industry, and highlights the importance of storytelling in preserving Indigenous languages and cultures.
Kim sets up an episode drop of Words and C...
2025-09-2449 min
Words and CultureBeing Michif is a Bonus!Host Shelagh Rogers chats with Elder Norman Fleury about the origins of Michif and reveals how her own reconnection journey is continuing. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-09-0427 min
Words and CultureMichif is Still StandingIn this episode of the Michif series, host Shelagh Rogers visits with Danielle Lucier and her son Hugo. Hugo shares why it’s important to him to learn Michif and embrace the Métis culture through beadwork. And how Elton John is helping him on his language journey. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-08-2527 min
Words and CultureFill Your Metis Language BowlArtist, advocate, and language learner Christi Belcourt joins host Shelagh Rogers to talk name reclamation, Métis scrip, and her own language teachers, including Métis matriarch Maria Campbell.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-08-1827 min
Words and CultureMaking a Métis Story BlanketHost Shelagh Rogers continues her journey of connecting back to the community with her conversation with Tracy Fehr and her project of honouring Métis women and their ancestors. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-08-1527 min
Words and CultureThe Truth Amanda Rheaume HoldsMétis singer-songwriter Amanda Rheaume shares the stories of her latest album The Truth We Hold. It chronicles Métis history both past and present. Amanda and host Shelagh Rogers practice their Michif.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-08-0327 min
Words and CultureThe Métis PoetShelagh Rogers is joined by Governor-General award winning Métis writer Katherena Vermette who shares from her new book of poetry, and her thoughts on her ancestors and future generations. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-07-2927 min
Words and CultureMichif is a Trading LanguageLegendary broadcaster Shelagh Rogers shares her journey of Métis connection while talking with Michif speakers and learners. Guest Heather Souter explains how Michif was born and how the language is kept alive. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-07-2227 min
Words and CultureTikTok and the Art of Language RevitalizationLindsey Denny and Elisha Sapier use TikTok to reach youth and other tech savvy peeps in their bid to help revitalize the Mi'kmaq language. From bloopers to community involvement, Lindsey and Elisha are taking on the world, one Mi’kmaq word a day.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-07-1425 min
Words and CultureLove of LinguisticsBernie Francis is a linguist of the Mi'kmaq language. But what is a linguist exactly? Before we find out, Bernie takes a deep dive into how he used language to help the Mi’kmaw from going to jail because they didn’t know the colonizer’s language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-07-0427 min
Words and CultureHow the Language Informs EverythingElder Cheryl Maloney shares the prophecy of the white owl and how its appearance foretold change for the Mi’kmaw and how that change would first destroy them but then rebuild their nation anew. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-06-3027 min
Words and CultureLanguage and SongWolastoqey musician and language learner Jeremy Dutcher share how he was invited into 94-year-old Henrietta Black’s home to learn more of his language, and how his music is purposely designed to reach people and share his love of his language and world-view.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-06-3027 min
Words and CultureThe Written LanguageThere are a lot of assumptions around Indigenous languages in Canada. But the biggest fallacy might be that they are purely oral language. Host Pam Palmater talks with educator, poet, and artist Michelle Sylliboy whose work focuses on the oral and written language of Mi’kmaq. Petroglyphs tell the story of contact while others are pre-contact. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-06-1627 min
Words and CultureWelcome to Mi'kma'kiIn the first episode of the Mi’kmaq episodes, our host Pam Palmater introduces us to Jarvis Googoo who speaks all over the Maritimes about Mi'kmaq history and culture. He is the embodiment of what it means to share our culture with the world. He is a marathon runner with a law degree and is the host of the TV show Mi’kmagi. Jarvis talks about the return to original place names. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-06-1027 min
Words and CulturePassing the language onRichard Armstrong is an Elder and a first language speaker of nsyilxcən. is determined to keep teaching the language to younger people by meeting them where they are comfortable – online. Host Tracey Kim Bonneau visits with Richards and also learns more about the land around her through language. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-04-2127 min
Words and CultureThe Language LightKristine Jack was raised with language speakers. She listened to her grandmother as she shared stories with the other women while out on the land or even just visiting their home. And this was her spark to learn the language because as Kristine tells it, she really wanted to know what they were saying. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-04-1427 min
Words and CultureBuilding a Written LanguageDr. Maxine Baptiste shares how the nsyilxcn written language evolved as technology evolved. And gives Tracey Kim Bonneau a lesson on nsyilxcn sounds that don’t exist in the English language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-04-0727 min
Words and CultureGenerationally speakingIn this emotionally-packed episode, host Tracey Kim Bonneau speaks with her daughter about what it’s like working to reclaim her language while also trying to raise her granddaughter with language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-03-3124 min
Words and CultureThe Secret LanguageHost Tracey Kim Bonneau talks with language learner and keeper Peggy Joe about growing up and hearing adults use the syilx language for secrets and then learning it herself to teach her grandchildren.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-03-2624 min
Words and CultureEpisode OneHost Tracey Kim Bonneau introduces you to the syilx of the Okanagan Valley. Her guest is cultural and language keeper Elder Rose Coldwell. They start the series in a good way with a blessing and song from the land.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-03-2427 min
Words and CultureSong CarrierThe process of being a giant part of Haida culture and the stories of being a “just a man on a journey”.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-03-1017 min
Words and CultureThe Bentwood BoxChristian White shares his experiences as an artist and thoughts on how to find your place in the community while learning the language.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-03-0327 min
Words and CultureThe Journey of LanguageErika Ryan shares her love of the Haida language, how she learned and how she is passing it along to not only younger generations but older ones as well. Plus she teaches Kristi how to flirt in the language!Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-02-2427 min
Words and CultureBelly Button RainDiane Brown shares her experiences in becoming a storyteller of Haida legends. She shares one of the legends about raven.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-02-1827 min
Words and CultureIt Takes a VillageKristi Lane Sinclair takes listeners to a potlatch to feast and celebrate the Gidansta pole. She paints the scenes in the longhouse and shares how the potlatch ban and outlawing of ceremonies affected the Haida.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-02-1023 min
Words and CultureThe Haida Way of BeingHaida/Cree musician Kristi Lane Sinclair hosts the Haida Episodes as we kick off season 2 of Words and Culture. Kristi visits carvers Jaalan and Gwaai Edenshaw as they finish creating a memorial pole for their father, Guujaaw. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2025-02-0321 min
Words and CultureThe Inuktitut Episodes - Episode 6Musician Beatrice Deer shares her love of tattoos with Madeleine and the importance of traditional tattoos. Then Madeleine shares an intimate moment in her life as she receives another line in her chin tattoo.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-08-2630 minWords and CultureThe Inuktitut Episodes - Episode 5Madeleine is visited by Meeka Mike in her own kitchen. Get ready to be immersed in Inuktitut as Meeka bakes bannock for Madeleine while sharing parts of her journey as an Inuk. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-08-1930 minWords and CultureThe Inuktitut Episodes - Episode 4Robbie Watt joins Madeleine and shares his love of throat singing. He discusses how he learned it and continues to sing it today, even though throat singing is mainly sung by women. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-08-1230 minWords and CultureThe Inuktitut Episodes - Episode 3Madeleine steps out of her comfort zone and interviews her dear “chum” Lucy Qavavauq who she has known since residential school and then as mothers. Lucy is now the co-CEO of Inuit TV. They share laughter, tears and the importance of keeping the Inuktitut language alive.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-08-0530 minWords and CultureThe Inuktitut Episodes - Episode 2Madeleine visits her good friend and former colleague Joanna Awa. They share their love of the north, broadcasting in Inuktitut, and the colonization of her family by Qallunaat - or white people. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-07-3129 minWords and CultureThe Inuktitut Episodes - Episode 1Host Madeleine Alakkariallak introduces us to the Inuktitut language and the Inuit who continue to speak it. Guest Louise Flaherty is a book publisher and is a first language learner and she shares how she became a translator for her grandparents at a very young age. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-07-2925 minWords and CultureThe Future of AnishinaabemowinAuthor Waubgeshig Rice brings Anishinaabemowin into the future with his novels set in a futuristic world. Waub discusses his love of the written word and how that has allowed him to bring his language to readers of all cultures.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-07-1530 minWords and CultureAnishinaabemowin in social mediaJames Vukelich shares his love of the language on his Instagram account by sharing a word of the day. He took up the challenge during the pandemic and has more than 123,000 followers – all for the love of Anishinaabemowin.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-07-0829 minWords and CultureBringing Anishinaabemowin to SongAnishinaabe singer/songwriter Shy-Anne Horvorka has returned to music after a several years long break. She has returned with not only new music but for the first time, music in Anishinaabemowin. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-07-0521 minWords and CultureMay the Anishinaabemowin Be With YouLanguage keeper Patricia Ningewance loves her language and translating English into Anishinaabemowin. Patricia is an author, painter, nookum and is translating Star Wars into Anishinaabemowin.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-06-2427 minWords and CultureAnishinaabemowin ImmersionDuncan McCue is a former journalist turned professor. He shares his journey of learning Anishinaabemowin and what it was like being fully immersed in the language and his struggle to keep it up in his daily life.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-06-1727 minWords and CultureAnishinaabemowin and the Old WaysElder Barbara Nepinak prefers to keep the old ways of the language, where it has deeper meaning and a connection to the Anishinaabe world-view. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-06-1326 minWords and CultureAthabaskan Languages Episode 5Lenita Alatini is a Southern Tutchone speaker and language teacher. Host Christine Genier visits Lenita in her home in Burwash, Yukon. Lenita shares how she is passing on the language while they talk in both the Dän k'é Kwinjé and English.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-06-1125 minWords and CultureAthabaskan Languages Episode 6Host Christine Genier introduces us to her auntie, Nakhela Hazel Bunbury. Auntie, as Christine calls her, is a language teacher, an Elder, and family matriarch. Auntie is well-known for her language work, advocacy and teaching.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-06-1122 minWords and CultureAthabaskan Languages Episode 4Christine sits down with musician Bria Rose, a Tahltan citizin. She shares her love of music, culture and language and performs a drum song. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-05-2023 minWords and CultureAthabaskan Languages Episode 3Jolenda Benjamin is a teacher, a mother, and a keeper of the Upper Tanana language. Christine and Jolenda discuss how the U.S./Canada border split up nations or tribes but how the language has remained on both sides of the borders. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-05-1324 minWords and CultureAthabaskan Languages Episode 2Christine visits with Gwichi’in language speaker Brandon Kikyvichik about how their language is part of the Athabaskan family of languages and the different dialects within each language group, and sub-dialects or regional dialects within the major ones. Christine also vistis with Bobbi Rose Koe about her adventure tourism company and how she wraps it in culture.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-05-0930 minWords and CultureAthabaskan Languages Episode 1Host Christine Genier is a citizen of the Ta’an Kwach’an Council. Christine speaks with Tina Jules of the Yukon Native Language Centre and why language learning is vital to their emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-04-2930 minWords and CultureHockey Night in CreeHost Michael Hutchinson visits with Earl Wood, a Cree commentator bringing his language to life as part of ATPN’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada. Plus mezzo-soprano Rhonda Head shares what it was like to sing the national anthem in Cree at an NHL hockey game in Winnipeg.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-04-2225 minWords and CultureWritten in the StarsAllan “Richard” Keeper is a star storyteller, that is he tells stories about the stars and how they relate to the Cree culture. Join host, Michael Hutchinson as they go star trekking in Cree. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-04-1525 minWords and CultureSinging in Omushkegowuk CreeSinger/songwriter Adrian Sutherland is from the remote community of Attawapiskat First Nation. Adrian talks about what it is like for him to write and sing in his language of Omushkegowuk Cree.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-04-0830 minWords and CultureBlocks in the LanguageRon and Heidi Cook are father and daughter who are in the process of reclaiming their Cree language. Heidi wasn’t taught the language growing up, Ron discusses why. Heidi also shares her concerns of being the first Chief of her reserve who is not fluent.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-04-0123 minWords and CultureBreaking BannockTake a trip to Michael Hutchinson’s home reserve and visit with his Auntie Stella and her “chapan” while they bake bannock together and Michael learns more about this history of Misipawistik Cree Nation.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-03-2526 minWords and CultureIntroduction to Cree dialectsHost Michael Hutchinson is a member of the Misipawistik Cree Nation. He sits down with the Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Garrison Settee, to talk about the different Cree dialects.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-03-1830 minWords and CultureThe Future of KanienʼkéhaSemiah Smith is an up-and-coming musician who blends tradition and language into her music. She shares her creative process. Devery Jacobs, star of the hit show Reservation Dogs and Marvel’s What If…Kahhori Reshaped the World?Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-03-1127 minWords and CultureThe Ambassador of LanguageTwenty-three-year-old Katsenhaienton shares his journey as a language speaker and teacher and the importance of patience when it comes to speaking and learning. Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-03-0426 minWords and CultureCayuga Games NightHost January Rogers pays a visit to a Cayuga Games Night where people get together and practice the language by socializing and playing board and trivia games. Guest Shelby Bomberry shares how he became a Long House speaker. Also features an interview with Michael Hill.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-02-2621 minWords and CultureSing it in MohawkMusic educator Kristi Grace shares her love of music and language on her new album “Sing it Mohawk with Yago.” Host January Rogers learns some simple phrases from Kristi’s album of children’s song and you will too!Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-02-1925 minWords and Culture"We Are Talking"Cayuga language learners and speakers produce and host a radio show called “We are Talking” on Six Nations of the Grand River. The hosts practice the Cayuga language on air. So as a listener, it feels like you are being invited into a language nest of active learners.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-02-1227 minWords and CultureEpisode 2Funded by Sirius XM through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-02-0930 minWords and CultureIntroduction to Haudenosaunee LanguagesHost January Rogers (Mohawk/Tuscarora) is joined by language keeper Amos Key Jr. who shares his language journey of learning Oneida, instead of his own language of Mohawk. This episode features music by Shawnee Kish.Funded by Sirius XM Canada through the Community Radio Fund of Canadawordsandculture.cacrfc-fcrc.ca
2024-01-1530 min