Stories hold the incredible power to heal wounds, connect people, and bridge generations. This is an incredibly important time to be centering the brilliance of our communities through Indigenous storytelling across diverse mediums. The Indigenous Brilliance Podcast is an important project of the larger Indigenous Brilliance Collective, and features innovative and exciting episodes, highlighting the multi-disciplinary voices of Indigenous women, Two-Spirit, and Indigiqueer artists as we discuss cultural resurgence in Indigenous arts.
Hosted by creatives jaye simpson and Karmella Benedito De Barros, the Indigenous Brilliance Podcast carves out space for the celebration and witnessing of this beautifully visionary community.
In this episode of the Indigenous Brilliance Podcast, co-hosts jaye simpson and Karmella Cen Benedito De Barros the topic of Indigenous Brilliance in Youth Work and community care through interviews with some local community builders Hailey Bird Matheson and Taylor-Lee Koble
Tune in to hear about some of the important community work that Hailey and Taylor are participating in, as well as some of the ways that we are caring for ourselves as we do community work. Thanks for tuning in and we hope you enjoy it!
Hailey is Nehiyaw (Cree) from Peguis First Nation, Treaty One, on her mother’s side with mixed European ancestry on her father’s side. She was born on Ktunaxa and Sinixt territory in BC’s interior and grew up in Tonkawa territory in central Texas. Hailey came to stolen Coast Salish territory to study social work, swim in the ocean, and hike. As a guest on this land, she tries to be a good relative and support local Nations through activism and learning local languages and creation stories. Hailey’s passion for Indigenous-based research and land-based practices led her to intern at xʷc̓ic̓əsəm (the Indigenous garden at UBC) and engage in practicums supporting people who use substances in the Downtown Eastside. In her free time, you’ll find Hailey beading, drumming, and hanging out with her hedgehog, Henry.
Tawnshi, dishinikawshon Taylor, Niya Michif Nehiyaw Iskwew ouschi Saint Laurent De Grandin, Saskatchewan (Treaty 6 Territory). Hi I’m Taylor, I’m a Métis Cree Woman, and my ancestral homelands are in the Saint Laurent De Gradin settlement territory in Saskatchewan. I was born and grew up in East Vancouver on ancestral, unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. My friend Ryme & I started TakeOver Skateboarding, a women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ & 2s centred movement. Taking over skateparks, reclaiming space, and fostering art & community by diversifying the skate scene.
Music by Edzi’u and cover art by Sylvey Sampson <3
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:48 – 29:11 Hailey
29:39 – 55:26 Taylor
55:27 – 56:14 End
[Audio transcription coming soon]
