As a team (Chan, J., et als. 2022), we chose Podcasts as the technology to explore for the foundation of our assignments. I have not listened to or referred to Podcasts in any of my research prior to this course. At first, I was not interested, curious, or excited about the choice, but it has grown on me. I assumed podcasts were mainly used by news broadcasters and those discussing personal opinions through conversations. What influenced the change in my mind, was the conversation I had with Dr. Irwin (2022, Personal Conversation) who reminded me of the broad range of topics available through podcasts and the opportunity it could offer with my interest in Indigenous topics.
The first podcast I listened from my search of podcasts (Tricarico, 2022) and Residential Schools (Historica Canada, 2020) as the visit to the Vatican was current, I felt podcasts had more to offer than I originally thought. My journey through the initial phases of research and in conversation with my team though Slack and our scheduled zoom meetings (2022, Chan, J. et als) brought me down a path towards my own identity and the future of my family.
I have been haunted with knowing blood quantum is a death sentence of my identity since the birth of my first daughter. Since then, I have meandered through life searching for answers as time permits. Through this podcast journey, I stumbled across a podcast that brings Indigenous Identity to light. The search of podcast as a technology has guided me in the direction I am on and through this journey, I feel I have reached a topic that is meaningful and empowering.
The image below is illustrative of my identity and how the research of podcasts to bring Indigenous discussions forward is shaping the change I intend to make in my worldview. This assignment is also very reflective of past assignments and most importantly my final research project for the MALAT Digital Learning Research Consulting Project I was approved for. It is the motivation with the potential to have meaningful change while bringing Indigenous Identity and the Secret Life of Canada forward (CBC, 2022).
References
Canadian Broadcast Corporation. (2022). The secret life of Canada [Podcast Series]. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/secretlifeofcanada.
Chan, J., Donahue, ,D., Pokiak, M., Ramirez, L., & Yee, G. (2022). Team 5’s venture into the world of podcasts. [April 15, 2022 Blogpost]. https://malat-webspace.royalroads.ca/rru0216/team-5s-venture-into-the-world-of-podcasts/#comment-46
Historica Canada. (2020). Residential Schools. [Podcast hosted by Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais]. https://open.spotify.com/show/127UKPIyiwbADySuYV26qK?si=5a355c7c50a94a12
Pokiak, Myrna. (2022). Paul/Pokiak Blood Quantum.
Tricarico, A., Roges, R., & Blanchet, B. (2022). The 6 best podcast apps for listening to all your favourite shows. Business Insider: Reviews. https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-podcast-apps
University of Essex. (2022, January 20). Indigenous Voices (No.5). The Louder than words podcast. Episode 5, January 20, 2022, 00:38:59. https://louder-than-words.castos.com/episodes/indigenous-voices
Hi Sam,
Stories like yours, your niece and nephew, are happening now more than ever with the struggle to find a balance and understand and feel a belonging to any community we choose to make our home. I hope your niece and nephew learn over time who they are, who their mom was, her ancestors, and find a connection to help move them forward in a positive direction. Self discovery is a life long journey and I hope a connection can be made somehow in some way to their mom. Indigenous love is bigger than you can imagine.
“Blood quantum is a death sentence of my identity.”
Hello Myrna,
Thank you for your post. It really resonated with me. My sister-in-law died of cancer about 5 years ago and left my niece and nephew when they were quite young. Now, my niece and nephew are growing up in a very white suburb of Calgary and I often worry about them being unsure of their ancestral roots. As my sister-in-law was adopted by a white family, she struggled to find those connections and now that she is gone I worry about my niece and nephew losing all connection to their mom and culture. I agree with what you said in your group presentation that ancestral voices are important not just for this generation but for generations to come.
Thank you for your excellent group presentation! So many things to consider.
Sincerely,
Sam
Hi Irwin,
Thank you for taking the time. First-hand stories are definitely fascinating, especially when listening to individual(s) who have that personal connection (feelings, emotions) that are shared. I don’t necessary think I chose this journey, but was forced into it because of the secret life of Canada, I’m simply reacting in survival mode is some of the feelings I get. Podcasts are very similar to the traditional knowledge and teachings through shared experiences and stories and I finally realize this. Thank you Irwin.
Myrna, I’m very glad to see that your examination of podcasts has drawn you more deeply into the potential of audio. First-hand stories, available anywhere and at any time, can bring forward memories, experiences and voices that have been suppressed and forgotten. In the face of the ruthless calculations of blood quantum, all of us need to hear the true narratives in new and fresh ways. Thanks for choosing this journey.