Skoden Magazine - June 2024 - Empowering Indigenous Voices

"Skoden," translating to "let's go" in Native American slang, stands as a pioneering magazine committed to magnifying the voices and narratives of Indigenous communities. As part of the AitC Umoja Bridge Project, this publication is a collective endeavor that connects the experiences of both Black and Indigenous peoples, establishing a platform for shared stories, cultural interchange, and unity.

SKDN: Could you share with us a bit about your background and what inspired you to start your podcast?

MR: I’m Sahtu Dene & a daughter of the Mayflower. I grew up in Alberta in urban settings. Representation matters. I started my podcast because there was not real truth or representation happening. We need to tell our stories in our way without settlers filtering the conversation. My entire life many Calgarians that were born here take great pride to call themselves a native Calgarian but as a Status Dene, I have found that phrase insulting so I named the podcast that to really take back that expression and teach these terms like "tribe" or "Native Calgarian" is a way that continues to normalize anti Indigenous bias in a settler state in denial of their history.

SKDN: What topics or themes do you typically explore on your podcast, and why are they important to you?

MR: I live my life with truth and reconciliation as the centre. Talking about oppression dynamics opens up the conversation to all - folks with disabilities, the Queer community, Black Peoples' and Indigenous Peoples' and migrants. Human rights is a foundation that Canada claims but their history shows otherwise.

Every day in Calgary there are examples of inequality so I talk about that on my podcast whether through a guest or just on my own. My own family attended Indian Residential Schools and had lost their "status" because of unfair, imposed, colonial laws so reclaiming our identity, advocating for our inherent rights, and truth-telling is at the heart of my podcast.

SKDN: As someone connected to both your Indigenous heritage and the city of Calgary, what do you hope the future holds for Indigenous youth in the area?

MR: I stand on the shoulders of my Ancestors and our children do too. For as long as Calgary has existed, the original peoples' have stories of Calgary since it was founded as a settler municipality. Our youth will be able to tell those stories and then their own. Unfortunately the systemic, racist barriers are still in place so our generation has more work to do to reduce that colonial trauma in our lifetimes. I do not want our kids fighting that system but because settlers refuse to do that work, our kids will have to continue that work too. Much of the dialogue has changed in last few years so we and they will have more of a foundation to work off of.

SKDN: What changes or improvements would you like to see in the representation of Indigenous people in Calgary's media landscape?

Post secondary institutions that teach about journalism must change. They are very committed to the continuation of the settler only status quo so we unfortunately they are a barrier today. Media is changing in general though because our media is accessed so differently with the internet and smart phones. My social media posts and podcasts are changing hearts and minds. A few Indigenous journalists have snuck into these newsrooms just to be met with racism and settler colonial only narratives so I do hope they adapt because even settlers know they are being lied to.

APTN, Windspeaker and CBC Indigenous have been better places to access but there are some limitations based on funding. Until there is independent funding models, there will be interference by those funding.

SKDN: What advice would you give to Indigenous youth in Calgary who are interested in pursuing podcasting or other forms of media activism?

MR: Go for it! The more voices the better. The more stories, the better. There are 700 nations.. we need all these voices at the table. I see some younger content creators out there and I feel very inspired by them. I want every Indigenous person to feel they have their voice.

SKDN: How do you balance the personal and professional aspects of your work, especially when it comes to discussing sensitive topics or sharing your own experiences?

MR: I am very open about my personal story but for many Cdns they don't need to know my details when the colonial facts can tell the story. I have to include trauma related resources because everything can be very triggering for folks. I do ask my child many times if they are ok with this or that. I also remember though that even the lead guitarist for Slayer's kids roll their eyes at him so there is that. Knowing all youth are embarrassed for the older generations and I'm no exception.

SKDN: What message would you like to leave with our audience regarding the importance of Indigenous representation and activism in Calgary and beyond?

Settler media, education, government and society has done backflips to eliminate us and our voices. We are still here. We are all Treaty partners and it's time we started treating each other equally. We need to listen to Indigenous voices, stories and knowledge to thrive. It's easy. The next generations of both settler and Indigenous will benefit with those goals in mind.