Culture is Healing

George sits down with Mateo Kostering — proud member of the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Nation and the ’Namgis Nation — founder of the Indigenous Athletics Academy, and lifelong athlete whose journey from community tournaments to semi-pro coaching has been guided by discipline, culture, and service. 

Mateo shares why resilience must be practiced daily, why winning isn’t the only measure of success, and how spo...

What does it mean to carry culture into everyday life — not just in ceremony, but in how we speak, lead, parent, and show up for community?

In this episode of Culture is Healing, Sonya Williams (Councillor, Education Coordinator, and Education Committee Chair, Sq’éwlets First Nation ) shares reflections on leadership, family teachings, and the importance of using your voice. She speaks about the responsibility of not walking away...

What helps a young person believe in their future? Sometimes it starts with a coach, a ceremony, or one trusted relationship.

In this episode, Deana Gill shares how sport, culture, and mentorship are creating real change for Indigenous youth and communities. From her early days in child protection to leading Hope and Health, she reflects on what she’s learned about showing up with humility, building trust, and creating spaces where...

Josh shares his story honestly in this one.

Josh Drummond (therapist and close friend of George) speaks openly about growing up Indigenous without being raised with his culture. 

He shares his experiences in child protection work, and the added layers of care, pain, and responsibility that come with supporting Indigenous families through healing. 

This conversation comes back to reconnecting with culture and what that can look like...

Season 3 of Culture is Healing is closing out with this powerful finale!

George Harris Jr. sits down with Katie Marren—a Cree-Métis, English, and Irish educator, mother, and District Principal of Indigenous Education—to explore how culture and education can create healing for Indigenous young ones and communities as a whole.

Katie opens up about her personal story and shares how important Indigenous voices, language revitalization,...

George Harris Jr. and Nola Jeffrey reflect on the healing ceremonies, cleansing practices, and community teachings that have supported their experiences with trauma. 

They emphasize the importance of daily self-care—especially for those in helping roles—and offer simple cultural practices anyone can use to release the heaviness felt inside and find grounding. 

This conversation also shares the work happening at Tsow-Tun Le Lum, whe...

 In this week’s conversation, George Harris Jr. and educator Kelsey Crawford explore how cultural healing, community support, and everyday acts of presence can transform the lives of Indigenous youth.

Together, they reflect on the power of elders, regalia, music, and seasonal teachings in helping young people build identity, confidence, and connection.

Their discussion offers practical insights for educators and community members c...

In this episode of Culture is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Jenn Smith of the Tlowitsis Nation, a leader in Indigenous Cultural Safety and reconciliation work. 

Together, they speak about how self-love can be an act of reclamation and how personal journeys of cultural connection are vital for identity and healing. 

Jenn shares how ancestral teachings, truth-telling, and community care help repair what colonialism tried ...

Education can be a place of deep healing when guided by culture, story, and community.

George and his friend Colleen Mullin share a conversation about bringing Indigenous language, teachings, and community connection into education in meaningful ways. 

George reflects on moments of racism and insensitivity he faced as a student, and how those experiences shaped his commitment to creating safer, more understanding learning spaces.

 ...

Gabriel George Sr. speaks to canoeing as a teacher — one that carries lessons of discipline, unity, and spirit.

He reflects on how revitalizing language has restored strength and pride to his community. 

He points to the guidance of elders, who remind us that healing also means breaking harmful cycles and choosing a different way forward.

At the heart of it all, Gabe emphasizes that love and connection to culture are what mak...

“Art and music helped me survive.”

This week, George shares a raw conversation with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw’s Benjamin Lewis.

Ben opens up about his recovery from addiction, sharing the story that led him to hosting his own 12-step meetings. He also talks about how turning back to culture and creativity became his way through.

For Ben, art and music aren’t just passions — they’re lifelines.

In this episode, he shares some of his song...

This week’s guest is family—George’s brother-in-law, Cal Swustus Jr., from Cowichan Tribes.

Cal shares how he navigates walking in two worlds - Indigenous and Western.

Listeners will hear teachings on rites of passage, the guidance of Elders, and how storytelling and performance are great tools for moving through grief and growth. 

Cal nudges listeners to lean on culture as a source of healing and to carry it forward for the ...