Culture is Healing

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Monique Gray Smith for a heartfelt conversation about the healing power of culture, ceremony, and belonging.

Drawing on her own journey of reconnecting with Indigenous traditions, Monique shares how love, gratitude, and community can help us navigate life's challenges and strengthen our sense of identity.

The conversation explores cultural revitalization, anc...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Diana Smith for a conversation about supporting people through difficult times.

Drawing on her experience working in community, Diana shares her perspective on trust, kindness, and the relationships that help people feel seen and supported. The conversation touches on mental health, addiction, the role of matriarchs, and the importance of creating spaces where...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George sits down with Kaya Hansen to explore the challenges facing substance use and recovery systems, where overworked staff and fragmented services often make healing harder to access.

Together, they discuss Indigenous approaches to care, the importance of reducing administrative burdens, and how the Pathways to Healing tool is helping communities create more connected, human-centered s...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. sits down with Aaron Pete.

They discuss why empowering young people matters now more than ever.

Aaron also shares reflections on leadership, sacrifice, and the changing political landscape in Canada, reminding listeners that every person’s unique gifts are needed in times of change.

This conversation offers grounded insights on how reconnecting to culture and co...

In this episode of Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr. speaks with Musqueam weaver Aleen Sparrow about how culture can be lived as a daily practice of healing, connection, and identity.

Aleen reflects on learning to weave at the kitchen table with her mother and aunties, and how those moments shaped her understanding of weaving as both art and relationship.

Together, they explore how practices like weaving and canoe pullin...

This week on Culture Is Healing, George Harris Jr sits down with Stan Matthew to share stories shaped by decades of healing, lived experience, and cultural teachings.

Stan is a nuučaan̓uł leader and healing practitioner from the David family of ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ First Nation, with over 35 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities through healing.

Centered on applyin...

We’re back for a new season of Culture is Healing—and we’re starting it off with a powerful conversation with Malina Dawn. In this episode, George and Malina explore what it looks like to live your healing, not just talk about it. Drawing on teachings from the Medicine Wheel and Malina’s relationship to yoga and movement, they reflect on how culture can guide us through different seasons of life—and h...

For our final episode of Season 4 George sits down with Tanille Johnston. Tanille is the first Indigenous person to ever have their name represented on a federal political party's leadership ballot in Canadian history. 

This episode explores the role of ceremony, the teachings of elders, and the responsibility of embracing our individual gifts—not just for personal growth, but for the wellbeing of the community and futur...

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 o...

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 w...

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...

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...

George sits down with his mentor and educator William Taylor! Drawing on teachings from elders, storytelling, and decades of experience in education, William shares the most meaningful teachings he’s received. George and William touch on how cultural ceremonies and mentorship are grounded in love and support.  This conversation encourages you to reflect on your own gifts and how they can strengthen both...

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, la...

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 a...