In this episode of PhilanthroThink, we sit down with Wanda Brascoupé, a leader in Indigenous philanthropy whose work has reshaped how giving happens in Canada.
Wanda shares how she was invited into this work by her community, and how the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund was built on trust, relationships, and plain language—rather than traditional grantmaking.
We talk about power, humility, and the importance of rethinking who decides what’s valuable. It’s a generous conversation with clear takeaways for funders, community leaders, and anyone looking to do better work.
TAKEAWAYS
Land acknowledgments are a crucial starting point for meaningful giving
Wanda Brascoupé’s journey shows how change begins in community
Decolonizing philanthropy means rethinking who holds power—and who defines value
Indigenous-led models shift how generosity and impact are understood
Trust-based philanthropy prioritizes relationships, not money
Two-eyed seeing bridges Indigenous and Western ways of working
Philanthropy must adapt to better serve communities on the ground
Safe, respectful processes build lasting trust
Non-Indigenous organizations can be better partners by listening and showing up
More Indigenous leadership in philanthropy isn’t just hopeful—it’s essential
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to PhilanthroThink and Land Acknowledgment
02:25 Wanda Brascoupé’s Journey into Philanthropy
05:23 Decolonizing Philanthropy: Rethinking Power
07:09 Indigenous-Led Models: Shifting the Landscape
12:54 Building the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund
20:09 Trust-Based Philanthropy: Relationships Over Money
24:40 Staying Grounded in Community
27:23 Daily Reflections and Philanthropic Practice
29:56 Saying No with Care and Accountability
31:51 Working with Indigenous Communities
34:07 Humility and Institutional Change
36:34 What Gives Wanda Hope
38:43 Inviting a Trust-Based Approach
40:17 Learning, Unlearning, and Showing Up
44:13 Looking Ahead: A Question for Future Generations
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CREDITS
Hosts:
Megan Skyvington – https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganskyvington/
Emily Goodwin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-goodwin-/
Fengwen Yu – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengwen-yu-891504131/
Daniel H. Lanteigne – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhlanteigne
Production: Keenlii – https://keenlii.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/
Producer: Barry Keegan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykeegan
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ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINK
PhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program. In each episode, we sit down with philanthropic leaders, wealth creators, and changemakers to explore the real challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.
