ʔasqanaki: to tell two versions of the same story (Ktunaxa)
The ʔasqanaki Podcast by Smokii Sumac honours connections between Indigenous storytellers through the Ktunaxa concept of ʔasqanaki: to tell two versions of the same story. The podcast features a rich line-up of Indigenous guests from multiple nations including “Uncle of Indigenous Literatures” Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ), Educator, Poet and Author, Tasha Spillet, (Cree/Trinadian), Poet and Photographer Tenille Campbell (Dene/Métis), Poet Janelle Kasperski (Nisga’a), Juno award winning musician G.R. Gritt (Anishinaabe/Métis), award-winning performing and recording artist, non-fiction writer, filmmaker Christa Couture (Cree/Scandinavian) and musician Meisha Louie (Secwépemc).
The first season of The ʔasqanaki Podcast explores themes of adoption, gender and sexual diversity, residential schools, reconciliation, and so much more! Tune in to hear Smokii and his guests share stories of how their work came to be, what inspires them to create, and which pieces of their work resonated so deeply with Smokii's experiences that he decided to create a whole show about it! Honouring Indigenous oral traditions through a modern podcast format, the podcast is a heartfelt journey of Smokii Sumac's self-discovery as an Indigenous adoptee, two-spirit, transgender person, and poet.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
ʔasqanaki: to tell two versions of the same story (Ktunaxa)
The ʔasqanaki Podcast by Smokii Sumac honours connections between Indigenous storytellers through the Ktunaxa concept of ʔasqanaki: to tell two versions of the same story. The podcast features a rich line-up of Indigenous guests from multiple nations including “Uncle of Indigenous Literatures” Richard Van Camp (Tłı̨chǫ), Educator, Poet and Author, Tasha Spillet, (Cree/Trinadian), Poet and Photographer Tenille Campbell (Dene/Métis), Poet Janelle Kasperski (Nisga’a), Juno award winning musician G.R. Gritt (Anishinaabe/Métis), award-winning performing and recording artist, non-fiction writer, filmmaker Christa Couture (Cree/Scandinavian) and musician Meisha Louie (Secwépemc).
The first season of The ʔasqanaki Podcast explores themes of adoption, gender and sexual diversity, residential schools, reconciliation, and so much more! Tune in to hear Smokii and his guests share stories of how their work came to be, what inspires them to create, and which pieces of their work resonated so deeply with Smokii's experiences that he decided to create a whole show about it! Honouring Indigenous oral traditions through a modern podcast format, the podcast is a heartfelt journey of Smokii Sumac's self-discovery as an Indigenous adoptee, two-spirit, transgender person, and poet.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In episode 4 Smokii is joined by Nisga’a writer, Janelle Silverwolf. Janelle and Smokii talk about grief ceremonies and matriarchy, and Janelle shares unpublished pieces, including a beautiful poem "Warrior Women: A letter to my Daughter" which touches on themes of #mmiw (missing and murdered Indigenous women)
The ʔasqanaki Podcast by Smokii Sumac honours connections between Indigenous storytellers through the Ktunaxa concept of ʔasqanaki: to tell two versions of the same story.
Tune in to hear Smokii and his guests share stories of how their work came to be, what inspires them to create, and which pieces of their work resonated so deeply with Smokii's experiences that he decided to create a whole show about it!
Janelle Silverwolf
Janelle Silverwolf is a Nisga’a woman from the house of Nagwau’un, of Laxgalts’ap, BC. She is an educator, beader, facilitator, writer, and Auntie advocate for Indigenous voices and success. She is currently working with the University of British Columbia as a Specialist in Strategic Indigenous Enrolment Initiatives. Her many years of experience in educational institutions and Indigenous communities have always been grounded by her artistic expression, cultural and family teachings. Art and culture are the roots that hold her up in Institutional work. She uses her writing and beadwork to tell stories of knowledges passed down, witnessed and earned.
The creation of artistic pieces is her way of sharing her medicine with community.
Content: matriarchy, missing and murdered Indigenous women, grief, ceremony, vigils, writing, personal stories of death, Highway 16-the highway of tears, hitchhiking, cultural roles, Elders, life transitions, mentions of the pandemic, the weight of cultural responsibilities, remembering, medication and side effects, relationships to water and water teachings, cleaning off, letting go, prayer, and cultural medicines.
The ʔasqanaki Podcast would like to thank to our guest, Janelle Silverwolf, and Keon at Just Music in Cranbrook, BC, for the session.
Thank you to our team, Sound Designer, Audio Engineer and Editor Greyson Gritt of Minotan Music Inc. and Producer Krystal Strong of Osum Artist Management.
And we would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous funding of season one!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.