(Ottawa, ON) – April 26, 2023 – On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is pleased to be joined by Barry Sarazin. Barry is a proud member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, situated on the shores of Golden Lake and the Bonnechere River. Barry is part of a men’s drumming group and teaches on the traditional drum called the Kitchi-sippi-rinni as well as sharing Thunderbird songs in the community. Barry is also a Traditional Pow Wow Dancer and has been on the Pow Wow Committee since 1987. Barry is a husband, father, brother, and devoted community man. In this episode, Barry and Gordon sit down to discuss the importance of family and of practicing and accessing one’s culture. 

Barry has been involved with Anishinaabeg community development since 1981 with the goals of fostering the traditional customs and practices of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg First Nations. Barry is the Indigenous Educational Liaison with Opeongo High School, which he shares, involves setting up the cultural and language program for the Indigenous students at the school. Barry is passionate about connecting the Indigenous students to cultural and language practices. Though consistent accessibility to Indigenous language classes for students Kindergarten to Grade Twelve is precarious, he is hopeful about the work being done in the area of language revitalization. Barry shares how funding and the nature of certification for Indigenous language teachers needs to evolve. 

Barry is a spiritual man and in this interview with Gordon, he talks about Algonquin history and people. He shares stories about the rivers that flow in Algonquin territory, visions from his father, his journey to becoming a Traditional Men’s Dancer and Drummer, and his involvement on the Pow Wow Committee – including sharing stories of how the Thunderbird Pow Wow grounds came to be. Barry and Gordon discuss the art of birch bark canoe-making, and how the knowledge and practice has been carefully passed down through Barry’s family.  

On the topic of Reconciliation, Barry speaks about the lack of financial equity and infrastructure that continues to divide the standard of living between Canadian society, and the regulations and stipulations that are enforced through the reserve system. He shares how training and regulations need to adapt more quickly and synergistically at the Municipal, Provincial and Federal levels. 

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 23 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential and Day School Systems and subsequent Child Welfare System on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) Survivors, their descendants, and their communities to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage Canadians to address discrimination and injustice in order to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation.

The LHF has close to 30 educational exhibitions that promote awareness of Indigenous history that are free to borrow and is working on making exhibitions available online. LHF also has curriculum for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops and Training, 2 Podcast series, all aimed at educating Canadians about Indigenous history and the shared history of Residential and Day Schools, the Child Welfare System, and other colonial acts of oppression.. The LHF works to develop empathy and understanding so as to eliminate ongoing racism against Indigenous Peoples. 

For media inquiries:
Teresa Edwards, B.A. JD.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
Phone: 613-237-4806 Ext. 303 info@legacyofhope.ca