(Ottawa, ON) – November 13, 2024 – On this week’s episode of Roots and Hoots, host Gordon Spence is thrilled to be joined by historian, scholar and Associate Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Sean Carleton. In this powerful conversation, Sean speaks with Gordon about being an ally, the importance of non-Indigenous Peoples’ role in confronting Residential School denialism and his connection with Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel, which led to the release of the book When the Pine Needles Fall: Indigenous Acts of Resistance.

At the opening of their conversation, Sean positions himself through his settler-Canadian identity of Irish and English origin, growing up in North Vancouver, on the unceded Traditional Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Sean remarks on the importance of this positioning for settlers and newcomers, in order to see our role within the system of settler colonialism; to understand the ways we benefit from the nation building of Canada; and to know whose Nations and Territories we must both acknowledge and show reverence too.

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Dr. Sean Carleton has become known across Canada for his example as an ally and co-conspirator. His voice is powerful, and Sean understands the importance of creating better relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples. Upon meeting Katsi’tsakwas Ellen Gabriel for his previous work with the magazine, Canadian Dimension, the two developed a friendship that prompted Sean to ask the question: “Ellen, have you ever thought of writing a book?” As Sean shares, Ellen had been wanting to write a book, but her important work in activism, as former President of the Quebec Native Women’s Association and ongoing work in land defending took up most of her time. Sean speaks of the privilege he feels in knowing Ellen and getting to learn from her. When the Pine Needles Fall: Indigenous Acts of Resistance is a must read for anyone interested in protecting Mother Earth and Indigenous homelands for the next seven generations to come.

As their conversation winds down, Sean discusses the role of allies in confronting Residential School denialism. Sean shares how misinformation is a tactic that is rooted in fear of the truth and of a perceived loss of power. Sean states how the dehumanization of Indigenous Peoples through the settler colonial system hurts everyone involved. His words ring true, and this conversation helps listeners to understand the role we all can play in advancing Reconciliation, by first and foremost upholding Truth.

The LHF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 24 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate Canadians 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 address discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, and to promote hope and healing in Canada. The LHF works to encourage Canadians to address discrimination and injustice to contribute to the equity, dignity, and respectful treatment of Indigenous Peoples.

The LHF has 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 curriculums for K-12 and for adults, along with Activity Guides, Workshops, and Training, two 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 to eliminate ongoing racism against Indigenous Peoples and to foster Reconciliation in Canada.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Teresa Edwards, B.A., LL.B / J.D.
Executive Director and In-House Legal Counsel
Legacy of Hope Foundation
tedwards@legacyofhope.ca