Woven Spirit Podcast
Woven Spirit: Threads of Wisdom
Woven Spirit: Threads of Wisdom is a powerful youth-run podcast series presented by the Indian Residential School Survivor Society (IRSSS). This engaging series explores themes of Indigenous resilience and intergenerational healing, led by passionate young hosts Jodi Bob, Olivia Kate Iatridis, and Teka Desjarlais.
Through heartfelt conversations with Survivors of residential schools, the hosts delve into the lasting impacts of colonization and the transformative journeys these individuals have undertaken to reclaim their narratives. Their genuine curiosity and deep respect for the survivors create a rich, inspiring experience for listeners of all ages.
Woven Spirit not only aims to enlighten allies but also seeks to engage a wider audience in meaningful discussions about healing and resilience. Each episode serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging young people to embark on their own healing journeys with intention and purpose. This podcast is a vital resource for fostering understanding and solidarity within and beyond Indigenous communities.
Woven Spirit: Meet the Hosts
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Teka Desjarlais
Teka ((He/They) is a Vancouver-based professional from Saulteaux and Mohawk First Nations. Teka has a Community Capacity Building certificate from SFU and nine years of experience in the non-profit sector, emphasizing reciprocity and positive community impact. He enjoys the outdoors and is passionate about technology and photography.
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Jodi Bob
Jodi (She/Her) is a First Nations woman from the territories of the Snu’nu’wus and Quw’utsun First Nation. She has had the privilege of growing up in community, surrounded by her family, culture, and traditional foods. She takes pride in incorporating these values into her everyday life, whether at work, in university, or with friends and family.
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Olivia Kate Iatridis
Olivia (She/Her) is an LGBTQ Inuvialuk and a member of The Inuvialuit Settlement Region, with her mother originating from Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. She is a professional actress and visual artist with sixteen credits on IMDb. She uses her art to raise awareness for issues surrounding Indigenous people and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Huy’ch’qa – Háw'aa – Hay č xʷ q̓ ə – Kukstemc – Miigwiich – Ay-hay – Gilakasla – Mussi Cho – T'oya̱xsn – T'ooyaksim' N'iisim' – Thank you
Huy’ch’qa – Háw'aa – Hay č xʷ q̓ ə – Kukstemc – Miigwiich – Ay-hay – Gilakasla – Mussi Cho – T'oya̱xsn – T'ooyaksim' N'iisim' – Thank you
Acknowledgements
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the individuals, organizations, and supporters who have contributed to the success of this podcast series. This project would not have been possible without the collective efforts, care, and dedication of many.
To the Survivors
First and foremost, we would like to express our deepest thanks to the survivors who courageously shared their stories with us. Your strength, resilience, and willingness to open your hearts have made this project meaningful. Your voices will resonate with others, inspiring healing and understanding for generations to come.
To Our Hosts
A huge thank you to our incredible hosts for guiding the conversations and facilitating such meaningful dialogue throughout this podcast series. Your thoughtfulness, empathy, and ability to create a safe and open space for survivors to share their stories has been crucial. Your dedication to this work has helped bring these important conversations to the forefront, and we are so grateful for your contributions to this project.
To the IRSSS Community Engagement Team
Thank you for your tireless dedication to this project. Your vision, commitment to survivors, and ongoing support have been vital in ensuring that these stories are told with respect, care, and integrity.
To Rudegang Ent. Productions (Diana Hellson, Peter Davidson, and Rose Stiffarm)
A heartfelt thank you to Diana, Peter, and Rose for your leadership, creativity, and unwavering commitment to cultural sensitivity throughout this process. Your expertise, guidance, and support were essential in bringing this project to life in such a respectful and impactful way.
To the Cultural Support Providers
We are deeply grateful for the invaluable guidance provided by the Cultural Support Providers throughout the production process. Your wisdom, emotional support, and cultural knowledge have been a guiding light for both the team and the survivors. Thank you for ensuring we navigated this work with respect and care.
To Parks Canada
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Parks Canada for their generous financial contributions to make this important work possible. Your support has been critical in bringing this project to life. We also acknowledge and appreciate your ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation, and for your dedication to fostering understanding and healing within Indigenous communities. Thank you for standing alongside us in this vital effort.
To the Vancouver Public Library (VPL) Staff
A special thank you to the VPL team for your logistical support, your unwavering dedication to truth and reconciliation, and for providing invaluable resources that enriched this project. Your dedication to fostering understanding and healing within Indigenous communities has been evident throughout, and your commitment to supporting this podcast has made a lasting impact. We are truly grateful for your collaboration and support at every stage of the project.
To All Our Collaborators and Supporters
Thank you to everyone who helped behind the scenes—whether through research, technical support, outreach, or other vital roles. Your contributions, no matter how big or small, have made a lasting impact, and we are thankful for your involvement.
This project is a testament to the power of collaboration, community, and the importance of listening to and honouring the experiences of survivors. We are grateful to all who have walked alongside us on this journey, and we are proud to share these stories with the world.
This project was undertaken with the financial support of Parks Canada / Ce projet a été réalisé avec l'appui financier de Parcs Canada.