Unreserved

The dress will never be worn by anyone but the names that adorn it. Hundreds of names of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls line a haute couture gown at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. That’s where Rosanna captured the stories of many designers at a special event.

An old cigar box full of memories helps Maidy Keir learn about her uncle Welby who died in World War II. Now some of these treasures are on display in the Netherlands in an exhibit honouring the Indigenous soldiers who helped liberate the country eighty years ago. Rosanna hears stories that honour our veterans and those who continue to serve today.

An old cigar box full of memories helps Maidy Keir learn about her uncle Welby who died in World War II. Now some of these treasures are on display in the Netherlands in an exhibit honouring the Indigenous soldiers who helped liberate the country eighty years ago. Rosanna hears stories that honour our veterans and those who continue to serve today.

Legendary Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau is at the centre of what might be the biggest case of art fraud in the world. On the new podcast Forged, Siksika artist Adrian Stimson dives into the dark and layered story behind it. Rosanna gets the real scoop on what he learned about the fakes. Plus, Rosanna speaks with two filmmakers who are shifting the lens in their new adaptation to bring an authentic Inuit perspective to a strange piece of Canadian history.

Rock star Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies is doing rock star things — like buying paintings. And what better painting for an iconic Canadian rocker to buy than one by Norval Morrisseau, one of the most iconic Indigenous artists in Canada? But when Kevin’s Morrisseau painting is featured in an exhibit, it gets taken down because the head curator says it’s “questionable.” Kevin tries to get some answers but every answer leads to more questions. Host Adrian Stimson traces Kevin’s dogged quest to find out the truth about his painting — and learns how this one painting is the key to cracking a whole underworld open. Forged is a six-part series, from CBC in Canada and ABC Australia, host Adrian Stimson, an artist from the Siksika Nation, travels from Thunder Bay to the Northern Territory of Australia, to reveal what's believed to be the largest art crime fraud in the world. More episodes of Forged are available here: https://link.mgln.ai/ForgedxUnreserved

In Mi’kmaq Spirit Talker Shawn Leonard’s experience, ghosts and spirits aren’t actually all that scary. As a psychic medium he likes to show people how their loved ones who have passed still walk with them. On this spooky season edition of Unreserved, Rosanna speaks to Shawn and other lovers of the supernatural – from ghost hunters to scary story-tellers – about the lessons we learn from our connections to the spirit world.

‘All our relations’ is a saying often heard in the Indigenous community. Many from Turtle Island feel a responsibility to care for relations across the globe. As violence and uncertainty continue in Gaza, Rosanna speaks with Indigenous artists, activists and health care workers about the connection they feel with Palestinians, and how they’re driven to speak out, take action and make space for grief and healing.

From the silver screen to theatre stages and televisions across the world, Graham Greene was a trailblazing actor and legend. He brought nuance, humour and grit to many roles, paving a way for generations of Indigenous actors. Graham Greene died last month at age 73. Rosanna speaks to his friends, family and fans about his many roles in art and in life, and the legacy he leaves behind.

94 calls – but who’s answering? Jolene Ashini is – she is the first lawyer to emerge from her community and is determined to change the system from the inside. And Senator Pate is giving voice to 12 Indigenous women who have been silenced by the system. Rosanna speaks with two women responding to the 94 Calls to Action in the area of justice.

Tired of the “leather and feather roles” of Hollywood, Eva Thomas headed home to Canada where she saw investment in films made for, and by, Indigenous creators. Rosanna sits down with Indigenous filmmakers to talk about the abundance of Indigenous-led film being featured at festivals around the world.

Stephanie Sinclair thought it was a parenting win when she explained residential schools to her kindergartener. When it didn't go quite as planned, she looked to the greater community to explore ways of sharing culture and important family histories with future generations. Rosanna speaks with Stephanie and her sister Sara Sinclair as well as award-winning writer, katherena vermette, about what it takes to be a good ancestor.

In 2023, Brian Anderson was exonerated -- 50 years after he was convicted of a murder he did not commit. Rosanna sits down for the first of this season’s conversations with Brian and others involved in his case. We hear how the story of this miscarriage of justice is inspiring advocates to challenge and change a flawed legal system.

Anindilyakwa is one of approximately 800 dialects spoken by Indigenous people in Australia and it’s one of the ways singer-songwriter Emily Wurramara shares stories and inspirations from her territory and her people. Guest host, Don Amero, speaks with Emily Wurramara, Al Cardinal and Jasmine Collette at the Winnipeg Folk Festival about what it takes to be brave, speak truth and re-write the occasional rule.

Canada’s Arctic was the only place the series North of North could be shot – because there’s no other way to capture the humour, culture and modernity of the people there. The show gives us a glimpse of Inuit Nunangat through the fictional town of Ice Cove. Rosanna speaks with Stacy Aglok MacDonald, Alethea Arnaquq-Bariland and Anna Lambe about how they’re putting community at the centre of their storytelling.

In a compelling panel discussion, Falen Johnson sits down with Karyn Pugliese (CBC, APTN, Canadaland), January Rogers (2 Ro Media, Ojistoh Publishing), and Kairyn Potts and Scott Wabano (The Real Rank Podcast) to talk about the ever shifting landscape of podcasting. How do Indigenous creators stand out, develop audiences while maintaining an authentic voice? What does sovereignty look like in a digital and audio space?

In a vault below a museum in St. John’s sit the remains of a Beothuk woman named Demasduit. Rosanna travels to Newfoundland and Labrador to hear her story and how it informs the complicated history of North America’s oldest city. Demasduit was abducted in life and in death – her skull taken to Europe for study and then locked away for nearly 200 years. We explore a city known for its colourful houses and robust military and communications history, with the on-going story of Demasduit in mind.

The Kilaut, or Inuit drum, is bigger than many hand drums – but small enough to be wielded by its drum dancers. Rosanna heads to St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador to learn about a tradition that was almost lost due to colonial bans on cultural practices and expressions. She meets singers, drummers and dancers who are reclaiming and sharing this cherished Inuit tradition.

As wildfires devastate communities, it can be hard to see fire as a tool for good. Guided by Indigenous stewards, fire can also be a force for renewal. Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson is working to bring back cultural burning practices that colonization once outlawed. She says these fires are good for community and for the land – and can even help prevent wildfires. Rosanna speaks to fire researchers and a fire keeper about the role fire plays in Indigenous land stewardship, ceremony and culture.

Cree teachings tell us that difference is not a deficit – and autistic children are a gift. This week Rosanna sits down with Indigenous healthcare professionals who are celebrating our differences, whether it’s putting an Indigenous lens on autism research or broadening the circle to better support and care for our Two-Spirit kin. Through stories of strength, culture, and compassion, this episode highlights how celebrating identity improves health outcomes and builds thriving communities.

The Tuscarora are in a race against time to save the red wolves which once numbered in the thousands. Only a handful remain due to highway fatalities. A solution was in the works until the Trump administration froze all federal funding, driving the red wolf closer to extinction. Rosanna speaks with conservationists fighting to save and support wolves on Tuscarora territory and across Turtle Island.