Episode 6

Residential School Resilience Part 2

Published on: 3rd August, 2021

In part 2 of this special edition of the Empathetic Witness podcast, the interviewee again is the hostess of the podcast herself, Angelina Pratt and the guest host is Alan Pratt, Angelina's husband of 29 years and a lawyer for First Nations across Canada. Angelina talks in more detail about her personal experiences at Holy Angels Mission, and the discussion goes deeper into the broader importance of the residential school experience both as part of a broader deliberate plan to undermine First Nations by Canada and as part of a necessary ongoing need to educate the Canadian public about these issues. If you wish to go deeper on your own, here are some resources:

Truth and Reconciliation Commission: https://nctr.ca/about/history-of-the-trc/truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/

Apology regarding Residential Schools by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (June 11, 2008):

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100015644/1571589171655

Help line for residential school survivors: 1-866-925-4419

Indian Residential School Survivors Society toll free line: 1-800-721-0066

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About the Podcast

Empathetic Witness
Personal stories that will encourage and motivate listeners to thrive rather than survive
Season 1 of Empathetic Witness produced seventeen (17) episodes and was my debut into the podcast world. I found the process to be exciting and exhilarating. The podcasts satiated by curious nature, aided me in meeting and getting to know new people, and discovering new knowledge and information. Sharing is an important part of Indigenous Peoples ways of being and doing. I want to share the experience of discovery of new skills and the feeling of purpose and a reason to be and to wake up each day with podcast listeners.
 
Empathetic Witness wants you to challenge assumptions about Indigenous Peoples. It encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons to embrace true reconciliation as we examine truths, explore reparations, and show up in the world willing to learn and accept the responsibility of reconciliation. Empathetic Witness addresses a whole array of topics encompassing the impact of the creation of residential schools, cultural genocide, the Indian Act, mental health, resilience, and survival. The end goal is to have every listener finish the podcast of the day with a sense of hope and optimism no matter how difficult the conversation.
 
Each podcast is an hour long. Listening can occur in a commute to and from work, a road trip, an hour set aside for self actualization, or even while preparing a meal.
 
All podcasts involve conversations with Indigenous people who share their experiences and honour each and everyone of us with their enthusiasm, presence, and wisdom.  
 
Season 2 has begun with the same enthusiasm and a new focus. The new focus will include generating more podcasts with a larger audience and an expansion of learnings.  
The initial 1st season had a vision of supporting Seventh Generation Indigenous Foundation and Training (GIFT) seventhgift.ca and its focus was trauma related.

The 2nd season will concentrate solely on Empathetic Witness and its journey. It will include less conversations on addictions and trauma and will concentrate more on triumph and resilience. Empathetic Witness guest will be inspirational First Nation community leaders who will share personal stories that will encourage and motivate listeners to thrive rather than survive. 
 
Future episodes will include interviews with a human rights activist from Lima Peru, an Indigenous Musician, a Dene language keeper, a political leader on economic development, exciting and motivating First Nations self-sufficiency narratives, and much more.
 
Grab a tea, listen and take part in the Empathetic Witness Podcast journey of discovery, excitement, and pride.  
 
See You There.

About your host

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Angelina Pratt