EP 3: Abducted for Being Indigenous: The Truth About Canada’s Residential Schools

What do you do when the government takes you from your family at five years old and you spend 13 years trying to find your way back to yourself?In this episode of The Chair, Angus Cockney shares his journey as an Inuit man from the Western Arctic who was taken from his home and placed in Canada's residential school system. From losing his language and culture to finding freedom on a pair of skis, this conversation explores trauma, identity, faith, and the quiet strength it takes to turn pain into purpose.In this conversation:Why being stripped of your name and given a number stays with you for lifeHow losing your family at five years old teaches you to distrust — and what it takes to learn to trust againWhat the residential school system was really designed to do and who gave the orderThe story of three boys who ran across the Arctic tundra trying to find their way home How one priest's belief in Angus changed the entire direction of his lifeWhy money alone will never heal what was broken in Indigenous communitiesWhat real reconciliation looks like when it moves from words into actionHow Angus went from feeling like nobody to becoming a national champion and a voice for his peopleIf this episode opened your eyes, share it with someone who needs to hear this story.—-------------------------------------------------------------ABOUT ANGUS COCKNEYAngus Cockney is an Inuit sculptor, multimedia artist, speaker, and former national cross-country skiing champion from Tuktoyaktuk in Canada’s Western Arctic. A residential school survivor, Angus has spent years sharing his experiences to help educate others on Indigenous history, healing, and reconciliation. Through art, storytelling, and community engagement, he continues to advocate for understanding, resilience, and meaningful dialogue. You can reach out to Angus through:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anguscockney Website: https://www.icewalker.com (Personal)               https://www.icewalkercanada.blogspot.com (Blog)                 ABOUT JIDELADIPO-AJAYI Jide Ladipo Ajayi is a transformational leader and host of The Chair, a podcast about resilience, leadership, and the moments that redefine us. Through thoughtful and honest conversations, he explores the human stories behind success, adversity, and personal growth. Drawing from years of experience leading change and developing people. Jide brings curiosity, empathy, and insight to conversations that inspire reflection and growth. You can reach out to Jide through:Website: https://www.thechairmedia.com  ABOUT THE CHAIRThe Chair is where real conversations happen.Not the highlight reel. Not the polished version of success. The moments that actually changed everything — the ones that shaped who we are when no one is watching.Hosted by Jide Ladipo-Ajayi, while still recovering from brain surgery, The Chair was never about content. It was about necessity. About finding meaning in the hardest moments and creating a space where others could do the same.Every guest who sits in The Chair comes with a story worth hearing. No pressure to perform. No script. Just honest conversation with real depth.Because the stories that change us are rarely the ones we planned to tell.Listen. Reflect. Be changed.To know more about The Chair you can visit the links below:Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechairmedia Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0s0Vudb8QRMbXp9fOgSJiiFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576450270469#Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechairmedia/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thechairmediaX: https://x.com/thechairmediaApple:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-chair/id1896831890