Ep. 31: Breaking Cycles, Building Legacies with Drezus

This conversation with Drezus (Jeremiah Manitopyes) gets real. He takes us through his journey—from rising in the Indigenous hip hop scene to reclaiming his power through sobriety, fatherhood, and ceremony. Raised in the city but spiritually rooted in his culture, Drezus shares how reconnecting with the Land and working with youth has become his deepest source of inspiration. Whether he’s jumping into rivers with his kids or sitting by the fire in remote Cree communities, he paints a picture of healing that comes from stillness, presence, and remembering who you are. He reflects on how disconnection from Land contributed to depression, addiction, and anxiety—and how going back to the Land sparked a primal shift in him that influenced both his art and his parenting.But he doesn't stop at speaking on personal healing—he discusses accountability and dismantling toxic masculinity. Drezus unpacks how colonialism shaped distorted ideas of manhood, and how too many Native men are taught to extract instead of nurture. He owns his past, talks openly about the shame, the jail time, the addiction, and what it took to unlearn those harmful patterns. Through sweat lodges, community, and building emotional capacity, he’s redefining what it means to be a strong Indigenous man. He offers space for his brothers to do the same—by calling them in, not out. Drezus reminds us that healing is possible, masculinity can be redefined, and Land holds the key to both.BioDrezus is a force in Indigenous hip-hop. An Anishinaabe/Nehiyaw artist based in Mohkinstis, he blends raw lyricism with cultural resilience, crafting music that moves, empowers, and inspires. His journey started with Team Rezofficial, earning a JUNO nomination and multiple Indigenous music awards. As a solo artist, his 2013 album Redwinter became a rallying cry for the Idle No More movement, followed by Indian Summer, cementing his influence in the scene. Drezus has won major accolades, including the 2022 SOCAN Vince Fontaine Indigenous Song Award, a 2017 MTV VMA with Taboo (Black Eyed Peas), and four Indigenous Music Awards in 2015. He’s shared stages with hip-hop giants like Drake, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, and The Black Eyed Peas, bridging Indigenous and mainstream music worlds. Beyond music, Drezus is making waves in film and TV, with appearances in Yellowstone and contributions to powerful soundtracks. His latest release, Ballad of Bobby Jones featuring Sebastian Gaskin, keeps his signature storytelling alive—unapologetic, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted in his culture. IG: @drezusWebsite: www.drezus.com-Relentless Reflection:What survival strategies have I inherited that now block my capacity to feel, connect, or love deeply?Who in my life might need to be invited into a healing space to be a witness?Relentless Action:Create a space this week where you can safely feel your emotions without distraction—no phone, no alcohol, no numbing. Sit with discomfort, not as weakness, but as a doorway to healing.Reach out to a friend, especially if you’re a cis man, and have a real conversation. Share something uncomfortable, and ask them how they're really doing. Normalize that kind of intimacy.Relentless Resources:From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks Send Us a Text with Your Thoughts or Questions!Join the RIW Patreon Community RIW WebsiteMusic Produced by Award-Winning Anishnaabe DJ Boogey the Beat