Ep. 66: Singing the Spirit Home: Language, Legacy, and Love with Fawn Wood

Beyond the stage and the following: A raw conversation with Fawn Wood about the realities  of sharing your art with the world.In this episode, Dr. Candace Manitopyes connects with Fawn Wood, a celebrated Plains Cree and Salish musician, to discuss the intersection of ancestral traditions, modern digital culture, and the healing power of music. The two women laugh about the weird, small-world connections of the internet and bond over the fact that, despite their public profiles, they’re both just trying to find a bit of genuine peace in an increasingly loud world.Candace and Fawn peel back the layers of what it means to be public figures in a digital age. Fawn opens up about the vulnerability of sharing her music—how it’s a spirit that travels from one soul to another, offering medicine to anyone listening, even those outside their own communities. They get real about the "outrage economy" of social media, admitting that while it used to sting, they’ve both become veterans at protecting their energy. It’s a collective lesson in knowing when to step back, hit the block button, and redirect their focus toward things that actually nurture growth rather than hostility.There’s a refreshing honesty when the talk shifts to the raw, human side of their lives—like needing to blast heavy metal to work through ancestral rage, or simply taking a long drive to let the spirit settle. They bond over the necessity of creating a true sanctuary at home, a safe haven where children can grow up without inheriting the heavy, unspoken baggage of the past. The conversation feels less like an interview and more like a shared commitment to a better future. They circle back to the teaching of living in good relation, acknowledging that while the world can be full of noise and hurt, there’s immense power in choosing kindness and intention. It’s a quiet reminder that their work is built on the hope of paving a path that is just a little bit softer and kinder for the next generation.-Relentless ActionsThey two women become veterans at protecting their peace, and you should be too. Take an audit of your online space today—if a platform, a group, or an account is feeding the outrage economy rather than offering connection, exercise your power. Use the block button unapologetically. Your peace is not a performance, and your attention is the most valuable currency you have.Ancestral rage is real, and it needs a place to go. Don’t let it sit in your body or explode into a rage-post that you’ll regret later. Find your physical alchemy—whether it’s blasting heavy metal, going for a long drive, or hitting the pavement for a run. Move the energy through you until your spirit settles, then return to your life with a clear head.Relentless ReflectionsAsk yourself throughout your day: Is the energy I am putting into this room, this relationship, or this screen fostering connection or creating hostility? We often talk about living in good relation as a theory, but it’s a daily practice of checking your intention before you speak or hit enter. Are you building up, or are you just tearing down?As you navigate your day, reflect on what you are inadvertently passing on to the next generation. We are all unlearning patterns to build a better sanctuary for the ones coming after us. Ask yourself: What habits or reactions am I modelling right now that I would be proud for my children (or my community's youth) to inherit?Relentless ResourcesFollow Fawn Wood on Instagram and TikTok here: @fawnwoodSend Us a Text with Your Thoughts or Questions!Join the RIW Patreon Community RIW WebsiteMusic Produced by Award-Winning Anishnaabe DJ Boogey the Beat