Harleys, Canoes & Jingle Dresses: A Journey to Freedom

In this powerful and intimate episode of Real Native Roots: Untold Stories, Vickie sits with Ojibwe leader, culture-bearer, and newly appointed President & CEO of First Peoples Fund, Tina Kuckkahn. Together, they explore the teachings that shaped her: her grandparents’ wisdom, the Seven Teachings, the prayerful reminder of “tobacco first,” and the deep spiritual ties to land, water, and ancestry. Tina shares the story of the Seventh Fire Jiimaan (Canoe) Journey, a multi-year effort to retrace the Anishinaabe migration by water—a journey of courage, prophecy, relational leadership, and reconnection. They speak about motherhood, ceremony, free will, and navigating life with faith. And, in true auntie fashion, Tina brings joy and humor as she talks about rediscovering freedom on her Harley and remembering the dreams we sometimes defer. This conversation is medicine—gentle, wise, grounded—and an invitation to listen inward, honor your place, and walk your path with intention. #RealNativeRoots #UntoldStories #NativePodcast #IndigenousPodcast #NativeVoices #IndigenousKnowledge #HarleyWomen #TwoWheelFreedom #NativeRiders #TobaccoFirst #AllCreationStoriesAreTrue #TinaKuckkahn