The Native Room Podcast

This week on The Native Room, hosts Julian Thomas and Cody Trottier sit down with Indigenous hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Phat Homie for one of the rawest conversations yet. We talk about: ▪️ Growing up and life experiences ▪️ Gang life and the realities behind it ▪️ Leaving that lifestyle behind ▪️ Music, survival, and personal growth ▪️ Building Gill-T Records and what it represents ▪️ The struggles and lessons of the Indigenous music scene ▪️ Brotherhood, loyalty, betrayal, and healing ▪️ The future goals and vision for his movement This episode is funny, real, emotional, and unfiltered — exactly what The Native Room is about. No scripted Hollywood answers. Just real conversations from real Indigenous voices. 🎤 WHERE NATIVE VOICES ARE HEARD 🎤 Make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to support the movement and help us bring more powerful Indigenous stories and conversations to the platform. 📺 Watch more episodes here: The Native Room YouTube Channel 🎧 Stream The Native Room on all major podcast platforms: The Native Room Official Website 🎵 Follow and support Phat Homie’s music and videos online.

This week on The Native Room, we sit down with comedian, actor, and all-around entertainer Conway Kootenay, also known as Smudge Pan. Known for his hilarious takes on everyday Native life, Conway brings the laughs—but also the real stories behind the man. We get into his journey growing up, how he found comedy, and what pushed him to step into acting and performing. Conway also shares the story behind the name Smudge Pan and how that persona took off. We tap into the history and impact of Red Power Squad, their influence on Native hip hop culture, and how movement, music, and identity all come together. From there, we talk about the importance of inspiring Indigenous youth—especially young men—to find their path, stay grounded in who they are, and push forward no matter where they come from. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Native Room without some laughs—so expect funny stories, real talk, and those moments that only Native people will truly understand.

On this episode of The Native Room, we sit down with Dakota House, best known for his role on North of 60, to talk about his journey from television to real-life impact in Indigenous communities. We get into: Life during and after North of 60 His program Going M.I.L.E.S. and the work being done with youth Inspiring Indigenous men and breaking generational cycles Real conversations about healing, fatherhood, and accountability This episode is honest, powerful, and needed. If you’re looking for real talk, real stories, and real impact—this is one you don’t want to miss. For Bookings and more info: www.goingmiles.org We are now on all streaming platforms, please visit: www.thenativeroom.com Email us at: [email protected]

In this episode of The Native Room, we break down some of the most common Native stereotypes and put them to the test — true or false. From rez life assumptions to city Native realities, we get into the jokes, the misconceptions, and the ones that actually hit a little too close to home. Nothing is off limits — we’re talking about what people think about us, what we think about ourselves, and where those ideas really come from. Some of it is funny. Some of it is real. And some of it needs to be called out. This episode is all about perspective — whether you grew up on the rez, in the city, or somewhere in between, you’re going to relate to at least a few of these. Unfiltered. Honest. And a little bit reckless. Welcome to The Native Room.

In this episode of The Native Room Podcast, we talk about what it really means to chase success as Indigenous men—especially when you weren’t given the blueprint. Growing up in environments where entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ownership weren’t commonly taught, many of us had to learn the hard way. We discuss coming from poverty, figuring things out on our own, and turning street lessons, hustle, and survival into real business and creative opportunities. We also talk about how success isn’t always celebrated in our communities, the pressures Indigenous men face to choose “safe” jobs instead of chasing big ideas, and why more Indigenous men need to step into entrepreneurship, leadership, and building something from the ground up.

Episode 5 – Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) In this episode of The Native Room, we talk about the serious and ongoing issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). As two Indigenous men, we share our perspectives, thoughts, and questions around the movement, the awareness being raised, and how it affects our communities. We discuss how much of what we know about MMIP comes through social media, the conversations happening online, and the impact it has on Indigenous families and communities across the country. We also talk honestly about the role men play in these conversations, the challenges of understanding the issue more deeply, and how many Indigenous men are trying to learn, listen, and be part of positive change. This episode isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about having real conversations, acknowledging the issue, and encouraging more awareness and accountability within our communities.

In this episode, we talk about our personal journeys into music — how we first got started, the early shows we performed at, and the experiences that shaped who we became as artists. We break down our influences growing up and how hip-hop culture played a major role in our lives, not just the music but the lifestyle around it. We get into the impact of hip-hop in Native communities, from rapping and performing to elements like breakdancing and the culture that came with it. We also highlight other Indigenous artists in hip-hop and music who helped open doors and inspired us along the way. This episode is about where it all began, how the culture reached our communities, and how music gave us a voice, confidence, and identity. Real stories, real memories, and a look at how hip-hop became part of our lives.

In this episode of The Native Room, we have an honest conversation about what it means to be Native men in today’s world. We talk masculinity, identity, healing, fatherhood, and the pressures Native men face in modern society — at work, in relationships, and within our communities. This isn’t about pretending we have it all figured out. It’s about real experiences, real growth, and real conversations. From breaking unhealthy cycles to redefining strength, we talk about how culture, accountability, and self-awareness play a role in becoming better men — for ourselves, our families, and the next generation.

What does it really mean to grow up Native—on the rez, in the city, or somewhere in between? In this episode of The Native Room, Jules Thomas and Cody Trottier dive into the lived realities of rez life versus city life, unpacking the stereotypes, assumptions, and identity policing that many Indigenous people face. From code-switching and being told you’re “not Native enough,” to leaving home for opportunity and carrying guilt, this conversation explores how different environments shape us—without dividing us. This episode challenges the idea that there’s only one way to be Indigenous and reminds us that trauma isn’t a competition, identity isn’t a checklist, and belonging isn’t determined by a postal code. Rez or city—we’re still carrying the same history.

The Native Room is a space for real Native conversations. Hosted by Jules Thomas and Cody Trottier, the podcast dives into culture, music, stories, life, and everything in between.