Tsilhqot’in Radio

Health Yalhtɨg (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we sit down with Geraldine Charleyboy Elkins, who was born and raised in Tŝideldel First Nation and currently manages an emergency medical response team serving Tŝilhqot’in communities and surrounding areas. She completed her Primary Care Paramedic training at the Justice Institute in Kelowna and has worked as a paramedic for 13 years. In the fourth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Geraldine talks with us about how to recognize medical emergencies, what community members can do while waiting for EMR teams to arrive, and common situations such as cardiac arrest, accidents, allergic reactions, and drug toxicity overdoses. She also shares practical tips on being proactive by keeping important medical information written down and stored in a safe place for EMRs to access when needed.  

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we sit down with Bruce Baptiste from the Tŝideldel First Nation, who is a Cultural Ambassador for Denisiqi Services Society and serves on Band Council for the Tŝideldel First Nation. In the fifth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Bruce speaks with us about the sweat lodge ceremony and the mental and spiritual healing it can bring. A Residential School Survivor, Bruce, was introduced to sweat lodge ceremonies in 2010 and now helps organize ceremonies across Tŝilhqot’in communities and beyond, continuing a tradition that has supported healing in the Nation for generations.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we’re joined again by Bruce Baptiste from the Tŝideldel First Nation to talk about men’s mental health. In the seventh episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Bruce shares different ways men in our communities can find support in their healing journeys, including through sweat lodge ceremonies, time on the land like fishing and hunting, and recreational activities such as sports. We also talk about how many men tend to keep their struggles to themselves, and how that can lead them down difficult paths. As a Residential School Survivor, Bruce speaks to the lifelong impacts of abuse and trauma, and the importance of finding healthy ways to heal, connect, and move forward.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we sit down with Dorothy Myers from Yuneŝit’in, who brings decades of experience conducting sweat lodge ceremonies in the Tŝilhqot’in, after first becoming involved in the practice in 1979. In the eighth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Dorothy speaks about the importance of sweat lodge ceremonies in supporting women’s mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. She also shares valuable teachings on the protocols women should follow when attending sweat lodge, including during important phases of life such as moon time, pregnancy, or after the loss of a loved one, helping ensure these sacred practices are carried out with respect and care within our communities.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we sit down with Sharon Primeau, a respected Matriarch from the Tŝideldel First Nation. From a young age, Sharon grew up listening to her mother and Elders share stories about the healing power of plants and berries, which sparked a lifelong passion for natural medicine and traditional healing practices. She later became President of the British Columbia Wildcrafting Society and has travelled throughout the province connecting with different communities and traditional healers to continue expanding her knowledge in this field. In the ninth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Sharon shares teachings on traditional medicines and how they can be used to help support healing for a variety of symptoms and overall wellness within our communities.

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.    Join us for our very first episode if Tŝilhqot’in Matriarch’s where our host interviews Tŝilhqot’in National Government very own executive director Jenny Philbrick! Jenny is a Tŝilhqot’in Matriarch from the Tl’etinqox community. In this episode we discuss topics of school and education, family, what it means to be a Matriarch in her perspective.

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.    In this episode of Tŝilhqot’in Matriarch’s, we chat with Talia Baptiste, a proud Tsilhqot’in woman from Tsideldel and Tl’etinqox and the new Women’s Council Manager. She shares what it’s like balancing youth and leadership while working for the Nation, along with her love for travel, music, and concerts that keep her grounded. Talia talks about the strength she draws from the young children in her life, the importance of uplifting youth, and the powerful matriarchal leadership shaping our communities today. It’s a real conversation about growth, culture, and stepping into responsibility in a good way for future generations.

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.    In this episode, we talk with Geraldine Elkins, an emergency response paramedic who brings a powerful perspective on leadership, care, and matriarchal strength. She shares her journey through education and what it took to step into the healthcare field, along with the realities of her work and what her role truly involves. Geraldine speaks about what it means to serve as a healthcare worker for her own community — the responsibility, the emotional strength it requires, and the deep care that comes with the job. This conversation highlights women in leadership, the importance of knowledge and training, and showing up for your people in some of their most critical moments.

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.    In this episode, we sit down with Ashton Harry, a dedicated leader from Tl’etinqox who wears many hats with strength and intention. Alongside her main work, she also runs a consulting business in her free time, while still making space for the land, berry picking, and staying connected to culture. Ashton shares what it’s like being in leadership while going to school and bringing those skills back to serve her community. Holding the role of one of only two women on Chief and Council in Tl’etinqox, she speaks honestly about the challenges and triumphs of working for your own people, stepping into new roles, and finding the paths you’re meant to walk. It’s a conversation about growth, responsibility, and women holding leadership while staying grounded in who they are and where they come from.  

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In the first episode of Health Yalhtɨg, we sit down with Judy Ventry to talk about addiction and mental wellness in our surrounding communities and within the Tŝilhqot’in Nation. She currently works as a Project Manager with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government’s Healing and Wellness Centre. Judy brings over 16 years of experience as a volunteer supporting addiction and recovery programs within her community. This conversation explores the realities of recovery, the importance of community support, and the role of culturally informed approaches in healing and wellness. Together, we reflect on how open dialogue and shared knowledge can support healthier futures for our people.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we sit down with Ellen Williams, the Team Lead for the Mental Health Department at the Tŝilhqot’in National Government. She’s been supporting Tŝilhqot’in communities as a mental health counsellor since 2014 and now oversaw a team of five clinicians working directly in community. In the second episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Ellen talks with us about mental health and some of the common challenges our communities face, including trauma, and the importance of having accessible, culturally informed support systems in place.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.   In this episode, we sit down with Shona Myers from Yuneŝit’in Government, a proud graduate of Thompson Rivers University where she earned her nursing license. She has been working with the Tŝilhqot’in National Government since 2023. In the third episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Shona talks with us about diabetes in our communities and across the Nation, including the different types of diabetes, ways to manage it, and where community members can go locally to get tested and find support.

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.                         This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.    In this episode, we spend time with a deeply respected elder Joanna Solomon, whose life has been centered around culture, family, and community. She was raised closely with traditional teachings and continues to live by those practices every day, staying connected to the land, ceremony, and the ways passed down through generations.                                                                                            She’s a natural caregiver and has helped raise many children throughout her life — even caring for her own grandparents — showing what real intergenerational love and strength look like. Her stories, guidance, and quiet wisdom reflect a lifetime of resilience, patience, and heart. This conversation is a beautiful reminder of how important Elders are as knowledge keepers, teachers, and the foundation of our communities.    

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.  In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Solomon, a Tŝilhqot’in rapper from Xeni Gwet’in, whose music blends hip hop, reggaeton, pop, and Indigenous influence. She talks about the powerful matriarchs in her life, the lessons they passed down, and how those teachings shape both her voice and her path. Rebecca shares why speaking up and creating safe spaces matters, especially for youth, and how she hopes to inspire others to do the same. Growing up surrounded by music, she walks us through parts of her journey as an artist, how her sound has evolved. We also get into her upcoming album and what it was like filming her latest music video. This conversation is about culture, confidence, expression, and using your voice in a good way.

The Matriarchs Podcast is a storytelling space created to uplift Indigenous women and honor the matriarchs who shape our families, communities, and futures. Through heartfelt conversations, we sit with women in many different roles—mothers, caregivers, artists, leaders, knowledge-keepers, advocates, and professionals—to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom.This podcast is rooted in community, connection, and respect. It is about creating a safe space where women feel seen, valued, and heard, while strengthening intergenerational bonds and celebrating the many forms of Indigenous womanhood and leadership. Above all, the Matriarchs Podcast exists to uplift women’s voices, preserve their stories, and inspire others through the power of shared lived experience.  In this episode we highlight the strength of Tsilhqot’in youth, the power of matriarchal teachings, and how culture shapes identities by interviewing Tsilhqot’in youth Sierra William.  Sierra shares how growing up with her grandmother influenced her path, how dancing became an expression of pride, resilience, and belonging, and what it means to carry different dance styles with discipline and heart. She also discusses about living a sober lifestyle, reclaiming identity through culture, and finding strength in community. From the dance grounds to experiences connected with the United Nations, this conversation is a reminder that our youth carry deep wisdom, leadership, and hope for the generations to come.