Matriarch Movement

On Matriarch Movement, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild sets out to amplify Indigenous voices from Canada to Turtle Island and beyond. In her interviews, she highlights issues that Indigenous people face while challenging the mainstream narrative surrounding Indigenous identity. By showcasing Indigenous role models with a focus on our matriarchs and two spirit voices, language revitalization, sustainability, and reclamation, Shayla’s mission is to inspire the next seven generations.

  1. 4 days ago

    Songs of the Plants: Daniela Riojas on Medicine, Lineage & Reclaiming Confidence

    Matriarch Movement Podcast — Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation This episode, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild, sits down with Daniela Riojas — a medicine keeper, educator, musician, and artist whose roots stretch from the Coahuiltecan lands on the Texas-Mexico border to the Peruvian Amazon, where she trained under Shipibo and Ashaninka lineage holders and was initiated into ceremonial plant medicine work. Daniela is the founder of Indígena Medicina, creating sacred containers for healing rooted in Indigenous knowledge, plant medicine, and ceremony. Daniela and Shayla trace her path from growing up "siphoned" between two identities on the border, to activism in San Antonio, to the grief and long search that led her to her teachers in Peru. She opens up about her mother's passing and the ancestral womb work that initiated her deeper into her medicine path, what a dieta actually involves, and how Icaros - the songs of the plants - become a living technology for healing in ceremony. The conversation also turns practical: how to responsibly vet a ceremony facilitator amid the current plant-medicine boom, how she stays grounded through physical discipline and nutrition, and her advice for anyone trying to reconnect with lineage, land, or spirit when the elders and acces s aren't there. They close on matriarchy -Daniela's mother, her sisters, and the mentors who shaped how she leads with what she calls "heart-led advocacy." 01:11 — Guest introduction: Daniela Riojas, medicine keeper and founder of Indígena Medicina 02:31 — Daniela's roots: born in Eagle Pass, Texas, connected to the Coahuiltecan people 04:08 — Growing up "siphoned" between two identities on the Texas-Mexico border 05:31 — Activism in San Antonio and fighting for Indigenous voices in the story of the Alamo 07:00 — Shayla on fragmentation, residential schools, and reclaiming pride as a younger generation 08:00 — Daniela's advice for reconnecting to elders and spirit without direct access 12:39 — What a curandera is and how the term is used in her Peruvian lineage 15:21 — What a dieta actually involves — from 8 days to years-long processes 20:40 — Why she began dieting: her mother's passing and the womb work that followed 24:22 — Receiving the Icaros — the "songs of the plants" — as a form of coding technology 28:06 — How she holds the responsibility of space-holding without burning out 30:34 — Physical discipline and nutrition as grounding practices for ceremony work 34:19 — Navigating cultural appropriation and how to vet a ceremony facilitator 37:22 — Lateral violence and protocols for creating safety within community containers 41:47 — Daniela's mentorship for stepping into confidence, power, and self-expression 44:09 — Defining matriarchy: her mother, her sisters, and mentor Miriam Hosny 50:08 — Where to find Daniela: her website, Instagram, and upcoming European tour Follow Daniela Riojas at Intikhana for details on her mentorship, retreats, and upcoming tours. @danielariojas https://www.intikhana.com/ https://linktr.ee/danielariojas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Songs of the Plants: Daniela Riojas on Medicine, Lineage & Reclaiming Confidence
  2. 24 Aug

    Aysanabee on Sandy Lake, Residential School Healing & Becoming Indigenous Music's Next Global Voice

    Matriarch Movement Podcast — Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation Multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer-songwriter Aysanabee joins Shayla Oulette Stonechild on the Matriarch Movement podcast for a conversation that moves from a trailer with no electricity in rural Ontario to the Juno Awards stage. Aysanabee opens up about growing up between Sandy Lake First Nation and a series of small northern communities, teaching himself guitar in the forest as a kid, and working in remote mining camps from age 12 - including two near-death experiences with a bear, a wolf pack, and falling through frozen ice, a moment that pushed him to finally commit to music. He shares the story behind his Polaris-shortlisted, Juno Award–winning debut album - a project born from daily pandemic phone calls with his grandfather, a residential school survivor, that turned into recorded interviews and ultimately an album that helped his grandfather find peace before he passed. Aysanabee also talks about the $40 application fee that led to a record deal over a socially-distanced "Zoom dinner," playing 184 shows in a single year, the emotional weight of representing a national reckoning around residential schools, and his recent trip to Taiwan, where he discovered strikingly similar songs, dances, and reclamation journeys among Indigenous communities on the other side of the world. The conversation closes with his hopes for the future of Indigenous music including his dream of seeing a global Indigenous pop star and a preview of what's next as he heads into the mountains to write his follow-up to his latest release, Edge of the Earth. @_aysanabee_ https://www.aysanabee.com https://www.tiktok.com/@aysanabee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Aysanabee on Sandy Lake, Residential School Healing & Becoming Indigenous Music's Next Global Voice
  3. 10 Aug

    We Are the Land, the Land Is Us: Carrying Forward Talaysay Tours with Talaysay Campo

    Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation In this episode of the Matriarch Movement Podcast's Indigenous Voices of This Generation season, host Shayla sits down with the daughter and successor of Talaysay Tours' founder, — an Indigenous entrepreneur, wellness advocate, and keynote speaker whose work bridges culture, sustainability, tourism, and economic reconciliation. Raised on the Sunshine Coast and rooted in both the Squamish and Shíshálh Nations, she shares how a family teaching - "we are the land, and the land is us" - shaped her path from a barefoot kid at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park to running walking tours across Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler. The conversation traces the company's origin in 2001, growing up alongside her mother's entrepreneurial journey, the loss and revival of cultural knowledge after the Potlatch Ban and residential schools, and the little-known story of the Great Fire that shaped early Vancouver. She also opens up about building an Indigenous apparel line and skincare brand as extensions of cultural reclamation, what it means to mentor the next generation, and how she defines matriarchy in her own life and community. A conversation about land stewardship, intergenerational knowledge, and building Indigenous-led businesses that reflect who Indigenous people truly are. (00:00) Territorial acknowledgment and Season intro: Indigenous Voices of This Generation(01:06) Guest introduction with Talaysay Campo(02:12) Guest opens in language, shares ancestral village and territory(03:06) The guiding phrase: "We are the land, and the land is us"(05:04) How Talaysay Tours began in 2001 on the Sunshine Coast, growing up alongside the business(07:49) Childhood at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park; learning "sales" before she could spell(09:50) Going to business school at UBC, then joining the company full-time(12:35) The emotional and practical roots of starting a tour company as an Indigenous woman(14:03) Building community for cultural land ambassadors reconnecting with their nations (52+ guides hired since 2001)(17:30) On hierarchy vs. potlatch values in business partnerships(18:12) Company growth: from a family of 5 to 28 guides; new tour categories (Talking Trees, Spoken Treasures, Talking Totems, Salish Sea)(19:15) Healthcare-worker discounts and free tours as a form of reciprocity(21:01) What to expect on a Talking Trees tour; storytelling as the strongest teacher(24:42) The story of the Great Fire of Vancouver(31:15) The mission: helping guests feel grounded, redirected, and reconnected to the land(32:24) The bedtime story of Creator naming the trees — and why the Western Hemlock bows its head(34:29) Traditional medicinal uses of Western Hemlock and its role pre-contact(35:12) The Tem Cloud herring ceremony and its return after 120+ years(38:53) On Indigenous futurism: returning to original ways of caretaking and stewardship(41:08) Community touchpoints: Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, Squamish Nation Powwow, Bill Reid Gallery(42:15) Advice for Indigenous entrepreneurs: asking for community help, values as a compass(44:36) Lessons from touring in New Zealand and witnessing land-first tourism models(47:50) 2026 goals: healthcare industry partnerships, wellness and movement offerings, getting cultural teachings into school textbooks(54:54) Defining matriarchy: presence, truth-telling, and service to community(57:07) Closing thanks and where to find tours, skincare, and apparel @talaysay_campo @nenaglacial https://www.talaysay.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    We Are the Land, the Land Is Us: Carrying Forward Talaysay Tours with Talaysay Campo
  4. 27 Jul

    Rueben George — Healing the Land, Healing the Self

    Season 6: Indigenous Voices of This Generation In this powerful episode of the Matriarch Movement Podcast, host Shayla Oulette-Stonechild sits down with Rueben George — writer, activist, Sundance Chief, and grandson of the legendary Chief Dan George. A member of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, Rueben spent over a decade leading the fight against the Trans Mountain Pipeline on his nation’s unceded territory, a journey documented in his national bestseller It Stops Here: Standing Up for Our Lands, Our Waters, and Our People, co-written with Michael Simpson. This conversation moves through Rueben’s family legacy and the intergenerational trauma of residential schools, his path to sobriety at 25 through ceremony, and the spiritual framework — enlightenment, reciprocity, and responsibility — that grounds his activism. He speaks candidly about building the Tsleil-Waututh Sacred Trust’s legal case against Kinder Morgan, his philosophy on economic sovereignty and choosing business partners, and his belief that colonization succeeds by disconnecting people from spirit. The episode closes with a rare, honest conversation about his psychedelic healing work — including his collaboration with Dr. Gabor Maté — and how his team has guided hundreds of residential school survivors and community members through ceremonial healing, bringing ancient teachings and modern medicine together to address trauma “as it happens.” A conversation about land defense, sobriety, lineage, and the spirit that connects them all. Rueben's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Stops-Here-Standing-Waters-People/dp/0735242801 Medicine Movie: https://medicine.movie @ruebengeorge4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 30 Mar

    From Prison to Purpose: How Sean Rayland Built Red Rebel Armour

    Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Sean Rayland Boubar, the founder of Red Rebel Armour, an Indigenous-owned streetwear brand and social justice business. Sean shares his transformative journey from being a gang member to becoming an entrepreneur focused on social impact. He discusses the importance of mentorship, cultural identity, and the challenges he faced while building his business. He highlights the the mission of Red Rebel Armour to create employment opportunities and reduce recidivism, while also addressing systemic barriers that affect Indigenous individuals. Sean envisions a hopeful future for Indigenous communities, where traditional values are integrated into modern life, fostering a sense of belonging and support. More about Sean Rayland: Sean Rayland (he/him) is the owner of Red Rebel Armour, an Indigenous-led streetwear brand with a social mission. It aims to reduce recidivism by offering paid on-the-job training to those reentering the community from the criminal justice system. This initiative has significantly aided formerly incarcerated individuals in rebuilding their lives, fostering healing and empowerment. Red Rebel Armour integrates Anishinaabe culture into contemporary streetwear, forming a unique and impactful style that celebrates Indigenous identity and pride. The brand not only focuses on fashion but also on social impact, helping community members overcoming barriers to employment post-incarceration. It appeals to those who value Indigenous culture, authenticity, social responsibility, and artistic expression.Offering a diverse clothing line that fuses Anishinaabe motifs with streetwear designs, Red Rebel Armour collaborates with Indigenous artists, designers, and activists. These collaborations result in limited-edition collections that elevate Indigenous voices and generate economic opportunities within Indigenous communities. https://redrebelarmour.ca/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    From Prison to Purpose: How Sean Rayland Built Red Rebel Armour
  6. 16 Mar

    Osamuskwasis: From $500 to Vogue

    Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Osamuskwasis, a Cree and Dene fashion designer. She discusses her journey in fashion, starting beadwork at age seven, and launching her brand in 2020 with $500. She emphasizes the importance of patience and cultural connections in her work that have been passed down through generations.  Together, Shayla and Osamuskwasis explore the deeper meaning of Indigenous fashion - not simply as clothing, but as a living expression of culture, healing, and sovereignty. From honoring hunters and warriors through her latest collection to dreaming of collaborations with global brands, her story is one of resilience, creativity, and matriarchal strength. More About Osamuskwasis: https://osamuskwasis.com/ https://www.instagram.com/osamuskwasis/https://www.vogue.com/article/osamuskwasis-roan-indigenous-fashion-designer Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Osamuskwasis: From $500 to Vogue
  7. 2 Mar

    Angel Aubichon and Indi City: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

    Host Shayla Oulette Stonechild interviews Angel Aubichon, co-founder of Indi City, a brand rooted in cultural heritage and Indigenous economic sovereignty. Angel discusses her journey from beadwork to tech regalia, incorporating wearable tech into traditional regalia. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling and cultural resurgence. Angel shares her challenges, including domestic abuse and scaling her business sustainably. She plans to relaunch her website in 2026 and expand her product line, emphasizing women in leadership roles. Shayla reflects on her journey as an Indigenous entrepreneur, inspired by a 2020 vision. More About Angel Aubichon: Angel Aubichon is a Cree/Metis woman from the Peepeekisis Cree Nation. Angel was born and raised in northern Saskatchewan and is currently residing in Calgary, AB. In her work, Angel is working to shift the current paradigm of Indigenous people and create a new perspective of the modern Indigenous person, using her experience as a  urban native woman who grew up on the Rez, amalgamating her experiences. Currently Angel is working with partner Alex Manitopyes, towards building Indi City, a social enterprise consisting of an online store offering authentic Indigenous beadwork, custom visual design, community and storytelling.  Currently they operate as an online community that is working towards rebranding the image of Indigenous Peoples’ from a first person perspective. https://www.instagram.com/indi_city/ Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast! If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five star review on your favourite podcast app! Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/shayla0h/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find more about Matriarch Movement at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://matriarchmovement.ca/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Angel Aubichon and Indi City: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

About

On Matriarch Movement, host Shayla Oulette Stonechild sets out to amplify Indigenous voices from Canada to Turtle Island and beyond. In her interviews, she highlights issues that Indigenous people face while challenging the mainstream narrative surrounding Indigenous identity. By showcasing Indigenous role models with a focus on our matriarchs and two spirit voices, language revitalization, sustainability, and reclamation, Shayla’s mission is to inspire the next seven generations.

More From Women in Media Network

You Might Also Like