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★★★★★

4.8

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124 reviews

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Named one of Audible's Best Canadian Podcasts of 2025. Join Rosanna Deerchild every Friday for vibrant conversations with our cousins, aunties, elders and heroes. Rosanna guides us on the path to better understanding our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations. Our award-winning show is rooted in radio, where we’ve spent the last decade becoming a trusted space for Indigenous-led conversations. We are based in what is now known as Canada. Rosanna hails from O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation at South Indian Lake in northern Manitoba, and now lives and works in Winnipeg (Treaty 1).

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Reframing history by reconnecting relatives through archival photos

2026/04/17

In 2010, a researcher placed an ad in the Lakota Times that read, “Looking for information about mystery woman,” with a 19th century black and white photograph. In the centre of the image, a young Indigenous woman stood surrounded by six men in military uniform. The search for information identified the woman as Sophie Mousseau and led to one of her descendents, Daphne Richards-Cook. This week, Rosanna hears how reconnecting Indigenous people with their unnamed relatives in archival photos is helping reframe our understanding of history.

Why A Minor Chorus is a book that builds bridges

2026/04/10

Every year Canada Reads chooses one book that everyone should read right now – and it’s a series of great debates that gets us there! In this live recording of Unreserved, Rosanna speaks with Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers and Billy-Ray Belcourt about why Billy-Ray’s A Minor Chorus is THE book for our present time. The story follows a queer Cree man, an academic and writer, who returns to his home community in northern Alberta after a long time away.

Two poets - rooted in land, language, and memory

2026/04/02

The sight of 191 wild horses pinned in mud is hard to picture and so Jake Skeets turned to poetry. As he learned more about the tragic scene, it became a metaphor for the current climate crisis and its impact on all walks and ways of life. Rosanna speaks with Jake Skeets and Louise Bernice Halfe Sky Dancer about the language of poetry and why its power is so needed today.

Keep saying her name: the search for Kadin Savikataaq

2026/03/27

They searched for months until the snow came but could not find her. Now, as the weather warms and the ice melts, the community of Arviat renews its search for Kadin Savikataaq. In August 2024, the 20-year-old pilot and experienced hunter disappeared almost without a trace. RCMP say she most likely drowned, but Kadin’s family believes she was murdered and buried somewhere near their village. Guest host, Juanita Taylor, hears from family and friends about what happened the night Kadin disappeared and why their searches through harsh weather and rugged terrain will continue until they find her.

Adam Sturgeon on disconnection, reconnection and finding home

2026/03/21

“Boozhoo” means hello in Anishinaabemowin. For Adam Sturgeon, that simple greeting, written in a card he received from his Auntie when he was 10-years old, kickstarted a lifelong quest to reclaim his Anishinaabe identity. Adam speaks with Rosanna about his journey of reconnection and finding belonging and how it's driven him to learn more about his family history.

Sacred Seven: Sabe brings humility, honesty and harmony

2026/03/14

Istiyehe, Imoitapi and Sabe are just some of the names Indigenous nations across Turtle Island call Bigfoot or Sasquatch. But who is Sabe really? To some Indigenous people they’re regarded as a relative, others a spiritual guide. Rosanna hears how Sabe teaches us to reflect on our relationship with ourselves and the land to bring lessons of honesty.

Indigenous Juno Nominees on Culture, Community, and the songs that shape them

2026/03/06

What do you get when you blend traditional Mi’kmaq songs with Celtic fiddle music? Mi’kmaltic! Morgan Toney draws inspiration from his Elders, family and community and brings the fusion genre across the country. Now he’s on the road to the Junos. This week Rosanna speaks with three musicians on the way to the Junos about how their music led them to community, connection and ceremony.

Susan Aglukark on the before and after of childhood trauma

2026/02/27

“We need to spend time on beautiful memories” says Inuk musician and humanitarian about her life growing up in the small fly-in community of Arviat, Nunavut. Susan speaks with guest host, Juanita Taylor about healing from childhood sexual abuse and how it inspires her work with Inuit youth through the Arctic Rose Foundation.

Elders find hope in the next generation of dog mushers

2026/02/20

She spent 4 days camped out on the land the last time a litter of puppies were born. That’s the kind of commitment 15 year-old Sophia Johnston has toward her dog team. We hear how she is bringing back the almost-lost tradition of dog sled teams in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut with the help of elders and long-time mushers like Harry Towtongie and John McLeod.

Connecting community across generations and beyond borders through sport

2026/02/13

In Haida Gwaii, Basketball is more than a game – and the Skidegate Saints reign supreme. Their team is a source of pride for players and fans alike. Front row tickets even pass down through family wills. Guest host, Falen Johnson hears how their games are a cornerstone of community and make space for intergenerational connections.

Remembering Ian Ross: How humour and an "everyman" approach changed storytelling on stage

2026/01/30

Ojibwe-Métis playwright Ian Ross brought the stage to the rez and put the rez on the stage in his Governor award-winning play FareWel. He harnessed the power of storytelling through his many plays and fiercely encouraged Indigenous creatives to do the same by sharing their own stories. Rosanna hears from Ian’s friends, family and colleagues about how they’ll carry his memory and legacy into the future.

Greenlandic Inuit and their fight for independence

2026/01/23

Inuit activists call for an independent Greenland – that means freedom from Denmark and the United States. Amidst the latest threats by the US to acquire Greenland, Inuit are speaking out and calling for good relations as an independent player on the world stage. Rosanna hears from Inuit across the Arctic about the defense of culture, language and sovereignty.

Teachers and learners who are saving Indigenous languages

2026/01/16

A winter count is history in pictures. But a 200 year-old notebook written in the Lakota language shows just how important the written word can also be. Around the globe communities are recognizing the invaluable role language plays in holding and sharing our people’s stories. Many languages are so at risk that the UN declared the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to raise awareness and mobilize communities. Halfway through that decade, Rosanna hears from language learners and speakers who are reclaiming and revitalizing their languages.

The Art and Heart of Collaboration

2026/01/09

It’s a sacred gift to tell the stories that we carry – that’s one of the lessons Tanya Talaga shares with emerging writers. Rosanna speaks with the award-winning author and other creatives about how they lift each other up by creating safe spaces, supporting each other’s art and offering opportunity and mentorship to the next generation.

Wisdom from Indigenous authors guiding us into the new year

2026/01/05

Reconnecting with language, family and culture is a journey without a map. It's one Melissa Powless Day has been walking through and sharing about in her poetry as she seeks reconnection and belonging. We also reflect on lessons and wisdom shared from Indigenous authors Rosanna has spoken with to help us move into the new year.

Podcast reviews

Read Unreserved podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

124 reviews

★★★★★

Tam-era 2025/04/18

Thank You

Thank you Rosanna for your diligence, openness, and caring for not just your community but the human community as a whole. I am a faithful listener a...

★★★★★

Xbiiyee 2021/11/19

Listening to Relatives

The first episode had me in tears, then feeling strong and connected; Love this podcast, good medicine here! The interviews are wonderful and it was l...

★★★★★

The Page Master 2021/06/04

Insightful and Informative

I have respect for this podcast. I am Native American myself on my mother’s side she has ancestors that are Sioux I’m white with blue eyes and blonde ...

★★★★★

Yoda963 2021/01/05

Thank you!

Powerful, meaningful, and insightful

★★★★★

Latho717 2020/09/14

New Season

Falen will be a wonderful host, I am looking forward to another enlightening season.

★★★★★

jeancarr 2019/10/12

Deep Appreciation

Wonderful, wonderful... stories, news, art, language... modern culture and honest histories- thank you! I look forward to each episode.

★★☆☆☆

A Classic 'Record' 2020/05/02

Disappointing

I believe this topic is important and I wanted to learn more about it, but I couldn’t connect to the podcast; the format & host doesn’t captivate at a...

★★★★★

Dark Spiral Dance 2016/08/28

Stories of North America

The host introduces us to people who aren’t the extinct subjects of sad, historical footnotes; but part of vibrant, active, forward-looking cultures. ...

★★★★★

Cheaptrick-roadie-trucker 2015/08/31

Enlightening and entertaining

A well balanced mix of stories of Indigenous people in Canada

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