Talking with Sarah Midanik from the DWF
jD, Pete, and Tim are in learning mode as they speak with Sarah Midanik from the DWFDon't forget to get your tickets to the event this coming Friday at gettinghiptothehip.comTranscriptTrack 2:[5:23] Hey, it's JD here and we are back with another episode in our Talking With series. So far we've talked with 50 Mission, Trevor Stickman, Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair, and today we are really thrilled to be joined by the President and CEO of the Downey Wenchak Fund,which we are supporting with our event tonight, if you are listening to this on Friday, September 1st. We have with us Sarah Medanek and I'm really thrilled to have you here with us. How are you doing? Track 3:[6:03] I'm good. Thanks so much for the invitation to join. Track 2:[6:09] Yeah, we're thrilled to learn more about the organization and your role in it and all that good stuff. So without further ado, let's go. Tim, do you have anything? Hey, Sarah. Track 5:[6:22] Good to meet you. Yeah, I'm just curious about the kind of inception of the fund and how it all kind of began. I watched some of the videos on your site and read quite a bit. But I'm curious about how it all really, kind of the conversation started with Gord and then when you came along, if you don't mind touching on that. Track 3:[6:43] Yeah, for sure. So, I've had the great pleasure and slightly intimidating responsibility of being with the Gord Downie and Chani Wenjack Fund from the very beginning, so beforeGord passed. It was, you know, it was a really unique sort of moment in time. There was, of course, all of the momentum of the HIP's final tour and, you know, very public shout out to Trudeau around reconciliation by Gord to do more as Canadians and how wecould do better. Of course, that was coupled with the work being done by... [7:32] The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the release of the 94 Calls to Action, and also the Secret Path Project, which tells the story of Chani Wenjack. And so Gord had done a series of concerts playing the Secret Path album with the Secret Path Band. And for anyone who hasn't seen The Secret Path, you can visit that material on an art website. It was, of course, became a series of poems which became the album, which became the graphic novel, which became the animated film. So there's a lot of really incredible material to visit there. And so there is sort of just a unique moment in time where there was a lot of momentum and a lot of, you know, people in Canada wondering what their role was in reconciliation andwhat they could do, to contribute in a meaningful way. And so that's really the root of Downy Wendjack is, you know, there is all this momentum and there is all these folks wondering what to do next and our programs and the work we do isreally based around that, the pillars of awareness, education, and action. [8:54] And so we have two national programs. One is Legacy Schools and so we are in 6,000 schools in every province and territory with over 7,000 educators and we provide them withfree educational tools and resources to be better equipped to teach about the true history and legacy of residential schools and the true history of Indigenous people in Canada, but to alsobe able to incorporate strength-based learning and Indigenous ways of knowing and being into core curriculars. Because you know there is sort of that, that sentiment, you know, well, we didn't learn about this in schools. There was still like back when we were getting started, I would say there was still a pretty big gap in people's general awareness and understanding around residential schools. And that'schanged a lot in the past five years. But curriculum doesn't necessarily get reformed that quickly. Track 5:[9:53] Right, right, yeah. Track 3:[9:57] So we still see the need, and of course we do lots of really cool stuff in the Legacy Schools program. We have the Artist Ambassador program, which brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians, artists, role models into classrooms. And the Youth Ambassador program, which is a four-week leadership program that we run and every summer, we had 105 youth go through it this summer where they learn how to bechampions for reconciliation within their schools and communities. And we do a lot of programming in which we bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples together. We had a big music festival here in Toronto this spring called Siguan, which featured incredible Indigenous artists, and we always do a ton of programming for June, for NationalIndigenous History Month, and for Secret Path Week, which is coming up here right around the corner from October 17th till the 22nd, and of course, the National Day for Truth andReconciliation on September 30th. Track 2:[11:08] Wow, that is a lot. Track 3:[11:10] Well, that's just one program. We also have the Legacy Space Program. So when I talk about what we do at Downey Bunjack, I call it the sandwich, which maybe I should find something a bit more. Track 4:[11:24] Everybody likes sandwiches. What is wrong with a sandwich? Track 5:[11:28] We've had many food analogies on our show. Right? Track 3:[11:33] So it's through Legacy Schools, we educate the littles, the young people, so that the next generation of people in Canada understand the true history. But for those folks that are not in school, where do you learn? And that's often through your workplace and professional development opportunities. So the Legacy Space Program really leverages the concept of indigenous placemaking to create physical space within an organization, a corporation, a community that is representative ofthe internal commitment to do the work further reconciliation. And, you know, from a corporate standpoint, is that, you know, equity, diversity and inclusion, hiring and retention practices for Indigenous employees, you know, reconciliation plans,procurement, right, working with Indigenous businesses, so. I always say, you know, we educate the littles and we try and educate the bigs. And in the middle is all the, you know, fun stuff that we get to do in terms of, you know, amplifying Indigenous voices. Like we're taking over almost every radio station in Canada again this year on a day to listen, which will be September 30th. [12:52] Yeah, if you haven't checked it out, this will be our third year, which is very exciting. And we do a series of interviews that amplify indigenous voices each year. And they're, they're really powerful, powerful stuff. So I'd, I'd encourage everyone to check it out. Track 5:[13:12] Do you have any kind of standout examples? I don't know, in the past, you know, summer or this year of working with specific businesses, small businesses or specific schools, justto kind to give our listeners like an example of like anything that really pulled on your heartstrings of seeing action in work and just, you know, when you when you do volunteer time,you spend so much time on your own. And then when you kind of finally get out in the field and away from the computer, you get to experience some things. I'm just curious if you can give us like some standout example ofsomething that happened. Track 4:[13:48] Oh, gosh. Track 5:[13:48] Could you put you as many as him is my my questions are going to be super softball, so don't worry I was I was watching the the, the film last night the graphic novel film and youknow some of the interviewing at the end I think it was with Pearl, you know Pearl said Channy's sister right she said you know we need schools in all of our communities, not just publicschools like outside our own communities. We need schools within our own communities. She said a few things that just really made me, you know, kind of more realize what's been going on up there. And even from the U.S., you know, we never had heard of any of this stuff. Track 3:[14:36] Well, and it still happens, right? Like a lot of youth have to leave their communities to go to high school still in their village. The model, the experience that indigenous children experience in residential schools, that model still exists, but it's perpetuated in different systems, whether it's child welfare or justice, ormissing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Residential schools don't operate anymore technically, but how are there still those systems of oppression, right? And I think that's something that, you know, we try and help to unpack and, you know, the content that we share because, you know, when you look at, you know, the social indicators ofhealth for indigenous peoples compared to non-indigenous and the disparity is so great, you need to dig a little deeper and ask why, right? Track 5:[15:45] Sure, sure. Track 3:[15:46] Yeah. Track 4:[15:51] I... Oh, go ahead. Track 3:[15:51] Go ahead, I was going to say, but to answer your question about heartwarming examples, Yeah, yeah. I mean, it's tough, I think, for me to answer that question because literally every single day there's something that is just really beautiful. But maybe I'll just say it Because I flew back from summer vacation, my family lives in northern Alberta, and taking the UP Express from Pearson Airport. We have a partnership with Union Station, and we have a Legacy space there. [16:31] They're featuring an installation by one of our artist ambassadors, Blake Angeknyb. These incredible panels featured in Union until the end of October. The art is so beautiful and so powerful. There's actually a piece that he did of Gord in the series. Just seeing tourists, people not from Canada, but there's such high volume of traffic through Union Station, you know, interacting and learning and literally like tens of. [17:26] Thousands of impressions the opportunity to work with a partner like Union Station in a space like that. Because reconciliation isn't going to happen overnight. I always make the sort of joke that it's slow pressure applied over time, right? Like we're talking about systemic change. So, you know, creating these learning opportunities in our everyday existence. So it's not a question of are we contributing to reconciliation in a meaningful way? It's just a part of our practice. Track 5:[18:04] Yeah, that's great. Track 3:[18:05] That's great. Track 4:[18:09] I want to, I feel like I should break up some of the things I was gonna say to you and some of the things I wrote down, because I feel like it's just gonna be too much of a mouthful.And you'd be like, what was your question again? But I, so I haven't had time to watch the film yet. Because these jokers know I've been traveling all weekend. And I, I just, I'm going to probably watch it if I get a chance to download it on the plane when I'm on my way over to Toronto. But I've done a fair amount of research and I watched the ceremony where Gord was, I don't know how to properly say it, but invited into the community. Track 3:[18:51] Given a traditional name. Track 4:[18:57] Which like was a, you know, whatever. It was like a super, super duper emotional to even watch it. And a friend of mine had sent it to me. She's from, she's from Canada as well. And she, we talk about her on the show a lot. She's a huge hit fan. Sent it to me after the fact. And I was like, Barb, I've watched it. It's, it's just, and one of the things, sorry, this is a side note. Not related about what I was going to ask you but one of the things I loved about Gord's response in that video or when he spoke afterward he didn't say much and I think he was verycognizant of the situation in that a lot of people would go up there and kind of pontificate and make comparisons and say yeah this is like this and like but he kind of got the The fact that,like... He's like, there's nothing I can say. Like, in a sense of like, like, I can't even relate to some of the suffering, the things that have gone on. I'm just, you know, grateful to be invited into this community and to be a part of it and to do whatever he can. That was one of the cool things, side note. But what I, I guess what I was going to ask you was was because we've talked about it a lot on the pod. I don't know if you've ever, you're aware of at least the concept of this podcast and like, how it came about. Track 3:[20:23] I was creeping you guys this morning. All right, I got to listen to a couple. I got to listen to a couple. Track 4:[20:33] Well, because of JD, like, yeah, this is about the tragically hit, but like, you know, take the snowball effect over time. Like, I had no idea. I mean, honestly, I had heard mutterings on political podcasts and things that I listened to about reconciliation in Canada. But other than that, it's like a of the surface of what your average American would even know. It's like you hear something in passing at a coffee shop, and that's it. Other than that, I would have never known about the Downey Wendzik fund and all this story of Chani Wendzik, Nothing. I don't know, because I feel like Gord, especially when he called out Trudeau, at the concert, he looked right dead at him. [21:26] I took some guts, man. and you know, the call to action, which I love the education aspect of it, but I feel like that call to action is such an important factor when it comes to thework that you guys do. And like, you know, I guess my question is like, is, do you think, is there anything that you would think if like there's Americans listening to this right now we can do other than just talkto people and be like, Hey, do you know this story about this kid? Do you know, and like share it? Because we learned about it by listening to the tragically hip. That's the only other, there's no other reason we would have, we would have figured this out. Track 3:[22:10] And I mean, the experience of Native Americans, uh, is mirrored closely to to that of Indigenous people in Canada too, right? I would say, yeah, I find that in our work. So we have some of our legacy space partners, you know, have offices in the U.S. and, you know, our, you know, North American companies, I guess. And, you know, what's been expressed to us is just like how far behind work around reconciliation and even just any awareness at all of like the true history of indigenous or NativeAmerican people in Canada and the US. And I think, you know, there's really important work being done in the US too that I think will come to the forefront. It just it takes time, right? Like it's, you know, it's by design in terms of how that's been set up. That's right. But, you know, as Indigenous people, you know, as we become lawyers and doctors and politicians and you know, learn how to fight for, you know, rights and restitution,these things has come up. Track 2:[27:30] I really like, you know, you're talking about the call to action a minute ago, Pete, and I like the messaging around your current call to action, Sarah, the do something. The do something hashtag is like, I've used that in an email just that I sent out today, you know, reminding people of this event, that that's one way you can do something, You can come toour event or you can donate directly to Downey Wenchak Fund through a link that we have. What was the genesis of that sort of campaign and idea? Because it's very bold. Do something can be very bold, I think. I'm just interested in learning. Track 4:[28:21] It's sort of aggressive, which is maybe it's not by design, but it's good. I like it. Track 2:[28:26] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Track 4:[28:28] It's almost aggressive. Track 3:[28:31] I think there was sort of this feeling of like, well, you know, that happened a long time ago and you know, I was, I, I was not responsible for the creation of residential schools. So like, what is, what is my role or responsibility? And to that, I would argue, if you live in Canada, if you are part of this society, then you have something that you can do, and that social contract of what we all agree to live here together,that's part of it. And whether it's just learning so that you're a little less racist, a little less ignorant, it's not a bad thing. It's not harmful to you and it only creates a more just and equitable and safe society for indigenous peoples in this country. So, you know, the do something was A. Don't be immobilized by this sort of deferral of responsibility. Don't feel like you don't have a role to play or something to contribute. And seriously, do something because those small actions, we call them reconcili-actions or meaningful acts that drive... Track 4:[29:58] That's a cool, cool word, man. Reconcili-action. Track 3:[30:03] And it's, you know, it makes a difference, right? Even if it's just, you know, talking to your kids and finding out what they're learning in schools, or, you know, going, looking atwhat's happening in the company that you work for, or, you know, maybe just one of your buddies is, makes a slightly offside joke, and you're just like, dude, that's not okay, right? It's, you know, taking that step to, you know, lean into the discomfort and just do something that creates meaningful and positive change. Track 2:[30:38] Yeah, that's beautiful. Track 3:[30:42] And it's an excellent hashtag. Track 2:[30:43] It is an excellent hashtag. Yeah. Track 5:[30:47] That's good. I'm finding kind of a lot of what you're talking about being being executed the smartest way by younger people. You know, my son is basically studying sociology and social issues in university right now and he schools us all all the time. You know, it's just he born and raised in Portland, Oregon, probably the most progressive city in the US really. And it's just so reassuring to hear things from him. He had no idea about the indigenous struggles in Canada, but it wasn't necessarily news to him. He was kind of half expecting what I was talking about as I was talking about it. And it's just so good to share these ideas and share these issues, especially with the younger folks, because they're the ones who have to continue living it. Like you said, all of these things become pandemic across all these other issues. Even though the system may have ended, it's still alive. So it's so good to tap into the younger folks with all this stuff. It's just really. Track 2:[32:02] I've done all my learning through my oldest daughter. She's 13. So I'm one of those people, Sarah, who was like, my eyes were widened. And it was like, we didn't learn this in school, Riley. Like, we didn't, like, you're talking to me so matter of fact right now, and I'm so happy to hear you talking matter of fact, but it's like, Ididn't know any of this, you know? Track 4:[32:31] Sarah, I wanted to ask you something too, And this is more, and I don't know if this is like a. Opinion of like Donnie Wendjick or your opinion, or feel free to like, be like, this is Sarah speaking and not Donnie Wendjick's being or whatever, however, but I feel like, because youmentioned earlier about the, the kind of this, the same sort of dynamic in terms of the United States and indigenous Native Americans in the United States and, and kind of that struggle. But in terms of the call to action, and I'm sorry if this sounds like a very complex question, but I'll try to be articulate. [33:17] I think when it, because a lot of conversation that I see and occurs in the United States in terms of indigenous people, minority and underrepresented groups in the United States. A lot of times there's the education of it and I feel like the United States is more or less good at educating people and that awareness is there. But in terms of connecting the dots, there's not a really good way that we do it in in the United States. And one of the things that always comes to mind when I think about this issue is a speech that Martin Luther King gave at the Riverside Church one year to the day before he died, right? And you know who Martin Luther King is. You're not living under a rock, but I don't know how much you guys study him in your schools and who he was and what he was really actuallyabout, because they've got statues of him in Washington DC now, but during the time where he was most powerful, people hated him. [34:30] And this particular speech at Riverside Church, he talked about the relationship between the imperialist power of the United States and the military, and how that relationshipdirectly affected the oppression of minority and indigenous groups and civil rights in the United States. He made that connection. Whereas I don't think people, meaning that like, okay, yeah, we can be all for it here, but when we're doing it in other countries, it's like, what's... [35:05] How does that change? And as you know, Canada is very supportive of the United States in many of its overseas conquests, so to speak, as we say here in Spain. So I guess the question I'm asking is, do you even personally, and again, you don't have to speak from Danny Wenjack perspective, but do you, because that's something I talk about withpeople. Do you guys have that connection? Do you guys see that? Is that something that you hear whispers of within this conversation? Because I think it's important. I feel like it's important. I feel like there's value in drawing that connection between oppression and past crimes of a country and what the country's doing atthe moment. And it helps speed along that process of the call to action, as we said. I don't know, does that make any remote sense of what I'm trying to say to you? Track 3:[36:03] Yeah, well, I would say, I would say yes. And I can say that is Sarah or as Downey Wenjack. I think, you know, I think that connection is really what allows an organization like the Gord Downey and Chani Wenjack Fund toexist, right? If you think about, you know, What is the true role of rock stars, right? Typically, like political activists, right? Or, you know, poets, but they've always pushed, right? You think of all the greats, there's a social commentary there that's, you know, reflecting on the choices we make and how we live. And sometimes they explicitly call out the Prime Minister, right? You know? And I think. You know, there's been so much work done by incredible Indigenous leaders to ensure that, you know, this didn't stay hidden, like the injustices inflicted upon Indigenous peoples in thiscountry, you know, came to the forefront of, you know, the general understanding of our history in this country and our identity as Canadians, and what that means, and how do you workthrough it, and what does that mean really from a policy perspective. [37:32] I honestly, I've seen so much change in the last five years even, where people actually want to know what the platforms are of politicians with regards to indigenous relations andreconciliation, whereas I would say ten years ago, you wouldn't even be able to find anything. [37:57] On their web pages or whatever around that. That speaks to how far we've come, but there's still a long ways to go. It's just continuing to look at the systems themselves and saying, does this still serve us? Does this still make the most sense? How can we continue to evolve and grow as we evolve and grow as humans and societies? And, you know, it's important for us to be intentional and reflective and sometimes critical, right? We've, you know, I, my sister and my niece came to visit and we were talking about, like, you know, the show Friends and how, like, it has not held up to, like, the test of time, like, it'sextremely homophobic and it's, you know, like, you see a show like Seinfeld, and those jokes are still, they're still funny, right. But, you know, some of the that content that you know, the big hit show, and you're just like, this is so cringy. I can't even like watch this stuff anymore. Right. Track 4:[39:18] And I think sitcoms are the lowest common denominator, right of the day when it comes to comedy. So yeah, For sure. Track 3:[39:26] But I think, you know, to wrap it all up, I think those connections are pretty prominent in Canada, but I think that's also a byproduct of the fact that Indigenous Peoples have rightsand are, you know, title holder to treaties and also land, right? And getting land back after being displaced, or having the land back. The terms of the treaty is not honoured, right? And, you know, as we become more sophisticated and become fancy lawyers, you know, these things work their way through the justice system and you see Indigenous peoples andcommunities winning those cases. And so it kind of also comes to the point of, like, we have to care about this, right? Track 4:[40:28] Yeah, you, I mean, you, you summed it up and I think the, the, the thing that I, that I like about, like you guys, you said sometimes even being critical, which is really cool because alot of, I feel like not, I wouldn't even say a lot, but I, I, sometimes there are examples of organizations that it's weird, like, you know, they, they, they get a win or they get a big win. And then after that, it's kind of like, yeah, we got to win, win for the day. Like, let's, let's pack it up, go home for let's take a vacation or something. No, no. And, and when you talked about like, having the indigenous and non indigenous events, like that's the that's this, that's the again, the call to action, because what you're doing is you'rebringing people together. You know, when you hear people's stories. Everybody can relate. You know, it's easy to say you're so different than me because you're this, you're that, you speak this language, you're born to here, your skin colors that whatever.But like everybody's the same dude. We all try coming out of our mama. We all poop when we're kids. And we all cry the day the moment before we die. You know, everybody's the same. Everybody wants the same. I feel like when you have those, you make those connections with people through those events is really important. Track 3:[41:52] When you create cross cultural understanding, it's really hard to other each other, right? Track 4:[41:59] Totally. Track 3:[41:59] Because there's an appreciation and a respect and an understanding for the strength and beauty and resilience of Indigenous peoples and cultures, right? So, yeah, it's... Track 4:[42:11] You recognize the human being in front of you and you're like, Oh, we're literally the same thing. Track 2:[42:16] Yeah. Track 4:[42:17] Where are we? Where are we? Yeah, dude, that's, that's cool. Track 2:[42:23] Is there anything else that you want to add, Sarah, about Truth and Reconciliation Day or the Secret Path Week? Oh, yeah. Track 3:[42:34] Well, I guess sort of the thing I always say is if you don't know where to start on your own reconciliation journey, or you know, you haven't really engaged in the conversation thatI'll always say, that's okay. You can always do something, right? And Downey-Wenjack makes that pretty easy, for people to have a place to start. You know, we have the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coming up on September 30th. So we have a bunch of different webinars and learning opportunities that we're doing ourselves. [43:12] You know, whether it's like for parents about teaching your kids about residential schools. We have one of our team members at Downey-Von Jack, his whole family is talking about intergenerational resilience and sharing stories from families of residential school survivors. So, you know, we have a whole bunch of different opportunities to learn and engage and so I just really encourage everyone to follow us on socials if you don't know where to start. Start. And, you know, when you're doom scrolling, you'll see some content in between, you know, the recipe for next week and some push notifications for waterproof shoes. And maybe that that one that one post will be the one to inspire you to to join us in this path towards reconciliation. Track 2:[44:07] That's great. Well, thank you so much for joining us today. It's, It's really nice to get a better understanding of both the Downey Wenjack Fund and your story, to hear your story. We're grateful that you made some time to join us today. So thank you very much. Track 3:[44:29] Well, and thank you for supporting our work at the Downey Wenjack Fund through the event. I think it's happening tonight. Yes. Track 2:[44:37] Yes. Track 3:[44:38] And thank you. Thank you for everyone who's listening and coming out. 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