Episode 4: Cree awakening

Host David Robertson explores the mysterious death of his great-aunt Effie and discovers that record-keeping, especially when it involves the lives and deaths of Indigenous people, is patchy, at best.

David discovers a missing branch from his family tree - a great-aunt no one quite remembers, whose short life came to a tragic end. David pieces together the clues and makes some surprising discoveries.

David's earliest childhood memory involves running down the hallway of his suburban Winnipeg home, whereas his father's takes place on the trapline, in Northern Manitoba. Despite these disparate beginnings, both have had to embark on their own journeys to reconnect with their Cree identities.

David always felt he was different growing up, but it wasn’t until he was being teased one summer in the small town of Melita, that he thought to question it. In this episode we hear how David, with the help of his father, begins to embrace his Cree identity.

David looks to the future and imagines how he will continue to connect with his Cree identity without his father by his side.

David reflects on the months that have passed since his father's death, and the launch of Kiwew and his memoir Black Water. Months that have been filled with joy, pain, and the discovery that he is still learning from his dad.

Today we have a special bonus episode for you from our sibling show Unreserved, a fearless space for Indigenous voices. Host Rosanna Deerchild is ready to Indigenize your summer with a tastemaker’s guide to the best books, movies, podcasts and more. More episodes of Unreserved are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/7B0c1W8G