Ep 1: Resisting violence and vandalism - let’s decolonize planetary health

Planetary Health Through Arts and Indigenous Worldviews: Global Perspectives

In this episode, we explore the concept of planetary health, what Indigenous geography is and how it is linked to space and decolonizing planetary health. We will be listening to powerful voices reflecting and making generous offerings about Indigenous worldviews in times of environmental crisis, living the impacts of colonial tactics and violence, where exploitation and extraction are part of the daily lives. We will be listening to beautiful and powerful stories, critical stories and reflections about the resistance, resurgence, restoring and revitalizing work happening in the communities.

This episode is hosted by Matty Cervantes, and includes conversations with professors Astrid Brousselle and Deondre Smiles, and artists Teresa Vander Meer-Chasse and Alex Taylor-McCallum.

Astrid Brousselle: [1:39]

Dr. Brousselle joined the School of Public Administration as Director and Professor at the University of Victoria in December 2017. Her main expertise is in evaluation approaches and methods and in health system analysis. She is particularly interested in contributing to the building of more sustainable and equitable societies.

Deondre Smiles: [11:27]

Deondre self-identifies as a Black/Ojibwe/settler, and citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. His research interests are multifaceted, including Indigenous geographies/epistemologies, human-environmental interaction, political ecology, and tribal cultural resource preservation/protection. He is leading the Geographic Indigenous Futures Collaboratory at the University of Victoria at the department of Geography, a research group that focuses on geographic-based approaches to issues facing Indigenous communities, from issues related to climate change, to issues of politics and sovereignty.

Teresa Vander Meer-Chasse: [28:59]

Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé is a proud Niisüü member of the White River First Nation from Beaver Creek, Yukon and Alaska. She has resided in Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories for the past six years. Teresa is a Dineh (Upper Tanana), Frisian, and French visual artist, Master of Fine Arts graduate from Concordia University in Studio Arts, and the Curator of Indigenous and Contemporary Art at Open Space Arts Society.

Alex Taylor-McCallum: [37:24]

Alex Taylor-McCallum is a Kwakwakaʼwakw and Nuu–chah–nulth artist working to create more Indigenous representation in Victoria's art scene. Alex is a multidisciplinary artist, he is a muralist, lyricist, M.C., singer, performer, facilitator, writer, painter, muralist, decolonial cook and Father of two Sons. In September 2022, Taylor-McCallum was named the winner of the Victoria ProArt Early Career Artist award.

We are grateful to co-produce this podcast on the unceded lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples, in conversation with powerful community voices from across Turtle Island.

We thank the participants and their ancestors. We are grateful for the land, waters, sky, humans and non-humans below and above.

We thank CFUV, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the Center for Global Studies at the University of Victoria, the Global Pax Collective, and Open Space Art Gallery for their contributions to this podcast production.

Podcast artwork based on a mural made by Carrielynn Victor Xémontalot, Scarlett Gonzalez, Deb Silver, Brismar Arlene Diaz, Marcia Maria and Lindsay Katsitsakatste Delaronde.

Original lyrics and performance by Alex Taylor-McCallum.

Original score in this episode by Matty Cervantes.

Co-production by Matty Cervantes and Nicola Watts