What do you think of when you think of Indigenous well-being? If your mind jumps straight to history or trauma, this episode will challenge and expand that perspective. 

As we approach Orange Shirt Day, conversations about truth and reconciliation often centre harm and hardship, and while acknowledging those truths is necessary for healing, this episode invites a deeper reflection. What does Indigenous well-being look like beyond survival?  

In this episode, host Susu B. sits down with Rainingbird Daniels, a proud Plains Cree, Sioux, and Dakota student from Sturgeon Lake First Nation located on Treaty 6 territory also known as Saskatchewan. Now in her fourth year of Indigenous Studies at York, Rainingbird is the President of the Indigenous Students Association, a work-study student at the Centre for Indigenous Languages and Knowledges, and an active student leader on campus. 

Together, they unpack what well-being can look like from an Indigenous lens: community, advocacy, culture, and reclaiming joy. Rainingbird shares what it means to hold space in student leadership and everyday life and reflects on the importance of community connection, and cultural pride. They also explore how simple actions, like wearing an orange pin on Orange Shirt Day, support the community in achieving collective healing. 

Episode Resources:

Indigenous Alumni Network 

• York Indigenous Alumni Network  

Indigenous Council 

• IC Member List 
• Terms-of-Reference-IC-APPROVED JAN 2017 

Indigenous Programs of Study 

• Indigenous Studies at York 
• Wüléelham 

Student Groups 

• Indigenous Students Association at York 
• Osgoode Indigenous Students Association 

Indigenous Friends 

• Indigenous Friends 

Services 

• Career Centre 
• Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-time Students 
• Counselling & Disability Services 
• Centre for Human Rights 
• York University Cooperative Day Care 
• Lee Wiggins Day Care (Part-time option) 

Susu B.: This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics, including colonialism, Indigenous injustices, and truth and reconciliation. These conversations may be distressing for some listeners. Please prioritize your well-being. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, feel free to pause or step away from the episode. If you're a student at your university, support is available. You can reach out to student counseling services at student.yorku.ca/Counseling. Indigenous students are also welcome to connect with the traditional counselor at the center for Indigenous Student Services for culturally grounded support. Throughout the episode, you'll hear the word, Settler. This simply refers to non-Indigenous people living on Indigenous land. It's not about blame, but it's about understanding our place and responsibility in the ongoing process of reconciliation.

Hey YU. Welcome to your future favorite podcast, if it's not already well-being and you with your host Susu B, as we move through September a time when conversations around, truth and reconciliation become more present. You might notice more people wearing orange shirts on campus or see orange profile pictures filling up your social media feed. But this color isn't just a fashion or social media trend. It symbolizes something deeper, a reminder to listen, to learn, and to honor the experiences of Indigenous peoples. Orange Shirt Day was inspired by Phyllis Websad, a survivor of the residential school system who had her orange shirt taken from her on her first day of school. That shirt, a gift from her grandmother, became a symbol of loss of identity, culture, and family. That Indigenous children experience at the residential schools Orange Shirt observed on September 30 honors those experiences and serves as a reminder of the need for truth and reconciliation. Listen, it's all connected to our well-being. Truth and reconciliation can be understood as calls to action. The honor the truth about the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples because of colonialism, and the work to reconcile or restore respectful and harmonious relations between Indigenous and Settler communities. While these conversations might steer up emotions like anger, sadness, or even guilt, acknowledging the past and understanding the purpose of truth and reconciliation is the first step towards collective healing. You are not alone. There are things we can do to navigate different emotions that arise while recognizing these historical wrongs as we move towards a more r future. In this episode, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Raining Bird Daniels. Raining Bird Daniels is Plains Cree, Sioux and Dakota from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, located on Treaty 6 territory, also known as Saskatchewan. Raining Bird is entering her fourth year of Indigenous Studies, and she serves as the president of the Indigenous Students association at York. Raining Bird is a work study student at the center for Indigenous languages and knowledges and serves on the student college council. I really hope you can join us on this journey. A few mindful minutes can really make a difference. So, let's dive into our conversation with Raining Bird. Raining Bird, how are you doing today?

Raining Bird Daniels: I'm good, a little nervous. How are you doing?

Susu B.: You really shouldn't be. Honestly, I'm very excited for this episode. I feel like there's a lot of things that will beautifully talk to and we've got a lot to cover.

That's one fact for today. We've got a lot to cover. Even the simple fact that we're here. We're here at the studio, at York Keele campus in Tkaranto, the land that's traditionally cared for by the Mississauga of the credit, the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat.

So just this simple fact is huge.

Susu B.: About what we're going to speak about today. And for the listeners who are wondering where I got the information from or Who are, who are tuning in from a different location, I totally recommend checking out, Native/land.ca It's a super easy resource to understand whose land you're on. And speaking of land and communities, would you mind telling me a little bit about your community and where you're from?

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, definitely. Um, well, my name is Raining Bird Daniels, my cree name is Giman Peesu, meaning Raining Bird Daniels. I'm from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, located on Treaty 6 territory which is also known as Saskatchewan. That's about a 30-minute drive from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, a little northern.

and I love my community. It has a great connection to the land. We really prioritize land-based learning. my Mushom, my grandpa, he also hosts a lot of cultural camps, growing up and our community hosts regular ceremonies to support our community members. And so that's kind of a little background of where I'm from and you know, who I am, today.

Susu B.: yeah, no, that's perfect. I feel like you're very involved in the community, even your grandpa. and that's very, you know, it would be a perfect guest for today. I feel like a lot of people bring in different experiences. We have indigenous peoples who are more involved in the urban experience as well. We're talking about that, that was the conversation we had as well. but I think you are really bringing this two perspectives from your land and from how you live here. And I really like how precise you know where your location is. I'm from Egypt. I don't know how far it is from Canada, honestly. So, speaking of well-being and the land and this connection to the land.

Susu B.: We always ground our episodes in the university's Well-being strategy. But we also recognize that that's a framework rooted in settler perspectives.

Susu B.: Would you be open to sharing what Well-being means to you from an Indigenous perspective and within your community?

Susu B.: And how would it be different from the Western views on wellness?

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, definitely. our wellness is definitely different than the colonial views, in wellness, especially here at York. I feel that the framework doesn't really include much indigeneity in it. And so, I would like to. I actually am happy to speak on this for Indigenous wellness. So, in my culture, the Creek culture, we really prioritize, our four aspects of being. So that's our medicine wheel, if you're familiar with it. It's a little circle with four cubes and it, has different colors. And that actually is very significant to us as people. It balances our spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. And so, it's kind of just a reminder, um, when your spirit is kind of down, you know, that's a reminder to prioritize it, lift it up, maybe go to a ceremony or pray or smudge yourself, in order to become balanced as a person. And so that's really significant to us, especially the four, the four seasons, the four medicines. that's kind of how the medicine wheel works and empowers us as people to keep us going, keeps um, us aligned with ourselves. We also prioritize the land and we care for it with respect you know, if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us. And so, we, we also really, really prioritize our smudge and our medicines, to better ourselves. So, it's a little bit about a little insight on indigenous wellness and how we really take care of it and ourselves.

Susu B.: No, that's wonderful. Thank you for sharing that. I feel like we really need this, we need this approach to wellness, especially for the land. Like I can think of, I guess the Western view on the land is like environmental well-being and it's a way to try to, you know, navigate how an environment can be like. But when you think about it, it's more of like the connection to the land instead of, just checking the list that, oh, we are taking care of the environment. It shouldn't be a checklist, it should Be actually prioritizing the land as if it's a person, really. I hug the. Like, I have a connection with the mud, for example. I don't know. That's a random one. I always, like, just like to touch the mud. I like to hug the trees. And this is what you should really be investing in. Um, in terms of well-being, I believe, instead of just checking the checklist, that we are environmentally safe in our practices. Right. Yeah. So, can you share some ways you see Indigenous and Settler students building positive relationships, allyships or working in partnerships today, especially considering the differences that we know even in viewing, well, beings, um, and when it comes to responsibility and care for one another, how can we navigate that?

Raining Bird Daniels: I feel like I envision students becoming allies and building relationships and partnerships with Indigenous students. I feel like, first you must educate yourself on the land that you're on. that's a very important thing that people really don't like to acknowledge. And that's kind of the barrier, is that you have to acknowledge the land you're on. I, you know, I'm also a visitor to this territory. Even though I am Indigenous, I still, you know, honor land acknowledgments. I still have to do them because I'm a visitor. I'm not. This is not my home territory. But I am indigenous to Canada. And so, I feel like that's something hard that people don't really necessarily like to acknowledge, so I would definitely start by, learning the history of the land, and then understanding the harms that were done to the Indigenous peoples of this land, and then learn the importance, of kinship that Indigenous communities carry, because that is very, very important to us. Kinship is one of our main priorities, um, as Indigenous people and I know it may sound scary to want to become an ally but not know where to start, but our people are kind. We'll help you. We'll guide you. I meet a lot of people, a lot of students. They come up m to me and share their story with me, where they come from, and, you know, they share mutual respect with the land. And so, you know, kinship wise, we also have respect for each other, and we learn and we grow together. so those are, you know, where to start. obviously, I don't really have that same experience, but I've only experienced it on the other side of the conversation. So when creating these important relationships, it's really just about mutual respect for one another, um, because we will be here to guide you and help you and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's definitely why we're here to help each other. Especially, me in my position. that's why I'm here to help other students wanting to connect. and then I would encourage anybody wanting to be more involved and learn more about indigenous people on campus or the students, especially the student union. I say host regular open events, with the community to allow the allyship to be created, um, and we also welcome it. We want non indigenous students to come to our events. We want to make friends and you. We want to build a nice, strong community here at York.

Susu B.: Yeah. That's why really like, this episode is all about community when you think about it. And I'm really happy that you said something. It's very, thoughtful of you to think, oh, some people are scared. And I think it's really thoughtful of you and someone in your position, to even think about the other person's perspective. and that you're thinking, oh, maybe they're scared. They should know that by the way, we prioritize kinship and community as a whole and I think that's just amazing from your experiences and any injustices that you might have experienced firsthand as well that you even say a statement like this, it's genuinely just empowering to listen to. So, as you mentioned that you have an amazing, like a lot of amazing positions. I was just reading your bio and a lot of amazing positions, at York. so I think you will really speak to this question really well. How would you envision a future where truth and reconciliation have been actualized on campus?

Susu B.: So, what would you like to see?

Susu B.: What could be getting in the way of that?

Raining Bird Daniels: yes, I've been going to York here. I'm going into my fourth year, so I've been here for a while. and throughout my time, I, like if I'm being truly, truly honest, I don't really see much actions of truth and reconciliation at York. for example, this March and April, I put my studies and my mental health aside to advocate against the senior administration's decision to suspend the Indigenous studies program simply because actions like this made an entire community feel unwanted. and so, you know, I felt that it was important for me as a student to advocate for our program, my program, and represent it in that way. it is also unfortunate that you had York had allowed community to feel unsafe during this time and allowed social media to kind of attack the indigenous community because it hurt, hurt a lot of students. It made us feel unsafe. And I feel like as your community, that's not okay. You know, our people should be protected when we're attending school especially, from what we come through and you know, all the struggles and barriers that it takes to come to university as an indigenous student. And so that's kind of just a little example of my experience here, recently. But as a York University student, I’m left unable to meet with academic advisors to seek any advice on my program. On top of all that, all the students within my program have face passive aggressiveness from, academic advisors. We often don't feel like we're seen. We don't feel safe to go and ask for help on course our courses, we don't have many courses either. So, you know, it's really tough as a student here, especially in this program because we have you in the Indigenous Studies program, and it's really tough to navigate that. you know, our professors, we only have two professors within the entire program. and so we, you know, we don't want to burden them. We don't want to reach out all the time and like ask them what we need or how to do certain things because they are literally running the whole program themselves. And we used to have three. We used to have three professors. Um, but one of them left because of this decision and you know, felt as though they weren't valued. And that was a really big hit to the indigenous community here. That was somebody who was very valued here and they had a lot of knowledge to share with us as students. And within the past year I've learned so much from them.

Susu B.: and it was a member of the community as well. I understand, like just the way of. You described kinship and the idea that just, a member of communities just left not because they have another opportunity that they need to be at, but it's genuinely just left because of a decision couldn't be really hurtful.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, definitely. so, we all felt the effects during that time. there's not many of us in the program, but you know, the ones that are. I tried my best to support them as best as I can. Even there was times I was supporting professors and other indigenous community members older than I am. And you know, that says a lot to how truly hurtful that decision was to our community, to where our student has to step up and support everybody. so what can York do in the future for truth and reconciliation? You asked. I took a lot of time thinking about this and A lot of things also came very quickly. you know, I took a lot of time and wellness thinking about this. I went to ceremony also.

Susu B.: You were telling me about it.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, I went to ceremony just, in Chippewa of the Thames, um, which is outside of London. And you know I had a lot of huge, a huge sense of community there. And you know it's just very different coming back here to York and seeing what needs to be done. And so, some things I think York should take into consideration, in terms of truth and reconciliation would be reshape and rebrand the indigenous program, to attract more indigenous students, have more representation on campus, Indigenous art, more safe spaces for indigenous students on campus. And also, this may be a little ambitious, but instead of just saying a land acknowledgement maybe take a action and raise the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the Huron-Wendat and the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek flags in front of very hall. If there is any truth behind reconciliation, that is some change that I would like to see here at York. You know, it is ambitious but if there is no indigeneity on campus or representation and there's not going to be any indigenous people here, we're not going to be attracted to this. We're not going to want to be here because the lack of support, you know, we need to see that we're valued and welcomed here at York. so, you know, those are just some little comments that ideally there's a lot to do there.

Susu B.: Id there's a lot to do here. I feel like I understand where you're coming from now. I feel like this is a great example of how the different types of wellness from the settler perspective compared to the indigenous perspective are really clashing. Because from York's perspective, based on finances or funds, it's a pretty settler concept and obviously when you see that being opposed by your own personal beliefs that and not even personal beliefs, it should be like when you talk about truth and reconciliation, at least make it shown in the program being offered. Correct. so, I totally understand that. And I'm glad you're also mentioning the idea of land acknowledgement because we were just having this conversation that I feel like land acknowledgement, as I said like earlier, things shouldn't be a checklist. Environmental well-being shouldn't be at checklist. Just like Land acknowledgement shouldn't be a checklist. Just like I said, I acknowledge the land, and I just say the nations. And I don't have any emotion in it. I Would rather have it in the middle of the conversation, not a pre-recorded thing. that's why I really wanted to have this as a conversational thing.

Raining Bird Daniels: I feel like a lot of our students here, when we hear land acknowledgments, we don't really feel much. We don't really feel like we're seen because it does really just seem like it's a checklist thing. Like, okay, well here somebody has to do the land acknowledgement and then we can continue to business. Right. It's always just like something that we have to do. but then the people aren't seen, the people aren't heard, the people aren't, you know, being valued here. And I think that's very important to talk about because, you know, it needs to be done. It has to be meant from a good place in order to do. You can't just do it and, you know, not really care for anything after that.

Susu B.: Yeah. And even the issue of pronunciation, for example, I'm personal, an immigrant. Yeah. I'm the podcast host, but I definitely have some sort of accent going on. and it could be a little like, you know, from a salary perspective, like from mine, it could be a little embarrassing for me. Like, oh, should I ask the indigenous person, like, how do I pronounce this? That's why even asking you was like, I am going to do acknowledgement. I watched the video yesterday and I think I'm doing it right. But you were kind, kind enough to tell me, oh, let's practice together. And it comes back to this idea that we're a community and that we shouldn't be scared of one another. And, doing that would be much, I think, correct me if I'm wrong, but would be. Will bring more value than me just saying them incorrectly and just saying them just because for the fact that I was just saying them.

Raining Bird Daniels: Right.

Susu B.: Yeah. So, I totally understand that. So, we talked a little bit about York as a campus or as a university. Do you think you can speak a little bit about how, truth and reconciliation can be actualized from a student perspective?

Raining Bird Daniels: I feel like, for starters, I've mentioned that I've been here for a while. I find that every orange shirt day or every Truth and Reconciliation Day, I'm the only person wearing orange. So, I, you know, I would like to see on that day at least you know, a hallway full of orange shirts, a little orange pin or something., I definitely encourage you guys to support indigenous artists. there are so many indigenous artists within the GTA

Susu B.: I'm glad you're speaking about that because I wanted to mention that so bad, because I went to the Indigenous art festival and I remember their name. Their name is, Snuty Nose Rescus. I love them. They're amazing. They really symbolize storytelling, which is like a pretty indigenous perspective. But they do it in the best songs ever. I absolutely love them. So, I'm glad you're mentioning art, that's for sure. Sorry to interrupt you. I just had to talk about them.

Raining Bird Daniels: No worries. They're amazing. I've seen them, perform many times and they always blow me away. They're amazing. I love the representation. but just like that, you know, support indigenous artists. They're always welcome to sell to you, you know, if you want to buy from them. they all have orange shirts, they have orange earrings, they have orange pins. Anything that you could possibly think they have, they do. So, I would definitely look into that. Supporting indigenous own businesses, and wearing orange on that day, and if you're not wearing orange today, that's okay. But if you see indigenous people, tell them they have a nice orange shirt today. Tell them that they look nice today.

Susu B.: It really is the simple things. Yeah, yeah, and I'm glad. I have a follow up question for that because I know you're saying supporting the indigenous artists and buying from them. I actually had a question because when I went to the festival there was a lot of indigenous artists and I was confused as, because a lot of them have a lot of, the indigenous symbols. So, would it be some sort of cultural appropriation if I buy these from them and wear them, do you think?

Raining Bird Daniels: No, of course not. And if you are interested in buying something, like if you're at a vendor table and you're ready to purchase something, I would just ask them because no one's gonna say no, don't support me. Right?

Susu B.: They're there for a reason.

Raining Bird Daniels: They're gonna say, of course you can wear this. You are an ally if you want to wear this. It's better for our entire community, to see someone nonindigenous in, you know, wearing earrings or wearing an orange shirt. So, like, they're just simple acts of, um, solidarity almost. So, we really appreciate that when we do see it and if anyone ever does have an issue and asks like, oh, but is that indigenous owned? You can say, yeah, it is. And I, you know, the owner said that it's a good Way to be an ally and support the honoring the item rather than just taking in, I don't know, making fun of it in some way.

Raining Bird Daniels: Right. Yeah, definitely understand, like I mentioned before, I know this is a common thing that students are scared about as well. But like I said, don't be scared. Just ask, ask us questions, we'll guide you, we'll help you. But I think it would be amazing.

Susu B.: Also, from my understanding, community and social well-being are highly valued concepts for indigenous wellness. And we've been talking about that. That's not my understanding. That's what the interview is really about. who or what do you lean on the most when it comes to support in your well-being? Is it a certain person I have a little guest there, or is it a place or a practice? Who do you lean on? If you don't mind sharing?

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, of course. so, as you can probably tell, I'm a very busy person. I'm very involved and I'm very, selfless. I would rather do things to support, ISA, than relax in bed at home. so, you know, I do a lot of work, and I really care for this community, and I love to show it off and, you know, support it.but, you know, there's always times where I need my support. And so, when I do have times where I need support, I, I am very grateful that I was raised in a way, in my traditional way of life to where I can confide in my creator. You know, I can, I know how to take care of myself, in terms of smudging when I feel down. I know my medicines, you know, I know my cultural values. So that's the main thing that I really, do to help myself, in times that I need it. in terms of people I really, really, really look up to My parents, they are very significant to me in my life, and I could not be here without my parents. They are the reason I am who I am. And so, you know, they're my main, support. whenever I need anything, whenever I don't know a word in cre, I always call them and ask and they're always there to help me through, and of course my siblings. I know you guys can't see, but my little brother is sitting in the corner here.

Susu B.: That was my little guest. spoiler there.

Raining Bird Daniels: M my person for now, my brother, and all my siblings. I come from a huge family we're a family of eight altogether.

Susu B.: So as an only child, I'm very jealous right now.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah. So, I come from a big family, so when I need a laugh or when I'm down, my brother's always there to make fun of me or cheer me up or something. You know, they're always there to support me and then in terms of York specifically, I lean on my best friend, Leo Manning. Shout out, and I have built a very strong community, the indigenous community here at ISA. so I really, really lean on those individuals when I really need it my fellow executives, they always help me through when I need advice on anything or when I need a shoulder to crown. They're always there for me. So those are just some things that I prioritize, in terms of well-being and, you know, significant people. To me, you know, what I can.

Susu B.: You know what I can Think of or what came to my mind was the wheel, because I feel like you literally just mentioned something from every single aspect of it because even, you're just saying, like, your connection to the Creator. Did you say that? Yeah. So, I was like, oh, this ritual right there and then, like the smudging and acts of like, you know, the physical well-being and then just like the social well-being. And I think it's beautiful how you just really mentioned all of these aspects, just in your answer, and it's wonderful. And speaking of smudging, are you able to do that, within, while you're here and you're not visiting, where you are like your territory, are you able to do it, like, I don't know where you live here, like if on campus or somewhere else, are you able to engage in these practices here?

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, definitely. very grateful that whenever I do need, specific medicines, my dad will either bring them or ship them to me. they are very accessible. Here in the GTA and surrounding communities, we, as an ISA, will regularly go to Six nations, of the grand river to pick up some medicines, some tobacco, cedar, sage, sweetgrass, whenever we need it, and then we share that with our community members as well. touching on smudging at York, there has been many times, because I know that, fellow indigenous students also struggle with, navigating smudging on campus. And so, I just want to share a little bit of insight, for students, indigenous students who want to smudge in your dorms, just let your don know because they cannot tell you you can't smudge. It's cultural practice. so just let your don know that, you know, this is your cultural practice, and you are Going to do it regardless. And so, they will let the administration know so that you know, you don't get in trouble for any fire alarms or anything. also, the center for Indigenous Student Services kiss they also offer smudging in the KISS office. So, if you know where that is, it's in York Lanes they offer smudging. So, if you do need to you know, take some of those medicines from them, they are happy to offer them. I say is also a good space on campus for smudging as well. We always have medicines on hand if you need. And then as well as that, the center for Indigenous Languages and Knowledges. I run the smudging program year-round.

Susu B.: so, you're the right person to ask.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, definitely. So

Raining Bird Daniels: you know, we normally host it on Tuesdays, all day, like drop in sessions if anybody wants to, you know, come in and learn about it or even ask questions if they're not ready, especially indigenous students. It's within the past two years it's been such, um, such a resource for students who are reconnecting or learning or wanting to know about smudging. And I've been so happy to have been able to do that for the. Your community because it has been the first, the first of its kind to have a smudging program. So just a quick shout out to.

Susu B.: Am I able to go?

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, yeah, it's ok. To everybody.

Susu B.: I really wanted to ask us, like she said, don't be scared, ask.

Raining Bird Daniels: So yes, learning. We're learning.

Susu B.: Great. Okay.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, everybody is welcome to come to those sessions.

Susu B.: I feel like a lot of people just think, um, um, events like this are only for indigenous students. But I'm glad to know that everyone is welcome there.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah.

Susu B.: Yeah. And that's why I asked because I was thinking about um, the aspect of dorms and um, I feel like there has been a lot of incidences where I um, think it was like more of a high school situation. M. I might be forgetting but I read on the news that uh, students were not allowed to do their smudging practices. So, like I just wanted to know if you're even able to engage in this. And I'm glad there are spaces for you that you can do that or that you can speak to your don. That's a really good advice. So, conversations about truth and reconciliation can definitely steer complex feelings, guilt, confusion, defensiveness and even being scared as you mentioned. so how can we navigate those emotions in a way that supports collective well-being and builds genuine connection in.

Raining Bird Daniels: In terms of feelings and how to move forward. I always say that if you're feeling uncomfortable or you're feeling a certain way or feeling in general, when hearing certain things or listening to, you know, kind of bad stuff, when you're learning about indigeneity, um, that means you're learning. I kind of always prioritize when I'm doing presentations or when I'm publicly speaking to people and non-indigenous groups. I always make it a task for myself to try and make them uncomfortable. Because when you do have these feelings, you recognize them, you notice that you're feeling some kind of way in that. You know, I hear from a lot of people when they do feel like this, they're like, okay, well why do I feel like this? What can I do? Because now I feel like I need to do something. I have to. And that's kind of how a lot of our allies feel. And I really appreciate that from them. and so, yeah, it's all a learning process. You know, there's, there's not a whole ton of indigenous people who, you know, hate specific groups, for anything. And so, if you feel any kind of way, I just encourage you to learn about it and discover why you feel this way and then, you know, the indigenous community, we're always here to support you. I know that seems a little the other way around, but you know, we're always here, if you have questions. yeah.

Susu B.: And I feel like I should be speaking to this as pretty much like the other end of that. Like I'm a settler student, so I feel like I should be also making this statement that go out there, guys, and ask questions and be confused. And I was a little confused. And it's a little embarrassing for me to admit now, but for me I was a little confused. I was like, I was thinking, I'm an immigrant. I don't know if I have a role in this, like a first-generation immigrant. So, for me I'm like, oh, I didn't do anything. But no, I did. In one way or another, I did. that's what I think it's all about. Defining the word responsibility. I like this analogy. Someone said that, for example, a lawyer, a lawyer did not commit a crime. Not necessarily. I hope not. But it's their responsibility to be in court. Its ‘like the case is their responsibility. They are dealing with it because they had something to do with it. and you got to recognize the word responsibility there that just because I, as an Immigrant. And that's me speaking from my experience doesn't mean that I did not contribute in one way or another. Because even the idea of immigration and American dream is just another thing that, takes away from indigenous people in one way or another. Right. It's just this dream is someone's nightmare, or is contributing to someone's man Nightmare.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah. and indigenous people also feel these, you know, emotions. We also feel sometimes like, you know, we, we do things. I am, you know, not from this land. So sometimes I'm, I'm a little cautious, like, oh, this isn't my territory. I shouldn't be doing, or I shouldn't be hosting certain things or saying certain things or, you know, carrying forth my traditional practices because it's not my traditional land. Right. So even indigenous people can feel this way. So don't feel like, you know, you're the only person because you're not. and some of my best friends, my good allies, you know, my nonindigenous friends there. I think the most heartwarming thing that I hear, being the president of ISA is that after events, people really come up to me and they share their stories and they tell me, you know, the stuff they've been through and how they feel and that they're so happy to be an ally and they're so happy to support and that they're so sorry and I really don't know how to respond to people when they say they sorry. Because it’s not me. You know, it's not just me who is affected. We ‘all affected. We were all, like we said, a community. So, you know, everyone, you know, kind of feels some kind of way during this time. And all I can say is that we're a community. You know, we all have to work together to uplift each other and come together, to truly reconcile.

Susu B.: Yeah. And I'm really happy you mentioned it earlier and it was significant and I'm glad you're mentioning it again. This idea that even when it's not your territory, it's just a sense of respect for the land that you should or should not be doing something. And I think that's really significant. I think we kind of touched upon this question, but, what are some ways Indigenous students can support their own well-being during this day and beyond? Maybe through university resources, cultural supports or personal practices. So, I already mentioned some of the things ISA does and the smudging program. Are there anymore? I hope there are. Yeah.

Raining Bird Daniels: of course there's always more. More perfect. To my fellow indigenous students, I know this day is weird, and it feels still and, you know, like, you shouldn't do too much. So please don't, you know, take care of yourself, be kind to yourself, take care of your wellness, your, you know, your medicine wheel. Make sure you're focusing on that, prioritizing yourself. it feels eerie almost every day, every day that we celebrate or, you know, recognize this day, it's always eerie. I've. All of the orange shirt days that I've spent here at York, I talk to my friends and it's always just like, I feel weird. This stay is weird. And we're all, like, in agreement. so it's okay to feel that, you know, it's odd, it's weird, because it is you know, I encourage you to surround yourself by people you love or people who love you, whether that be going home, calling them, calling home if you're away from home. You know, I know I also know what it's like to be away from home during this day as well. So, call your friends, call your family, spend time with your friends, maybe even spend time with your favorite. I say executives. we are planning to, you know, just hold an open office drop-in hours for this entire day. So, if you ever need, you know, to smudge some food, some tea, or you want to watch a movie, you want to laugh, you want to cry, you know, our office is always open, especially for this day, for ours. Because we prioritize, you guys. You know, you're seeing, you're welcomed, always at I say. So please stop by if you need a little, you know, pick me up. We're always here for you and yeah, don't forget to smudge.

Susu B.: Perfect. I think these are all, like, great advice and beyond Orange Shirt Day, because I know we ‘talking primarily this day, and I'm really sorry that it feels eerie or strange. but beyond orange shirt Day, are there any meaningful actions that York community can take to support indigenous students? Because I know you've been talking about how ISA supports indigenous students or how you even indigenous students are welcoming us settler students to, like, ask questions. But we want to know how we can also help. So can you tell us how we can do that beyond, just or All year round.

Raining Bird Daniels: I know some ways. Definitely the way York University can support us. and I will restate things that I've previously said because they're very important, you know, like reshaping and rebranding our program. You know, we need that, that's a huge thing to us and we need that support as students and to have more community come in as well. You know, we need that. We need students here. prioritize academic advising, hire more indigenous staff because we do need more support on campus. Like we have little resources. That's why ISA is such a huge support to everybody is because we don't have that. So, you know, we want to cater to what we don't have for other people. And although it seems like a lot of the time it's the indigenous people supporting indigenous and non-indigenous students and York at that, you know, sometimes we need to be supported too. And I honestly don't know the best way that could be done. But we can figure out together hopefully you know.

Susu B.: I like that statement. We can figure it out together because it really highlights this idea of community that we can do this hand in hand. It doesn't have to be, oh, it's your role, your cue to fix everything, fix it now. No, it's more of a conversation. And just the conversation could be a good start, to achieving something.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, definitely. And again, prioritizing representation. We need to be seen; we need to be heard. A non-indigenous student is walking the court, the courtyard. If a non-indigenous student is walking around the courtyard and they happen, you know, in my perfect world, they see every Child Matters flag, they see the Mississauga, the Credit First Nation flag, they see the Huron-Wendat flags, they see the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek Nation flags in front of Vari hall. They're going to ask questions, they're going to wonder like, oh, I wonder what that represents. And then they'll go and research it, they'll educate themselves, they'll learn more about it and then everyone, you know, will kind of be on the same page in terms of support. And so that's something in my perfect world that you know, would happen. And so, I feel like that would make this campus a, very safe place. And so yeah, that's really something that I see the future of York doing. ideally, anything for the students.

Susu B.: What are some meaningful actions that your community can take to support Indigenous students, not just during Orange Shirt Day, but all year round? And when I say that your community, I mean more about the settler students or, you know, non-indigenous students, not York as an institution.

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah. So, like I mentioned, meaningful actions. Again, the little representation, the little things we always notice, you know, if someone's walking by me with earrings, I'm going to notice. I'm going to say, oh, those are beautiful earrings. so little things like that. Supporting Indigenous artists, supporting, our community events. You know, we always welcome our students to come and join us. and you know that when people come to our events that support, you know, we feel that love and we feel like it's important the things that we do. So, I just encourage you all to not be scared, attend our events. You know, come see us.

Susu B.: I'm definitely seeing you in the smudging event.

Susu B.: I really wanted to explore that.

Raining Bird Daniels: yeah, come talk to us. Come see us. I would just, you know, encourage you guys to be the best allies you can. do the best you can, represent Indigenous students. You know, we post our events, repost important topics that we talk about, and that's really all you can do. You know, it's not like one person can change the world. It's a whole community. So, you know, we all need to come together and, you know, work towards something.

Susu B.: Yeah, that's very impactful. And with that being said, that concludes the interview. How was that?

Raining Bird Daniels: Yeah, Very, very anxious.

Susu B.: I know. I think you did great. And I'm sure all of our listeners appreciate the conversation we just had. it was very insightful for me, honestly. And, you know, as you said, it starts with one person. So as a community, I hope, like, we can all, embed some of these practices and, advice into our daily lives. Because, honestly, they're really simple. Reposting, like news reposting, things like that, that's like a click away from this life, that we live in now from Instagram and things like that. So, I think they are really simple. Things that could make you feel seen. And I'm glad you gave us all of these insightful advice and, information. Thank you, RainingBird

Raining Bird Daniels: Thank you so much for having me. I'm very, very happy and nervous to be here today. Not anymore ‘not yeah, not that in a risk respect. I was very nervous coming into this, um, and, you know, that's why I had to go and seek my, traditional guidance, to be ordered to share the best stuff I could. You know, it's very, I'm very honored to be here. I'm very happy. but, yeah, thank you so much.

Susu B.: I was honored to have you as my guest. Thank you. I really want to thank our special guest today, Raining Bird Daniels. I really enjoyed our enlightening conversation.

Susu B.: Thank you, Raining Bird, for being such a valuable resource.

Susu B.: You can also find links to all the services Raining Bird mentioned in the show notes for this episode, along with more valuable information, tips and resources. Visit our website at go.yorku.ca/wbpodcast. Click on the episode link and look for the episode Indigenous Wellness: How Culture and Communities Empower Me. This episode was co-produced by the well-being and new podcast team. Our podcast coordinator is Prabhleen Luthra. Our technical editor is Jonathan Varela Gonzalez and I'm your host, Susu B And for today's quote of the day, if you're feeling uncomfortable when learning about indigeneity, that means you're learning. Thank you for listening.