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Canadian Geographic and M茅tis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) have joined forces on a first of its kind podcast that hopes to breathe life into the endangered Michif language through a lens that is authentically M茅tis.

Hosted by M茅tis artist, mentor and author Leah Dorion, the first 10 episodes of 鈥楶aykiiwikay鈥� give listeners an intimate glimpse of the cultural driving force behind M茅tis communities in Saskatchewan.

鈥淧aykiiwikay is the M茅tis word for 鈥榗ome and visit.鈥� And that鈥檚 what it is. Coming to the table and visiting, even though it was virtually recorded,鈥� Dorion said.

Dorion traces her roots back to Cumberland House and has lived in Prince Albert most of her life. She said hosting the podcast is helping her learn the Michif language and connect with her own heritage.

鈥淚鈥檝e made such a commitment to start to practice some of the phrases. It is on the endangered languages list. So I鈥檝e been promoting it and talking with people about the language, picking up some of the vocab and working on it myself,鈥� Dorion said.

The podcast features M茅tis music, history and cuisine. It touches on difficult topics such as racism, historical injustice and assimilation all while showcasing the Michif language.

Dorion said the series will help the community 鈥渞eally understand the role of the M茅tis people in founding Saskatchewan and are still contributing to Saskatchewan in a good way.鈥�

MN-S Minister of Language, Culture and Heritage, Sherry McLennan said that 鈥楶aykiiwikay鈥�, will address the very real need to preserve heritage, tradition and M茅tis identity.

鈥淓verything M茅tis people do is tied to our value systems, beliefs, and respect,鈥� McLennan said. 鈥淭his podcast series will help teach others about the rich M茅tis history that is an integral part of the makeup of this province.鈥�

The series is produced by veteran broadcast journalist and foreign correspondent David McGuffin.

鈥淚 am proud of my M茅tis roots, which date back to the fur trade. Like too many Canadians, my understanding of the story of the M茅tis people faded out at the Battle of Batoche and the defeat of Louis Riel,鈥� McGuffin said.

鈥淲orking on 鈥楶aykiiwikay鈥� has been one of the highlights of my broadcast career.鈥�

The first episode features Michif language, history and cultural educator Russell Fayant.

Talking about Michif, Dorion quotes Fayant who says 鈥業 believe it is the language of reconciliation because it incorporates diverse worldviews of settler society as well as the Indigenous community in equal parts.鈥�

Future guests include M茅tis musician and actress Andrea Menard, and Elder Norman Fleury. Dorion said the partnership between Canadian Geographic and MN-S is an act of coming together in itself.

鈥淚鈥檝e never seen a partnership like this. It鈥檚 a cool model that shows reconciliation and partnership can work... It can promote culture and allow the community members a voice, an authentic voice,鈥� Dorion said.聽

鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a lot to be learned and lots of opportunity to really get our minds wrapped around reconciliation and what it can look like.鈥�

Canadian Geographic publisher Gilles Gagnier said the podcasts are bringing important stories about M茅tis history, language and culture to the forefront and expressed gratitude for being invited to participate.

鈥淐anadian Geographic is proud to be a partner of MN-S, and honoured to have been chosen to collaborate on this exciting project,鈥� Gagnier said.聽

Dorion said podcasting is 鈥渁 first鈥� for her and the platform has opened her eyes to new ways of engaging with an audience, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been invited to tell M茅tis stories, and I use whatever medium I can but this is a first for me鈥� Dorion said.聽

鈥淲e did what we did, in a good way, and we managed to get some great interviews with all the technology that we have today at our fingertips鈥�

For the first episodes the team focused on bringing in diverse voices from M茅tis communities around Saskatchewan and especially those of Elders.

鈥淭he priority was to get some of the older generation鈥� to get their voices in there,鈥� Dorion said.

She said interest in the series has been good and the audience is growing by the day.

鈥淟isteners are already tuning in from around the province. We鈥檝e had people listening and tuning in all over the province. So, it鈥檚 nice the northern communities are getting to be aware of it 鈥� central and southern communities, too. Wherever there鈥檚 M茅tis people,鈥� Dorion said.

鈥淭he general public is also encouraged to listen. It鈥檚 like having tea and listening to M茅tis people who carry specific cultural knowledge and just having a visit with them. You get insight into what they do, why they do what they do, and the different cultural gifts that they have, and talents 鈥�

Episodes can be streamed on Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon Music, Spotify or SoundCloud and are uploaded weekly to Canadian Geographic's website.

鈥淓very week a new guest will pop up. So people can follow us for the 10 weeks and listen to every episode each week. That鈥檚 the challenge,鈥� Dorion said.