Episode 1

Episode 1: Setting the Indigenous Sexual Futures Table

In Episode One, Doris speaks with Randy Jackson and Grace Dillion about how Indigenous Futurisms is integral to Indigenous sexual futures. Indigenous Sexual Futures is a term coined by the Feast Centre that delineates a vision for tomorrow’s grandchildren that is sexually expansive, healthy, and safe. We consider Indigenous futurisms as foundational to the work we do at the Feast Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research moving forward. In the last decade, the Indigenous research community has embedded strengths-based approaches and are already leading the way into the future by prioritizing Indigenous ways of knowing and being in how we conduct research. The Anishinaabe word ‘biskaabiiyang’ is an Anishinaabe concept of ‘returning to ourselves’ and is now widely used as a replacement word for decolonizing the tremendously important work of Indigenous Futurisms. As a fluent Anishinaabe speaker, this word has a deep resonance for Doris, and she hopes it resonates for all of you listeners too. Kwa’Nu’Te, sung by Elder Catherine Martin. Intro and extro Anishinaabe language spoken by Elder Gayle Pruden.

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Dr. Grace Dillon

Grace L. Dillon (Anishinaabe) is a Professor in the Indigenous Nations Studies Department at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on a range of interests including Native American and Indigenous studies, Studies in Indigenous Futurisms, science fiction, Indigenous cinema, popular culture, race and social justice, and early modern literature. She is the editor of Walking the Clouds: An Anthology of Indigenous Science Fiction (University of Arizona Press, 2012) and Hive of Dreams: Contemporary Science Fiction from the Pacific Northwest (Oregon State University Press, 2003). Her work appears in diverse journals including Science Fiction Studies; Foundation: The International Review of Science Fiction; Extrapolation; The Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts; The Journal of Science Fiction Film and Television; The Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television; and Renaissance Papers. She is the Founder, Imagining Indigenous Futurisms Annual SF Writing Contest, now in its 13^th year. She received the Science Fiction Research Association Clareson Award for service to the field. Her various service activities include Editorial Consultant, Science Fiction Studies; Indigenous Studies Steering Committee, Wilfrid Laurier University Press; Editorial Advisory Board, Palgrave Studies in Global Science Fiction; Editorial Board, Palgrave Science Fiction & Fantasy: A New Canon; Editorial Board, Journal of the Posthuman; Editorial Board, The New Ray Bradbury Review; Member, International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts BIPOC Committee; Advisory Board, International Space Station Ethno-ISS.

Dr. Randy Jackson

Randy Jackson is Associate Professor at McMaster University in the School of Social Work with a cross-appointment in the Department of Health, Aging and Society. Randy is Anishinaabe from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and has become an expert in HIV in Indigenous communities in Canada. Dissatisfied with existing research, which tended to focus excessively on pathologizing Indigenous people, Jackson works with communities to find another perspective–one grounded in Indigenous cultural world views. By better understanding the role of culture in the lives of people living with HIV, Jackson reveals parts of the bigger picture of the sociological facets of human health. Jackson teaches courses in Indigenous Health and Wellness and Community-Based Research methods that are at the heart of his own research. In the recent past, he also held a CIHR Doctoral Awards, a Community Scholar Award with the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), and also held the position of Director of Research and Programs with the CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks. Reflecting his beliefs about the significance of Indigenous self-determination in research, Randy helped develop CAAN’s Principles of Research Collaboration. Current areas of research include Indigenous masculinity and chronic illness, Indigenous leadership and it connection to health and wellness, and Indigenous transgender health. In 2012, Randy was honoured and recognized for his decade-plus long involvement in Indigenous HIV/AIDS research with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012). 

Transcript of Episode 1

Episode 1 Transcript

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the following for their contributions towards Episode 1 of Indigenous Sexual Futures

Guests

Dr. Grace Dillon & Dr. Randy Jackson

Kwa’Nu’Te - Ceremonial Song

sung by Elder Catherine Martin

Host Storyteller/Producer

Doris Peltier

Technical Producer

Paula Burrows - Jupiter Productions

ISF Theme Music and Creative Sound

Cozmic Cat, Classic Roots, Elder Gayle Pruden

Indigenous Knowledge Advisory

Feast Centre Council of Elders and Gathering Lodge Committee

Executive Producers

Feast Centre Co-Leads - Randall Jackson & Renée Masching

Feast Centre Staff

Will Gooding (National Director), Catherine Booker (Research Coordinator), Miranda Black (Research Coordinator) and Doris Peltier (Community Engagement Coordinator)

Podcast Branding Design

Compassion Creative

Podcast Web Development

Catherine Booker

Marketing & Promotion

Miranda Black

Feast Centre Research Assistants

For reading and summarizing articles on Indigenous Futurisms

We acknowledge our funders

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Indigenous Sexual Futures is produced on the ancestral lands of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon wampum. We acknowledge the ancestors of this territory, and we also acknowledge the lands and territories of all our guests.

Episode 1