Episode 3

In Episode Three, Doris invites Gayle Pruden for a very special storytelling session. Gayle is known and loved by many Indigenous people across Turtle Island, the diversity of the communities that love Gayle is vast, from the Two-Spirit community across Turtle Island to the Jingle Dress dancer community to the Grandmother (Kokum) community in her circles. Her storytelling focuses on her traditional upbringing by her great-grandfather and her grandparents who raised her. She says they imparted love to her in her upbringing and it is love that continues to carry her into her present life, Gayle embodies how she was raised. She says her great-grandfather and grandparents did not experience residential school and spoke their Anishinaabe language fluently and according to Gayle, their traditional knowledges were strong.  Notably, in listening to her story about her great-grandfather and grandparents, what they passed on to Gayle was embodied culture and tradition, we do not see too much of this anymore in today's contemporary Indigenous world. Interspersed with Anishinaabemowin, Gayle tells her story with poignancy, wonder, beauty and of course with her unique and infectious Anishinaabe humor. She is a woman of indomitable spirit for the future and a gifted storyteller. 

Guests Gayle Pruden 

Gayle Pruden grew up in Little Saskatchewan First Nation and is a member of the Pinaymootang First Nation. She was raised by her grandparents and great-grandfather and is the eldest of five children. Her childhood was filled with love, and she was taught to be kind and to help those in need. Her grandmother taught her to have faith and to believe in creation. “If it feels right in your heart, you will know it. If it’s not right, you will find out.” Every day is a ceremony. 

Gayle is Two Spirit, which means she embraces both male and female spirits; an identity her family has always supported. It was the teachings of her childhood which brought her through the hardest times in her life. She honours the way of life her grandparents taught her by participating in ceremony, being true to who she is and sharing her story with those who have not experienced the acceptance and love she received growing up. 

Gayle shared a memory from her childhood of dancing as her great grandfather sang. One day, the ground was so dry that when she danced passionately, she created a dust storm. She wondered why her great grandfather suddenly stopped singing. It was because he couldn’t stop laughing. It was not until later when he told that story did she understand why he stopped singing that day. 

Gayle was born to dance but it was not until later in life that she started dancing Jingle and only after having the same dream over-and-over again. It’s been more than fifteen years since she began dancing the sacred Jingle Dance. Putting on her regalia and dancing is a ritual that brings her peace. She dances for self-healing and for the healing of her family and our community. Gayle believes that “We have suffered so much hurt and trauma that we all need some healing.” 

Her message to those who are looking for healing is: “Believe in your dress, believe in your dance; it is a prayer that will bring healing.” Gayle is fluent in Ojibway – a gift from her great grandfather and grandparents. She practices speaking her language every day. She is very proud of her daughter and grandson.