Tsilhqot’in Radio

Health Yalhtɨg (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down again with Dr. Johanna Sam from Tl'etinqox, an Associate Professor at UBC in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology. With years of experience working with youth, Dr. Sam brings her knowledge and research back to the studio for a deeper conversation about healing, culture, language, and the experiences of Indigenous youth today.
In the thirteenth episode of Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast), we continue our conversation around cyber mental health and cyberbullying, exploring the challenges youth face with social media, online gaming, identity, and growing up in a digital world. Dr. Sam also shares insights from her research with Tl'etinqox youth, including land-based activities, environmental challenges, and culturally grounded approaches to healing. The conversation also looks at language and culture, including how Indigenous cultures and languages are sometimes misunderstood by non-Indigenous people and schools, the similarities between Indigenous languages across B.C., and the growing role of AI in representing Indigenous language and culture. This episode offers plenty of thoughtful information and advice for parents, educators, and community members supporting youth both online and within the community

Health Yalhtɨg (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Jacob Darlington, a Community Health Representative at ʔEsdilagh First Nation. In the twelfth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Jacob shares his inspiring personal journey of overcoming addiction and transforming his life through physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices. Together, we explore the powerful connection between physical wellness, mental health, and recovery, and discuss how activities such as fitness, sports, and spending time outdoors can support healing and personal growth. Jacob also shares valuable advice and practical tips for community members who may be struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, offering hope and encouragement for those looking to make positive changes in their lives.

Health Yalhtɨg (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Johanna Sam from Tl'etinqox, an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology. Dr. Sam completed her doctoral studies in education, focusing on human development, learning, culture, and educational psychology. She has dedicated many years to working with youth and supporting Indigenous communities through research, education, and culturally grounded approaches to wellness. We explore the growing topic of cyber mental health and the challenges youth face in today's digital world. Dr. Sam shares insights from her research with Tl'etinqox youth, discussing the importance of land-based activities, cultural connection, and community in supporting mental wellness. Together, we talk about cyberbullying, social media, online gaming, identity, and the lasting effects these experiences can have on young people. Dr. Sam also offers practical advice for parents, caregivers, and community members on how to recognize these challenges, support youth, and create safe spaces where they can thrive both online and offline.

Health Yalhtɨg (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down once again with Judy Ventry to talk about an important new initiative, the Red Road River Recovery Centre project, in partnership with Red Road Recovery. In the tenth episode of Health Yalhtig, Judy walks us through the project in detail, including how it began, the funding behind it, the location and current construction status of the new center, estimated timelines for completion, the number of transitional housing units being developed, job opportunities, and plans for future expansion. Together, we talk about their goal of supporting individuals from all communities who are struggling with addiction through both modern treatment and traditional healing practices, including ceremonies. Judy also shares the message that addiction is not a choice, but a disease, and highlights the importance of family and community support in helping people find their path to recovery.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we welcome back Ellen Williams, Team Lead for the Mental Health Department at the Tsilhqot’in National Government. In the sixth episode of Health Yalhtig, Ellen joins us again to take a deeper look into mental health and some of the challenges faced within our communities. Together, we talk about ways we can better understand what people may be going through and how we, as a community, can come together to support those who may be struggling or in need of help. This conversation focuses on the importance of awareness, compassion, and creating safe spaces for people to reach out and access support.

Health Yalhtɨg (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Geraldine Charleyboy Elkins, who was born and raised in Tŝideldel First Nation and currently manages an emergency medical response team serving Tŝilhqot’in communities and surrounding areas. She completed her Primary Care Paramedic training at the Justice Institute in Kelowna and has worked as a paramedic for 13 years. In the fourth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Geraldine talks with us about how to recognize medical emergencies, what community members can do while waiting for EMR teams to arrive, and common situations such as cardiac arrest, accidents, allergic reactions, and drug toxicity overdoses. She also shares practical tips on being proactive by keeping important medical information written down and stored in a safe place for EMRs to access when needed.
 

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Bruce Baptiste from the Tŝideldel First Nation, who is a Cultural Ambassador for Denisiqi Services Society and serves on Band Council for the Tŝideldel First Nation. In the fifth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Bruce speaks with us about the sweat lodge ceremony and the mental and spiritual healing it can bring. A Residential School Survivor, Bruce, was introduced to sweat lodge ceremonies in 2010 and now helps organize ceremonies across Tŝilhqot’in communities and beyond, continuing a tradition that has supported healing in the Nation for generations.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we’re joined again by Bruce Baptiste from the Tŝideldel First Nation to talk about men’s mental health. In the seventh episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Bruce shares different ways men in our communities can find support in their healing journeys, including through sweat lodge ceremonies, time on the land like fishing and hunting, and recreational activities such as sports. We also talk about how many men tend to keep their struggles to themselves, and how that can lead them down difficult paths. As a Residential School Survivor, Bruce speaks to the lifelong impacts of abuse and trauma, and the importance of finding healthy ways to heal, connect, and move forward.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Dorothy Myers from Yuneŝit’in, who brings decades of experience conducting sweat lodge ceremonies in the Tŝilhqot’in, after first becoming involved in the practice in 1979. In the eighth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Dorothy speaks about the importance of sweat lodge ceremonies in supporting women’s mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. She also shares valuable teachings on the protocols women should follow when attending sweat lodge, including during important phases of life such as moon time, pregnancy, or after the loss of a loved one, helping ensure these sacred practices are carried out with respect and care within our communities.

Health Yalhtig (The Health Talk Podcast) is about supporting the health and well-being of our nation and the communities around us. It creates space for open conversations about important topics like mental health, chronic illnesses, and cultural healing practices, including the role of ceremony and traditional knowledge.                                                                                                             By bringing together traditional teachings and modern medical knowledge, the podcast aims to help our communities stay strong, informed, and connected. It’s about sharing knowledge, supporting one another, and helping future generations live healthy, balanced lives.
 
In this episode, we sit down with Sharon Primeau, a respected Matriarch from the Tŝideldel First Nation. From a young age, Sharon grew up listening to her mother and Elders share stories about the healing power of plants and berries, which sparked a lifelong passion for natural medicine and traditional healing practices. She later became President of the British Columbia Wildcrafting Society and has travelled throughout the province connecting with different communities and traditional healers to continue expanding her knowledge in this field. In the ninth episode of Health Yalhtɨg, Sharon shares teachings on traditional medicines and how they can be used to help support healing for a variety of symptoms and overall wellness within our communities.