Inherent Rights, Informed Voices Podcast Series
“Inherent Rights, Informed Voices” is for First Nations leaders, administrators and citizens who want to learn about their inherent rights; the power that citizens have to transform the way their nation is governed; and how the Indian Act obstructs their ability to develop effective self-governance and take their rightful place as citizens within their own nations and within Canada. The podcast is also an important educational tool for all Canadians to better understand our shared history and the importance of creating a shared future together. Effective self-governance is critical to the survival, health and well-being of First Nation peoples. It is a central pillar in reconciliation and in the creation of a new nation-to-nation relationship with the Crown; and is vital to building Canada’s global strength.
The podcast is produced by the Rebuilding First Nations Governance (RFNG) research project in collaboration with its lead partner, the Centre for First Nations Governance (CFNG). It features experts across the country who are partners, collaborators and practitioners helping First Nations to find pathways out of Indian Act administration back to governing themselves and their territories.
The first five episodes of the podcast were released in 2025, with another five in production for release in the 2026. It will be available on YouTube, Facebook, Spotify and SoundCloud. Episode dates and details below.
Episodes 2026
EP9: The Duty to Consult and Accommodate: Prioritizing First Nations’ Self-Governance in Decision-Making
May 25, 2026
https://rss.com/podcasts/inherentrightsinformedvoices/2855634
Consultation and accommodation with First Nations communities is a legal duty under section 35 of the Canadian constitution. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples also emphasized the importance of Free, Prior and Informed Consent in decision making. In Episode 9 we’re exploring what it means to consult and accommodate from a First Nation perspective and prioritize First Nations’ self-governance in the decision-making process.
Host: Serena Smith
Guests: Giuseppe Amatulli, Valérie Courtois, Shona Nelson
Producer: Emma Fazakas
Executive Producer: Catherine MacQuarrie, Mason Ducharme
Music Courtesy of:
Constitution Song by The Spiritual Warriors
Inquisitive Orchestra by Musictown on Pixabay
Morning Coffe by Ogi Feel the Beat on Pixabay
EP8: Community Change Champions: A Conversation with our Community Partners
May 18, 2026
https://rss.com/podcasts/inherentrightsinformedvoices/2820976
Dzawada’enuxw First Nation, Lake Babine Nation, Lil’wat Nation, Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, Peg’pig’lha Council, and the Upper Nicola Syilx Nation. These are the First Nation community partners across Canada who are all collaborating with RFNG to further study and implement our inherent right to self-government. Last episode we discussed the importance of citizen engagement. In episode 8 we have the opportunity to learn about the personal experiences of those citizens, particularly, those who act as community change champions.
Host: Mason Ducharme
Guests: Colette Sunday, Ernest Armann, Dwayne Nashkawa
Executive Producer: Catherine MacQuarrie, Mason Ducharme
Producer: Emma Fazakas
Music Courtesy of:
Constitution Song by The Spiritual Warriors
Inquisitive Orchestra by Musictown on Pixabay
EP7: Citizen Engagement: A path from the Indian Act to the Inherent-Right to Self-Government
May 11, 2026
https://rss.com/podcasts/inherentrightsinformedvoices/2812906
The heart of the CFNG and RFNG is community. Our project is built on the importance of engagement to create Nation to Nation to Nation relationships. Through community-led analysis on the impact of Indian Act governance, new forms of governance structures based on a communities unique needs can be developed. In Episode 7, we’re exploring how we can engage our communities effectively.
Host: Chris Robertson
Guests: Sonia Leo, Pawa Haiyupis
Producer: Emma Fazakas
Executive Producer: Catherine MacQuarrie, Mason Ducharme
Music Courtesy of:
Constitution Song by The Spiritual Warriors
Inquisitive Orchestra by Musictown on Pixabay
Morning Coffe by Ogi feel the Beat on Pixabay
May 4, 2026
https://rss.com/podcasts/inherentrightsinformedvoices/2792743
Languages inspire. They connect. They create our sense of self and our sense of place. They make us who we are. Which is why we must fight to keep our traditional languages alive. In episode 6 our host and guests share deeply personal reflections on how important language is for personal identity, nation-rebuilding, and how youth and Elders play a vital role from a community practitioner perspective.
Host: Mason Ducharme
Guests: Sonia Leo, Lexlixatkwa7 Nelson
Producer: Emma Fazakas
Executive Producer: Catherine MacQuarrie, Mason Ducharme
Music Courtesy of:
Constitution Song by The Spiritual Warriors
Inquisitive Orchestra by Musictown on Pixabay
Episodes: 2025
https://rss.com/podcasts/inherentrightsinformedvoices
November 17, 2025
“Where it all began…” Exploring the history of the Indian Act and the inherent right to self-government. Episode 1 covers how First Nation communities governed themselves successfully before the arrival of European settlers and how the introduction of colonial government and the Indian Act changed ways of life that had been practiced for millennia.
Host: Catherine MacQuarrie
Guests: Frances Abele, Terry Poucette
- Episode 2: Inherent Rights Explained
November 24, 2025
Indigenous governance can be a tricky concept to wrap your head around. Terms like self-determination, self-governance, inherent right to self-government, reconciliation, Section 35, are thrown around. But what do they actually mean? Episode 2 explores the key concepts of the inherent right to self-government. What does it mean for First Nations to be self-determining? And how does that shape reconciliation in Canada?
Host: Mason Ducharme
Guests: Satsan (Herb George), Chris Robertson
December 1, 2025
Have you ever wondered why and how Canada recognizes Indigenous rights? In episode 3, prepare to learn all about Section 35 – a short but important piece of Canada’s constitution that recognizes the rights of Indigenous peoples across the country. Canada’s constitutional obligation to protect these rights, paired with the country’s adoption of the United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides a strong foundation for protecting Aboriginal and Treaty rights in numerous ways.
Host: Julie Williams
Guest: Naiomi Metallic
December 8, 2025
Indigenous peoples across Canada have a long history of successfully challenging the courts, governments and the public to recognize their rights. In episode 4, we learn about successful government policy change regarding Aboriginal rights, and how nations can begin implementing their own policies as a step to reclaiming self-governance.
Host: Dwayne Nashkawa
Guests: Catherine MacQuarrie, Frances Abele, Kent McNeil
December 15, 2025
The Canadian government has twice legislated the inherent right to self-government to recognize specific jurisdictions. One of those times was in 2019 with the passing of Bill C-92. For decades Indigenous voices had pushed for the right to control their own child and family services, and this Bill finally provides supports for that right. Episode 5 delves into Bill C-92 while exploring how some First Nations’ have been structuring their own child and family laws.
Host: Nathan Oakes
Guest: Albert Peeling, Mason Ducharme