A brand-new Saskatchewan-made podcast is looking to showcase the language and culture of the Métis.
‘Paykiiwikay’ Métis Culture Podcast launched its first episode last week. The podcast is facilitated by both Métis Nation— Saskatchewan and Canadian Geographic.
“It’s basically like a really nice visit with Métis cultural knowledge keepers across the province,” said host Leah Dorion. “It’s just talking about what they’re doing as individuals in their form of culture preservation and what they’re doing to keep culture alive.”
Dorion is an interdisciplinary Métis artist, mentor and author. It’s produced by veteran broadcast journalist and foreign correspondent David McGuffin.
The name Paykiiwikay is Michif for “come and visit,” which goes hand and hand with the content based on Dorion’s explanations in a recent interview.
“I think (the podcast) is for everybody in Saskatchewan. It’s just a really great, Métis Awareness 101 and you get to meet people doing great things,” she said. “It’s just like having tea with somebody through a virtual format.”
The series will offer 10 episodes, kicking off with Russell Fayant, a Michif educator based in Regina. It will also feature Métis knowledge keepers such as musician and actress Andrea Menard and Elder Norman Fleury.
The podcast was created remotely, according to Dorion. She said that gave them the flexibility to be in audio format, and ability to showcase the culture and aspects of the Michif language.
The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Amazon Music, Spotify, SoundCloud and on the Canadian Geographic website. Episodes will be released from Jan. 12, 2021 and run until May 2021.