Leah Dorion. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Paykiiwikay

New Métis culture podcast hosted by Prince Albert artist

Jan 19, 2021 | 12:10 PM

A new podcast series, hosted by a Prince Albert artist, explores Métis culture and the Michif langauge in Saskatchewan.

Host Leah Dorion says the recent launch of Paykiiwikay (Michif for “come and visit”) is well-timed for our current moment.

“I think with so much isolation right now, we have a need to have this kind of audio availability for people to connect with our community, Elders and Knowledge Keepers,” Dorion told paNOW.

She hopes her guests, who she calls “shining stars in the Métis community” will inspire listeners.

“I think they are people who will inspire every person in Saskatchewan to really think about their own gifts, their own culture and languages,” she explained. “It’s not just for Métis people, it’s for a general listening audience as well.”

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Métis educators, artists, actors and Elders from across the province are among those set to appear on Paykiiwikay over the course of 10 episodes.

The podcast series is presented by Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) and Canadian Geographic. It’s produced by veteran broadcast journalist David McGuffin.

The first episode, which features a conversation with Michif educator Russel Fayant is available to stream now. New episodes will be released biweekly.

“Paykiiwikay will address the very real need to preserve heritage, tradition and Métis identity,” MN-S Minister of Language, Culture and Heritage, Sherry McLennan said in a media release. “This podcast series will help teach others about the rich Métis history that is an integral part of the makeup of this province.”

In another local connection, the podcast’s opening theme is performed by fiddler Adam Daigneault, who grew up in Île-à-la-Crosse and studied in Prince Albert.

“We’re really pleased to have his fiddle music in our opening because he really is the next generation of Métis fiddling coming out of Saskatchewan,” said Dorion.

Paykiiwikay can be streamed on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Music, Spotify, SoundCloud, and at cangeo.ca/Paykiiwikay

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom