Indigenous Insights: An Evaluation Podcast

Available Episodes

5 of 44

S04E03: Saying the Things – Systems Change, Trauma, and Transformation with Louise Adongo
Bio Louise Adongo was born and mostly raised in Kenya but has also lived in various parts of Southern Africa. A bold and grounded leader with close to 20 years' experience in systems change, policy and evaluation, Louise runs the inclusive engagement consultancy, Caprivian Strip Inc (CSI) and is a co-steward in systemic mediation with the Transition Bridges Project collective *https://www.transitionbridges.net Drawing lessons and wisdom from her heritage, faith, creativity as well as assorted personal & professional experiences, she brings care and intention to uncovering the roots of tangled problems; enabling shifts to greater resilience, sustainability and impact. She believes that co-creating more nimble, transparent and creative institutional spaces is key to the reinvention that we have learned through our most recent pandemic that we all need. She also understands that connection in communities can be made possible quite unexpectedly one conversation at a time. Overview In this episode, hosts Dr. Gladys Rowe and Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara sit down with Louise Adongo, a systems change leader, evaluator, and founder of Caprivian Strip, an inclusive and empathy-based consulting firm that uses facilitation, research, and evaluation to support clients in their change work. Louise shares her origin story from Kenya to Nova Scotia, exploring how love, courage, and truth-telling shape her approach to systems transformation and evaluation. Together, they explore what it means to say the things—to have the courage to name what is often left unspoken within systems of power, oppression, and policy. Louise reflects on how unaddressed grief and trauma can keep systems stuck, emphasizing that witnessing and naming these truths is essential for transformation. The conversation moves into a reflection on dignity in transition, inviting a reimagining of leadership and organizational change as opportunities for healing rather than moments defined by burnout or shame. They close by turning toward creativity and joy, considering how art, play, and embodiment can restore a sense of wholeness, imagination, and connection in decolonial and systems change work. Email: [email protected] For more visit: https://www.gladysrowe.com/podcast (Scroll to the bottom to subscribe to the newsletter!) If you are loving this podcast please leave a five star review on your favourite streaming service. If you would like to offer support please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/InsightsPod
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S04E02: Decolonizing Policy and Leading with Love with Toni Tilston-Jones
Toni (she/her) is a descendant of white settlers, mostly from Britain, Ireland, Wales who was born and raised here, in Treaty One territory, in the heart of the Metis nation in Winnipeg MB, Canada. She is a daughter, sister, wife, parent, friend, community member, and a member of the 2SLGBTQQIA* community. Toni has a deep love for animals and the beauty of Mother Earth. She is committed to dismantling the systems, structures, and processes of colonization, oppression and injustice that cause harm, imbalance, and injustice. This must be work focused on the personal, organizational and systems levels. She believes we all have the capacity to heal ourselves, Mother Earth and continue to flourish as communities. She also believes on this journey, we need others -always - to walk with. All that we do is relational. Toni has a Master of Social Work from the University of Manitoba with a specialization in Leadership/Social Policy/Administration in not-for profits and over 25 years of experience working with people, communities, systems, and organizations. She has spent over 20 years providing direct clinical services, works in the not-for-profit sector at the executive level and is the owner and primary operator of Resurgence Consulting & Counselling Overview In this second episode of this spotlight series, hosts Dr. Gladys Rowe and Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara sat down with Toni Tilston-Jones—a leader, community advocate, and executive director—whose career has been rooted in dismantling systems of oppression and reimagining organizations through anti-colonial and decolonial practices. Toni shares her origin story, growing up in white settler spaces, navigating queerness in a society that denied belonging, and early experiences working with Indigenous youth in the justice and child welfare systems. These moments sharpened her understanding of oppression and fueled her lifelong commitment to system change, healing, and justice. In this episode, the conversation explores how decolonizing organizations must begin from the inside out—addressing racism and oppression before inviting Elders or community knowledge keepers into the work. Toni shares how she has used policy as a lever for change through a staff-led committee and analysis tool, leading to transformative shifts such as a compassionate leave policy and space for ceremony. Together, Gladys, Liz, and Toni reflect on evaluation as a practice of transformation, highlighting the development of a youth-led wellness card deck and staff reflection tools that center belonging, connection, and relationship as measures of well-being. At the heart of it all is Toni’s leadership philosophy—grounded in love, humility, and vulnerability—shaping a path away from hierarchy and toward shared leadership and relational accountability. Email: [email protected] For more visit: https://www.gladysrowe.com/podcast (Scroll to the bottom to subscribe to the newsletter!) If you are loving this podcast please leave a five star review on your favourite streaming service. If you would like to offer support please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/InsightsPod
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S04E01: Living in Indigenous Sovereignty with Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara
Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Laurentian University. She is a non-Indigenous scholar whose work focuses on the roles of non-Indigenous peoples in decolonization, reconciliation, Treaty, and LANDBACK; and on anti-colonial methodologies and decolonial change through public education and film. She is the author of the book Living in Indigenous Sovereignty and a filmmaker with the Stories of Decolonization Film Project. Overview In this first episode of Season 4, host Gladys Rowe is joined by co-host Dr. Elizabeth Carlson-Manathara for the launch of a special spotlight series on anti-colonial and decolonial evaluation. Together, they explore the practices, tensions, and responsibilities of reimagining evaluation as a site of transformation rather than extraction. Elizabeth shares her origin story—from her upbringing in white communities in the U.S., to her early experiences working in an Indigenous school in Minneapolis, to her deeper learning through gatherings at Turtle Lodge in Manitoba. She reflects on her journey into anti-colonial praxis, the responsibilities of non-Indigenous peoples in decolonization, and the concept of living in Indigenous sovereignty. This conversation sets the stage for the season ahead—one that will feature Indigenous and non-Indigenous evaluators, scholars, practitioners, and knowledge keepers walking the path of decolonial and anti-colonial evaluation in different ways. Resources Book: Living in Indigenous Sovereignty Film Series: Stories of Decolonization Film Project Turtle Lodge, Sakgeeng Manitoba: Turtle Lodge Email: [email protected] To be added to the mailing list when this is announced please send an email with the subject line: SUBSCRIBE to: [email protected] For more visit: https://gladysrowe.com/category/indigenousinsights/ If you are loving this podcast please leave a five star review on your favourite streaming service. If you would like to offer support please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/InsightsPod
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S03E10: Reflections on Season 3 with Gladys Rowe
In this season 3 finale, Gladys pauses in gratitude and looks back across a season filled with stories of disruption, creativity, and community-rooted evaluation. Drawing on the night sky as a guiding metaphor, she reflects on how each conversation this season has been a bright star in a larger constellation of Indigenous resurgence and systems change. Gladys shares what she has learned about holding space as a host, artist, and relative—how art and joy deepen evaluation, how protocol and relationship guide the work, and how community knowledges continue to root evaluation practices. From canoe journeys and star stories to poetry and collective reflection, this episode invites listeners to see evaluation as a living practice of wayfinding and belonging. Email: [email protected] To be added to the mailing list when this is announced please send an email with the subject line: SUBSCRIBE to: [email protected] For more visit: https://gladysrowe.com/category/indigenousinsights/ If you are loving this podcast please leave a five star review on your favourite streaming service. If you would like to offer support please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/InsightsPod
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S03E09: We’ve Always Had Tools: Anishinaabe approaches to evaluation at Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming
In this episode, Gladys is joined by Natalie Nicholson, Pearl Walker Sweeney, and Roxanne Johnson—leaders and practitioners at Mewinzha Ondaadiziike Wiigaming, an Anishinaabe-led women’s and family wellness clinic in Northern Minnesota. Together, they reflect on their journey of building a culturally grounded evaluation practice rooted in Anishinaabe values and relationships. From the origin story of Mewinzha, founded by Natalie's mother Millicent, to the development of a collaborative, community-centered evaluation approach, this conversation highlights the importance of being led and rooted within community priorities. Stories shared demonstrated the power of relational accountability, creativity, and reciprocal learning in designing programming that centers relatives' experiences. The guests share stories of how evaluation at Mewinzha isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about reflecting on their bundles, centering community wisdom, and continuously nurturing the spirit of the work. We share elements of the evaluation bundle, including the reflective and arts-based methods that have supported the team to walk in a good way, and how this Anishinaabe evaluation approach might offer lessons in leadership and transformation for the field. Bios Natalie Nicholson DNP, APRN, CNP, ILC is Arikara/Anishinaabe, Board Vice President, Clinical Director, DNP, APRN-CNP, OLY. She is enrolled in The Three Affiliated Tribes, Fort Berthhold, ND (Arikara), descendant of Red Lake Nation (Ojibwe) and Danish ancestry. Natalie has over 23 years of nursing/clinical experience in maternal infant women's health serving American Indians in northern Minnesota. She received my Doctorate in Nursing Practice from John's Hopkins School of Nursing in 2022, preparing me to lead in establishing our clinic and changing how healthcare is offered in our community. She leads the clinic administratively and provides medical/cultural care focusing on prenatal, postpartum, lactation and women's healthcare integrating spiritual, social, emotional and physical health. Fun note, she’s an Olympian! Pearl Walker-Swaney, MPH, CD, CLC, ILC, RYT, is Lakota/Dakota/Anishinaabe enrolled in Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and from White Earth Nation. Pearl is a certified doula, yoga teacher, and student of energy therapy with a passion for lactation education. She has been in birth work for almost a decade and carries a deep appreciation of our cultural practices that support overall well being. Pearl is a mother, crafter, earring maker, enjoys family walks, poetry, children’s books, and loves dogs. Roxanne Johnson, RDN, CDCES, CLC, ILC, is Anishinaabe enrolled in the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Tribe in Belcourt, ND. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for over 20 years working for tribal communities in Minnesota and California. She is passionate about ancestral foodways and American Indian wellness teachings. She enjoys teaching about making healthful changes starting in the kitchen. Roxanne is mom of 3 children, self-taught chef, crafter, and enjoys walking and traveling. Email: [email protected] To be added to the mailing list when this is announced please send an email with the subject line: SUBSCRIBE to: [email protected] For more visit: https://gladysrowe.com/category/indigenousinsights/ If you are loving this podcast please leave a five star review on your favourite streaming service. If you would like to offer support please visit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/InsightsPod
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