07/14/21 - Dr. Paulette Steeves

This week, Tiokasin welcomes back Dr. Paulette Steeves (Cree-Métis). Dr. Paulette Steeves was born in Whitehorse Yukon Territories and grew up in Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada. She is an Associate Professor in Sociology at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and a Canada Research Chair in Healing and Reconciliation. Dr. Steeves holds an adjunct faculty position at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick.

Her research focus is on the Pleistocene history of the Western Hemisphere, reclaiming and rewriting Indigenous histories and healing and reconciliation. In her research Dr. Steeves argues that Indigenous peoples were present in the Western Hemisphere as early as 100,000 years ago, and possibly much earlier.  Dr. Steeves argues that counter stories to Western narratives of Indigenous histories address issues that remain critical to Indigenous people — sovereignty, self-determination, healing and reconciliation.

She has stated that rewriting and un-erasing Indigenous histories becomes a part of healing and reconciliation transforming public consciousness and confronting and challenging racism. Long-standing academic denial of the deep Indigenous fosters racism and discrimination among the general or Settler population.Re-writing Indigenous histories, framed through Indigenous knowledge, will create discussions that counter racism and discrimination.

Dr. Steeve’s first book The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Americas was published July 1, 2021 by The University of Nebraska Press.

Production Credits:

Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), Host and Executive Producer

Liz Hill (Red Lake Ojibwe), Producer

Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Studio Engineer and Audio Editor, WIOX 91.3 FM, Roxbury, NY

Music Selections:

1. Song Title: Tahi Roots Mix (First Voices Radio Theme Song)

Artist: Moana and the Moa Hunters

CD: Tahi (1993)

Label: Southside Records (Australia and New Zealand)

(00:00:44)

2. Song Title: Something has to Change

Artist: Rodney Crowell

CD: Triage (2021)

Label: RC1

(00:56:23)