Unreserved
CBC
Named one of Audible's Best Canadian Podcasts of 2025. Join Rosanna Deerchild every Friday for vibrant conversations with our cousins, aunties, elders and heroes. Rosanna guides us on the path to better understanding our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations.Our award-winning show is rooted in radio, where we’ve spent the last decade becoming a trusted space for Indigenous-led conversations.We are based in what is now known as Canada. Rosanna hails from O-Pipon-Na-Piwan Cree Nation at South Indian Lake in northern Manitoba, and now lives and works in Winnipeg (Treaty 1).
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 30, 2026 • 54min
Remembering Ian Ross: How humour and an "everyman" approach changed storytelling on stage
Ojibwe-Métis playwright Ian Ross brought the stage to the rez and put the rez on the stage in his Governor award-winning play FareWel. He harnessed the power of storytelling through his many plays and fiercely encouraged Indigenous creatives to do the same by sharing their own stories. Rosanna hears from Ian’s friends, family and colleagues about how they’ll carry his memory and legacy into the future.
Jan 23, 2026 • 49min
Greenlandic Inuit and their fight for independence
Inuit activists call for an independent Greenland – that means freedom from Denmark and the United States. Amidst the latest threats by the US to acquire Greenland, Inuit are speaking out and calling for good relations as an independent player on the world stage. Rosanna hears from Inuit across the Arctic about the defense of culture, language and sovereignty.
Jan 16, 2026 • 54min
Teachers and learners who are saving Indigenous languages
A winter count is history in pictures. But a 200 year-old notebook written in the Lakota language shows just how important the written word can also be. Around the globe communities are recognizing the invaluable role language plays in holding and sharing our people’s stories. Many languages are so at risk that the UN declared the International Decade of Indigenous Languages to raise awareness and mobilize communities. Halfway through that decade, Rosanna hears from language learners and speakers who are reclaiming and revitalizing their languages.
Jan 9, 2026 • 47min
The Art and Heart of Collaboration
It’s a sacred gift to tell the stories that we carry – that’s one of the lessons Tanya Talaga shares with emerging writers. Rosanna speaks with the award-winning author and other creatives about how they lift each other up by creating safe spaces, supporting each other’s art and offering opportunity and mentorship to the next generation.
Jan 5, 2026 • 50min
Wisdom from Indigenous authors guiding us into the new year
Reconnecting with language, family and culture is a journey without a map. It's one Melissa Powless Day has been walking through and sharing about in her poetry as she seeks reconnection and belonging. We also reflect on lessons and wisdom shared from Indigenous authors Rosanna has spoken with to help us move into the new year.
Dec 26, 2025 • 54min
Lessons in Giving
Who are the cookie people in your life? They bring light and calm in moments of chaos and darkness, and their gifts – whether they’re delicious treats, kind words, or time – hold lessons for us all. Rosanna digs into the season of giving and hears that some of the best gifts are those that come with lessons and stories. These gifts connect us to the past and give us hope for the year to come.
Dec 12, 2025 • 51min
Sacred Seven: Beaver is nurturing, giving, wise
Beaver mimicry is helping scientists on Blackfoot territory keep water on the land and put an end to decades of drought. It’s one of many ways Indigenous people look to our beaver kin for lessons on restoring balance to ecosystems. Rosanna hears how traditional knowledge and stories about beaver make us more nurturing, generous and wise.
Dec 5, 2025 • 50min
Welcoming Home the Salmon
Forget the birthday candles, some celebrations call for dynamite! Salmon are returning to river systems all along the Pacific coast where they are the lifeblood of communities. Along the Klamath River, one salmon warrior fulfilled a lifelong dream to blow up one of the dams that had blocked salmon for decades. Rosanna hears how efforts around destruction and restoration are bringing the salmon home.
Nov 28, 2025 • 38min
Healing, self-discovery and love with Eenou trans pop artist Siibii
Siibii means river in Cree – a body of water with no fixed form. That description resonates with the pop singer/songwriter now known as Siibiii. Rosanna sits down for an intimate conversation to hear how Siibii’s questions around gender, sexuality and neurodiversity have helped them to heal and come into themself.
Nov 21, 2025 • 51min
Unapologetically Indigenous
From Kookums on campus to artists with new names, Rosanna explores what it means to know your story, be grounded in yourself and share all the love (even if it takes a little rage to get you there).
