We would like to dedicate today’s episode to the memory of Ty Iron.
Today, Marion and Dani share a no-holds barred conversation with lawyer Myrna McCallum who shares her lived experience with incredible honesty and insight. Together they discuss residential schools, the resulting trauma and intergenerational trauma - and carrying the grief of our ancestors. Looking at coping with despair and the strength it takes to choose hope, they talk about the idea that when we heal, we can heal what our ancestors could not. Myrna also shares her experiences as a lawyer, the need for trauma-informed lawyering, and the importance of giving consideration to the people who bring in legal issues, not the legal issues alone. And finally, about healing - about truthtelling, acknowledging trauma, never forgetting the past, and dignity for Indigenous people As always, please take care of yourselves and if you need to, make use of the resources listed on our podcast main page.

**Content Warning:
Throughout this episode, there is discussion of the devastating experiences in residential schools and Indian hospitals, and at the time codes listed below, there is talk of suicide and drug use:
9:47 - drug overdose
10:13 - 24:48 - thoughts of suicide
46:05 - 47:36 - drug overdose and death

ABOUT Myrna McCallum:
Myrna McCallum is Métis Cree from Treaty Six Territory (Green Lake/Waterhen Lake First Nation), and a true changemaker and a leading champion of trauma-informed lawyering. She is the host of The Trauma-Informed Lawyer Podcast and also acts as a subject matter expert and consultant on trauma-informed advocacy, procedure, and policy. Myrna is also an author of 2 books: “Trauma-Informed Law: Primer for Lawyer Resilience and Healing”, and “Criminal Law: Canadian Law, Indigenous Laws & Critical Perspectives”, and founded the Justice as Trauma conference, which returned for a second year this March in Vancouver. She has taught several courses on trauma-informed principles and is currently writing her memoir. In 2020, Myrna received the Federal Department of Justice’s first ever Excellence in Legal Practice and Victim Support Award. McCallum defines trauma-informed justice as a system rooted in healing, cultural responsiveness, equity and community relationships. It focuses on restoring dignity and supporting the mental and emotional well-being of those who have been harmed while also protecting the psychological well-being of those responsible for delivering justice.

Episode-Relevant Links:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-trauma-informed-lawyer/id1514824294
https://goodminds.com/products/healing-the-soul-wound-trauma-informed-counseling-for-indigenous-communities-second-edition?srsltid=AfmBOop62zhSMLzaiZr_-5QJd7wocuFwz6INEsZo63msKCuIWu1v3WRG
https://markwolynn.com/it-didnt-start-with-you/
http://www.iap-pei.ca/story-eng.php