But here I am. I can't stay away. 

The book on which this was originally based has changed. 

I have changed. 

I am more, now. 

Here I am, riffing about--you guessed it--grief. Because I can't help myself. 

Listening to and reading the work of another writer brought me here, and I am not making promises, but I liked it. 

Enjoy. Or don't. 

It was my honour to interview Alison Tedford and to be sharing that episode with you.

Alison is an Indigenous business consultant and author from Abbotsford, BC. She is an expert in diversity and inclusion communications, a single mom and a woman living with a disability. She regularly writes for large publications and has worked on Indigenous issues for the majority of her career as a former public servant. 

I enjoyed our conversation, both for the stories and insight Alison shared, but also the lightness that showed up, too. I always appreciate levity in Big Topics, and this conversation offered it up generously. Like me, Alison has her fingers in many delightful projects and wouldn't have it any other way. She is completing her new book, Stay Woke Not Broke, which is now available for pre-sale here or here, she continues to speak about her book Chronic Profit: Building Your Small Business While Managing Persistent Pain, and has a couple of exciting heart projects on the horizon, which involve rompers (making them!) and coffee (yes, please!)

Here are the ways that you can connect with Alison and follow her brilliance and offerings to the world.

Instagram & FB: @alisontedford

Twitter: @alliespins

Website: http://www.alisontedford.com 

In this solo episode, Tara Caffelle shares grief that has engulfed the city she lives in after the bodies of 215 children were confirmed to be buried on the grounds of Kamloops' former Indian Residential School. 

In future episodes, we will seek to amplify marginalized voices, so that we may hear the stories and take action to support all that needs to be done. 

Here are some resources to support action, shared with gratitude from Pamela Roach (@pamroach on twitter) who is an Assistant Professor and Director of Indigenous Health Education at the University of Calgary:

The call for a Royal Commission Report

The National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation

Here’s the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (2015). If you haven't already read it, do it now. If you've read it before, review it again. 

Calls. To. Action.

Learn about international Indigenous rights.

Read about the impact of colonization and genocide.

And finally, a report on how this racism persists today. 

We have work to do.