The ʔasqanaki Podcast by Smokii Sumac

In episode 5 Smokii is joined by Juno award winning Anishinaabe/Métis musician, G.R. Gritt. Smokii and G.R. discuss Indigenous joy, honouring and connecting to our ancestors and finding their voice post-hormone therapy. G.R. Gritt shares their songs “Ancestors” and “Quiet Years”.

The ʔasqanaki Podcast by Smokii Sumac honours connections between Indigenous storytellers through the Ktunaxa concept of ʔasqanaki: to tell two versions of the same story.

Tune in to hear Smokii and his guests share stories of how their work came to be, what inspires them to create, and which pieces of their work resonated so deeply with Smokii's experiences that he decided to create a whole show about it!

G.R. Gritt

G.R. Gritt's journey as an artist has been marked by a relentless pursuit of truth and authenticity. Their music serves as a platform for self-exploration, healing, and a powerful tool for reclaiming Indigenous identity and challenging colonial narratives. By fearlessly addressing themes of colonization, environmental justice, and personal transformation, G.R. Gritt has become a beacon of strength and resilience for all of the communities they are a part of. G.R. Gritt's music is a powerful testament to the fortitude of Indigenous and queer peoples, a call for unity and healing, and a celebration of the power of art to transform lives.

Content: explicit language and conversations about being two spirit and transgender, gender-affirming therapy, testosterone therapy, voice changes, singing, alcohol addiction, recovery, music, networking, connection, cultural teachings, ceremony, prayer, changes in personal relationships since “coming out,” memory, and memory loss, the difference support makes, transphobia, homophobia, ableism, enfranchisement, cultural belonging, colonization, and “the quiet years” when our languages, songs, and stories weren’t being shared.

The ʔasqanaki Podcast would like to thank our guest, G.R. Gritt, who is also the sound designer, audio engineer and editor for the show. This episode was recorded at the Root Down Studio in Toronto.

Thank you, also, to our Producer Krystal Strong of Osum Artist Management.

And we would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts for their generous funding of season one!

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