Matriarch Movement Podcast Season 5 Premiere: Rising Voices and the Power of Young Leadership

Tânsi, hello relatives,

I’m so excited to share that Season 5 of the Matriarch Movement Podcast has officially launched. It feels like such a full circle moment, a vision I once held to uplift Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQ+ voices is not just taking root, but growing in ways I could have only dreamed of.

For our first episode back, I sat down with someone who truly embodies what this movement is all about: Tréchelle Bunn, the first woman and youngest person ever elected Chief of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation. At just 25 years old, Tréchelle is making history while balancing law school, community leadership, and national advocacy. Her journey reminds us that the next generation isn’t just preparing to lead — they are leading.

In our conversation, we explored:

• What it means to answer the call of leadership at a young age
• How matriarchy shows up in community, family, and governance
• The importance of fulfilling the 231 Calls for Justice in response to the MMIWG2S+ crisis
• How Indigenous youth can step into their power and find their voice
• The incredible story behind the Reconciliation Run, which began as a healing walk inspired by Tréchelle’s late grandparents and has grown into an annual half marathon for truth, healing, and solidarity

We also talked about the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors, balancing leadership with self-care, and how movement – whether it’s walking, running, or gathering – can be medicine for individuals and communities alike.

In one part of our conversation, Tréchelle shared a story about a non-Indigenous woman who traveled across the country to participate in the “Reconciliation Run” and to publicly acknowledge her own family’s role in the residential school system. That act of truth-telling and accountability is a powerful reminder: reconciliation requires us all to confront difficult truths — not just as nations, but within our own families and selves.

As Indigenous people, we know healing is a lifelong journey. We also know that leadership is not about titles or power. As Tréchelle beautifully described, a matriarch is “the glue that holds people together,” leading with compassion, connection, and courage.

---

What’s Ahead for Season 5

This season, Matriarch Movement will continue to highlight knowledge carriers, elders, Indigenous wellness facilitators, activists, and healers. You’ll hear stories of empowerment, healing and teachings that can guide us through the complex realities of healing, governance, and reclaiming our narratives.

We’ll also be centering conversations on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit crisis — amplifying voices calling for justice and systemic change while also celebrating the strength and beauty of Indigenous womanhood and 2S+ identities.

---

Join Us

👉 Listen to the full episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.
👉 Follow Tréchelle Bunn on Instagram @trechellle.
👉 Sign up for the Reconciliation Run (when registration goes live!) happening September 27th, 2025 — whether in Manitoba or virtually. https://www.reconciliationrun.ca/
👉 And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss any of this season’s powerful conversations.

Thank you for continuing to be part of this movement. Our ancestors dreamed of this — and together, we’re making it reality.

Hiy hiy,
Shayla Oulette Stonechild
Founder & Host, Matriarch Movement Podcast

---

More About Tréchelle Bunn

Tréchelle Bunn is the first woman and youngest person ever elected Chief of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, and one of the youngest serving Chiefs in Canada.

She graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Indigenous Studies, and is currently pursuing a law degree at Robson Hall, the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba.

A dedicated advocate for Indigenous rights and youth empowerment, Tréchelle has spoken on provincial, national, and international stages, including at the United Nations. She is the founder of the Reconciliation Run — Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation half-marathon. A former university hockey player, she also established the first Indigenous student-athlete scholarship at the University of Manitoba.

Her leadership and advocacy have been recognized with numerous honours, including the Indspire First Nations Youth Award, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the CBC Manitoba Future 40 Award, and the University of Manitoba Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

• Reconciliation Run: www.reconciliationrun.ca
• Instagram: @trechellle
• Southern Chiefs’ Organization feature: Read more

---

Thanks for checking out this episode of the Matriarch Movement podcast!

If you enjoyed the conversation, please leave a comment and thumbs-up on YouTube, or leave a five-star review on your favourite podcast app!

Find Shayla Oulette Stonechild on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/shayla0h

Find more about Matriarch Movement at:
www.matriarchmovement.com

This podcast is produced by Women in Media Network:
www.womeninmedia.network/show/matriarch-movement/

Learn more about your ad choices:
megaphone.fm/adchoices