Kim Wheeler, an Anishinaabe/Mohawk kwe (woman) based in Winnipeg, is one of the co-creators of the Auntie Up! podcast.

By By Chelsa Racette

Auntie Up! podcast

Indigenous women talking about important stuff

Aug 10, 2024 | 10:16 AM

In a bustling world of podcasts vying for attention, Auntie Up! is a raw, unfiltered celebration of Indigenous women.

“Our voices have been silenced for too long,” said Kim Wheeler, one of the co-creators of the innovative podcast.

She is an Anishinaabe/Mohawk kwe (woman) who lives and works in Winnipeg.

Wheeler, a multi-award-winning writer and producer for various publications, news outlets and television shows including the Junos, been in the industry since 1993 and knows what she’s talking about.

She started her journalism career at Windspeaker before moving on to the Canadian Press then CBC.

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Since leaving mainstream media, Wheeler has become a one-woman media powerhouse who is passionate about her work.

Her articles have appeared in Chatelaine and the New York Times.

Other podcasts Wheeler has created or co-created include: Ab-Originals, Indian Summer, Indigenous Screen Office’s Storytellers, Turtle Island Talks and The Kim Wheeler Show on SiriusXM.

She said the Auntie Up! podcast was born from a desire to carve out a space where Indigenous women could openly discuss critical issues without censorship.

It is the brainchild of Wheeler, Tanya Talaga and Jolene Banning as a way to amplify marginalized voices in communities from coast to coast to coast.

“We are those aunties who will tell you how it is, straight up but also with love and caring,” said Wheeler.

Karyn Pugliese is joining the podcast for season three as both a producer and Auntie. The pair are currently working on new episodes.

As expected, they won’t shy away from the tough issues.

Some upcoming topics include queering the world, pretendians and the high cost of misinformation.

Each episode involves a different co-host and is about 35 to 45 minutes in length.

The aunties choose to focus on a single subject to allow for genuine exploration and candid conversation.

“We laugh, we cry, we get angry,” said Wheeler. “But through it all, we’re celebrating Indigenous women.”

She said for everyone, the podcast is a labour of love, driven by a profound desire to shift perceptions and honour Indigenous women’s resilience.

Wheeler hopes ‘Auntie Up!’ will help change the narrative of Indigenous people one episode at a time.

Despite operating on a shoestring budget, the podcast’s biggest challenge lies in coordinating the schedules of its guests, who are influential figures within their communities.

“We’re showcasing the movers and shakers,” said Wheeler. “We hope listeners gain a newfound appreciation for Indigenous women’s strength and intellect, and that they see us as the powerful, innovative, and caring individuals we are.”

Auntie Up! serves as a testament to the democratization of media, proving that anyone with a smartphone and internet connection can wield influence.

“You don’t need a big budget or a license,” asserts Wheeler. “All you need is passion and a willingness to share your truth.”

Auntie Up! is exactly what the co-creators envisioned.

It is unapologetically honest, fiercely loving, and unafraid to tackle the tough stuff and serves as a reminder that every voice, no matter how marginalized, deserves to be heard.

Episodes are available on popular streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts.