Episode 3: Robert Nakogee

In this episode, host Lenny Carpenter announces that the podcast now has a website: https://www.apisheeshpodcast.ca/ where listeners can listen to and share the episodes, read bios, sign up for a newsletter, and find links to all of platforms and socials. He'll also be writing blogs. Listeners can leave reviews on the website which might be featured in a future episode. There is also a Cree Resource page on the website with links to resources to help learn Cree, including apps, online dictionaries and lessons, and a book.

The book he shares is called atalohkana nesta tipacimowina or Cree Legends and Narratives: from the West Coast of James Bay. It has 68 stories, legends and narratives (stories) told by 16 Cree speakers from Moose Factory and Kashechewan recorded in the 1950s and 60s. The book has the stories in both Cree (in Roman orthography) and English side-by-side, and the recordings are available online at https;//www.spokencree.org. After not making much learning progress, he plans to use the book and recordings for the upcoming month.

The guest this month is Robert Nakogee, chief of Fort Albany First Nation (and Lenny's cousin). Robert was raised in his home community of Fort Albany by his great-aunt and uncle Margaret and Joseph (Jojeep) Wheesk and completed his last two years of elementary school in Moosonee, Ont. He completed high school in Timmins, Ont., and returned to his community where he later entered politics, first as a band councillor for his First Nation before serving two terms as the deputy chief. In 2020, he was elected chief and served one term before voluntarily stepping away. He re-entered politics this year and was elected as chief of Fort Albany in October 2025 for his second term.

Robert, or Bobby, talks about growing up in a house full of different generations and extended family, going to school outside his community, and how he entered politics. He also shares words of wisdom from Jojeep, the man who raised him.

Lenny shares reflections on Robert's story and repeats some Cree phrases Robert shared and reiterates his plan to learn.

Apisheesh: A Cree Learning Podcast is produced and hosted by Lenny Carpenter. 

Additional editing by Tyler Angeconeb

Logo design by Robin Kioke. 

Goose call provided by my niece Harlow Carpenter.

Music by Lenny Carpenter

Have any questions, feedback, or resources to share? Submit a message on our website: www.apisheeshpodcast.ca or email us at apisheesh@gmail.com.

Visit our website to listen to past episodes, view guest bios and Cree learning resources

Apisheesh is supported by the Indigenous Screen Office.

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