Episode 1
Host Tim Fontaine kicks off a new season of The Laughing Drum by sharing highlights from the show’s last season—because he forgot to book guests for the premiere.
Episode 2
This week on The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine sits down with filmmaker Sonya Ballantyne and finds out why she wants a Cree Barbie doll. Then the Red Power Panel weighs in on how Saskatchewan conservation officials undertook a 16-month undercover sting in order to charge a First Nations man for selling $90 worth of fish. Seriously.
Episode 3
On this episode of The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine speaks with a freakin’ Indigenous astronaut before the Red Power Panel dissects a story about story time with Trudeau and questions whether there should be two Indigenous holidays. Then, we introduce The Laughing Drum Reconcili-ometer!
Episode 4
On this week’s episode of The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine adjusts the completely scientific Reconcili-Ometer before the Red Power Panel tears into stories about 12 Shades of Liberal MP Robert-Falcon Ouellette, the new Indigenous Languages Act and a NY Times article that declares ‘thank God for Canada.’
Episode 5
On this week’s episode of The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine and the Red Power Panel set their sights on the continuing saga of Liberal MP Jody Wilson-Raybould and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indigenous Services Minister Seamus O’Regan’s flying follies and gesturing about Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s new Blackfoot headdress.’
Episode 6
On this week’s episode of The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine, The Red Power Panel and pretty much all of Canada is blown away by Jody Wilson-Raybould’s testimony about allegations of pressure from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Episode 7
This week on The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine and The Red Power Panel dig into the latest juicy news around the SNC-Lavalin scandal including the earth-shaking resignation of Jane Philpott from Trudeau’s cabinet, Gerry Butts’ testimony and Michael Wernick’s digging in. Because what the hell else is there?
Episode 8
In this episode, recorded live at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, host Tim Fontaine and The Laughing Drum regular Elissa Black Wolf Kixen dig deep into what the SNC-Lavalin scandal is doing to the Liberal relationship with Indigenous people. Then, we hear some deep, cutting insights from a special Red Power Panel that includes Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny), Candy Palmater (The Candy Show) and Craig Lauzon (Air Farce).
Episode 9
In this episode, recorded live at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, host Tim Fontaine and the Red Power Panel step away from the headlines and instead attempt to solve some of the biggest issues facing Indigenous people today. Our Red Power Panel this week is Kanietiio Horn (Letterkenny, Coffee With My Ma), Candy Palmater (The Candy Show) and Craig Lauzon (Royal Canadian Air Farce)
Episode 10
In this episode of The Laughing Drum, host Tim Fontaine sits down with the Red Power Panel and digs into viral video of the Prime Minister being an ass to people from the Grassy Narrows First Nation, how no one seems to be able to do anything about Senator Lynn Beyak’s racist website and how Winnipeg has a public library that has more security than most airports.
Episode 11
Should a consultant be allowed to cash in on a potentially life-saving emergency housing deal for an Ontario First Nation? Can or should Indigenous people culturally appropriate from other Indigenous groups? And what the hell is going on with the SNC-Lavalin scandal now? All that and more on this episode of The Laughing Drum.
Episode 12
On this episode of The Laughing Drum, we dig into Joseph Boyden’s Paris adventure, Canada’s fear of brown immigration and whether reverse-non-consultation is really a thing in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood.
Episode 13
What does a Conservative victory mean for Indigenous folk in Alberta and beyond? Do the Liberals know how to consult with First Nations? And what’s up with the response to Indigenous people speaking out about the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire? The Red Power Panel tackles that and more on this episode of The Laughing Drum.
Episode 14
Should Indigenous folk bother going to the UN? Did the media drop the ball on that $50K water hookup bill? And do First Nations need a direct line to the Queen? That and more, on this episode of The Laughing Drum.
Episode 15
Beyak is (temporarily) gone from the Senate, the timing of Trudeau’s Poundmaker exoneration is suspect and why don’t we care that nearly half of life on earth is dying? All that and more on The Laughing Drum this week.
Episode 16
Nazi and Confederate flags in Saskatchewan, A Canadian museum finally recognizes genocide and is Winnipeg sweeping the homeless under the rug? All that and more on The Laughing Drum this week.
Episode 17
Should media accept a $600-million bailout from the Liberals? What in the heck is going on in Ford’s Ontario? And now that we know Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott are running as independents, what in the heck happens now? All that and more on this week’s The Laughing Drum.
Episode 18
The Laughing Drum takes a deep dive into the newly elected United Conservative Party’s optional land acknowledgements, how two Manitoba First Nations are dealing with the opioid and meth epidemic and how do Indigenous people vote in this current political climate?.
Episode 19
This week on The Laughing Drum: Canadian media vs. genocide, Doug Ford’s paid vacation and weighing boycotts. Also, we bid farewell to panelist Sasha Mark.
Episode 20
This week, The Laughing Drum looks at Scarborough NIMBYism, white folk demanding consultation, crappy polls and the media who love them and a look at the State of Two-Spirit Folk.
Episode 21
In the season finale, The Laughing Drum looks at the literally never-ending saga of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, Quebec’s religious symbols law and Seattle’s non-Indigenous folks paying the rent. Plus, host Tim Fontaine bids farewell to the show!.