Show notes
In this episode of PhilanthroThink, we sit down with Wanda Brascoupé, a leader in Indigenous philanthropy whose work has reshaped how giving happens in Canada.Wanda shares how she was invited into this work by her community, and how the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund was built on trust, relationships, and plain language—rather than traditional grantmaking.We talk about power, humility, and the importance of rethinking who decides what’s valuable. It’s a generous conversation with clear takeaways for funders, community leaders, and anyone looking to do better work.TAKEAWAYSLand acknowledgments are a crucial starting point for meaningful givingWanda Brascoupé’s journey shows how change begins in communityDecolonizing philanthropy means rethinking who holds power—and who defines valueIndigenous-led models shift how generosity and impact are understoodTrust-based philanthropy prioritizes relationships, not moneyTwo-eyed seeing bridges Indigenous and Western ways of workingPhilanthropy must adapt to better serve communities on the groundSafe, respectful processes build lasting trustNon-Indigenous organizations can be better partners by listening and showing upMore Indigenous leadership in philanthropy isn’t just hopeful—it’s essentialCHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to PhilanthroThink and Land Acknowledgment02:25 Wanda Brascoupé’s Journey into Philanthropy05:23 Decolonizing Philanthropy: Rethinking Power07:09 Indigenous-Led Models: Shifting the Landscape12:54 Building the Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund20:09 Trust-Based Philanthropy: Relationships Over Money24:40 Staying Grounded in Community27:23 Daily Reflections and Philanthropic Practice29:56 Saying No with Care and Accountability31:51 Working with Indigenous Communities34:07 Humility and Institutional Change36:34 What Gives Wanda Hope38:43 Inviting a Trust-Based Approach40:17 Learning, Unlearning, and Showing Up44:13 Looking Ahead: A Question for Future GenerationsVISIT OUR WEBSITEhttps://carleton.ca/mpnlFOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIATwitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarletonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarleton/CREDITSHosts:Megan Skyvington – https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganskyvington/Emily Goodwin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-goodwin-/Fengwen Yu – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengwen-yu-891504131/Daniel H. Lanteigne – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhlanteigneProduction: Keenlii – https://keenlii.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/Producer: Barry Keegan – https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykeeganSUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGEIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you listen—Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube—and leave a review. Let us know what topics you’d like us to explore next.SUPPORT OUR PODCASTHelp us bring more thoughtful conversations to the sector by sharing this episode with friends, peers, and changemakers.ABOUT PHILANTHROTHINKPhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program. In each episode, we sit down with philanthropic leaders, wealth creators, and changemakers to explore the real challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.