Ivan J. White

In this episode of InDigital Insights, host Monique Manatch speaks with Ivan J. White—Mi’kmaw musician, writer, filmmaker, and storyteller from Flat Bay, Newfoundland. Ivan reflects on his path into storytelling, rooted in a critical moment during school when colonial narratives misrepresented Mi’kmaw history. Through writing, music, and filmmaking, Ivan works to preserve community memory and reclaim truth, often challenging historical fabrications. He shares how early access to books and family support in music helped shape his voice, and how community-driven filmmaking became a tool for both healing and documentation. They also discuss cultural representation, language loss and revitalization, and the tensions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous storytelling approaches.