The Deadly Uncle Podcast was created as a safe space to connect Indigenous men and boys to their culture and communities. Join Curt Young and Trent Agecoutay as they talk to "Deadly Uncles" in the Indigenous Community.

Each podcast promotes belonging and social inclusion to support the physical and mental wellbeing of Indigenous men and boys. This week Young and Agecoutay talk with Elder John Sinclair.

John Sinclair is a recognized Cree Elder in Alberta, with roots in the Good Fish Lake First Nation, the Ermineskin First Nation and the Wolf Lake Metis Settlement. He has rights to conduct several Ceremonies, and has additional experience with counselling and program facilitation, including the Kairos Blanket Exercise. He is active in his community as a Pipe Holder, Sweatlodge Keeper, and public speaker. Family is very important to Elder John as both a father and grandfather.

He was previously appointed to a number of Boards, including the Red Deer Native Friendship Society, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) Regional Council of Elders and the CSC Regional Aboriginal Advisor Committee. He initiated a local Community Healing Circle and has provided Ceremonies and Indigenous Awareness training to the High School and College in Olds, Alberta. Elder John has also been a member of the Elders’ Advisory Committee for Child and Family Services in Red Deer, Alberta. Recently, he has been sharing his knowledge and Teachings through his writing, some of which is published by www.colouringitforward.com.

Elder John was actively involved with CSC for over 20 years, beginning as a Contract Aboriginal Program Officer at the William Head Institution from 2000 to 2005 and then Bowden Institution until his retirement from his CSC role of Institutional Elder in 2021. His lengthy experience with the correctional system and working with Indigenous offenders, combined with his role as an active, highly respected Elder in the community has made him a valued contributor to the work of the Parole Board of Canada at Elder-Assisted Hearings throughout the Prairie Region since 2017.