This week’s conversation is a difficult one. After caring for and witnessing the illness and death of her mother and sister, Marion has come to a decision regarding the use of MAiD. Everyone listening will have strong feelings and opinions on the subject. Marion and Dani set the tone with a discussion that is gentle, respectful, holding space throughout for authenticity and compassion. They talk about how Marion is already experiencing a diminished quality of life, and what it feels like to slowly lose independence. Her choice reflects the little bit of control she does have right now. Marion describes the conversations she had separately with each member of her family. And Dani shares that Marion’s decision broke her, not because she was choosing to leave them, but because that was the choice that was left for her mom. Thanks for listening. Please take care of yourselves and if you need to, make use of the resources listed on our podcast main page.

*****CONTENT WARNING*****

Each episode of this podcast touches on subjects related to trauma, misogyny, racism, medical racism, sexual misconduct, Residential Schools, as well as many aspects of death and dying. Self-care is our priority, and we ask that you please take care as you listen, step away for a break when you need to, and use the resources below for support.

Mental Health Support Resources:

https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ , 24/7 telephone: 1-855-242-3310, Online chat

NIHB Mental Health Services regional office

First Nations Health Authority (BC), Toll-free: 1-866-913-0033, info@fnha.ca

MAiD Resources:

https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/healthy-living/end-of-life-journey/medical-assistance-in-dying

Centre for Education and Research on Aging

https://nctr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/When-the-Time-Comes-Final-Edit-and-Format3510-march-24.pdf

https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/reclaiming-cultural-teachings-about-mortality-grief-loss-death-and-dying/

https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/doula-list-maid/

https://camapcanada.ca/

https://abo-peoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CAP-2024-FinalReport-PEOLC-MAID_WEB_EN-.pdf

Grief & Loss Support Resources:

https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/

https://www.hospicenorthwest.ca/services/outreach-program/

https://lumarasociety.org/indigenouswellness/ , 1-866-9LUMARA, info@lumarasociety.org

https://livingmyculture.ca/

Indigenous Books on Grief and Loss:https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_list.php?it=1&cat=3027

Residential School Support Resources:

https://www.irsss.ca/ , 1-800-721-0066 for Survivors and Their Families

https://nctr.ca/contact/survivors/ , The National Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419

Welcome to the first episode of BEFORE I GO…Embracing the Journey of MAiD. Meet our hosts, Danielle Wilson
Brown and Marion Brown as they share who they are, their Indigenous heritage and evolution, the story of their family, of
loss, pain and lessons that heal. Allowing us to get to know grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and siblings, Dani and
Marion tell the story of their family with humour and love. And they explain Marion’s Pulmonary Hypertension diagnosis,
her shift from caregiver to finding the grace to accept care for herself. And we experience Marion’s superpower. Thanks
for listening. Please take care of yourselves and if you need to, make use of the resources listed on our podcast main
page.

*****CONTENT WARNING*****

Each episode of this podcast touches on subjects related to trauma, misogyny, racism, medical racism, sexual misconduct, Residential Schools, as well as many aspects of death and dying. Self-care is our priority, and we ask that you please take care as you listen, step away for a break when you need to, and use the resources below for support.

Mental Health Support Resources:

https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ , 24/7 telephone: 1-855-242-3310, Online chat

NIHB Mental Health Services regional office

First Nations Health Authority (BC), Toll-free: 1-866-913-0033, info@fnha.ca

MAiD Resources:

https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/healthy-living/end-of-life-journey/medical-assistance-in-dying

Centre for Education and Research on Aging

https://nctr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/When-the-Time-Comes-Final-Edit-and-Format3510-march-24.pdf

https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/reclaiming-cultural-teachings-about-mortality-grief-loss-death-and-dying/

https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/doula-list-maid/

https://camapcanada.ca/

https://abo-peoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CAP-2024-FinalReport-PEOLC-MAID_WEB_EN-.pdf

Grief & Loss Support Resources:

https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/

https://www.hospicenorthwest.ca/services/outreach-program/

https://lumarasociety.org/indigenouswellness/ , 1-866-9LUMARA, info@lumarasociety.org

https://livingmyculture.ca/

Indigenous Books on Grief and Loss:https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_list.php?it=1&cat=3027

Residential School Support Resources:

https://www.irsss.ca/ , 1-800-721-0066 for Survivors and Their Families

https://nctr.ca/contact/survivors/ , The National Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419

“Death is not an ending but a change of worlds.” Indigenous nations have a long history with ceremony and tradition around death. A member of the Gitxaala Nation in BC, Marion Brown has Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). PH is a chronic progressive condition which will, as with other members of her family, eventually take her life. And so, Marion has made the decision to use the MAiD program, when she feels the time is appropriate. An experienced documentary producer and interviewer in her own right, Marion will turn the microphone around to herself. Along with family and many professional experts, she and her daughter Danielle will share this extraordinary journey with you.

By openly discussing the experience of choosing medical assisted dying through an Indigenous lens, along with wisdom and stories – about family & ancestors, history & trauma, healing & love – Marion and Dani hope that their journey will provide unique and thoughtful perspectives, encourage your own conversations with those close to you, and perhaps provide some comfort. After all, living & dying are the human experiences we all share.

Join us bi-weekly for some of the most profound and thought-provoking conversations of a lifetime.

*****CONTENT WARNING*****

Each episode of this podcast touches on subjects related to trauma, misogyny, racism, medical racism, sexual misconduct, Residential Schools, as well as many aspects of death and dying. Self-care is our priority, and we ask that you please take care as you listen, step away for a break when you need to, and use the resources below for support.

Mental Health Support Resources:

https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ , 24/7 telephone: 1-855-242-3310, Online chat

NIHB Mental Health Services regional office

First Nations Health Authority (BC), Toll-free: 1-866-913-0033, info@fnha.ca

MAiD Resources:

https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/healthy-living/end-of-life-journey/medical-assistance-in-dying

Centre for Education and Research on Aging

https://nctr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/When-the-Time-Comes-Final-Edit-and-Format3510-march-24.pdf

https://www.dyingwithdignity.ca/blog/reclaiming-cultural-teachings-about-mortality-grief-loss-death-and-dying/

https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org/doula-list-maid/

https://camapcanada.ca/

https://abo-peoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/CAP-2024-FinalReport-PEOLC-MAID_WEB_EN-.pdf

Grief & Loss Support Resources:

https://www.beendigen.com/programs/talk4healing/

https://www.hospicenorthwest.ca/services/outreach-program/

https://lumarasociety.org/indigenouswellness/ , 1-866-9LUMARA, info@lumarasociety.org

https://livingmyculture.ca/

Indigenous Books on Grief and Loss:https://www.strongnations.com/store/item_list.php?it=1&cat=3027

Residential School Support Resources:

https://www.irsss.ca/ , 1-800-721-0066 for Survivors and Their Families

https://nctr.ca/contact/survivors/ , The National Residential School Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419