Introducing: Pretendians

Introducing: Pretendians

Author: Kristi Lee | Canadian True Crime May 15, 2024 Duration: 38:12

Today we're pleased to share with you the first episode of Pretendians - a riveting new podcast series that looks at some of the most prominent and successful Indigenous artists, leaders and professors who all have something in common: they aren’t Indigenous.


There are hundreds of cases of Indigenous identity fraud that we know about, and likely thousands that we do not.

So why do these so-called “pretendians” do it? How do they pull it off? And what happens when they are exposed? 


In each episode of Pretendians, co-hosts Robert Jago (Kwantlen First Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe) and Angel Ellis (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) reveal unbelievable stories of audacious fraudsters and investigate the complex phenomenon of Indigenous identity theft.


We hope you enjoy this episode, and we'll see you soon!


Subscribe to Pretendians or follow it in your favourite podcast app.



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Canadian True Crime is a podcast that explores the nation's most compelling criminal cases, hosted by Kristi Lee. This isn't just a recounting of facts; it's an immersive deep dive that moves from the snowy streets of small towns to the darker corners of major cities. With meticulous research and a trauma-informed perspective, Kristi goes beyond the sensational headlines. Each episode weaves together the intricate details of a case with the broader social and historical forces at play, aiming to unravel not only what happened but why it happened and the profound impact on those affected. Listeners will hear a thoughtful, detailed examination of true crime that respects the gravity of the subject matter while seeking a deeper understanding of the stories that have shaped communities across the country. The podcast provides a narrative journey that is both specific in its focus on Canadian cases and universal in its exploration of human nature and societal structures. By focusing on thorough research and contextual storytelling, Canadian True Crime offers a listening experience that is engaging, respectful, and consistently compelling for anyone interested in the complexities of real-life mysteries and the Canadian context from which they emerge.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Canadian True Crime
Podcast Episodes
The Truth About Canada's Opioid Crisis [3] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:33
[Part 3 of 3] The truth about Canada’s Opioid Crisis is complicated and multi-faceted, but many experts in the field are clear about what’s going wrong.In this final part, we'll explore the evidence and data, and delve i…
The Truth About Canada's Opioid Crisis [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:30
[Part 2 of 3] Through the stories of four young Canadians from completely different walks of life—who all met the same devastating fate, we explore how Canada got itself into the mess that is the opioid crisis. In this e…
The Truth About Canada's Opioid Crisis [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:32
A three-part series — Through the stories of four young Canadians from completely different walks of life—who all met the same devastating fate, we explore how Canada got itself into the mess that is the opioid crisis. S…
The Legacy Christian Academy Scandal [3] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:45
[Part 3 of 3] The allegations result in criminal charges.*Additional content warning: This series is about allegations of physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse of students and minors at their church-run Chr…
The Legacy Christian Academy Scandal [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:22
[ Part 2 of 3 ] Caitlin Erickson makes a discovery that prompts her to give a statement to police.*Additional content warning: This series is about allegations of physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse of st…
The Legacy Christian Academy Scandal [1] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:43
A three-part series — Since August of 2022, a cascade of distressing allegations have come to light by former students of a deeply intertwined evangelical Christian school and the church that runs it. So far, criminal ch…
Antonio Scopelliti [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:37
Three emergency phone calls, two dead teenagers, one smoking gun, and no witnesses—besides the man who was responsible. This is a landmark case that famed criminal defence lawyer Edward L Greenspan would cite as being on…
Mary Davis Nelles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:38
Dream husband, dream wedding, dream honeymoon, dream home - Mary had it all by the age of 26. But a nightmare was waiting for her just around the corner…Look out for early, ad-free release on CTC premium feeds: available…
Colin Thatcher and the Murder of JoAnn Wilson [3] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:22
[Part 3 of 3] Accusations of coaching witnesses and shaky alibis are levelled at the defenders and supporters of Colin Thatcher. His own contribution from the stand? Deny, deny, deny. And though the jury comes to a verdi…
Colin Thatcher and the Murder of JoAnn Wilson [2] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:43
[Part 2 of 3] After JoAnn Wilson was shot in the shoulder in her kitchen, she backed down from the custody fight. Colin Thatcher was rewarded for outlasting her, but his fixation was far from over. A series of witnesses…