The Road to Your Name Podcast

• Tom's identity was kept from him for 53 years; he was never told he was from the Mohawk nation
• His journey to reclaiming his identity is deeply intertwined with his creative practice
• He quotes director Shane Belcourt (Métis): "You're not putting on an Indian costume. You're taking off the costume that colonialism put on you."
• Tom emphasizes that reclaiming identity is about stripping away the bonds of colonialism rather than "putting on" culture

• Painting serves as Tom's meditation and grounding practice
• For someone with a "hyper brain," the detailed, meditative process of painting provides calm
• The creative process is deeply personal and not meant to be observed; its true power lies in the finished creation
• Through creativity, Tom has built opportunities and navigated life's challenges
• He has sustained himself emotionally and spiritually through writing, music, painting, and performance

• Artists have a pure light of wanting to create something for the world that wasn't there yesterday
• Unlike governments, religions, and corporations that seek to control, artists contribute without seeking control
• Creative work has the power to inspire and translate across audiences

• Tom's mother was a teen when she gave birth to him
• Born in 1959 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario
• Separated from his mother immediately after birth; she was sedated and prevented from seeing her newborn
• Placed in foster care through Catholic Children's Aid, then adopted by Bunny and George Wilson
• His adoptive parents kept his Mohawk identity a secret throughout his childhood
• This was the condition of the adoption agreement; he was forbidden from knowing he was Indigenous

• At age 12 (now 53 years later), his grandfather John Lazore came from Kahnawake, Quebec to claim him
• His great aunt and uncle, Bunny and George Wilson, became his caregivers and he describes them as his heroes
• Though his adoptive parents gave him "a fighting chance," they perpetuated colonial harm by hiding his identity
• Tom honours his adoptive family while acknowledging the complexity of their choices

• Felt like he was "dropped out of a spaceship in the wrong backyard"
• Found solace in time spent alone and in creative pursuits from an early age
• This early isolation contributed to his comfort with solitude and introspection

• Theatrical production that premiered in Hamilton at Theatre Aquarius
• An art book was published accompanying the play
• The play tells Tom's personal story of identity recovery and reclamation
• Described as "a Hamilton story" but fundamentally "a Canadian story" and "an Indigenous story"
• Tom wrote it to invite people in, not to "beat people over the head"
• Scheduled to tour at the National Arts Center in Ottawa and beyond in 2026-2027
• Like The Lion King, it requires multiple viewings

• A documentary film was made about the creation of Beautiful Scars
• Directed by Shane Belcourt (Métis)
• The documentary process itself became a journey of cultural discovery for Tom

• Currently composing for a film (Ni-Naadamaadiz:  Red Power Rising, 2025) by Tanya Talaga, directed by Shane Belcourt
• Focuses on the First Land Back Movement in Kenora, Ontario
• This was one of the first times Indigenous Peoples stood up for themselves in a modern, organized way
• Features historical resistance that is often omitted from Canadian history books
• Tom's music for the film is the "music you never hear but would miss if it wasn't there"
• Music serves as invisible emotional infrastructure for film

• First book: Autobiographical, telling his own story (published)
• Second book: Currently being written for Random House
• Focuses on identity and his mother's story
• His mother's narrative deserves to be heard and recognized for its power to inspire

• Creates detailed paintings on his kitchen table
• Views painting as meditative, requiring nose-to-the-canvas focus
• Recent work continues despite challenging personal circumstances
• Uses painting to express Mohawk identity in its truest form

• Composes for film and other media
• Uses music as an emotional and spiritual tool
• Emphasizes the integral role of music in storytelling and human experience

• The past 10 months have been "tumultuous"
• Mother passed away in November 2024
• Serves as primary caregiver to multiple family members
• Currently visiting aunt in the hospital
• Despite these challenges, continues creative work

• Plans to visit Kahnawake (home community) when possible
• Hasn't been able to visit recently due to caregiving responsibilities
• Despite geographic distance, maintains spiritual and creative connection to Mohawk identity

• Aboriginal Legal Services: www.aboriginallegal.ca
• Podcast: Yoha:te ne kahsen:na: The Road to Your Name (Facebook: @RoadToYourName)
• Support: Donations available at Aboriginal Legal Services website