Lawrence Nayally

Sharing Stories of the North: Lawrence Nayally Connects through the Radio and the Heart

“You just have to take a chance and have faith in others and in yourself and be strong, “ says Lawrence Nayally. He has lived in Yellowknife for fourteen years and works for CBC as an afternoon radio host sharing the stories of the people of the North. Raised by his grandparents who travelled often, he would go by boat, plane or winter road from his home community of Wrigley. Immersed in the language, culture and storytelling, he was the only child in their household. He grew up quickly and found creativity early.

In a community struggling with the intergenerational impacts of residential schools, he had access to curriculum aimed to help youth break the cycles as well as Dene spiritual gatherings. 

At the same time, Nayally was exposed to modern, negative influences and ended up in foster care and the youth justice system. With his family’s intervention, he turned his life around and focused on storytelling and helping his community.

He created a newsletter to inform his community about the progress and concerns around the Mackenzie Valley gas pipeline and to share local perspectives. He applied to go to film school at Capilano University but he also wanted to keep working for his First Nation. He started practicing hand games with youth, going out on the land and co-chaired the Dehcho Annual Assembly.

While he showed love to his community, love found him and Nayally met the mother of his children. They had their first child and moved to Yellowknife where they had more opportunities. He heard about a radio job he wanted but he had already landed a high paying mining job so he stuck it out where he was.

Eventually, the radio job with CKLB came back around as he was realizing that money wasn’t everything. After a crash course in broadcasting, he carried on announcing in his language for almost five years until government funding cuts led to his layoff. He went on to work with youth with a local counsellor and healer. As the government was introducing an omnibus bill that would interfere with water rights, Nayally got involved with the wave of advocacy around land and water protection. He helped start up an organization for that purpose.

He got back into radio when a friend suggested he apply at CBC. He had an informal coffee chat, then a formal interview and then he found out he got the job. He’s been with them for 8 years. Giving his letter of resignation to take the job at CBC was tough but he was proud of what he accomplished.

Growing up around leaders, elders, inspirational Dene people he looked up to, he was also inspired by the Indian brotherhood and people in Indigenous politics. What the people Nayally looked up to had in common is they wanted to help their nations and their people. When he was young, he wanted to find ways to build bridges with non-Indigenous people, especially given the shared challenges climate change will bring in the future.

“I've been fortunate enough to use culture, our language, our drumming, our singing, to go into the world and share that with other people, and then share with them also what we want for the future is a good future for our kids. Really, at the end of the day, we're just on borrowed time and borrowed resources. We're not going to be here forever. We're not taking any of these things with us when we're gone. What matters is the memories we leave behind and we want to leave something good for them to utilize,” Nayally reflects, sharing how he hopes videos might help young people make good choices in the future when they face difficult decisions.

When it comes to Indigenous students leaving their home communities to pursue work and school his advice is, “there's resources out there to help you thrive, and there's people that really care and want to help you get you to where you need to be, or where you feel you need to be. It's just a matter of reaching out and making those connections.” 

Illustration by Shaikara David

To youth facing challenges that can derail progress like addictions, financial issues, depression, unemployment, friends who want to party, he says, “just try to be mindful of those things. And for me, it was really just deciding, do I want to continue partying and being a part of that scene where it's the same old crew, same old stories, same old drama, or do I want to create something beautiful, something that my kids could be proud of, something good?… I chose that path, but I also needed help in doing that. You need to find partners.” Struggling with the isolation of being away from home, Nayally recommends persevering until you find people to connect with.

 He also suggests asking for what you need. “In the Dene context of spirituality, that's what they say is just go on the land and talk to us, tell us, the land is there to heal us and guide us. You just have to take time to go out there and maybe the Creator will look down and see how pitiful you look, and will bring something in the way for you to use, to help you,” he shares.

Nayally recommends working with people towards a common good. “Because at the end of the day, it's really about community. It's about your clan, and it's about your tribe. It's really helping one another. Because I always grew up hearing elders say that… we gotta help each other… you gotta love people with all your heart…"

By making himself accessible and opening himself up, he’s been able to make music, be part of a documentary, and travel to Rome to use the Dene drum to lift up the delegates. In not isolating himself, he allowed people and opportunities to find him. Through his community and especially his grandfather, he learned not to stress too much about things and the strength of his own mind. He learned he needed to be healthy, avoiding drugs and alcohol, letting go of ego and jealousy, and not getting too overwhelmed with emotions. He learned to be open minded, not to take himself too seriously, enjoy himself with the people he loves and to care for others.

He took a chance, had faith in others and himself and was strong and it led to amazing adventures. Sharing stories on the radio, songs on his drum in Rome and taking part in youth work, Lawrence Nayally has made a big impact in his life so far. With community at the heart of his work and his life, he has given back in many ways, leaving himself open for opportunity and connection and the next great thing.

Thanks to Alison Tedford Seaweed for authoring this article.

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Key Parts

  • Career
  • Identity
    First Nations
    ,
    ,
  • Province/Territory
    Northwest Territories
  • Date
    September 30, 2025
  • Post Secondary Institutions
    No post-secondary information available.
  • Discussion Guide
    create to learn discuss

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