Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering

Two-Eyed Seeing Red River Metis University of Manitoba Alumna and Hypnotherapist with a diverse career in Leadership, Adult Education, Student Services, Indigenous Social Services, and Counselling. 

Deb’s life and work reflect a deep commitment to walking in two worlds: integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with academic and professional practice to promote wellness, understanding, empowerment, resilience, and cultural safety.

Karen Courchene, Ozhawskwa Bineshii Anakwud, is Anishinabe from Treaty One Territory; Sagkeeng/Peguis. She is the Grandmother-in-Residence at Migizi Agamik, the Indigenous Student Center at the University of Manitoba. 

Prior to coming into this role, Karen was an educator for over thirty years, working in many areas of education. She is an alum of the University of Manitoba. Karen is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In her role as Grandmother-in-residence, Karen does her best to support the students in any way she can.

Coming soon.

Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis communities of Cross Lake and Norway House in northern Manitoba. 

He has over thirty years of experience as a 2Spirit/Indigenous LGBTQI+ human rights activist and was one of the founders of the 2-Spirited People of Manitoba. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Winnipeg. Albert was also a member of the sub-working group that produced the 2SLGBTQQIA+ Action Plan (2020-2021) for Canada’s national inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). 

In 2020, Albert joined Team Thunderhead, the team that recently won the international competition to design the 2SLGBTQI+ National Monument in Ottawa. He is a current cultural advisor and historian to Communities Alliances and Networks for Indigenous Responses to HIV-STBBI (CAAN). 

Albert lives in Winnipeg, where he works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous peoples, HIV/AIDS research, 2Spirit re-emergence, cultural reclamation, and cross-cultural training. 2spiritconsultants.ca

Norman was born in Bissett, Manitoba, but grew up in the Metis settlement of Mangotagan. He went to the public school in Manigotagan, the Ojibway word for Bad Throat School. He finished Grade 9 in Manigotagan and then went to the San Antonio High School in Bissett. 

In the early 1960's, Norman was hired at the gold mine in Bissett where he worked as a labourer and eventually became a full-fledged miner. 

During this time, Norman met Thelma Barker of Hollow Water First Nation whom he married in 1967. They have two children and six grandchildren. 

In his later years, Norman continues to be active in the community serving as an Elder and a Pastor. He serves on various boards in the city of Winnipeg. He is also an avid curler and is the founder of the Aboriginal Curling League of Winnipeg.

A prolific Cree and Métis poet, Duncan Mercredi was born and grew up in Misipawistik (Grand Rapids, Manitoba). At sixteen, he moved to Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, where he attended high school, and moved to Winnipeg shortly thereafter. In 2020, he became the second Poet Laureate of Winnipeg. In 2021, he won the Manitowapow Award at the Manitoba Book Awards.

Duncan currently has six published poetry collections, and his forthcoming collection, Only the Scent of You Remained, launched at Mcnally Robinson on September 23 as part of the Winnipeg Writers Festival. All of Duncan’s currently published books are available for borrowing from UM Libraries.

Traditional Knowledge Keeper George Muswaggon is from Pimicikamak in Treaty 5 territory. His home community is Cross Lake, which is one of several communities that encompass Pimicikamak. He is a strong advocate for preserving and up-lifting language and Indigenous cultural practices. 

At a young age he took on leadership roles. First as an elected councilor in Pimicikamak, for four terms. Before becoming the First Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak. He has extensive knowledge and experience in various ceremonies and land-based teachings. 

George is now a knowledge Keeper-in-residences with Ongomiizwin Education, where he supports Indigenous Learners in the Facility of Rady Health Sciences and offers cultural and spiritual guidance to the wider students, faculty and staff.

Elder Charlotte Nolin was born in the Red River settlement, what we know call Winnipeg, and is a Proud Red River Metis Citizen. Elder Charlotte is a survivor of the “Sixties Scoop” and a member of the 2Spirit community. Charlotte grew up in an era when homes were still heated with wood stoves and remembers the smell of lye soap being made every fall when the pigs were butchered. Charlotte’s journey took her across most of Canada from the city of Quebec all the way to Victoria BC.

Charlotte worked in the construction industry, and in the field of social work supporting families, youth, and children. Currently, she is an elder in residence at Ongomiizwin Educations, supports Indigenous Learners in the Facility of Rady Health Sciences and offers cultural and spiritual guidance to the wider students, faculty and staff. 

Following the passing of her wife 13 years ago, Elder Nolin realized that life is short and it’s important to make a positive impact while we’re here. She is a strong advocate for 2SLGBTQQIA+ community in everything that she does, returning to our traditional ways of life and land conservation. In 2020, with her sister Barbara Bruce started the 2Spirit Sundance, the first of its kind.

Thomas R. Porter (Sakokwenionkwas “The One Who Wins”) was the founder, spokesperson and spiritual leader of the Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jo ha lay gay) located in the Mohawk Valley near Fonda, New York since 1993. He is a member of the Bear Clan of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. (Akwesasne, also known as the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation, straddles the New York State/Canadian border near Massena, New York.) He is married to Alice Joe Porter who is Choctaw. They have six children.

Mr. Porter held the position of sub-chief for the Tehanakarine Chieftainship title, one of the nine chief titles of the Mohawk Nation, for 21 years (1971-1992). He was the director of and a teacher at the Akwesasne Freedom School and taught at the Kahnawake Survival School. He taught Mohawk language, philosophy and history at both schools as well as carpentry at Kahnawake. Mr. Porter worked as secretary for the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs for 8 years and as interpreter for 11 years. Mr. Porter organized the “White Roots of Peace”, a traveling multi-media communications group designed to revitalize Native traditions and beliefs in North America. Mr. Porter was the Native American consultant for the New York State Penitentiary System and Chaplain for all of the Native inmates in the New York State Penal System for 10 years.

Mr. Porter has authored various books and pamphlets, all of which teach about Mohawk traditions and spirituality. Most of them are available through the Craft Store at Kanatsiohareke.

Andrea Redsky is a band member of Shoal Lake 40 in Ontario. She most recently taught middle years in Shoal Lake First Nation. She began her career as a high school teacher by teaching high school mathematics and science. She worked for the Winnipeg school division for 20 years. She was a principal, vice principal, guidance counsellor and resource teacher. Andrea has also worked as a consultant creating land based learning sites and a curriculum.

Carl William Stone (BA) was born on the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and raised by his Grandmother Eliza Stone. She was a respected Elder and of the Anishinabe Midaywin Society.

For the last 45 years, Mr. Stone has been active in the reclaiming of the Anishinabe Spiritual and Cultural ways of his people. In the mid nineteen seventies (1970’s), Carl was one of two young men of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation who played a role in bringing back the Traditional Drum to Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. After 100 years of silence, the Brokenhead Drum sounded its voice once again.

Carl is currently retired but works as an Elder-in-Residence for the Indigenous Student Centre at the University of Manitoba two days a week. Carl also works in ceremonies such as the Sundance, Sweat lodge, and other ceremonies, he is an Elder’s helper, and guest lectures on traditional teachings and spirituality.

Doctor Daniel Franklin Thomas is a band member of Sagkeeng First Nation. He was born at Matheson Island Manitoba. Dr. Daniel Franklin Thomas worked at the university of Winnipeg as an elder and an instructor. He tought a course called Indigenous Worldviews and Perspectives for the Masters in Development Practice program. He began his career as a teacher, became a consultant with Manitoba Education and later a specialist with Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre.

Daniel currently resides at Gull Lake Mb. and has on his property a ceremony ground with a Sweatlodge, Sundance and Mide Lodge. Each lodge offers an opportunity for individuals to heal, to connect with their identity and grow spiritually.