elders play an important role within the indigenous community. they are respected for the knowledge they hold and it is believed that they live a good life; mino-bimaadiziwin. it is the responsibility of elders to know and share traditional language, knowledge, culture, and history and to pass on these teachings to others. the 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 elders council was established in 2005.
ma-nee has faced numerous challenges in her life that have prompted her to embark on a path of spiritual healing through art. she was born in thunder bay, ontario and was adopted by a french canadian family. she was then found and returned home to her cree kokum at the age of two to be raised in a remote ojibwe community north of lake nipigon. being a two-spirited elder and storyteller, she uses various media for personal and community spiritual healing. she is visually impaired and her art tells a story of the journey people face each day. ma-nee has also authored, a two-spirit journey: the autobiography of a lesbian ojibwa-cree elder; a compelling and harrowing, but ultimately uplifting story of resilience and self-discovery.
sheila de cortesheila de corte is an ojibwe elder and knowledge keeper from animkii wajiw (thunder mountain), which is more commonly known as mount mckay located in fort william first nation in the robinson superior treaty territory of 1850. her spirit name is niibin giimiwan (summer rain), and she is from the turtle clan. sheila was born and raised in the city of fort william/thunder bay, ontario. she retired from the federal public service in january 2020 to allow her the freedom to feed her spirit by following her cultural path and to be afforded the free time to share her traditional knowledge and teachings with those who call upon her. it was through sheila's volunteer work with the thunder bay national aboriginal day committee in 2000 that first introduced her to her first pow wow and to the heartbeat of the big drum. this began her pull and reconnection to her anishinaabe way of living. she entered the pow wow circle in 2002 as a fancy shawl dancer and has since transitioned into a women’s traditional dancer. she picked up her hand drum in 2014 and now leads the “sisters of turtle island” women’s drum group where songs, teachings, and knowledge are shared as well as the sharing of the group’s community initiatives which support important indigenous community events. her anishinaabe way of living continues to pull her into many cultural related areas, which includes walking for the water to bring healing and awareness on the importance of protecting the water. she and other water walkers are fulfilling their promise to the late grandmother water walker josephine to continue the work she started for the water. sheila shares awareness and teachings to support “for love of the rivers” water walks in thunder bay. sheila also continues to build her relationship with the traditional medicines that she has learned about during her 4-year commitment studying under the guidance of kathy bird, medicine women, from matootoo lake medicine camp located in peguis fn.
beatrice twance-hynes is from the bear clan (maternal), deer clan (paternal) and from the biigtigong first nation (formerly pic river first nation). she has lived in thunder bay since 1988 with her husband gerry. she is a wife, mother, and grandmother. beatrice has a native teacher’s certificate from 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and an ontario management development certificate from confederation college and numerous courses in human resources. she has worked in human resources at dilico anishinabek family care, and has been their cultural manager since december 2012. beatrice is a traditional women’s dancer who makes her own regalia. she is a grandmother pipe carrier, a sacred circle facilitator, songwriter, singer and drummer.
she shares teachings on the medicine wheel, the sacred medicines, and the seven sacred grandfathers, women and water teachings, and teachings on the hand drum, drum-making and birthing. she facilitates sacred circles. in her role as cultural manager, beatrice has had the opportunity to sit in on traditional healing sessions with a traditional healer since january 2014 and has learned a lot of teachings. beatrice has been a member of the elders advisory council, aboriginal liaison with the city of thunder bay since december 2013 and a member of the elders council at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 since april 2015. she is also one the elders-in-residence at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 .
charlotte is a member of the waswanabe first nation, which is located in james bay, quebec. she works with her husband on traditional ceremonies and cultural teachings. i.e. healing circles, beading, natural health, herbs, young women teachings.
ernie is a member of (whitesand first nation). he works with his wife charlotte on traditional ceremonies such as sweat lodge ceremonies, pipe ceremonies, sunrise ceremonies, naming ceremonies, young men’s teachings, etc. ernie is also an elder for dilico anishinabek family care and conducts sweat lodge ceremonies for community members.
gene nowegejick is a member of the kiashke zaaging anishinaabek. he is a parent, grandparent, and great grandparent. he assisted with the development of cultural programming for children with various organizations for many years. he has been blessed to grow up traditionally and to have learned from his grandparents. he is from the lake nipigon peoples. gene’s grandfather is a direct descendent of one of the signatories to the robinson superior treaty of 1850. he has relations at fort william first nation, biinjitiwaabik zaaging anishinaabek, and grand portage. gene has many historical connections with these communities. gene previously worked with adult 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 at kiikenomaga kikenjigewen employment & training services - matawa (kkets) where he provided student supports and services. he’s been a social worker for 30 years, as well as a former police officer. gene believes we need to reinforce our connections to language and traditional ceremonies and conducts the monthly sweat lodge ceremonies at 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 . gene is currently retired.
ken simard is métis and is highly respected for his knowledge, values, and experience. ken provides an elder’s presence at community events and meetings, and helps to keep métis culture alive by sharing métis traditions and ways of life. ken is greatly admired for his leadership ability and cheerful disposition.
sam achneepineskum is originally from marten falls first nation. throughout his life he has learned from living in the bush. living in this way has given him a distinct perspective on life and its issues. sam has gained knowledge and experience by being involved with issues that affect indigenous lives. sam has been involved with the city of thunder bay and has worked previously as the aboriginal liaison with the city.
inactive - ron linklaterron retired in 2015 from the addictions foundation of manitoba where he worked as a prevention education consultant and provided training and skills development for people in the helping field. he has over 40 years work experience in the addictions field and continues to provide a unique set of knowledge, skills and cultural worldview for people who will eventually work in indigenous communities. ron received his bachelor of arts degree from 阿根廷vs墨西哥竞猜 and has a certificate in native counselling from confederation college of applied arts and technology. ron is from the treaty #3 territory and a member of couchiching first nation located near fort francis, ontario.
