Jean McGregor-Andrews

Elder

Jean McGregor-Andrews

Jean McGregor-Andrews (Megwanabe) is from the Loon Clan of the Ojibways’ of Whitefish River First Nation (Wauwaskinaga). She is a firm believer in family values, life-long teachings and is a fluent language keeper.

She currently provides elder support to Whitefish River First Nation, UCCM Restorative Justice, Kina G’bezhgomi Child and Family Services, Association of Native Child & Family Services of Ontario, I-Care Seniors’ Mental Health Services and various other agencies.

She has had the role of Whitefish River Band Manager, Assistant Band Administrator, Education Manager/Counsellor as well as other committee/community positions in Child Welfare, Justice, Health and Community Development.

She also held the role of Education Counsellor, Anishinabemowin Language Instructor for School Boards and Educational Institutions and Agencies, University of Sudbury Native Board Member and President of Faith/Church Councils.

Elder

Romaine Mitchell

My name is Romaine “Are wah kon” Mitchell from the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne and a member of the Bear Clan. My wife Bonnie and I have walked side by side for 38 years and have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. In my community, I have the honor to be a sweat lodge conductor and a carrier of several medicine bundles for the community and do so with humbleness and humility.

I have been working in the field of Education for 30+years in several capacities. From starting as an elementary teacher, high school teacher, Guidance Counsellor, Principal and an Indigenous Lead within the Upper Canada District School Board to my current role as an Education Officer with Ministry of Education in the Indigenous Education Office, all while maintaining my spiritual connection to Indigenous roots. My educational journey has taken me to several teaching assignments in both the United States and in Canada, in both theProvincial and Federal educations systems.

As a strong advocate for Indigenous Education and wellbeing, throughout my 30 years, I have had the honor to work alongside manyTraditional Educators and Knowledge Carriers and I have done my best to carry their work forward by bringing Indigenous Knowledge and Understanding and Ways of Being into our pedagogical practice on a daily basis, as we are entrusted with guiding the young minds we come into contact with daily and those yet to be born.

I am honored to be able to share some time with your teams in this work and provide my support in keeping our Indigenous Languages at the forefront. I will be sharing the work in the establishment of the Anishinaabe Circles (Elders Endorsement Model) as an alternate means for our Indigenous Language speakers to become certified Indigenous Language instructors within the Ontario School System.

Niawen:kowa

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Black Bull Moose Singers

Black Bull Moose Singers currently make the Nswakamok territory home, members include ties to Sagamok, Atikameksheng, and Wiikwemikoong First Nations. Black Bull Moose singers have been together for more than 10 years and take great pride in their Anishinaabeg spirituality and culture. For further information or to contact the group, please visit their social media on Facebook at Black Bull Moose Singers.

Theland Kicknosway

Theland Kicknosway, a member of Walpole Island First Nation, calls Ottawa home while advocating for Indigenous communities. He is a traditional singer, drummer, and dancer, active in supporting Families of Sisters in Spirit. Theland's efforts began in childhood, initiating an annual powwow at his school and fostering cultural pride. As the youngest Indspire Laureate for Culture, Heritage, and Spirituality, he has gained prominence through media features and his influential presence on TikTok as @the_land, engaging nearly 400,000 followers. With his annual Run/Bike for MMIWG2S, "Theland’s Journey," he seeks to raise awareness and empower Indigenous youth across Turtle Island, demonstrating unwavering dedication as a mentor and leader in educating others about Indigenous culture and history, including LGBTQ2S youth.

Lisa Michano-Courchene

Lisa is a member of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and from the Bear Clan family. She grew up in the community and along the north shore of Lake Superior, where she spent much of her time on the land, embracing the teachings from her parents/grandparents and Elders. Upon completion of her formal education, Lisa returned to her community. She has since been involved in the education system for well over 20 years, in various teaching and administrative capacities. Lisa is the Education Director in Biitigong Nishnaabeg and she works passionately to create Indigenous-led curriculum in and beyond her community, so that Ontario education can place a greater emphasis on the history, language, knowledge, and skills of Anishnaabe people.

Jake King

Jake King is from Beausoleil First Nation. He is a teacher, language speaker and knowledge keeper. Jake started his career as an Indigenous Student Advisor in 2019 for the Simcoe Country District School Board and later transitioned to an Anishnaabemowin Language Teacher in 2022.

Kory Snache

Giniw (Golden Eagle) or Kory Snache in English has worked for the past 20 years in the fields of education, social services, and recreation. Kory incorporates Indigenous knowledge and worldviews into his practice. Kory is a member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation of the Anishnaabeg people. He currently teaches at Wasauksing First Nation and lectures at Brock University and Lakehead University and provides cultural land based recreation for Indigenous communities and organizations. He utilizes Anishnaabemowin through Total Physical Response (T.P.R.) methods when teaching outdoor education.

Lucas Michano-Courchene

Youth Ambassador

Lucas Michano-Courchene

Lucas Michano-Courchene (Diitiitibitah Animki Makwa) is from the eagle clan and calls Biigtigong Nishnaabeg home. He is currently the land-based coordinator at Biigtigong Nishnaabeg elementary school and works to facilitate land-based experiences for all students from grades K-8. Lucas has devoted much of his life to learning and carrying on the traditional values of his ancestors. He is passionate about being out on the land and is a strong advocate for the land, and being a teacher and healer. Lucas has grown up in ceremony and enjoys his time spent teaching the young men at the drum.

Youth Ambassador

Nathalie Restoule

Youth Ambassador

Nathalie Restoule

Nathalie Wajashk-Restoule is Anishinaabe kwe, from Okikendawt Anishinabek (Dokis First Nation) and is a member of the Eagle Clan. Nathalie is a graduate of the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Program and currently works at Kikendawt Kinoomaadii Gamig as the Ojibwe Language Instructor. Nathalie is an active learner of the Anishinaabemowin language, participates in land-based learnings, cultural/traditional teachings, ceremonies and community-based research that supports Indigenous revitalization efforts. Through her experiences in education and community involvement, she discovered her passion in advocating for Anishinabek health inequalities, connection to culture, identity, and family roots. Nathalie continues to build strong relationships with Elders, knowledge keepers, historians, medicine keepers, language speakers, leadership, youth and organizations. respectfully provide options, strategies and recommendations at an individual, family, community and professional level.

Youth Ambassador

Sassa Linklater

Artist

Sassa Linklater

Wāciye misiwē, Nīkan ninanāskomāw Kise Manitō anohc kākīsikahk - Sassa Linkater nitišinikason oski-iskwewiyān nesta omaškēko ininiw mina Sugpiak nīna. mōsoniwi-ministikohk nesta Native Villages of Afognak nesta Port Lions nitoscīn. Sassa Linklater is an omaškēko ininiw from Moose Cree First Nation and Sugpiak from the Native Villages of Afognak and Port Lions in Alaska, based in Nbisiing Nishnaabe territory. She is a multimedia artist who creates digital art, beadwork, and paintings on parfleche and birchbark. Every design she makes connects back to her James Bay roots. When creating pieces, ceremony is always kept in mind. Both of Sassa’s parents are contemporary artists that blend together western material with Indigenous perspective/ideology. This has shaped Sassa’s way of creating.

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