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Garland Moses

Garland Moses also known as Strong Flying Eagle Man is a member of the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg located between Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay off the shores of Lake Superior.    He shared teaching on various smudge methods using Mother Earth medicines, using the Big Dipper as recognizable evidence that the Seven Sacred Teachings are out a full display including what is known a potential eight teaching such as the strawberry as a forgiveness fruit.    There is many other traditional learning that our ancestors had left us whereby these are rolled out in the three day traditional program including the use of Bear medicine rendering thus giving us courage that accept the many challenges we encounter in our life. 

Now comes that simple word -LIFE- has a new meaning. 

Marie Bebamikawe

My name is Ishkodekwe Bebamikawe. English name is Loraine. Wolf is my Dodem. I was born with language and heard it until 1970. Afterwards I never spoke it again and I thought I lost it. By 1986 I decided to take a course. It helped but when I didn't use it, I couldn't remember it later.    

It was around 2018 that I began immersing myself and have kept my language alive by continuously taking training opportunities. I am still a learner. I can tell short stories today in Anishinaabemowin to new learners by using body language, pictures, drawings, and voice sounds. I also do this on zoom with college students in Bay Mills Michigan. I treasure our Anishinaabemowin as it fills me up.

Look forward to meeting you all! 

Siera Hancharyk 

I am a First Nations 2-spirit she/they Kwe/Nini from Wiikwemkoong who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie (Baawaating) but now reside in Toronto (Treaty 13, Dish With One Spoon). 

Being an Urban Indigenous youth allows me to engage with other Indigenous youth, fostering connections and supporting their pursuits and creating community in the big city.  
 
The drive to contribute to a self-sustaining Indigenous hub is at the heart of my endeavours. With the work I do with Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin as well the Three Sisters Indigenous Craft Market which I am the founder of and is housed under Inaabiwin Wiigwaas, we are sharing Anishinaabe teachings and cultural practices-creating culturally safe spaces. My goal is to nurture spaces that celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship, guided by a vision that respects our past and shapes our future. Looking ahead, the next seven generations while respecting all the Seven Grandfather teachings.

Chi- Miigwetch (Thank You),  Siera R. Hancharyk (she/they) 

Kelly Nootchtai Huston

Kelly Nootchtai Huston is a proud member of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. She lives in Nipissing First Nation with her husband, Brendan, and their two children, Lucy and Ambrose. An educator with a deep passion for the Ojibwe language, land-based learning, and the Indigenization of curriculum, Kelly is a lifelong learner who actively seeks opportunities to grow—learning from knowledge keepers, community members, artists, colleagues, and through various courses. She enjoys spending time with her family at their camp on Lake Penage, beading, reading (including audiobooks), and staying active. 

Participants will engage in language-based discussions focused on colours, numbers, beading materials, and more. Through hands-on work with pony or seed beads, each participant will create an individual art piece that reflects and reinforces their learning. The workshop will be facilitated with a collaborative approach, encouraging learning from one another and incorporating opportunities to explore various dialects.   

Angeline King & Michele O'Brien

Angeline King (Angie) is a Language Professor of Indigenous Studies at, Georgian College. Angeline King is an alumnus of Georgian College; she graduated in 2016 from the programs and she has been teaching in Anishnaabemowin and Program Development program for 6 years. She has been a valuable faculty member in the programs teaching Anishnaabemowin, in the Liberal Arts, Indigenous Studies department since 2017. Angeline has just completed the Native Language Instructors’ program at Lakehead University where she obtained her certification with a diploma from the Ontario College of Teachers. She has been the lead faculty and contributing member of the Virtual Reality Indigenous Language Worlds project for design and implementation. Angie is a First Language speaker of Anishnaabemowin and a member of Beausoleil Island First Nation.     Michele O’Brien is the Indigenous Studies Program Coordinator and Faculty, Georgian College. Michele has proudly taught in Indigenous Studies for 24 years. Coordinating and creating opportunities to enhance teaching practices within the programs, like the introduction of VR to the Anishnaabemowin program and now our other programs, is a passion and a key focus for the next generation of learners. Michele contributed and has been involved in the design and implementation of the Indigenous Language and Culture Worlds with a team and will continue to bring forward projects that will enhance teaching, learning and Indigenous knowledge. My biggest dream is to share the language and culture worlds with school boards and others as a teaching tool to inspire innovation.

Dallas Sinopole 

Dallas Sinopole is Anishinaabe from Aamjiwnaang First Nation. He has three sons, one daughter, and a loving wife of 23 years. Dallas has been involved with his culture and language for over thirty years. He recently served his community in the leadership role as councilor for 3 consecutive terms. He is employed as the Indigenous Lead for the Lambton Kent District School Board. Dallas has recently completed his Bachelor of Education through Queen’s University, and is now working towards achieving his Master's degree in World Indigenous Studies in Education. Dallas also loves playing Baagaadowewin with his children. His goal is to share his knowledge and grow the game. 

Cheyenne Pitawanakwat

Aanii, My name is Cheyanne Pitawanawkat-McGregor.
I am an Anishinaabe kwe from 
Wiigwaaskinagaa, also known as Birch Island or Whitefish River First Nation. I am a wife and a mother to 3 beautiful daughters. I come from the waters of Patricia Cywink – Pitawanakwat and she from the waters of Eva Pheasant – Cywink.    I have been beading for 14 years, and starting tanning fish skin 3 years ago. Over the past few years my love and knowledge of tanning fish skin has grew. I give credit to my teacher Janey Chang for helping me grow and learn new techniques. I love to use my fish leather in various ways in my crafting. It is most often seen in my visual artwork. Tanning fish skin shows how we not only just eat the fish, but we get to honour its life, and its beauty. By preserving it and making beautiful leather with it, and giving it another life. “The fish live on through art”

Vanessa Dion 

Vanessa Dion Fletcher is a Lunaapeew and Potawatomi neurodiverse artist; her family is from Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiitt (displaced from Lenapawking) and European settlers. Reflecting on an Indigenous and gendered body with a neurodiverse mind, Dion Fletcher looks for knowledge in materials and techniques. Since 2017, Dion Fletcher has been using porcupine quills as a primary medium, creating two-dimensional quillwork pieces and expanding the medium through photography, sculpture and performance.

Vanessa Dion Fletcher (Kwe/She)  
website:   
Instagram:   

Theresa Johnson  

Teresa Johnson, of Eelunapeewii Lahkeewiit or Moraviantown Ontario.   I have lived there most of my life.  Being raised by my paternal grandmother, I learned a lot which I carry on today.  Cooking our old foods, crafts, sewing and working with natural medicines.

Velma Noah Nicholas

I am known as Velma Noah-Nicholas, but my real name is Medweanakwedokwe. I am of the Turkey clan from Eelunaapeewi Lahkeewiit. I am the Lunaapeew Language Coordinator for KEB. I have been an Ontario-certified Teacher for 17 years and have worked in all areas and levels of Education. I began my language-learning journey as a college student but remember my grandfather speaking to me as a child. When I began to relearn it, this is when those language memories immerged and I picked it up quite quickly.  I graduated from Lakehead University with a Native Language Instructors Diploma in 2009. Following this, I attended Queen’s University to complete a Diploma in Education. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in Indigenous Studies. Currently, I am finishing my first year of as a Masters student in Language Revitalization Program at the University of Victoria. I have 8 grandchildren that I also teach the language too. 

Hallie Snache & Candice Sking 

Aaniin! Debwewin ndizhnikaaz, Hallie ndi zhaaganoshi noozwin, Mnjikaning ndoonjiba,  Mkwa ndoodem, Anishnaabe kwe ndaw.  Aaniin, my spirit name is truth, my given name is Hallie, I am from Rama First Nation, I come from the bear clan and I am an anishinaabe woman. I began working at binoojiinyag kinomaagewgamig when I was 17. During my time there, I worked and studied full time simultaneously, completing the ECE diploma program, and then my Bachelors Degree shortly after. I moved job positions from ECE Trainee, to Registerd ECE, to Team Leader, all within 5 years.  I wanted to do more for myself, my community and most importantly our children. I began my journey with Waasa Enaabijig at the beginning of this year and have never been more fulfilled. I am on my own language journey and I also get to spend time with, care for and love our most important piece of revitalization, our children.

Aaniin waasnodekwe ndizhnikaaz Mnjikaning doonjibaa, shagi ndoodem, ANishinaabekwe ndaaw.  Hello my spirit name is northern lights woman, I am from Rama FN and I am from the crane clan, My English name is Candice Sawyer-King.  I am the proud mother of 4 beautiful children, and wife of Travis King.   We together have raised our children on Christian island, and moved to Rama FN where I am from back in 2004. We welcomed our first grandchild into our family 3 years ago, and now our second grandchild that will join our family in the new year 2025.  I’ve worked in the childcare field for 20 yrs at Binoojiinyag kinomaagewgamig, I now work at Waasa Enaabijig immersion program as an Eshki Anishinaabemowin worker.   This has always been a dream of mine and for my community to see the language revitalizing in our community, and for myself to learn our beautiful language, not only for me, but for my children, grandchildren, and the children of our home and community.   

Tammy Naponse  

Tammy Naponse is a proud debendaaziiwaad of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. A proud Nookmis and mother of three. Tammy resides in her community with 2 of her children her cat and dog. She spends her free time researching historic names and places of her ancestor’s journey through colonial times. This research has led her to the development of the Chi Map Project. Tammy’s educational journey includes graduate of the Early Childhood Education, Developmental Service Worker from Cambrian College and a degree from the Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University. As a RECE / RSW Tammy continues to follow her research of her Ancestors and has combined this with Anishnabwein Language resource development. Through her career she has promoted Land Based experiences for families, her community and supported Indigenous Film making in development; on the land and in production. Scouting for film and community historic places has influenced her to document her research and teach children, herself and those eager to learn more Anishnabwein. Her goal is to learn more about her community and help children learn “Where we come from!” so we may learn more about “Where are we going as Anishnawbek families.” Tammy is currently the Manager of the Waasakwa Early Learning & Child Care in her community and currently working on a Children’s Adventure Book to further share her curiosity for her ancestors journey through colonial times.

Ian McCallum

Ian McCallum is a member of the Munsee-Delaware First Nation. He works with his community promoting culture, and history and is an educator working with the Munsee language.   As a Ph.D. student at the University of Toronto, Ian is currently researching strategies to support Munsee language revitalization. His most current work looks at connections between the Munsee language, the Thames River and the Carolinian Forest ecosystem.  Ian is an Education Officer in the Indigenous Education Office for the Ministry of Education in Ontario. He has worked in the field of education for more than 20 years in the capacity of classroom and resource teacher as well as supporting teacher candidates as a seconded faculty of education member. 

Cynthia Wemigwans

Aanii kina wiiyaa! Cynthia Wemigwans ngii miingo waa nakaaziyaan maampii shkakimikaang. Oshki-aankwot-kwe ndoo nishinaabe noozwin aawin. Doogan ngii-jikooknigo maampii Wiikwemkoong. Anishinaabe kwe ndaaw.  Hello everyone! My given name to use in this realm is Cynthia Wemigwans. My Anishinaabe name is new cloud woman. I was born and raised in South Bay, Wikwemikong Unceded Territory Ontario. I am Anishinaabe woman.  Nswi binoojiinyak genii nda kookinak megwa, niish gwisenk miinwaa bezhik ndaanis.  Ngii e’ginaamis wiigiditonwaan maanda nishnaabemwin epichi moowiinak ndaasen wii mshkogaabiwit sanaa geye epichi maaset maampii shkakimikaang.  I have three children, two sons and one daughter. I was determined to be passing our way of sounds to my daughter so that she walks with strength on this earth.  Jibwaa kinoomaageyaan maanda nishnaabemwin, midaaswo biboongak ngii bi-naadaabaanke miinwaa ngii bi-jiibaakwe nswo biboongak.  Epichi baabiiyok ndaansen wii bi-ndaadzit ngii mnidoominenske. Eshkam ngii bi-n’gijitoon mnidoominenskeyaan, miinwaa eshkam ngii bi-kendimigoo maampii Mnidoo-minising. Nda miigwechendamwok dash bemaadizijik pii nooch gego gii bi-kwejimigoowaan waa mnidoomineskenyaan.  Before teaching Anishinaabemowin, I was a certified automotive technician for ten years and in culinary arts for three years.  While waiting for my daughter’s arrival I picked up the art of beading, I’ve created various art pieces and have become well known here on Manitoulin Island and surrounding area. I am very grateful to the people that believe in me with my artwork.  Aapiji nda miigwechwendam gzhemnidoo giibi miinzhit maanda e’naweyaan wii bi-aanke miinwok bemaadizijik enaweying.  Pane aabiji nikaazinwok nishnaabemwin.  I am thankful to the creator for giving me our sounds to pass to generations to come. Always and forever use your language.     Miiwe,  Oshki-aankwot-kwe   

Mary-Lou Manitowabi  

Aanii! My name is Mary-Lou Manitowabi. I am from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. My anishnaabe noozwin is Bineshiinhs. I teach Ojibway anishnaabemowin immersion in a private school, Akinoomooshin, located in Atikameksheng First Nation, Ontario, teaching the language where it’s needed. I often attend workshops & classes that promote language learning with the most recent camp being Ninaatigoons Learning in May 2025, where I was a guest teacher. I enjoy teaching the language in ways that promote fun; through skits and games, getting not only our youth engaged and learning, but also our Elders. I also really enjoy being an emcee at the AES & KEB conferences! 

The Anishnaabemowin Ojibway language is my first language. I have done dubbing in Anishnaabemowin on a TV Series “Unsettled” by Jennifer Podemski, and was recently on a short film called Anywhere which premiered at Cinefest in Sudbury, Ontario in 2024. Most recently, in June 2025, I attended the Toronto imagineNATIVE Film + Media film festival to watch the premier of “Anywhere”, a short film written and directed by Evelyn Pakinewatik that I acted in a supporting role. I have also worked with Debajehmujig Theatre Company which is where I have started acting in Wiikwemkoong many years ago. 

Cotnee Kaboni

Aanii, Cotnee Kaboni ndizknikaaz, I am a proud Anishinaabe Kwe from Wikwemikong. I have done multiple productions with the Debajehmujig from 1993 to now. I have traveled a lot in my life, gaining knowledge and experience to share with my family and community. I have taught our culture and language in multiple schools across Ontario. I am a fun and cheerful person who wants to spread the joy I have. I am a proud mother to one daughter, who has made my life so wonderful. I have three beautiful granddaughters who have given me 3 great granddaughters and 2 great grandsons. I love my family and the life I live. 

Mabel Lewis-Hill 

Waawaasgoneh Kwe is of the Anishinaabe and Odawa nation. She is from Wiikwemikoong Unceded Territory in Manitoulin Island. She is of the Sturgeon clan. She is a retired native language teacher from the Algoma District School Board. Since then she is still sharing nishnaabemowin at Bay Mill College in Michigan. She learned how to do zooming teaching and does immersion nishnaabemowin classes with Harbour Spring, too. She loves to sew, do lots of native crafts and bead work, teaches students how to make bannock and fried scone, loves cooking. She has three children, two girls, one boy and four grandchildren.     

Perry & Laurie McLeod-Shabogesic 

Perry and Laurie McLeod-Shabogesic are an Ojibwe husband and wife team from Nipissing First Nation. As recognized helpers (Oshkawbewisag) in their community, they are often asked to conduct ceremonies, teachings and workshops in the area on a wide range of ceremonies from Naming Ceremonies to Traditional Burial Ceremonies. The majority of their sessions are on Traditional Medicines for Native health care workers as well as community members of all ages.

Both are also traditional artists. Perry is a painter known for his woodland style of art and has also designed corporate logos for organizations such as Anishinabek Police Services, Fur Harvesters Auction and Anishinabek Ontario Fisheries Resources Centre. Laurie is an avid craftsperson who enjoys facilitating workshops on a wide range of traditional crafts. Together, they are the proud parents of 4 children ranging in ages from 14 to 29. 

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Barbara Nolan

Barbara Nolan is grateful to have survived the attempts by Canada’s Indian residential school system to take her Nishnaabe language from her. As a vibrant first-speaker of Nishnaabemwin, Barbara has spent several decades working with a variety of organizations to revitalize and strengthen the Ojibway/Odawa language, her most passionate method is through storytelling.

Barbara was acknowledged for her passion and dedication with language and culture by the City of Sault Ste. Marie and was presented with the Medal of Merit Award.  She was also appointed by the Anishinabek Nation as the Anishinaabemowin E-niigaanwidood, Language Commissioner in December 2020.

She continues to spend time at the Garden River Daycare Centre and as an Elder/Cultural Advisor for Sault College. She’s created animated Anishinaabemowin children’s videos and shares them on her YouTube channel to support early childhood educators. She is also available for speaking requests and language revitalization planning.

Barbara is a proud Nishnaabe-kwe, formerly from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, who now resides in Garden River First Nation.

Raphael Moses

I have been involved in traditional and cultural teachings for many years. Putting on programs such as sweat lodge, nature walks, name giving, pipe ceremonies, workshops about prescription drugs, and working with Suboxone and Methadone clinics to help clients get off these drugs.

I’ve been working with communities of Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec on herbs, barks, roots and animal parts to fight against different illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, stroke, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, kidney dialysis, osteoporosis, etc.

Working with elders and youth is very important to keep these practices alive for our future generations to come.

I also wrote a book called Holistic Adventures to help communities identify different plants and trees for their uses, and when to harvest and mix them for different illnesses.