Aaron Therriault (Aroland First Nation) is a Drum Carrier and Traditional Teacher currently living in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Throughout his career, he has facilitated Powwows and Ceremony, and provided cultural workshops and Teachings to organizations such as Chiefs of Ontario, Assembly of First Nations, Scouts Canada, Lakehead University, Matawa and many more.
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Aaron and his wife have been married thirty years. In that time, they have raised fourchildren and fostered fi fty more, and currently enjoy having their youngest daughterand two foster children still at home.

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Kathy Absolon (Minogiizhigokwe – Shining Day Woman) is Anishinaabe kwe who is a community helper, knowledge seeker, knowledge carrier, educator, re-searcher and writer. Kathy is a member of Flying Post First Nation Treaty 9. At the age of 62, Kathy carries truth stories about both a rich cultural history and Canada’s colonial history. Her lifetime of work in decolonial stories and Indigenous education has been informed by her land-based philosophy. Currently, Kathy is a Professor in the Indigenous Field of Study, Masters of Social Work Program in the Faculty of Social Work and the Director of the Centre for Indigegogy at Wilfrid Laurier University.

She spent the first 20 years of her life living in the bush in a place called Cranberry Lake. The land, she says, is a library of knowledge and taught her so much about life and she continues to reflect and draw on her land-based teachings. Her passion for wellness among her peoples and the restoration of Indigenous knowledge in Creation has been one of the driving forces in her life work as an Indigenous wholistic practitioner in child welfare, Native mental health, youth justice, education, and community work. Over the last 35 years, her academic and cultural work has been in restoring, reclaiming, re-righting Indigenous history, knowledge, cultural worldviews and making the invisible visible - decolonization. She promotes this through Indigenous research methodologies and published “Kaandossiwin, How we come to know” (2011) and in her recently
published 2nd edition (Fernwood Publishing) of Kaandossiwin How We Come to Know (2022). Indigenous re-Search. Currently, Kathy is co-editing another book related to Decolonizing Journeys, forthcoming in 2025.

She has authored book chapters, journal articles, multi-media projects and other works in wholistic practice, social inclusion, reconciliation, community healing and wellness and Indigenous knowledge.

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Brenda Mason’s Anishinabe name is Imprint Hanging Standing Woman. She belongs to the Red Sucker–Fish Clan. She is Oji/Cree and speaks her language. Brenda is a proud grandmother and belongs to a large family. Her home today is in Thunder Bay, and she feels she belongs to this community. Brenda has been working in the Mental Health fi eld for 30 years providing Traditional Culture and Spiritual Services with the Mental Health Outpatient Program at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

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George Bernerd Lone Elk III, Northern Cheyenne, is part of the Dog Soldier Society of the Northern Cheyenne Nation in South Eastern, Montana. He is a direct descendant of Chief Little Wolf, Chief High Back Wolf & Chief White Antelope. He currently resides on Fort William First Nation, Anishinaabe territory with his family.  He is a northern traditional powwow dancer, trader & artist. George is a trauma survivor of Intergenerational Indian Boarding School, Missing & Murdered Indigenous People & Native American Victims of Violent Crimes. George works with SJCG N'Doo'owe Binesi as an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper and volunteers with the TBIFC Restorative Justice Community Council Program. George is passionate about promoting cultural revitalization and preservation. George lives a drug and alcohol free lifestyle and is proud of his 16 years of sobriety and recovery.

Allison Luther has been an Occupational Therapist since 2006,and has worked in various clinical roles with St Joseph’s Care Group since 2012. Allison is passionate about improving access to wound care across Northwestern Ontario and has been the Interim Manager of the Regional Wound Care Program since 2022. Allison is currently the implementation lead for the Lower Limb Preservation Integrated Care Program.

Presenters:

1. Kaitlyn Ciddio, BScN, MSW, Clinical Manager from Thunder Bay, ON

2. Allie Sousa, Registered Practical Nurse, Indigenous Health Associate from Fort William First Nation

3. Sage Riley Laliberte, graduate of the Onajigawin Indigenous Services, Indigenous Health Associate - Long Term Care. Band member of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and roots in Cowesses First Nation.      

4. Isabella Gerolami, Social Service Worker, Mental Health Support Worker from Thunder Bay, ON.

5. Valerie Shawinimash, RSW, MSW (C), Indigneous Counsellor, from Eabemetoong FN. lives in Thunder Bay.

Residing in Treaty 6 Territory, Edmonton, Anthony Johnson is dedicated to the resurgence of Traditional Cree Medicine practices in Kehewin Cree Nation. Together, they are a formidable force, advocating for systemic change and promoting equity and inclusivity. Their journey transcends the Amazing Race; it's a continual stride towards societal transformation, galvanizing communities, and allies alike to dismantle prejudices and foster a more inclusive, empathetic world. Their narrative is not just one of triumph but a compelling call to action for unity, understanding, and relentless pursuit of justice.

Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis are renowned as the trailblazing Two-Spirit team on the Amazing Race Canada. Their compelling victory in Season 7 brought pivotal gender, sexuality, and Indigenous issues to the forefront of national consciousness, reshaping societal perceptions. Distinguished in their individual capacities, they bring rich, diverse experiences and a profound depth of expertise to their advocacy efforts, championing the rights of First Nation and LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Ron Kanutski is an energetic social worker, cultural teacher, group facilitator, college instructor, comedian, promoter, and musician who is a long-term resident of the Ogden East End community in Thunder Bay ON. He is the sole proprietor of With Care Consulting and Ron Kanutski Comedy working diligently throughout Canada and the USA to wherever he is called.

Ron is of Ojibway and Cree roots and is from the Bear Clan. He is a band member of the Red Rock Band (Lake Helen 1st Nation) with roots from Moose Cree Nation.

www.ronkanutski.com

A member of the Whitefish First River and Pottawatomi First Nations, in the Robinson-Huron territory. Naomi graduated from Confederation College from the Native Family Program. She is also a graduate of the Gerontology Program, Lakehead University. Naomi is grounded in her culture and enjoys helping Indigenous people. Naomi is the Indigenous Engagement Lead for St. Joseph's Care Group.

Booshoo, my name is Valerie U. Shawinimash. My spirit name is Miskwan-Kwan Kwe (Red CloudWoman). I am Ojibway from Eabametoong FN, also known as Fort Hope. I reside and work in ThunderBay. I am a registered social worker and I work as the Indigenous Counsellor at St. Joseph’s Hospital inwhich I enjoy. I received my Honours Bachelors of Indigenous Social Work from Laurentian University. Iam also a graduate from the Social Service Worker program from Cambrian College of Applied Arts andTechnology. Along with working full time, I currently am a Master’s of Social Work candidate and I willbe completing the program in the summer of 2024. I look forward to sharing knowledge with you as wewalk together in learning.

Bomgiizhik, Isaac Murdoch from Serpent River First Nation, is a storyteller and advocate dedicated to Indigenous and Western community reconciliation. Living in Nimkii Aazhibikoong, he's deeply rooted in traditional practices and environmental stewardship. Isaac's art and music, globally recognized, reflect his commitment to cultural preservation and harmony with Mother Earth. His influence extends beyond art, inspiring change and fostering understanding between diverse communities.

Dr. Michael Anderson is part of the urban Indigenous community in Toronto. He is Mohawk (Bear Clan) and English with family roots in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. He practices surgical oncology and palliative care medicine and is the Indigenous Strategy Lead at the University Health Network. At the Waakebiness Institute for Indigenous Health in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, he is a PhD candidate and senior researcher with interests in Indigenous epistemologies, Indigenous approaches to implementation science, ethical Indigenous community-healthcare research partnerships, dialogue, and Indigenous conceptualizations of death and dying.

Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis are renowned as the trailblazing Two-Spirit team on the Amazing Race Canada. Their compelling victory in Season 7 brought pivotal gender, sexuality, and Indigenous issues to the forefront of national consciousness, reshaping societal perceptions. Distinguished in their individual capacities, they bring rich, diverse experiences and a profound depth of expertise to their advocacy efforts, championing the rights of First Nation and LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Ashley is an Anishinaabe Kwe from M’Chigeeng First Nation, Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island, ON). She is the Operations and Program Manager with the Indigenous Health Program at the University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario, where she works to enhance effective, culturally safe, and self-determined health care for Indigenous peoples. Her journey is guided by the teachings received from her family and community, and she integrates these teachings in her personal and professional life. She is passionate about creating space in the current healthcare system where traditional Indigenous knowledges, traditions and practices are welcomed and respected.

Dr. John Akweniiostha Hodson (York University) is of Mohawk descent, turtle clan, and director of the Maamaawisiiwin Education Research Centre, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Dr. Hodson has worked in Indigenous education - early years, primary, secondary, post-secondary, employment training, in Canada and internationally for over 30 years and has published widely on the subject. As director of Maamaawisiiwin, Dr. Hodson provides leadership to this independent, non-aligned centre of inquiry that offers culturally appropriate teacher development programming and research services to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.