Bios
RORY CUMMINGS
Rory has been a trapper for over 40 years. His grandmother started him into trapping muskrats at a young age. She was a great inspiration with a great deal of knowledge. Now Rory has a bigger trapline and traps beaver, muskrats, mink, otter, fisher and the occasional coyote. The last few years he has started sewing with the fur he has caught. He sews mitts, hats, ear muffs, pillow and blankets. This year he got his trappers instructor’s license and plans to bring trapping back to our reserves.
RICK HILL
Rick Hill is currently the Indigenous Innovations Specialist at Mohawk College, developing strategies for sustainable agriculture for the future in light of climate change. He is also an advisor with First Nations Technical Institute on issues of Indigenous sustainability. Rick has worked (often alongside Alan Corbiere) for many years to recover history and meaning of treaties and wampum belts, in particular the Dish With One Spoon between the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabe.
SARAH LEWIS
Sarah Lewis is an Anishnaabe Kwe (Ojibwe/Cree) spoken word artist, activist, and mother from Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario. She was Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate. She was also a national semi-finalist at the 2019 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and a finalist at Toronto’s International Festival of Authors Slam Poetry Coalkan.
She has been featured on Global News, CBC radio, CBC Arts’ ongoing video series: Poetic License and more recently published in the poetry anthology: The Condor and the Eagle Meet.
Her poetry uncovers the ongoing effects of colonization but more importantly, how Indigenous communities are reclaiming their identities, culture, strength and sovereignty. She also explores love, women empowerment, friendship and her connection to Mother Earth.
CHANDRA MARACLE
Chandra F. Maracle is mother of four daughters and founder of Kakhwa’on:we/Real People Eat Real Food, exploring links between people, food, mothering, art, language, technology and land. She is co-Founder of Skaronhyase’ko:wa /the Everlasting Tree School and creator of the school’s Tyonnhehkwen Onkwaya’takenha:tshera Nutrition Program. Chandra was meal planner, food educator and developer of the Haudenosaunee Food Guide for the Six Nations Healthy Roots community food challenge. She is a graduate of the Onkwawen:na Kentyohkwa adult Mohawk language immersion program, and is currently a PhD student at York University in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. She is a collaborator on The Earth to Tables Legacies Project, a group of intergenerational and intercultural folks transforming the food system.
JANET MCCUE
Janet McCue is from Curve Lake First Nation.
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She is a long-time leader and advocate who dedicates her time to raising awareness for social justice, empowering the Aboriginal community, providing education to local schools and museums, and supports those marginalized by poverty.
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Notably, Janet was inducted into the Peterborough Pathway of Fame, has won 2 Civic Awards for community and cultural betterment, was awarded the Brian Desbiens Community Service award from Sir Sandford Fleming College, and was awarded the YMCA Peace Medallion in 2014.
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Recently Janet has been named Knowledge Keeper at the Peterborough Courts and for the Elizabeth Fry Society.
LIZ OSAWAMICK
Elizabeth (Liz) Osawamick is an Anishinaabe Midewiwin-kwe community leader, Water Walker/activist, jingle dress dancer, devoted parent and professional teacher. She is President of Anishnaabemowin Teg, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, teaching and developing Anishnaabe language and cultural pride. A leader of the Kawartha area Water Walks under the guidance of Elders Dr Shirley I Williams and the late Nookomis Josephine Mandamin, Liz has dedicated her life to her people, her language, the lands, and the waters.
MIIGWAANS OSAWAMICK-SAGASSIGE
Miigwaans Osawamick-Sagassige is an Anishnaabe-Nini, currently living in Hastings with family in both Wikwemikong and Curve Lake. Miigwaans graduated from Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf in June 2021. He is honoured to be a sacred fire keeper at the 5th annual Mnoominkewin Gathering. Miigwaans is dedicated to the healing of our communities. Kindness and dreaming are at the heart of all his community contributions.
CINDY PAUL
Northern Cree/Metis songbird, Cindy Paul is a recording artist, established songwriter and producer. Her original composition, He Can Fancy Dance is recognized internationally and her albums honored with multi-nominations which include New York's Native American Music Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Cindy facilitates workshops across Canada and is an advocate for health & healing through natural therapies, music and art.
GERARD SAGASSIGE
Aanii Kina Wii yaa,
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Respect Hope n Generosity was a traditional balance of nutrition medicine. Wild Rice was a bundle blanket substance which historically was a Anishnabek natural dietary style.
It is a similar echo honor to be a part of such a beautiful spirit education circle for all guests and Knowledge Keeper's at this year's wild rice gathering.
On the road we braid.
Gerrard
JONATHAN TAYLOR
Jonathan Taylor is an Anishnaabe man from the Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, Canada. He writes poetry, is an Anishnaabemowin language consultant, and teaches Anishnaabemowin to children and adults in his community. Jonathan’s writing has appeared in Red Ink Magazine, The Yellow Medicine Review, Quills Canadian Poetry Journal, and the Muckleshoot Review. He belongs to the Turtle clan.
At present, Wes provides cultural healing services for Indigenous men incarcerated in the federal institution of Beaver Creek in Ontario. Wes also provides cultural based Healing services for a number of First Nation communities and urban Indigenous organizations. Wes is dedicated to and continues to work for the embetterment of First Nations people.
WES WHETUNG
Wes Whetung was born and raised in the Anishinabe Mississauga community of Curve Lake Ontario. His name is Nowakwegeesis and he is of the Moose clan family. He is a father to 3, Grandfather to 9, and Great grandfather to 3 with a 4th on the way. Wes is currently lives in his Wife's community of Mississauga # 8 First Nation, near Blind River, ON.
Wes has pursued a career in social work, providing support services to Indigenous peoples. Although his professional training is extensive he openly acknowledges that his most effective skills are derived from the sacred teachings, ceremonies, and Healing practices of the Three Fires Midewin Society. Wes has actively participated and supported the Midewin Society for the past 40+ years. He is a well respected Ceremony maker, knowledge keeper, and teacher.
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SHIRLEY WILLIAMS
Professor Emeritus, Elder, Activist, Nishnaabemowin Language Teacher. Shirley is a member of the Bird Clan of the Ojibway and Odawa First Nations of Canada. Her Anishinaabe name is Migizi ow Kwe meaning Eagle Woman. She was born and raised at Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island and attended St. Joseph’s Residential School in Spanish, Ontario. After completing her NS diploma, she received her BA in Native Studies at Trent University and her Native Language Instructors Program diploma from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Shirley received her Master’s Degree from York University in Environmental Studies. In June of 2004, Shirley retired from the Indigenous Studies Department and now holds the title, Professor Emeritus.
