WILFRED A. BUCK

Wilfred Buck is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and obtained his B.Ed. & Post Bacc. from the University of Manitoba.

 As an educator Wilfred has had the opportunity and good fortune to travel to South and Central America as well as Europe and met, shared and listened to Indigenous people from all over the world.

He is a husband, father of four, son, uncle, brother, nephew, story-teller, mad scientist, teacher, singer, pipe-carrier, sweat lodge keeper, old person and sun dance leader.

As a Science Facilitator with MFNERC he was given the mandate to “put a First Nation perspective in the sciences”. The easiest way to go about doing this, he was told, was to look up. Researching Ininew star stories Wilfred found a host of information which had to be interpreted and analyzed to identify if the stories were referring to the stars. The journey began…

“The greatest teaching that was ever given to me, other than my wife and children, is the ability to see the humor in the world”…Wilfred Buck.

DR. LISA LUNNEY BORDEN

Lisa Lunney Borden is a Professor of mathematics education at St. Francis Xavier University in Canada and holds the John Jerome Paul Chair for Equity in Mathematics Education. For over 30 years, she has worked alongside Mi’kmaw communities aiming to decolonize education and centre Indigenous knowledge systems. Having taught 7-12 mathematics in a Mi’kmaw community, she credits her students and the community for helping her to think differently about mathematics teaching and learning. She is committed to research and outreach that focuses on decolonizing mathematics and STEM/STEAM education through culturally based practices and experiences that are rooted in Indigenous languages and knowledge systems. Lisa teaches courses in mathematics education and Indigenous education.

TESA FIDDLER

Tesa Fiddler is Anishinaabekwe, mother of two daughters and educator.  Born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, she considers Onigaming and Muskrat Dam First Nations home.  Her family also has historical connections to Kitchinuhmaykoosib Inninuwug territory.  She currently lives in Thunder Bay with her family and is the Coordinator with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board.

JODIE WILLIAMS

Jodie Williams currently works as the Academic Coordinator for Indigenous Education with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and is the Co-Chair for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Association of Ontario.  Jodie has worked in education for over 22 years specializing in land-based programs based on Indigenous Knowledge Systems.  She is also the lead on a provincial Community of Practice for Indigenous Knowledge and Mathematics which involves a collaboration with NASA, Maori educators from New Zealand, the Navajo Nation in the United States, as well as the Anishinaabek, Cree and Kanyen’kaha:ka (Mohawk).  Jodie has created numerous resources to support Indigenous Education K-12, connecting climate change with colonialism and our collective role in creating transformative education spaces.  Together she and her husband have 5 daughters and one granddaughter. 

SANDRA INDIAN

Sandra Indian - Giizhigokwe is an Anishinaabekwe from Onigaming First Nation.  She takes great pride in being an Anikikobijigan, a Nookomis and being the Matriarch for her family.  She is a storyteller and knowledge keeper.  She promotes wellness and the importance of being connected to the land.  Her background in the field of Education and Social Work Services. Sandra currently works as an elementary teacher with Baibombeh Anishinaabe School.

BOMGIIZHIK (ISAAC MURDOCH) 

Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch) is from Serpent River First Nation and is from the Fish Clan. He has spent years living in the bush as a trapper, wild rice harvester, maple syrup maker, and hunter. He is a student of the pictographs of his people and the stars. Isaac is well respected as a storyteller and traditional knowledge holder. For many years he has led various workshops and cultural camps that focuses on the transfer of knowledge to youth. He has committed his life to the preservation of Anishinaabe cultural practices and has spent years learning directly from Elders.  Isaac currently lives at Nimkii Aazhibikoong and is the author of two books: The Trail of Nenaboozhoo and Other Creation Stories, and Serpents and Other Spiritual Beings.

JODIE WILLIAMS

Jodie Williams currently works as the Academic Coordinator for Indigenous Education with the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and is the Co-Chair for the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Association of Ontario.  Jodie has worked in education for over 22 years specializing in land-based programs based on Indigenous Knowledge Systems.  She is also the lead on a provincial Community of Practice for Indigenous Knowledge and Mathematics which involves a collaboration with NASA, Maori educators from New Zealand, the Navajo Nation in the United States, as well as the Anishinaabek, Cree and Kanyen’kaha:ka (Mohawk).  Jodie has created numerous resources to support Indigenous Education K-12, connecting climate change with colonialism and our collective role in creating transformative education spaces.  Together she and her husband have 5 daughters and one granddaughter. 

WAUBGESHIG RICE

Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He has written three fiction titles, and his short stories and essays have been published in numerous anthologies. His most recent novel, Moon of the Crusted Snow, was published in 2018 and became a national bestseller. He graduated from Ryerson University’s journalism program in 2002, and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host. He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career. He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and two sons.

KYL MORRISON

Kyl Morrison is an Instructional Coach for Indigenous Education at the OCDSB. He is responsible for programs supporting Indigenous students at OCDSB and for offering professional development opportunities to staff. He has contributed to many resources, projects, school boards, and organizations in Indigenous Education. His work is informed by First Nations, Inuit and Metis students, Elders, knowledge holders, peers, colleagues, friends and family. 

LEE BECKER

Originally from Sault Ste Marie, Lee began teaching in Wha Ti, NWT in January 2003. He has been teaching at Meadowvale Secondary School, in Mississauga, for the last 18 years teaching English, Alternative Education, and Indigenous Studies. Lee began teaching NBE3U and NDA3M in 2015.

JERICA FRASER

Jerica Fraser is a Rotinonhsión:ni (Kanien’kehá:ka) educator. She is the K-12 Indigenous Education Program Lead for Upper Grand District School Board. Throughout her career, she has focused on anti-colonial, anti-racism and anti-oppressive education. She writes and collaborates on Indigenous-focused curriculum and workshops as well as courses for educators. Jerica is passionate about learning and reclaiming the languages of her grandparents and looks forward to continuing her learning and teaching of Kanien’kéha in the future.

ROBERTA LAPLANTE

Roberta LaPlante is the Lead for Indigenous Education at ALCDSB with a focus on Secondary Indigenous Education courses and specifically NBE. Roberta has facilitated several professional development support sessions and works with NBE classes and teachers to best support students. Grateful for the opportunity to be with students and focus on student wellbeing and learning for 27 years in several capacities K-12 in Indigenous Education. Student Voice and inquiry grounding the fluid work in NBE and Indigenous Studies courses for 10 years in all components of the course including focus on assessment and evaluation. Roberta is a mother of four beautiful children. 

TROY MARACLE 

Troy is a proud husband, father of two, a son, brother and an uncle. He lives in and is a member of Kenhté:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte). For the last 26 years, he has worked in his passion, Indigenous Education as a classroom teacher, facilitator, lecturer, and currently holds the position of Indigenous Education Lead for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.

In addition to his District work, he has organized and facilitated an annual Provincial Indigenous Education Leads Gathering that is going into its 11th year. Troy served as the Co-Chair of the Provincial Indigenous Focused Collaborative Inquiry Initiative for the Ministry of Education and has been a reviewer, consultant and contributing writer on several First Nations Métis and Inuit resources and books. 

He considers himself very fortunate to have been grounded in the teachings of many generous people, and from the land. This has afforded him with a balanced perspective and approach to life that is necessary to move forward with a good mind. 

His goal remains to disrupt and break down systemic barriers that still exist and continue to perpetuate a colonial narrative by bringing truths forward so that there can be an understanding which will enable our society to move forward in a good way. 

GRETCHEN SANDS-GAMBLE

Gretchen Sands-Gamble is an Anishinaabekwe from Bkejwanong, Walpole Island First Nation. She is in her 17th year of teaching, 4 of those years being the Elementary Indigenous Education Teacher for the LKDSB. She has spent time creating and providing professional development to teachers with the goal of providing opportunities for all students to see the importance and value of Indigenous knowledges, histories, current realities and contributions throughout all areas of the curriculum. She is currently teaching a grade ⅔ class. She is a wife, a mom of two kids and an artist.

TINA DECASTRO

Tina DeCastro is a mother, wife and educator currently residing in Essex County with both sides of her family originating in Portugal. She has been with the Greater Essex County District School Board. (GECDSB) for 23 years and has spent nine of those years dedicated to Indigenous Education. During those nine years she has worked alongside Indigenous families to improve the educational experiences of Indigenous students and provide learning opportunities that elevate Indigenous voices, experiences and knowledge for all staff and students.

CAROL WINDMILL

Carol is a special education teacher with the OCDSB. She is seconded to teach at the University of Ottawa in the Faculty of Education, where she uses Indigenous music, picture books, non-fiction, films, and beading to share the his/stories and contemporary issues and victories of Indigenous peoples in what is now called Canada. She holds a Master's in teaching, learning, and evaluation, with a focus on reading interventions. She has been on the council of FNMIEAO for several years and is the current Membership Coordinator. 

BRYTNEE BROUGH

Brytnee Brough est une enseignante Kanyen’kéha:ka. Sa famille est originaire de la communauté Tyendinaga, mais la plupart de son vécu a été dans la région de Windsor/Essex. Dans sa vie professionnelle, elle est Coordonatrice de l’Éducation autochtone au Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. Brytnee contribue à la rédaction et révision de plusieurs ressources pédagogiques et programmes-cadres dans le but de fournir des ressources authentiques qui mettent en vedette les perspectives autochtones aux professionnels qui travaillent dans le système d'éducation de langue française. Également, elle est très impliquée dans le mouvement des centres d'amitié. Dans sa vie personnelle, elle aime perler et étudier la langue Mohawk.

Brytnee Brough is a teacher and Kanyen'kéha:ka. Her family is from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory but she has spent most of her life living in the Windsor/Essex County area. In her professional life, she is the Indigenous Education Coordinator for Conseil scolaire catholique Providence. She has contributed to the writing and revision of various pedagogical resources and curricula with the goal of providing authentic resources that elevate Indigenous knowledge systems to educators working in the French language school systems. She is also very involved in the Friendship Centre Mouvement. In her personal life, Brytnee enjoys beading and learning Kanyen'kéha.

ELIZABETH OSAWAMICK

Liz is a lifelong speaker, teacher and advocate of the language. A proud Member of Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation. Liz gathers her strength and knowledge from her family and community. She leads and attends ceremonies and gatherings. Well known across Turtle Island, Liz brings a wealth of knowledge and support for her people and language.