Medicine Wheel Education

Phyllis Webstad

Cultural Connections: Secwepemc and Irish/French

Home Base: Williams Lake, BC

Website: www.orangeshirtday.org

Phyllis Webstad (nee Jack) is Northern Secwepemc (Shuswap) from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation (Canoe Creek Indian Band). She comes from mixed Secwepemc and Irish/French heritage. She was born in Dog Creek and lives in Williams Lake, BC, Canada. In 2018 Phyllis Webstad launched her children’s book called “The Orange Shirt Story” to share her story in her own words. The Orange shirt story tells the story of young Phyllis having her orange shirt taken away on her first day of residential school and never to see it again. A simple orange shirt has become a conversation starter for all aspects of residential school across Canada and beyond. Phyllis has inspired thousands and thousands of people to honour residential school survivors and their families and share the call on September 30th of each year that “EVERY CHILD MATTERS.” Phyllis is well respected for her work, her courage and for striving to heal our communities and Nation through speaking her truth.

Ren Louie

Ren Louie is Nuu-chah-nulth from Ahousaht and his traditional name is Wikinanish, which translates to ‘eldest son’. He comes from mixed Nuu-chah-nulth, African American, and Ukranian heritage. With his background in Indigenous Studies and his work as an Aboriginal Role Model in schools, he hopes to one day teach Indigenous Studies at the post-secondary level. Ren is passionate about his language and culture and enjoys learning new songs and traditional teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the Indigenous community. Born and raised on Lekwungen and WSÁNEĆ Territory in Victoria, B.C., Ren continues to live there today.

Carrie, Kelly and River Armstrong

Carrie, Kelly and River Armstrong are proud members of a Métis family from central Alberta. Their combined experience in education, child and youth care, and social justice, as well as their intuitive love of nature, animals, traditional plants and medicines, and Indigenous cultures, has lead them on a journey to create hands-on learning opportunities for children and families. What started as a well-received plant garden at Amiskwaciy Academy, Edmonton’s Indigenous high school where Carrie was a teacher, inspired the family to want to further showcase the beauty of their culture, and educate Canadians on the contributions of Indigenous Peoples. They are honoured to share their interpretation of the Medicine Wheel Teachings, as taught to them by Elder Francis Whiskeyjack. (Cree, Saddlelake FN).

Karen Whetung

Karen Whetung is Anishinaabe and of mixed
European ancestry and currently lives and works in
Victoria, B.C. as an Indigenous Mentor and Storyteller
in the local school districts. She believes that through
sharing stories we can heal our communities, celebrate
our diversity, and create a world where we all belong.

David Bouchard

Cultural Connections: Métis/Ojibway

Home Base: Victoria, BC

Website: davidbouchard.com

David Bouchard, speaker, author and educator is an award winning writer who has penned over 70 books in both English and French. David is one of Canada’s most sought after public speakers for his gift of storytelling. In 2009 he was named to the Order of Canada for his contribution as an author of children’s books. David is Métis/Ojibway of the Martin Clan, his Ojibway name is Zhiibaayaanakwad. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Victoria, B.C

Theresa “Corky” Larsen-Jonasson

Cultural Connections: Cree/Danish/Metis

Home Base: Red Deer, Alberta

Website: Not Available

Corky is a proud Cree/Danish Metis Elder with roots in Red Deer and Maskwacis First Nations. She lives her life according to the traditional indigenous teachings that saved her life. These teachings flow from her parents, her 93-year-old Kokom, Christine Joseph of Cochrane, aunties, uncles, as well as from the Goodstrikers, Williams and John Crier families, all of whom she loves immensely. Corky serves as a member of the National Collective of the Walking With Our Sisters missing and murdered indigenous women awareness movement and a proud member of Red Deer’s Red Feather Women. She is also a member of the Urban Aboriginal Voices Women’s Council and Red Deer Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Network.

Kevin Locke

Cultural Connections: Lakota and Anishinabe

Home Base: Wakapala, South Dakota

Website: www.kevinlocke.com

Kevin Locke is a world-renowned Hoop Dancer, distinguished indigenous Northern Plains flutist, traditional storyteller, cultural ambassador, recording artist, and educator. Kevin is Lakota (from the Hunkpapa Band of the Lakota Sioux), and Anishinabe. His Lakota name is Tokeya Inajin, meaning “First to Arise.” Kevin Locke presents and performs at hundreds of performing arts centers, festivals, schools, universities, conferences, state and national parks, monuments, historic sites, powwows, and reservations every year. Approximately eighty percent of these are shared with children. Kevin is a dance and musical hero and role model for youth around the world. His special joy is working with children on reservations to ensure the survival and growth of indigenous culture.

Ḵung Jaadee

Cultural Connections: Haida

Home Base: Vancouver, BC

Website: www.sharkhouse.ca

Ḵung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) is a traditional Haida storyteller, singer and drummer from Haida Gwaii in Northern British Columbia. She teaches Xaad Kil/Haida language and culture five days a week. For more than 24 years, she has delighted audiences across Canada at festivals, schools, museums, aboriginal celebrations and conferences. Ḵung Jaadee loves singing her traditional Haida songs, drumming, laughing, baking and learning her language. Her name was presented to her at her great uncle’s memorial feast by her cousin, Crystal Robinson, and means ‘Moon Woman’.

Trudy Spiller

Cultural Connections: Gitxsan Nation

Home Base: Victoria, Bc

Website: unavailable

Trudy is part of the Gitxsan Nation in British Columbia and belongs to the House of Gwininitxw of the Wolf Clan. Trudy’s traditional name, Lugaganowals, means a frog that is always leaning or giving. Trudy and her siblings were brought up to believe that children are like flowers. Today, she helps families to grow and flourish by sharing her knowledge of First Nation medicine, food, dress, and practices. By sharing her stories, Trudy makes knowledge keepers of us all.

TRUDY SPILLER'S BOOKS

Juliana Armstrong

Juliana Armstrong, a Teacher of Anishnaabemowin Language & Culture first became an artist after growing up watching her Mother and Gokmis crafting. The natural world around her as well as carrying her children during pregnancy have inspired most of her work. With great appreciation for the Ojibway Culture and Language, it is important for her to share her gifts such as art. Raised on Christian Island, she is a member of and resides in Nipissing First Nation, Ontario.