Jean M Clinton BMus MD FRCP(C)
Clinical Professor McMaster University
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences
Dr. Jean Clinton is a Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster, division of Child Psychiatry. She is on staff at McMaster Children’s Hospital with cross appointments in Pediatrics and Family Medicine, and an Associate in the Department of Child Psychiatry at Sick Children’s Hospital. She is a member on the MindUP Scientific Advisory Board as well as a MindUP for Families Advisor. She was a Fellow of the Child Trauma Academy, and is a Zero to Three Academy Fellow since 2013. She has been a consultant to children and youth mental health programs, child welfare, and primary care for over 30 years. Dr. Clinton was appointed as an education advisor to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education 2014 – 2018. Dr. Clinton is renowned nationally and internationally as an advocate for children’s issues. Her special interest lies in brain development, and the crucial role relationships and connectedness play. Jean champions the development of a national, comprehensive child well-being strategy including a system of early learning and care for all young children and their families. She is equally committed to ensuring that children’s and youths’ needs and voices are heard and respected. Dr. Clinton has also authored her first book, Love Builds Brains which can be ordered online through Tall Pines Press, on Amazon and in book stores everywhere.
Darci Everson is from Lac Seul First Nation. She was born and raised in Kenora, ON and now resides in Thunder Bay, ON with her family. Darci holds two degrees – one in education and the other in Psychology. In 2018, after working for a number of years and beading on the side, Darci launched a bead supply company as a side business. She is now owner of EverBead – a spinoff from her last name but also indicating that bead work is “forever” and is also ever good and ever deadly. Darci believes that beading truly is medicine and loves sharing what she has learned in her beading journey with others.
Ogimaawigwanebiik and Ogimaakwewibiik are her spirit names. Nancy Jones is her English name. Her clan is Muskrat. She was raised by her paternal grandmother. When she was thirteen years old she married a man named John Jones Sr. from Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation. She is now eighty-two years old. She was born with her language of Ojibwe and still maintains it. She only knows a little bit of English, but has her teaching certificate. She taught native language and Culture in Canada for eighteen years. She still lives off the land there. She still works with the language and passes it on to those who wish to learn language and culture. She really enjoys and takes pride in working that the spirit has given the people. The language is sacred.
Patrick Hunter is a 2 Spirit Ojibway artist, graphic designer, and entrepreneur from Red Lake, Ontario. In 2011, he made the move to Toronto to pursue a career in the arts after completing the graphic design program at Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Working part-time and contract to contract made it clear to Patrick that a major career decision would need to be taken. Knowing that his cultural background was an asset to his success, in 2014 he launched Patrick Hunter Art & Design. Specializing in fine and digital artwork and designs from his Ojibway roots with the intent to create a broader awareness of Indigenous culture and iconography. Since the launch of his design business, he has seen his business grow from creating custom paintings for individual clients to creating custom graphics for multinational corporations. By deciding to make his artwork more accessible to people through the sale of small prints, Patrick began a journey into retail. Once seeing how happy it made people having the artwork on their walls, he wanted to see people IN the artwork and launched small runs of clothing designs on various apparel pieces.
He’s worked with Rogers on many projects including creating the Orange T-shirts, the Chicago Blackhawks including design Mark A Fleury’s helmet and most recently designing the curling uniforms for Team Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
He currently resides in Toronto, and is busily preparing to launch a Made in Canada collection of apparel and houseware products.
Lloyd C. Napish is a band councillor for Migisi Sahgaigan (Eagle Lake) First Nation. He holds the Health, Education, Language Revitalization and Children & Youth portfolios. Before being elected to his current role, he was in broadcasting for several years.
Lloyd is an Ojibwe, Ojibwe are an Indigenous people in Canada and the United States who are part of a larger cultural group known as the Anishinaabeg. The Anishinaabeg also include the Odawa, Potawatomi, Mississaugas, Nipissing and Algonquin peoples.The Anishinaabe follow cultural values such as the Seven Grandfather Teachings which include Honesty, Respect, Love, Wisdom, Truth, Courage, and Humility. The Anishinaabe also pride themselves on being caretakers of Mother Earth and do their best to protect both the land and water.Being the son of a Residential School Survivor, Lloyd is very passionate about the Truth & Reconciliation movement that is happening across the nation. In 2020, Lloyd launched a video campaign to change the name of Colonization Avenue in Dryden, Ontario to something more inclusive to Indigenous peoples and communities in the surrounding area. In 2021, the city changed Colonization East and West to Memorial Avenue and Boozhoo Avenue.In addition to the role he serves in his community, Lloyd also sits on the Dryden Working Circle and Dryden Area Anti Racism Network. Both groups focus on advocating for Indigenous issues, promote cultural diversity and engage in educational activities to bring the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members closer together.
Kate Norman, MA, CCC-SLP Boozhoo! Kate Norman nindizhinikaaz. Fort Frances nindoonjii. I am a registered Speech-Language Pathologist who has been supporting preschool children, their families and educators for the past ten years. Currently I am employed by Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services, which provides support to the ten First Nation communities in Southern Treaty 3. This allows me to pursue my passion of enhancing and enriching children’s speech and language skills to promote lifelong Mino ayawin (good health).
Michelle is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, sister-in-law, auntie, great auntie, friend, educator, and lifelong learner. Michelle is one of the first graduates of Binojiiyag Kinomaadwin (NECE Native Early Childhood Education) Course.
Mary is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister-in-law, auntie, friend, speaker, language keeper, drummer, singer, and most importantly a lifelong learner. She loves speaking her language to whoever will listen. Mary is a graduate of Lakehead University and Cambrian College.
Michelle is a RECE who has worked in a variety of early years settings for almost 21 years. I am currently supporting families by coordinating services for children 0 to 18 years of age.
Melissa did her undergrad at the University of Manitoba and her internship at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. She is a registered dietitian currently working at Kenora Chiefs Advisory and Confederation College. She is Metis with some Inuit heritage in her family. She lives in Kenora Ontario with her boyfriend, Aaron and their two waabooz (rabbits) Oreo and Allan.
P. Ningewance is Ojibwe, born and raised at Obizhigokaang (Lac Seul) in northwestern Ontario. Her Ojibwe name is Waabi-bizhikiikwe (White Buffalo Woman). Her parents’ names were Endaso-giizhig but he was known as Endasoo. His family called him Enchashoo. He was Bear clan, and therefore his children were all Bear clan as well. His parents were Henry and Margaret Ningewance. Pat’s mother’s name was Christie, Ikwezens in Ojibwe, and she was of the Moose clan. Her parents were Samuel and Maggie Lac Seul of Frenchman’s Head. Pat’s family lived in Hudson, Ontario where they went to public school near the reserve. Pat has taught Ojibwe for many years at 3 universities, written many native language books including a dictionary for northern Ontario. She is at the University of Manitoba now.
Kelly Massaro-Joblin After 40 years of working in the Early Years and Child Care profession I recently retired as an Early Years Advisor from the Early Years Division of the Ministry of Education. During my professional career I was fortunate to experience many exciting opportunities that challenged my thinking and opened up new ways for me to view the world. As an Early Years Advisor with the Ministry of Education I had the opportunity to be a part of the development and implementation of “How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years”, Full day Kindergarten in Ontario as well as working closely with First Nation Communities and Service System Managers to support a child care and early years system throughout Ontario. Before my position with MEDU I started several non-profit child care centres in Thunder Bay and 26 of those years at Schoolhouse Playcare Centre as ED. I have also travelled to Reggio Emilia, Italy to participate in 3 study tours in 2002, 2008 and most recently in 2018. As part of my new chapter in life I continue to learn more deeply about the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to early learning. Currently I sit on the Ontario Reggio Association Board of Directors working as an early year’s consultant. Relationships are important to me and continuing to contribute to the early years is both a privilege and a passion close to my heart and head.
Marion Wapioke is a Cultural and Ojibway Language Worker for Niigaanniing Developmental Services Worker for Chidrena and Youth at Kenora Chiefs Advisory. Marion is from the Bizhew (Lynx) Clan and is fluent in her Ojibway language. She serves 13 First Nation communities in Grand Council Treaty #3 territory.
She has an Early Childhood Educator and Developmental Services Worker background. She has worked as a qualified Resource Teacher for Ombigi Aawasoon Childcare Centre for 16 years in Iskatewizaagegan Independent First Nation where she resides. Marion believes in culturally safe programs in each community where they are family and community focused.
Marion translated an Infant Book of songs and chants into the Ojibway language. She also assisted in translating a Children’s Growth Chart.
Marion has a stronghold on her traditional cultural practices and believes in the importance in revitalizing and maintaining our Indigenous languages. She learned from elders and family from a very young age that her language and culture was important in identifying who she is as an Anishinaabe woman. Her spirituality has a powerful and positive influence on her life and and her work.
Marion loves to read, sew, nature walks, blueberry and sage picking. Her passion is gardening and loves to explore the beautiful parks and rivers.
She loves to spend quality time with her grandchildren and cherishes the gifts each of them have.
I am a Health Promoter and the lead for mental health promotion on the Chronic Disease Prevention team at the Northwestern Health Unit. I have worked at the health unit for 16 years and have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. I live in Nestor Falls with my husband, Trevor, who is originally from England. We also own a bait and tackle store in Nestor Falls called Bite Me Bait & Tackle that has been open for 5 years now. I don’t have a lot of spare time but when I do, I enjoy walking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.
Sherry has been sewing since age 5. She loves to sew and recently started a business Sherry Berry Designs; making ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts and embroidery items like towels and t-shirts. Sherry’s favourite is making a ribbon skirt with strawberries. This brings her great joy!!
Ahniin, Boozhoo! Gaa giizhigow-bimoset, Ma’iingan Dodem, Ketegaunzeebee doonjiba.
I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator with the College of ECE and currently working towards my degree in Child Studies, with the plan to complete my Master’s upon graduation. I am also a member of the Association for Early Childhood Educator’s of Ontario. It is through my membership in the AECEO that I became part of the Truth and Reconciliation Guiding Committee.
Madelaine Arseneault is from Dryden, Ontario and completed her Registered Practical Nursing Diploma at Seven Generations Education Institute in Kenora, Ontario. Madelaine is currently working as a Diabetes Educator Nurse at Kenora Chiefs Advisory.
Native Pool Boy also known as Sean Morriseau is an Indigenous content creator from Fort William First Nation, Robinson-Superior Treaty. He uses social media to express himself through his content and captivates his audience with funny yet relatable topics and situations. Also being a big advocate on mental health he believes that laughter is good medicine and hopes to bring light to topics that are sometimes hard to discuss. Sean focuses on inspiring others through comedy skits and stories that engage his audience in a way that makes them feel connected and welcomed. Sean also hopes to help others break out of their comfort zones and follow their dreams.