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About MeBoozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii.
I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory. I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere. Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinabe teachings. |
As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.
Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work with several organizations and community organizations delivering culture and arts-based education, counselling and support, cultural sensitivity training, arts-based healing, and ceremonial help. I feel honoured to share what I have learned with people from all walks of life.
I spent the beginning of my adulthood working in the bush in northern Ontario, doing various jobs like tree thinning and planting, guiding, and firefighting. I then moved to into a more urban environment, where I began a 7-year career working full-time as a child and youth worker within the primary school system. During this time, I also worked with young offenders and Indigenous males in alcohol and addictions treatment programs. In 2012, I left full-time employment outside of my home to be a stay at home dad so that my partner could complete her Ph.D. In 2019, as a life-long learner, I enrolled in part-time studies at Laurentian University.
I am also a practicing multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys painting, beadwork and song-writing.
Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to work with several organizations and community organizations delivering culture and arts-based education, counselling and support, cultural sensitivity training, arts-based healing, and ceremonial help. I feel honoured to share what I have learned with people from all walks of life.
I spent the beginning of my adulthood working in the bush in northern Ontario, doing various jobs like tree thinning and planting, guiding, and firefighting. I then moved to into a more urban environment, where I began a 7-year career working full-time as a child and youth worker within the primary school system. During this time, I also worked with young offenders and Indigenous males in alcohol and addictions treatment programs. In 2012, I left full-time employment outside of my home to be a stay at home dad so that my partner could complete her Ph.D. In 2019, as a life-long learner, I enrolled in part-time studies at Laurentian University.
I am also a practicing multi-disciplinary artist who enjoys painting, beadwork and song-writing.
Selected organizations I have assisted over the years:
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