Amanda Dale, L'nu (Mi'kmaq) Restigouche Qc

Amanda Dale, is a mixed blood, non status L'nu (Mi'kmaq) with patrilineal kinship ties to Listuguj First Nation, as well as surrounding areas of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec. They do not have membership with Listuguj currently. Amanda’s matrilineal kinship ties are Kanienkeha’ka (Mohawk) Six Nations of the Grand River with connections to the Mohawk Valley. Amanda grew up in city of Hamilton Ontario and since childhood has lived their father’s way of life in his L’nu cultural traditions and practices. Amanda has spent many years on the front lines advocating for MMIWG2S, family, cultural and environmental protections. As an intergenerational survivor of residential school they have a passion for the preservation of Indigenous languages and cultures.

Amanda fearlessly advocates for the protection of Indigenous families, languages, cultures and traditional self-governance. They continue to serve community frontlines in their work as an Adult Mental Health Therapist and Program Developer. Amanda has graduated with distinction from Mohawk college and Ryerson University completing a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work through Tyendinaga's First Nations Technical Institute. Amanda recently graduated with their Masters In Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and First Nations Technical Institute.

Elder Strength Of Two Buffalo, Kanien'keha'ka Six Nations

Elder Strength Dale is Kanien:keha'ka (Mohawk) from Six Nations of the Grand River and the co-founder of Bear Waters Gathering. For the past 37 years Elder Strength has had the opportunity to learn from an extremely diverse community of elders such as the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg, Cree, Lakota and Inuit spanning across both Canada and the United States. He has attended, participated in and conducted many ceremonial gatherings and apprenticed with respected elders since his childhood.

Elder Strength has been contributing to Indigenous communities in multiple ceremonies such as sweat lodge, the sacred pipe and sundance for over a decade. He has a formal education in the field of Social Services, graduated from the Bachelor of Ed in Aboriginal Adult Education at Brock University, completed the Men's Indigenous Social Work Program from Muncey Healing Lodge and Addictions Counselling Certification through Polytechnic Institute Six Nations. He currently works with Bear Waters Gathering as their resident elder delivering spiritual supports and cultural safety training across Canada.

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Rosanne Irving, of Scw'exmx (People of the Creeks, Nicola Valley), Nlaka’pamux Nation (Lower Nicola Band)

“While connecting with my spirituality, for the past 25 years, I began to receive my teachings in my dream time. A medicine healing bundle was coming as precious gifts. The Creator and my ancestors were now sharing the wonderful gifts with me.”

Rosanne has been employed within her local school board an Educational Assistant for 30 years and 25 of those years with medically fragile children. Currently Rosanne is an Indigenous Student Advisor. Her professional training consists of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Restorative Practices Facilitator. Rosanne has had the honour of facilitating many presentations, sharing her Indigenous teachings and bringing awareness with projects like Kairos Blanket Exercise.  

Rosanne is skilled at bringing cultural awareness, facilitating restorative circles, engaging people in the seven grandfather teachings and more. She has been asked to perform ceremonies, such as smudging, into non- indigenous and indigenous spaces. Rosanne has had the pleasure of applying her knowledge of the 7 Grandfather Teachings in her presentations with post secondary and foreign exchange students. Working with the OPP, Rosanne flew into Pikangikum to share her knowledge of the Pow Wow and regalia making. Rosanne has participated in grassroots initiatives such as the Champlain Monument actions and advocates to give Indigenous peoples a voice. Rosanne is a Practitioner of healing work.