Georgette Whiteduck
I am an inter-generational survivor of the Residential School and the Day School system – both of my parents along with my other relatives who attended these residential schools in the fifties. I am the youngest of five children and was raised in a small Anishnabe-Algonquin community of Barriere Lake, which is about 3 hours north of Ottawa.
I descend from a traditional, Anishnabe-Algonquin family who has worked within the community as traditional teachers and healers. My Kokom received an Honorary Doctorate in Natural Law from Carleton University and also received an Order of Canada Medal for her lifetime achievements. She transferred those gifts and knowledge to her children and grandchildren.
As of March 2022, I have been working as the Indigenous Centre’s Coordinator at Saint Paul University. By appreciating our connection to our teachings and acknowledging my parents, grandparents and my communities while using our culture and language, we can heal and strengthen our roles within our societies.
Marie-Louise Perron
Marie-Louise Perron was born on her grandfather’s land in Saskatchewan. She is a descendant of Red River Métis and early French newcomers. She holds Education and Fine Arts degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Masterʼs degree in Ethnology from Laval University, in Québec.
Through different careers, from high school teacher to visual artist, author, archivist and public servant she has maintained the storytelling tradition of her people. She has presented and published, in both English and French, for national and international audiences, on subjects including the French/Métis songs and stories of the Perron-Ladéroute-Marion-St. Arnaud families, instruction on tracing one’s family history, and the value of archives to society.
Now retired, Marie-Louise pursues historical and genealogical research, offers workshops on tracing Indigenous ancestry, studies traditional violin, and participates in many styles of storytelling, including video and digital forms. An artist in watercolours, mixed media on canvas and photography, she has participated in many exhibitions, and her work can be found in private and institutional collections across Canada.
Marie-Louise has been active for many years in Indigenous community issues in Western Canada and in her Métis community in Ottawa, including in roles as Councilor and later Chair of the Ottawa Region Métis Council, on the Indigenous Education Committees at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, and as a member of the Indigenous Advisory Circle of the Bank of Canada.
Currently one of Saint Paul University’s Knowledge Keepers, she shares with students and the entire university community her experience and knowledge of Indigenous issues, cultures, worldviews, and traditions that she learned from her ancestors and mentors.
Michel (Mizel) Gauthier
Born in a small village in eastern Ontario, and despite the many obstacles along the way, Mizel has always held his head high, not only to reflect his pride in his own identity and honour the sacrifice of his ancestors, but also to teach others – of all ages and backgrounds – the tools to discover their own identity.
Even though he is retired today, Mizel is always busy and rarely takes a break, doing his best to prepare the next generations to take up the challenge of the future. By the many teachings and values that he shares today, he continues to work of with Elders who have asked him to share some of our teachings.