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Tracey Whiteye

Woman in glasses sitting outside

Aanii, Boozhoo, Koolamolsi, My spirit name is Wabusk Skweow Kahetapit Neegn Nipeek Ohscheh - which means “Polar Bear Woman/White Bear Woman Who is Looking Ahead from the Water”. I am Lenaapeew/Anishinaabe kwe. The Nation I come from is Elunaapeewii Lahkeewiit First Nations, known as Delaware Nation of the Thames. This is the First Nation my father is from and where I grew up for 16 years. In this Mino Bimaadiziwin, it is the matriarchal system of my mother, my grandmother, and my great-great grandmother of the Makwa Dodem; Bear Clan system that I am. These women are the inter-generational wisdom waters I come from. Not only do I carry within my blood memory of Leni- Lenape Nation. I am the descendant of Ojibway, Odawa, and Algonquin Nation, which comes from the territory of the Georgian shore of Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation territory, and from White Fish Lake First Nation, known today as Atekameksheng Anishnabek First Nation.

 In my RedPath of 22 years of sobriety, like many Indigenous First Peoples across Turtle Island, my healing journey was all about re-storying/ re-learning from the impact of colonization, assimilation, and oppression. The Residential school system, Indian Day School and other colonized structures within the Education system all played a part of the attempt to dismember my Indigenous Identity. My involvement with Sex Trade and Human Traffficking in my Waundering/Wondering life stage, as I continued my ongoing alcoholism, drug addictions, homelessness, and domestic violent relationships. It was those Indigenous Elders, Grandmothers and keepers of the ceremonies that suppported me, encouraged me, and taught me how to gain back my lost identity, culture and language. In my planning and planting stage of life for over 15 years I travelled and assisted some of those Indigenous Elders and Wise Indigenous Grandmothers by helping with the medicines and ceremonial preparations. I assisted and helped as I learned other different indigenous healing methods to aid in the impact of historical traumas.

 I travel to different Indigenous communities within Southern Ontario,
Northern Ontario, Northern Quebec, and New Mexico. And, help with nearby First Nations communities close to London, and Windsor Ontario. Other roles and responsibilities an Oshkaabewis kwe and , Ogichidaa kwe, my profile consistsa of working and helping various Indigenous organizations, on and off-reserve. I was as an Intake/Assessment Worker, Traditional family counselor, a NNADAP/Drug and Alcohol worker, Cultural Coordinator/developer within a Native Child and Family organization, and I even had the opportunity to work in Corrections Service Canada in the
Brantford Jail and Super Jail in Milton, Ontario with our Native Brotherhood. In the city of London, I was a Drug and Alcohol Coordinator at a Friendship Centre, and today, contracted as a Wholistic researcher as a Ceremony and Transition Coordinator for Ontario Federations of Indigenous Friendship Centres. And, within the City of London’s culture services, I sit with a circle as we organize with the London Arts Council different art, sharing circles, educating about the Truth and Reconciliation.

 Due to the acts of discrimination and marginalization against Indigneous women, in my healing journey, I fought back. I started my educational journey to obtain my Bachelor of Social Work. through FNTI/Toronto Metropolitan University. In 2020, I received my Masters of Social Work-Indigenous field of Study at Wilfrid Laurier. Today, I continue to do contract work implementing Indigenous research theories, practices and aid in building relationships. As a educator, I continue to teach at the Anishnaabek Education Institute within the Social Service Worker Program, Native Traditional Healing Methods to future Indigenous Community Oshkaabewis/Helpers. Now that I am in my grandmother stage of life, As a Nokimis (Grandmother), I continue to walk, teach and share the teachings my Elders and Grandmothers taught me in my own private practice. I am registered as a Mental Health Provider. For non-insured Health benefits and carry in my bundle RedPath- Living without Violence, RedPath- Addictions and RedPath- Child and Youth certified facilitator training.
My self care is all about Ceremony of Life and ongoing healing. At times, I too need to sit on the land, by the water, and be by that fire.

 It is with the spirit of my Sacred Knowledge Bundle, that continues carries me and guides me to share, guide and teach all about this Good Life, this Mino Bimaadiziwin. All Our Relations

Contact Us:

Giselle Dias MSW, PhD (ABD), Director

E: gdias@wlu.ca

Katie McLellan, MSW (IFS), Manager

E: kmclellan@wlu.ca

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