On February 9th and 10th, Edna will be teaching the Anishinaabe Creation Story and Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Edna Manitowabi, Asini-Kwe, Anishnaabekwe, is Makwa (Bear) Clan, a Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother, of Ojibway/Odawa ancestry originally from Wiikwemkoong, Manitoulin Island. A fifth degree Midewewin teacher and seeker of Indigenous knowledge, Edna is one of the founders and teachers of Minweyweywigaan Midewiwin Lodge, in Roseau River, Manitoba. Recently, Edna was raised up as the Ogimaa-kwe of Minweyweywigaan Lodge, Mnidoo Mnising in her home territory of Wiikwemkoong.
Though retired, as Professor Emeritus, Edna maintains her connections to the Indigenous Studies Department at Trent University. Over the years, she has developed and taught courses in Tradition and Culture, Indigenous Knowledges, Indigenous Theatre, and Indigenous Women. She has been instrumental in the development and teaching of the PhD program in Indigenous Knowledges.
While at Trent University, Edna was also the driving force behind the creation of Nozhem Theatre, Trent University’s dedicated Indigenous Performance space along with the annual Indigenous Women’s Symposium.Always a strong and appreciative supporter of Indigenous Arts over the years she has served as the Traditional Cultural Director for The Native Theatre School, The Centre for Indigenous Theatre, and the Banff Aboriginal Dance Program. She has also acted/performed in several theatrical productions beginning in 1994 with her first role in Drew Hayden Taylor’s play Someday. This play gave her the first opportunity to incorporate her experiences as a Residential School Survivor.
For the past fifty years, Edna has been a strong advocate for Indigenous women and has been at the forefront of the revitalization of Indigenous knowledges, intellectual traditions, ceremonies and spirituality both in Ontario and Manitoba. During the last 20 years this work has grown to include the study of Anishnaabe traditional medicine plants in their preparation and uses. Working with her close friend Kathy Bird, from Peguis First Nation, these two Anishnaabekwe grandmothers have established medicine lodges, Aki Mashkiki Nandewewewin, in many First Nations communities across Ontario and Manitoba wherein they shared this traditional medicine knowledge with local community members.
Edna Manitowabi currently lives in Wikwemkong First Nation and the Peterborough area.
Zoom Session open to ALL - After registering, a private event link will be sent closer to the event date.
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/traditional-teachings-with-edna-manitowabi-tickets-138974228659
