The Daniels Mural Project team is launching a week-long series of programming for Treaties Recognition Week (November 1-5). Treaties Recognition Week helps to honour the importance of treaties, and increase treaty awareness about treaty rights and treaty relationships. 

Join us at 7:44 a.m. outside at the north façade patio of the Daniels Building (Stantec Architecture Courtyard) as we commence the start of Treaties Recognition Week with a sunrise ceremony led by Elder Whabagoon and a Jingle Dress Dance by Robin Rice and drumming and singing by Kayla Sutherland.

Graphic by Mariah Meawasige (@Makoose)

Whabagoon is an Ojibwe elder and sits with the Loon Clan. She is from Lac Seul First Nation, Sioux Lookout, ONT. She is a Keeper of Sacred Pipes, speaker, land defender and water protector.  Her grandmother, of Petawaway lineage, was a medicine woman; her mother, of Sapay lineage, a residential school survivor. Whabagoon herself, also of Sapay lineage, is a Sixties Scoop survivor.

Recently, she accepted the inaugural position of First Peoples Leadership Advisor to the Dean, at the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto. She looks forward to guiding the Reconciliation path together in a good way.

Whabagoon is co-founder and co-lead for Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag, a University of Toronto Access program that works with Indigenous youth to connect their spirit with the land and water through Land-based teachings. She has been honoured at High Table, Massey College, at the University of Toronto, for her community work.

“Our youth need to connect with the teachings of the land,” says Elder Whabagoon. “The program strengthens their cultural identity, gives a platform for their voice on environmental issues and guides them to envision their future role as caretakers of Mother Earth.”

Whabagoon leads Sunrise Water ceremonies and Gatherings by the Fire, to hold space for those who want to learn about the power of ceremony, land, and water.   

She leads opening ceremonies, sings, and drums for major initiatives, including the City of Toronto StreetART events, and the landmark Shanawdithit, Indigenous Opera world premiere.

In her spare time, Whabagoon enjoys writing, painting, and sharing time with her partner of 24 years, Karl Shay, Knowledge Keeper of the Eastern Door, L’Nu Nation, Lynx Clan.