WIIKWEMKOONG—Wiikwemkoong elder Edna Manitowabi says her life and work has been one long journey, but one that she is still continuing and enjoys very much. It is this journey that has led to her being recently recognized as one of 12 recipients with a 2024 Indspire Award for Culture, Heritage and Spirituality.
The Indspire Awards recognize Indigenous professionals and youth who demonstrate outstanding career achievement, promote self-esteem and pride for Indigenous communities and provide inspirational role models for future generations.
“It is so thrilling and awesome to be nominated for this award by your peers and colleagues,” stated Ms. Manitowabi.
“I have been on a lifelong journey, starting when I was very young. It was when I was in my twenties when I first began searching for our own ways, culture, traditions, songs and seeking researchers and knowledge keepers to provide some direction and answers,” said Ms. Manitowabi. “There has been some resistance along the way and quite challenging at times. When I was young my father would say, ‘just leave the Indian stuff alone.’”
“But when we find something that speaks to your soul, you want to find out more,” said Ms. Manitowabi. “Coming from my residential school background I sought out Elders and knowledge keepers for knowledge, and I used many of our own Anishinabek ways for healing and helping our people.”
“Even though there has been some discouragement along the way, there are a number of people that I have met that truly influenced me, provided affirmation and encouragement to not stop,” continued Ms. Manitowabi. “I really attribute all my learning along the way to these people I’ve met along the way. “I’m in my 80s now, and it was people like Dr. Newberry of the University of Sudbury back then who encouraged me to become involved in the Native Studies Department program that had been started in the early 1970s at the school.”
Ms. Manitowabi became a teacher in the Indigenous knowledge/language program, “and eventually I ended up teaching a Woman Studies course and Indigenous Knowledge course at Trent University. One of my teacher colleagues had gone on a sabbatical and I was filling in for her. I ended up staying for many years, retiring when I was 66. I had dabbled in theatre and when Drew Hayden Taylor with Debajehmujig Theatre did a story about the ‘60s Scoop of our people being taken away from their homes, I got involved in acting. I loved the acting and helping students find their own voice. And it was important to use our language in theatre, passing it on and teaching it to others.”
“I’m a storyteller,” said Ms. Manitowabi. “I retired from teaching (at Trent University) when I was 66. “In the meantime, my summers were taken up harvesting and learning about plants. I started doing this about 20 years ago. I have a colleague, Kathy Bird, who started a medicine camp in Manitoba for people to learn about our ways and learning about plants. I worked with her for a number of years until I developed problems moving around in the bush and gathering plants. So, I came back to the Island about nine years ago. I had been away for a long time, but felt it was time to find my way back home. This can be trying at times. Basically, I started working with plants again; it was always my dream to bring my families traditional medicines back in terms of plants and making medicines.”
“My great aunt was a big influence on me,” Ms. Manitowabi continued. “I had it in my mind that I wanted to learn about plants being used for medicines, and that was my coming home project. I finished doing that in the fall in getting ready for ceremonies in the spring. We host ceremonies and teaching in a lodge at the powwow grounds four times a year to recover and reclaim our ways as Anishinaabe people.”
“I am 83 now and have to keep moving and being active,” stated Ms. Manitowabi. “I enjoy life and enjoy the work I do; it gives me energy.”
The Indspire Awards will be presented April 18 in Ottawa.
