Tributes to Elders!
We wanted to set aside some space to honor the support provided by our Elders.
Glenda Haskell
Glenda Haskell who passed away suddenly on July 17, 2006 at the age of 70. She is shown here at a meeting of Elders gathered together on December 28, 2005 in the old community hall at Red Rock Indian Band, ON.
Albert Mandamin
Albert Mandamin was born and raised in the community of Iskatewizaagegan #39 Independent First Nation (otherwise known as Shoal Lake #39) which is next door to Kenora, Ontario. Albert had a large family composed of five boys (one is deceased) and five girls (one is deceased) who have gifted him with many, many grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Albert was also gifted with this traditional path, from the time that he was an infant. He had memories of being in his tikinagin (cradle board) observing the Elders. He was not able to interact with them but he does remember observing them. He received most of his gifts naturally – through dreams and visions as well as bundles that were gifted to him by Elders that have passed on. Albert was fluent in his language however he was able to translate the spiritual messages to the English language on our behalf and vice versa, he was able to take our English message and translate it to his language so that the Spirits would understand the requests.
From a very young age, Albert was given his life skills including commercial fishing and trapping. From approximately age six or seven years – his livelihood was commercial fishing and trapping.
Albert was a powerful Elder, Traditional Person and Healer who continued to devote his life and his life’s work to the Creator and the people and he performed ceremonies all across Canada. He is extremely respected as a gifted person and there is an acceptance amongst his students that any teaching that is given to you by Albert is straight from the Spiritual realm.
Albert interpreted the visions for the teaching lodge and conducted our very first ceremony.
