Elders embody a living memory of the past, a perspective on the present, and a thoughtful guiding vision towards the future. Elders, Traditional Teachers, and Knowledge Keepers are a vital presence at the University of Toronto and we encourage students, staff, and Faculty to engage and grow in connection with them. Read about Elder Protocols, here.
The Faculty members listed below also provide valuable teachings and support to students, as well as to the wider U of T community.
Council of Indigenous Initiatives Elders’ Circle
The Council of Indigenous Initiatives supports initiatives, strategies, and programming that advance access, retention and degree completion for the Indigenous community at the University of Toronto. The Council’s mandate includes supporting the University’s commitment to excellence and equity by fostering collaboration across the University and with Indigenous communities, government bodies, and other associates.
Rev. Andrew Wesley, was previously an Elder-in-Residence at First Nations House at the University of Toronto. He is also an Anglican priest and former Chair of the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, and holds a Master’s degree in Divinity from U of T, in addition to being a trained as a civil engineering technician. Andrew is Mushkegouk/Omushkego Cree from James’ Bay, and has been a recognized Elder at U of T for many years. He currently sits on U of T’s Council of Aboriginal Initiatives Elders’ Circle. Outside his work at the University, he is also a pastoral counselor for the Council Fire Friendship Centre, and a Residential School survivor. Andrew is very respected throughout campus, and across Ontario.
Iehnhotonkwas Bonnie Jane Maracle, Wolf Clan, Mohawk Nation at Tyendinaga Territory. Traditional Teacher in Residence at First Nations House, she meets with students, does guest lectures on campus, and offers teachings. Bonnie Jane Maracle holds a B.A. Indigenous Studies from Trent University, a B.Ed. & M.Ed. from Queen’s University, and is a Ph.D. Candidate, Indigenous Studies, at Trent University. Instructor for the Certificate in Aboriginal Language Revitalization program, at UVic. In addition to all of this, Bonnie is on the Board of Tsi Tyonnheht Onkwawenna Language & Culture Centre in Tyendinaga, Ontario Native Literacy Coalition in London, is the Language Program Coordinator at Kanatsiohareke Community in NY, and finally, acts as a team writer at Ontario Teacher College for Additional Qualifications of Native Studies and Native Languages Guidelines.
Constance is the Métis Senator from Toronto and York Region Métis Council. Her homeland is Northern Saskatchewan. She is Cree and Scottish.
Dr. Eileen Antone, Emeritus, University of Toronto is a member of the Oneida of the Thames First Nation- Turtle Clan. She is the former Director of Aboriginal Studies/Centre for Aboriginal Initiatives at the University of Toronto. Dr. Antone served as a Faculty member in the Department of Adult Education, Community Development, and Counselling Psychology, as well as the Transitional Year Programme. Eileen currently sits on the Elders’ Circle.
Ernie Sandy is Anishinaabe, Bear Clan from Christian Island, a fluent speaker of Anishinaabemowin, is an honoured Elder within the Elders’ Circle at the University of Toronto, and is also a Traditional Teacher at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, among many other endeavours. Holding degrees at both the University of Western Ontario and Nippissing University, he has taught at both the college and university level, including at Glendon College, York University.
Rev. Dr. Grafton Antone, Wolf Clan, is from the Oneida of the Thames First Nation. Grafton taught an Oneida language class in the Aboriginal Studies Program at the University of Toronto. Dr. Antone was also an Elder-in-Residence at First Nations House at the University of Toronto. Upon his retirement, he moved back to his community where he serves on the Oneida Long Term Care Home Committee. He also continues to be a member of the Council of Indigenous Initiatives Elders’ Circle.
Jan Longboat
Jan Kahehti:io Longboat, Turtle Clan of the Mohawk Nation, is an Elder, educator, writer, herbalist, cultural advocate, and visionary, having dedicated her life to the dissemination and learning of Indigenous language and culture. A recipient of the Order of Canada Award, Jan Longboat is currently an Elder Advisor to the Ministry of Justice: Indigenous Peoples’ Court in Brantford. She taught at Mohawk College, McMaster University, and the University of Toronto, and has worked with several Indigenous health centres including Wabano, Desdwadadesnye, and SOHAK. Jan is a valued member of the Elders’ Circle.
Indigenous Faculty
Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering
Dr. Jason Bazylak is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream within the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering.
Faculty of Arts and Science
Dr. Cheryl Suzack (Batchewana First Nations) is an Associate Professor, Graduate Faculty, and Undergraduate Instructor (UTSG).
Professor Dale Turner is a citizen of the Temagami First Nation in northern Ontario. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Centre for Indigenous Studies in the Faculty of Arts & Science. Professor Turner, Academic Advisor on Indigenous Research, consults with the academic divisions to provide leadership and guidance to colleagues conducting research in and with Indigenous communities.
Heather Dorries is of Anishinaabe and settler ancestry and a member of Sagkeeng First Nation in Treaty 1. She is an Assistant Professor jointly appointed to the Department of Geography and Planning and Centre for Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Jill Carter is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, Transitional Year Programme, and Indigenous Studies.
Dr. Karyn Recollet is an Assistant professor in the Women & Gender Studies Institute.
Kevin J. White is an Indigenous scholar (Mohawk from Akwesasne, with family from Tonawanda Band of Seneca) whose work focuses primarily on Haudenosaunee Creation and culture. Kevin is an Assistant Professor, Department for the Study of Religion and Centre for Indigenous Studies.
Lindsay M. Montgomery is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Centre for Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto St. George campus.
Michelle Daigle is Mushkegowuk (Cree), a member of Constance Lake First Nation in Treaty 9, and of French ancestry. She is an Assistant Professor and has a joint appointment in the Centre for Indigenous Studies and the Department of Geography & Planning.
Dr. Michelle Murphy is a Professor of History and Women and Gender Studies, with the Department of History, Institute for History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, and the School of Environment.
Mikinaak Migwans is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Contemporary Art in Canada in the Department of Art History, and curator at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto.
Ninaatig Staats Pangowish is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto.
Pedro Mateo Pedro is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, in the Department of Linguistics and the Executive Director of the Guatemala Field Station at the University of Maryland.
Ryan Decaire is Mohawk from Wáhta Kanien’kehá:ka Territory, and is an Assistant Professor within the Centre for Indigenous Studies and Department of Linguistics.
Dr. Susan Hill is the Director of Centre for Indigenous Studies, and is also an Associate Professor, within the Departments of Indigenous Studies and History. Dr. Hill is Haudenosaunee, Wolf Clan, a member of the Mohawk Nation, and resident of Oshwe:ken, Grand River Territory.
Tahohtharátye (Joe Brant) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, cross-listed in the Department of Linguistics and Centre for Indigenous Studies.
Dr. Uahikea Maile is a Kanaka Maoli scholar, activist, and practitioner from Maunawili, Oahu. He is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Politics in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto
Faculty of Law
Professor John Borrows is a Professor and Loveland Chair in Indigenous Law within University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law.
Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
Jaris Swidrovich is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream with the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto.
Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Chase McMurren, serves as the Indigenous Health Theme Lead in the MD Program and the Indigenous Practitioner Liaison within the Office of Indigenous Health in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Jason Pennington, a medical school graduate of the University of Toronto, is a staff surgeon at Scarborough General Hospital and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto
Dr. Lisa Richardson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, a Wilson Centre Researcher, and practices at the University Health Network.
Dr. Suzanne Shoush is the Indigenous Health Faculty Lead for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Faculty of Music
Dr. Eliot Britton, a proud member of the Manitoba Metis Federation, is an Assistant Professor of Composition and Music Technology & Digital Media.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
Jacqui Lavalley is a member of the Shawanaga First Nation, East Shore Georgian Bay. She is an Ojibwe Traditional Teacher and an Ojibwe Traditional Kokomis (Grandmother). Jacqui is also a singer, dancer, song writer and an exceptional Traditional Ojibwe Storyteller using her own life story as an introduction into the Traditional, Spiritual aspects of being an Anishinaabe Ekwe (Indigenous Woman).
Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development.
Dr. Jennifer Brant, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.
Dr. Jennifer Wemigwans is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education.
Dr. Martin Cannon is an Associate Professor with the Department of Social Justice Education.
Dr. Sandra Styres is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Stephanie Waterman is an Associate Professor within the Department of Leadership, Higher and Adult Education.
Dalla Lana School of Public Health
Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle is an Assistant Professor and Associate Director for the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.
Anita C. Benoit is an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto, in the Department of Health & Society (Scarborough Campus) and is cross-appointed at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (St. George Campus) in the Social & Behavioural Health Sciences Division.
Earl Nowgesic
Dr. Nowgesic is a Status-Only Assistant Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health with a cross-appointment to the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and an Associate Member of the School of Graduate Studies, Public Health Sciences Graduate Unit, U of T. Dr. Nowgesic is also the Associate Scientific Director of the Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Suzanne L. Stewart is the Director of the Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health.
Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy
Sarah Beamish is a Lecturer at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. Sarah was born and raised on Treaty 6 territory, her ancestors come from western Europe and Aotearoa-New Zealand, and she is a member of the Ngāruahinerangi (Māori) people.
Victoria University in the University of Toronto
University of Toronto Libraries
Mikayla Redden is a a librarian at New College within the University of Toronto.
University of Toronto Mississauga
UTM
Dr. Jennifer Adese (otipemisiwak/Métis) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at UTM.
Kristen Bos is an urban Métis based in Toronto, but her homeland is northern Alberta where prairie transitions into boreal forest. Kristen is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Science and Technology Studies at the University of Toronto Mississauga and the Co-Director of the Indigenous-led Technoscience Research Unit, an environmental justice lab at the University of Toronto.
Maria Hupfield is an Assistant Professor of Indigenous Digital Arts and Performance and a Canadian Research Chair in Transdisciplinary Indigenous Arts.
Dr. Robin R. R. Gray is Ts’msyen and Mikisew Cree, and an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Yvonne P. Sherwood (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at UTM.
University of Toronto Scarborough
UTSC
Chadwick Cowie is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto-Scarborough (UTSC) and the University of Toronto (St. George).
Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in the Scarborough Department of English.
Dr. Nicholas Spence is an Assistant Professor within the Interdisciplinary Centre for Health and Society. Dr. Spence joins the Health Studies Program from Harvard University, and Massachusetts General Hospital where he was a research fellow.
Randy Lundy is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream in the Scarborough Department of English.
