Elder Aimee Bailey
Aimee is a Pikwakanagan citizen who has studied, experienced, and worked to reclaim her Algonquin Traditional Culture for most of her life. She holds an Honours Degree in the Humanities from York University and a Traditional Practitioner Post Graduate Certificate from First Nations Technical Institute. She was the first Executive Director of Omamiwinini Pimadjwowin, Pilwakanagan’s Cultural Centre, continues to be Spokesperson for The Circle of Turtle Lodge, an urban Indigenous Cultural group, is Elder-in- Residence at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus, sits on the Board of Nigig Nibi Kiwin Gamig Pikwakanagan’s new Child Welfare Agency, and has been acknowledged as an Elder by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.
Elder Patrick Aird
Pat is a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. He grew up living in Algonquin Park hunting and trapping with his grandfather until he was 18. During this time, they traveled from Blackfoot to Mi’kmaq to Cheyenne Territory, receiving knowledge teachings from Elders. After this he travelled the world with a career in mining. In 2001 Pat got his Diploma in Social Work through Loyalist College and worked at an alcohol and drug rehab program in Kirkland Lake before eventually settling in Petawawa. Pat is an Elder for Wakehi Lodge and enjoys working with young people and sharing his knowledge through Cultural Teachings.
Kerry Fortin
Kerry, of Oji-Cree heritage grew up not knowing much about his background until starting to follow the path in his early thirties, learning drumming and medicines, eventually becoming the lead on a Grandfather Drum. Kerry worked as an art teacher in Western Quebec at a small school for over a decade before moving into work with “special needs” students. In 2023 he began working as Family and Community Engagement Worker for Family and Children Services in the Ottawa Valley and also as facilitator of Waka-ehi Lodge, where he helps to guide traditional teachings to youth and families, bringing in Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The Lodge also provides assistance with food, a place to shower and various necessities for Indigenous people in need in our community. He feels fortunate to have worked with, and learned, from Elders, Medicine People and Knowledge Keepers and believes that learning is a lifelong endeavor . Kerry is a proud father of two grown men and a professional artist who has worked in multimedia including steel, bone and wood sculpture and painting.
Norma Bailey
Norma is a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and is also the head of the family whose son is currently the Chief of the Bonnechere Algonquin First Nation. As a single mother of two children, Norma’s background was working in medical technology for 30 years, mainly at Pembroke Hospital. Norma was a founding director of The Circle of Turtle Lodge and as such, actively sought teaching from Elders in order to share them with the local community and then brought Elders back to visit with the community. As a lifelong talented singer, Norma has researched and created a songbook of traditional Anishinaabe songs and music that included English translations of clan songs. Since retiring, she has volunteered with youth and has worked with the elderly at Pikwakanagan and she currently enjoys singing at cultural events.
Steve Fortin
Steve, of Oji-Cree heritage, started his teachings in his late thirties with an Ojibwe elder. During this time, he was invited to be a drummer on a ceremonial drum and had the privilege to travel and learn up North as well as in Renfrew County. Since 1998 Steve has been a nurse in every setting of health care, eventually going into teaching and management. In 2022, Steve started working at Family and Children’s Services in Renfrew County where he supervises the Indigenous Restorative Practices Team. Steve considers himself to be a lifelong learner. He enjoys drumming and attending cultural activities with his son.
Sherry Dion
Sherry is a citizen of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, and a great granddaughter of Chief Matthew Bernard and Christianne Aird Partridge. Sherry is an artist, craftswoman, and activist who was initiated into the traditional medicine wheel teachings at the age of 13. Sherry is a graduate of Algonquin College’s 3-year Business Administration Program and worked for the Federal Government during the volatile time of the Oka Crisis. In 2018 Sherry became a Personal Support Worker to care for her mother and then for members of the Pikwakanagan community. She retired to grieve the loss of her mother and to heal from intergenerational trauma as a 60s Scoop Survivor. Sherry’s political action, which includes raising cultural awareness through programming and education for both Indigenous people and settlers, continues to this day. Sherry is currently the Kampus Kokum at the Pembroke Algonquin College