Spirit, Relations & Homelands

My spirit name is Waabishka Miigwan and my colonial name is Stephanie Stephens. I am Anishinaabe, Bear Clan raised in Bawating,  a member of Ketegaunseebee (Garden River), and a descendent of ancestors who travelled Gichigamig (Lake Superior). I also have maternal lineage registered to Michipicoten First Nation. My home fire is in Garden River on land that was set aside for future generations of Perraults coming from my paternal father's lineage. I consider my traditional territory any land within 1000 km from the shores of Lake Superior. My ancestral routes going seven generations back are marked all across the Great Lakes region.  

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I was born in Sault Ste. Marie, adopted at birth and raised in a big family. I met my bio parents and half-siblings in my early 30's, taking my sibling count to 15. I was a teen mother, now with 2 adult daughters and 3 grandchildren. I am unique and divergent as a backwards-type, two spirit taught to challenge the status quo and restore my spirit connection. In 2014 I was fortunate to walk the path with Odehamik, Maya Chacaby for 5 years, who taught me how to decolonize my mind and understand what it means to be Anishinaabe in the world. I am also grateful for my large traditionally adopted family and friends across Ontario made up of people who raised me up as Anishinaabe, guiding me and teaching me in my adult years (and continue to) and the many bear clan brothers and sisters I've developed close relationships with. 

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Inherent Responsibilities

My passion and responsibilities are the ongoing healing and wellness of Indigenous people from the complex impacts of historic, generational trauma and ongoing colonial violence. I'm also passionate about lifelong learning of Anishinaabe ways of knowing, being, understanding and doing in the world. As a bear, I discovered that I have natural gifts to do protection and healing work so I help in an oshkaabewis role when needed harvesting medicinal plants, in ceremonies, and any other supportive work I can to assist and learn from traditional healers and medicine people. As an adult educator, I believe a personal strength or gift I have is protecting Indigenous people from further colonial impacts and helping in their recovery by sharing knowledge that was invested in me during a 5 year period of time when I was mentored. In a healing capacity, I use my gifts through social work to help others to become more spirit connected. 

 

I strive to follow Indigenous law as an ethical framework and instructions to live well with an emphasis on spirituality and interconnectedness. With that, following Kindness 1st as the most essential law, my work centres around  building strengths & gifts within individuals, organizations and communities while supporting them to embrace Indigenous worldview. 

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Professional

I am a registered Social Worker (CYW, BSW, MSW). More importantly - I am committed to intensive Anishinaabe learning. My lifelong journey of cultural identity re-connection began over 20 years ago and I am extremely grateful to all of the Indigenous teachers I've had over the years. 

 

I have been learning and working in the social work and education fields for over 25 years in areas of mental health & addictions, suicide epidemics, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, intergenerational trauma, residential school impacts, child welfare, sixties scoop, Indian Day School, criminal justice, wholistic wellness & community healing, child welfare and more. 

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My experience in these areas includes front-line social work, research, framework development, adult education, consultation and community capacity building. I started out focusing on children and youth, my vision involves long-term and sustainable transformation for the younger and future generations of Indigenous people. As my journey continued, I shifted my focus to working with the adults, Elders, front-line helping professionals, Indigenous communities & the non-Indigenous leadership and organizations to support them in immediate actions to promote long-term, community healing.