Andrew B Judge Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference 2016

Andrew B Judge

Boozoo, Mko Mose Indizhnikaz, Meshekenh n'doodem, d' eshkan ziibi n'doonjiba Anishinaabe inini n'dow. Hi, my English name is Andrew Judge and my spirit name is Bear Walker (Mko Mose), I am Turtle Clan (Meshekenh n'doodem) was born and raised near the horned river (d' eshkan ziibi n'doonjiba) and I am both Irish and Anishinaabe. My dad was born in Thessalon, ON and my Mom was born in Sarnia, ON. I was born and raised in London, ON. I have been working in the area of Indigenous education for the past eight years. I started by engaging youth at an Indigenous science camp in Wikwemikong, Manitoulin Island, I then began designing, facilitating and implementing mentoring programs for Indigenous elementary and secondary students at the CAMH Centre for Prevention Science and than I taught Indigenous studies at Fanshawe College and continue to teach at the First Nations Technical Institute I even used to Coordinate Indigenous Education at College of the Rockies. My PhD "re-search" includes seeking to re-establish gete-Anishinaabe-izhichigewin (Ancient Anishinaabe Customs) by articulating the nature of Anishinaabeg mino-bimaadiziwin (living the good life) through an academic lens. I am also looking into the impacts of relocation on Indigenous staff at Universities. I do this work in hopes that Indigenous students gain opportunities to learn the truth about their ancestral wisdom in their formal educational years. For me, the pursuit of Indigenous knowledge and the knowledge of my ancestors has led me on the most extraordinary journey imaginable. As I continue to advance in my studies as a doctoral student, I gain a deeper sense of self awareness, as man of Indigenous descent. I constantly battle to decolonize my eurocentric assumptions concerning the world, cosmos, and universe and seek the guidance of Elders and my dreams for strategies to live a good life (Mino-bimaadiziwin). I feel privileged to be viewing the world using an Indigenous lens and have learned to harness some of the strengths of Anishinaabeg medicine to help achieve my goals. This incredible knowledge requires a commitment for life, it is a commitment to which I remain steadfast. Each day I continue to be humbled by the teachings of my ancestors and I am always excited to share the little I have learned with anyone interested. Chi Miigwetch (Big Thanks)