Who We Are

 

FACULTY

 

  Academic Director

  Vacant (for inquiries please use information below)
  Hamilton Hall 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4K1
  T: (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426
  Email:indgdir@mcmaster.ca

  More information to come at a later date.

 

 

 

  Vanessa Watts

  Full Time Lecturer
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
  T: 905.525.9140 ext. 26119
  Email: wattsv@mcmaster.ca

 

 

Vanessa is Mohawk and Anishnaabe and is of the Bear Clan. She is currently in the process of completing her Ph.D. in Sociology at Queen's University. Her undergraduate degree is from Trent University in Native Studies and her Master's Degree was in the Indigenous Governance Program at the University of Victoria. Vanessa lives near the Grand River in Brantford, Ontario with her husband. Vanessa is happy to be closer to her home and family while working at McMaster. She brings her experience both as a student, former academic advisor and Student Counsellor at the Indigenous Studies Program to her role as Full-Time Lecturer.

 

  Dr. Dawn Martin-Hill

  Associate Professor

  Department of Anthropology
  Chester New Hall Room 538
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4K1
  T: (905) 525-9140 ext. 27605
  Email: dawnm@mcmaster.ca

Dawn Martin-Hill (Mohawk, Wolf Clan) holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology and is one of the original founders of the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University. She is the recipient of a US-Canada Fulbright award, Outstanding Teaching Award from the Aboriginal Institutes Consortium, and she has received grants from SSHRC, CIHR and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Her research includes: Indigenous knowledge & cultural conservation, Indigenous women, traditional medicine and health and the contemporary practice of Indigenous traditionalism. She is Co-PI on a CIHR-IAPH funded NEAHR grant (Network Environments in Aboriginal Health Research), the Indigenous Health Research Development Program (IHDRP).

She has contributed chapters to several books including "Lubicon Women: a bundle of voices" in the book, In the Way of Development (1997) and “She No speaks” in the book, Strong Women Stories (2003). She has her own book titled, The Lubicon Lake Nation: Indigenous Knowledge and Power (2007). The book outlines the human and environmental impact of rapid development on the cultural survival of the Lubicon Cree. She has also produced three documentaries from a six day Elder’s Summit that she organized which was attended by over 600 elders and youth from across the Americas. The first film is "Jidwá:doh - Let’s Become Again" (2005), a documentary focusing on Elders’ understandings of historical trauma and directions to begin to heal collectively using Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices. The second is "Onkwánistenhsera - Mothers of our Nations" (2006), which examines the need for Indigenous women to reclaim, restore and revitalize their traditional knowledge.  The latest film, “Sewatokwa'tshera't: The Dish with One Spoon” (2008), is about the Haudenosaunee reclamation of traditional lands. Recently, Dawn partnered with Six Nations Polytechnic and McMaster University in developing the Ogwehoweh Language Diploma and is the co-Chair of Indigenous Knowledge Centre Steering Committee. She currently holds a SSHRC grant for “Preserving Haudenosaunee language and ceremonies through the digitization and translation of the Hewitt Collection” with community partner Six Nations Polytechnic. 

She resides at Six Nations of the Grand River.

 

  Dr. Rick Monture

  Assistant Professor
  Department of English and Cultural Studies
  Chester New Hall 209
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4L9
  T: (905) 525-9140 ext. 23726
  Email: monture@mcmaster.ca

Rick Monture is a member of the Mohawk nation, Turtle clan, from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. He completed elementary school at Six Nations, attended Caledonia High School, and later enrolled at McMaster. In 1991 he received a Combined Honours BA in History and English and completed his MA in English in 1996. His Master’s thesis examined the evolution of literary images of the Native in the United States from the early 19th century to the present, and was entitled “All of a Piece”: Native Representation and Voice in American Fiction. He was also a recipient of a Canada-US Fulbright Award and attended Cornell University in 1998 to further his research, which focused on the divergent approaches to Native literature and criticism in the two countries. In addition to being a member of the McMaster First Nation Students Association since its inception in 1989, Rick has also been a Tutorial Assistant and a Lecturer for the Indigenous Studies Program for many years, and served as Acting Director in 2009. In June 2010, Rick successfully defended his PhD dissertation, Teionkwakhashion Tsi Niionkwariho:ten (“We Share Our Matters”): A Literary History of Six Nations of the Grand River, which explores how the Grand River Haudenosaunee have consistently drawn upon cultural traditions in letters, poetry, fiction and film as a means to assert and maintain their sovereignty. In September 2010, he accepted a cross appointed position as Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Cultural Studies and Indigenous Studies.

Rick’s areas of academic interest include Haudenosaunee history, First Nation, Métis and Inuit literatures, popular culture, and the epistemology of Indigenous language and culture. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Chiefswood National Historic Site at Six Nations, and is a Board member with the Grand River Post Secondary Education Office. He is also a member of the Steering Committee and an Associate Professor with the Indigenous Knowledge Centre located at Six Nations.

 

SESSIONAL LECTURERS

 

  Ima Johnson

  Visiting Elder/Sessional Lecturer
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University

  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4K1

  ** To contact Ima please speak with the Student Counsellor using one of the following:

  T: 905.525.9140 ext. 27459
  Email: indig@mcmaster.ca

Ima is of the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. For over 25 years, Ima Johnson was a Mohawk Language teacher. She developed a curriculum for the Mohawk immersion program at Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Private School and began the tasks of teaching the children the language. In 1998 she received her Ontario Teachers' Certificate through Brock University. Her understanding and patience also prompted her to teach Adult Mohawk Language classes at Six Nations Polytechnic. Ima's passion to teach the Mohawk language to whoever wants to learn has led many to reclaim their language. Her devotion to the immersion program continues today in her capacity as Translator at the Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Language Preservation Project.

In addition to her teaching career, Ima is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is a Head Faithkeeper at the Lower Cayuga Longhouse, was named a Six Nations Community Treasure in 2004 and as a Six Nations Indigenous Knowledge Guardian in 2008. In 2009, she was awarded the title of Professor of Indigenous Language. Rich in the knowledge of Haudenosaunee traditions and culture, Ima has shared her knowledge with women in the Six Nations and Hamilton communities through various prenatal clinics and teaching women's wellness and parenting. Through her gift as a storyteller, many of her teachings continue to be shared with others. Ima has many great stories to tell, so come and listen when you can!

Ima is also a member of the Board of Directors for Six Nations Polytechnic, Six Nations Birthing Centre and a member of the Grandparents of the Birthing Centre.

 

  Amber Skye

  Sessional Lecturer
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4L7
  T: (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426

  Email:  askye@mcmaster.ca

Amber Skye is a Mohawk from Six Nations where she currently resides with her husband and four children. Amber has an MPH and is a Public Health Doctoral student with a specialization in Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health. Amber's research focuses on establishing the linkages between culture-based practices to improve health services and health outcomes among Aboriginal peoples, and developing health service and policy that integrate the use of Indigenous knowledge and Aboriginal health practices. Specifically, Amber's work focuses on Aboriginal women's reproductive and maternal health as it is vitally linked to the health and well-being of Aboriginal children and families. Amber has worked extensively within her community in the areas of health research and community based health promotion. Through collaborative partnerships with Haudenosaunee Faith Keepers and Clan Mothers, Amber has facilitated the Haudenosaunee Women's Preservation Project and the Haudenosaunee Healthy Youth Project to support the transmission of traditional knowledge and practices, and to promote health and wellbeing among Haudenosaunee families. Amber is also a youth board member of the Indigenous Elders and Youth Council and has worked with Indigenous representatives to fulfill the council's mandate of promoting and protecting Indigenous languages, culture, knowledge and traditional land bases.

 

  Ali Darnay

  Sessional Lecturer
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4K1
  T: (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426
  Email:  darnaya@mcmaster.ca

Alexandra (Ali) Darnay is Anishnaabe and a member of Garden River First Nation, Ontario. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts (English with a minor in Indigenous Studies), and her Bachelor of Education with an additional course in the Education of Native Canadians. She has also received her Anishnaabemowin (Ojibwe language and culture) Certificate and a second degree in Anishinaabemowin. She is currently the Program Director for the Aboriginal Health Research Networks Secretariat (AHRNetS) and a Sessional Instructor at McMaster University. Ali also serves as a board member of the Indigenous Elders and Youth Council and Neto Hatinakwe Onkwehowe Native Arts. She is a published author and has worked as a research assistant for three documentaries including: "Jidwá:doh - Let’s Become Again", a documentary focusing on the elders’ understanding of historical trauma and directions to begin to heal collectively using Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices; "Onkwánistenhsera - Mothers of our Nation", a documentary examining the need for Indigenous women to reclaim, restore and revitalize their traditional knowledge that has been lost through centuries of colonialism; and the “Dish With One Spoon”, a film about the Haudenosaunee reclaiming traditional lands to protect the environment from encroachment. Ali is an advocate for the conservation and transmission of Anishnaabemowin and Indigenous Knowledge. She has volunteered her time to work on gatherings sponsored by McMaster University and Six Nations. She has also worked with elders as a helper for the last fifteen years.

 

  Hayden King

  Sessional Lecturer
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West
  Hamilton, Ontario Canada L8S 4K1
  T: (905) 525-9140 ext. 27426
  Email: kingha@mcmaster.ca

Hayden has taught a variety of courses in the Indigenous Studies Program, varying across first, second and third year levels and across subjects (from traditional knowledge to Indigenous governance). In addition to teaching, Hayden’s research agenda is also varied, focusing on the relationship between Indigenous peoples and conservation policies, land use planning in the North, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the representation of Indigenous peoples in the mainstream media. Hayden publishes frequently in the national news media but also in journals and magazines. His most recent work is a coauthored book on northern resource management called “Canada’s North: What’s the Plan?”

In addition to his work at McMaster, Hayden has served as the Senior Policy Adviser to the Ontario Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, the Director of Research for the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business and as a Conference Board of Canada Scholar-in- Residence. Hayden completed his MA degree from Queens University in the Political Studies Program and is working towards his PhD in Political Science at McMaster University. Hayden is of the Bear Clan from Beausoleil First Nation on Chimnissing and was born in Huronia, Ontario. He is proud of both his Anishinaabe and European heritage.

 

STAFF

 

  Garnette Crawford

  Administrative Assistant
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
  T: 905.525.9140 ext. 27426
  Email: gcrawfo@mcmaster.ca

A Haudenosaunee woman of the Cayuga Nation, Wolf clan, who resides on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. An honours graduate of the Mohawk College Executive Office Administration Program, who also attended Niagara County Community College, New York - business stream and Sheridan College, Oakville - Creative Art stream.  A mother of three grown children and a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters. She is dedicated to her culture and Indigenous knowledge.

 

  Jennie Anderson

  Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Officer
  Registrar's Office/Office of the AVP Academic
  Gilmour Hall Room 109/F
  *appointments can check in at GH Room 108*
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8
  T: 905.525.9140 ext. 24325
  Email: jander2@mcmaster.ca
  Fax: 905.527.1105

Jennie Anderson is of Mohawk and European heritage. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in the First Nations Studies Program at the University of Western Ontario. She also holds a Bachelors of Education from Queen's University, with a focus in Aboriginal Teacher Education. Currently she is working towards completion of the Native Counsellor Training Program, offered through the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association. Jennie formerly worked as a high school teacher in mainstream and alternative learning settings as a classroom teacher and literacy counsellor. She has been fortunate to work in the communities of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Attawapiskat First Nation, and the Gitxaala Nation in British Columbia.

Jennie brings her experience as a student and educator to her role as the Aboriginal Recruitment and Retention Officer, and in this capacity she works towards developing strategies and policy to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of recruitment and retention initiatives for Aboriginal learners at McMaster. Jennie is here to offer support and advocacy throughout the application and transition process. To learn more about opportunities at McMaster University, please contact Jennie for more information.

 

  Tara Campbell

  Program Administrator (Aboriginal Programs and Student Services)
  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
  T: 905.525.9140 ext. 21833
  Email: camptl@mcmaster.ca

Tara is of the Cree Nation from Mosakahiken Cree Nation located in northern Manitoba. Tara holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours from Carleton University, with a concentration in Strategic Human Resource Management. She also holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from Queen's University. Her area of interest was in Indigenous Governance and Health policy. Tara has experience working with urban Aboriginal organizations, in Hamilton, with De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre as Manager in Human Resources & Administration and the Native Women's Centre as Office Administrator. Tara had also worked with the national Inuit organization, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, in Ottawa for several years prior to moving to Hamilton to complete a post graduate program in Human Resource Management from Mohawk College.

Tara currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Hamilton-Wentworth Chapter of Native Women Incorporated (o/a Native Women's Centre) and the Haudenosaunee Nation Women's Lacrosse Board. Tara is dedicated to creating an environment where Indigenous practices and cultural beliefs are respected and upheld in the workplace. She resides with her husband and two children at Six Nations of the Grand River.

 

 Indigenous Student Counsellor

  Vacant (for inquiries or assistance please use contact information below)

  Indigenous Studies Program
  Hamilton Hall Room 103
  McMaster University
  1280 Main St. West Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1
  T: 905.525.9140 ext. 27459
  Email: indig@mcmaster.ca

More information to come at a later date.