Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter, from Sandy Bay First Nation, shares why receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was crucial for her as a knowledge keeper and Anishinaabe language speaker. She is

Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter, from Sandy Bay First Nation, shares why receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was crucial for her as a knowledge keeper and Anishinaabe language speaker. She is a member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers. Watch her message here: [English Version](https://youtu.be/9XEcDv_hmPI).

This is the fourth part of a Turtle Lodge series where elders and knowledge keepers discuss COVID-19, vaccines, and traditional medicine. Previous parts feature Elder Dr. Dave Courchene ([Part 1](https://youtu.be/Fqz-vA1S-0I)), Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing ([Part 2](https://youtu.be/rix7fyz9OIQ)), and Elder Chief Dr. Harry Bone ([Part 3](https://youtu.be/IJ1h6OcwmJw)) sharing their experiences and perspectives on balancing modern and traditional medicine.

Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter, a Knowledge Keeper and language speaker from Sandy Bay First Nation, explains her decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As a member of the National

Anishinaabe Grandmother Florence Paynter, a Knowledge Keeper and language speaker from Sandy Bay First Nation, explains her decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. As a member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers, her message is significant.

This is Part 4 in a series from Turtle Lodge Elders and Knowledge Keepers addressing COVID-19, vaccines, and traditional medicine. Previous parts include Elder Dr. Dave Courchene (Part 1), Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing (Part 2), and Elder Chief Dr. Harry Bone (Part 3), who discuss balancing modern and traditional medicine.

A French version is also available: Cliquez ici pour la version française.

Les Gardiens du Savoir du National Turtle Lodge Council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers ont rédigé une déclaration sur la COVID-19 et les vaccins. L'aîné Dr Dave Courchene la présente dans

Les Gardiens du Savoir du National Turtle Lodge Council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers ont rédigé une déclaration sur la COVID-19 et les vaccins. L'aîné Dr Dave Courchene la présente dans une série vidéo, encourageant la responsabilité personnelle et la recherche de guidance spirituelle par la prière, les cérémonies et la connexion à la terre pour prendre des décisions éclairées.

Dans les semaines à venir, nous partagerons d'autres messages des aînés sur la COVID-19, les vaccins et la médecine traditionnelle. Une version anglaise est disponible ici.

Anishinaabe Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing, from Lake Manitoba First Nation and a member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers, shares her COVID-19 vaccine experience. She

Anishinaabe Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing, from Lake Manitoba First Nation and a member of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers, shares her COVID-19 vaccine experience. She discusses encouraging her family, the importance of individual choice, and how a pre-vaccine ceremony supported her.

This message is Part 2 in a series from Turtle Lodge Elders and Knowledge Keepers on COVID-19, vaccines, and traditional medicine. Listen to the French version here. See Part 1, featuring Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, here.

The National Turtle Lodge Knowledge Keepers Council recently prepared a statement on COVID-19 and vaccines. Elder Dr. Dave Courchene shares this in a video series, encouraging personal

The National Turtle Lodge Knowledge Keepers Council recently prepared a statement on COVID-19 and vaccines. Elder Dr. Dave Courchene shares this in a video series, encouraging personal responsibility and guiding decisions through prayer, ceremony, and connection to the land.

Over the coming weeks, we will share messages from Turtle Lodge Elders and Knowledge Keepers on COVID-19, vaccines, and traditional medicine. The full statement text is available here.

The Turtle Lodge proudly announces Erica Marie Daniels, Cree filmmaker and founder of Kejic Productions, received the 2021 Young Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award from the Canadian Council for

The Turtle Lodge proudly announces Erica Marie Daniels, Cree filmmaker and founder of Kejic Productions, received the 2021 Young Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Award from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB). At 29, Daniels is an award-winning director and producer from Peguis First Nation, specializing in video production, photography, and graphic design. Her company, Kejic Productions (meaning "The Sky"), symbolizes limitless dreams.

Daniels' film, *Run As One – The Journey of the Front Runners*, won two Golden Sheaf Awards. She also completed *Mikinakay – Trail of the Turtle* and is co-directing *The Seven Sacred Laws*. A long-time collaborator with the Turtle Lodge since 2011, Erica mentors youth in cultural identity and media production through Kejic Productions and the Just TV Program, inspiring them to pursue their full potential.

The "Reconciling Ways of Knowing Dialogue 2: Enacting Ethical Space in Knowledge Sharing" continued the conversation on Indigenous knowledge and science. This second dialogue specifically explored

The "Reconciling Ways of Knowing Dialogue 2: Enacting Ethical Space in Knowledge Sharing" continued the conversation on Indigenous knowledge and science. This second dialogue specifically explored Indigenous Ethics in relation to Indigenous knowledges.

It convened a diverse group of Indigenous knowledge holders, scholars, practitioners, and scientists to discuss these critical themes.

For more information, visit waysofknowingforum.ca/discussion2 and turtlelodge.org.

On November 12, 2020, the Reconciling Ways of Knowing Forum, with the Victoria Forum, hosted "Millennia of Experience: Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to COVID-19." This dialogue

On November 12, 2020, the Reconciling Ways of Knowing Forum, with the Victoria Forum, hosted "Millennia of Experience: Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to COVID-19." This dialogue explored how Indigenous knowledge and science can improve public health outcomes. First Nations communities notably experienced significantly lower COVID-19 infection (1/4) and mortality (1/5) rates.

Speakers discussed how Indigenous Peoples leveraged millennia of experience from past pandemics, using sovereignty and traditional medicines to protect communities and foster resilience. The session highlighted how Indigenous approaches mitigated negative health outcomes despite systemic challenges and marginalization, offering lessons for collaboration.

For more information, visit https://www.waysofknowingforum.ca/dialogue-5 and https://www.waysofknowingforum.ca.

Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing, a co-author, spoke at the March 19 launch of the "Summary of Wahbanung – The Resurgence of a People: Clearing the Path for Our Survival" at Turtle Lodge. She

Grandmother Mary Maytwayashing, a co-author, spoke at the March 19 launch of the "Summary of Wahbanung – The Resurgence of a People: Clearing the Path for Our Survival" at Turtle Lodge. She highlighted the Sound of an Eagle Mother Earth Lodge, a legacy from late co-author Ogimaakwe Orianna Courchene, which aims to strengthen understanding of the Ogimaakwe (life-givers).

This important book is now available for purchase. Find your copy at http://www.turtlelodge.org/wahbanung/.

Nii Gaani Aki Inini – Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene), Spiritual Advisor for the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, delivered a message titled "Connecting to the Spirit of Mother Earth." This

Nii Gaani Aki Inini – Leading Earth Man (Dave Courchene), Spiritual Advisor for the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, delivered a message titled "Connecting to the Spirit of Mother Earth." This address was presented to the National Indigenous Guardians Network in Ottawa on May 23-24, 2018.

For further details on this important message and the work of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, please visit www.ilinationhood.ca.