Indigenous Week 2025

Indigenous STEAM

February 24 - 28, 2025

Hosted annually by the Office of Indigenous Initiatives this week-long event centres Indigenous voices, histories and knowledge and welcomes students, staff, faculty and community members to engage in a week of workshops, talks, film screenings and land-based activities led by Indigenous knowledge holders, Elders, scholars, artists and film makers.

Speakers Biographies

Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall

Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall is a mixed-ancestry Bodwewaadmii Anishinaabekwe and enrolled member of the federally-recognized Citizen Potawatomi Nation in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Dr. Wall is a traditional knowledge holder and committed learner of Anishinaabemowin. She works to incorporate her cultural teachings and the language into all aspects of her life.

Dr. Wall is an Associate professor in Trent University’s Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies and the Director of studies for the Indigenous Studies PhD program. Wall’s research, geographically focused in the Great Lakes Basin, is based in the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University and focuses on the collaboration of Indigenous knowledge systems and euro-centric scientific knowledge systems.  

Wall holds a PhD in Indigenous Studies from Trent University, MSc in Civil Engineering for University of California Berkeley, and BSc in Geological Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Beyond academia, Barbara is a mother, auntie, daughter, Nokmis and Grandmother. She has twelve years of experience teaching Grade 6 – 8 mathematics and science using Indigenous pedagogies, and is a Professional Engineer with over ten years experience in consulting engineering.

Bee Dokis-Belanger

Elsa Allen

JD Dixon

Vanessa Joseph

Zoe McLeod

Caeleigh Lightning

Caeleigh Lightning (she/they) is a mixed nehiyaw and Irish 2 Spirit artist and the lead artist and illustrator at Studio Ekosi, an indie studio formed with her sister Keara, who acts as lead writer and programmer. Together, create moments of joy and worlds that spark wonder, blending fantasy solarpunk aesthetics with Indigenous perspectives.

Demi Mathias

Demi Mathias is an Anishinabai Kwe from Bear Island and her clan is the Loon clan. Currently, she works for Nipissing University as the Student Success and Development Coordinator, Indigenous Transitions Programs. She is excited to teach and share about her passion of the Wiigwaas Jiimaan (Birch Bark Canoe), through story and teachings. Demi is leading us through a mini canoe making workshop where each person will create a mini canoe and have the teachings of the Wiigwaas Jiimaan.

Tyler Dokis

Tyler was born and raised in North Bay, is a member of Dokis First Nation, and is Eagle clan. Tyler is currently the Cultural Coordinator for the Gwekwaadziwin program (Withdrawal Management Program) on Nipissing First Nation, and has been running youth and adult cultural programs for 15 years in the Nipissing area.

Larry McLeod

Bryan Bellefeuille

Bryan Bellefeuille (Wabi Maskwanini, Waabizheshiinh doodem) is a firekeeper, a traditional dancer, a Lake Nipissing fisherman, and a loving husband and father of three. In 2022, Bryan was appointed as an adjunct professor with Nipissing University as part of the Arts & Science Faulty. He is also on the Science Program Committee for Science North. Currently, he works full time at WC Eaket Secondary School in Blind River as an Anishinaabemowin language and Indigenous STEM teacher. Bryan is committed to research in Anishinaabe mathematics and implementation of teaching principles of Indigenous STEM in the classroom.