Knowledge Centre

Welcome to the Grandmother's Voice Knowledge Centre, your gateway to a wealth of teachings, insights, and resources rooted in Indigenous wisdom. Here, we offer a diverse collection of materials, experiences, and tools designed to deepen your understanding, foster unity, and empower you on your journey of self-discovery. NOTE: Information from this page was taken from our report of Environmental Scan of Urban Indigenous Services

Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Teachings

“Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing are holistic and based on local conditions which reflect the inter-relationships between people, animals, plants, and everything that exists in the ecosystem – including those things seen and unseen”

– Chiefs of Ontario, 2012.

The model above was designed by Brown and Brown (2009) to illustrate the circular process of understanding the world around us, sharing this understanding, and contributing to the knowledge and health of all by cultivating universal stewardship to promote biodiversity and sustainability.

Indigenous Education

Land-Based Teachings and Treaties

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established to address the historical injustices and harms caused by Canada’s residential school system, particularly against Indigenous children and their communities. The TRC released a report in 2015 that included 94 Calls to Action aimed at redressing the legacy of residential schools and advancing the process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. These Calls to Action cover a wide range of areas, including education, health, justice, culture, and more.

Continuing the path of reconciliation: Building a future for healing

Reconciliation is not a destination — it’s a continuous process, writes Jody Harbour, co-founder of Grandmother’s Voice.

Environmental Scan of Urban Indigenous Services

Download Our Pathway Guide

Grandmother’s Voice has been serving Halton Region for over seven years. Here, we focus on building capacity for Urban Indigenous peoples and support service providers with this work.

Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Teachings

Collective wisdom and guides our path towards a more harmonious and inclusive future

Creating Movement and Change

Creating Movement and Change is at the heart of our mission, as we unite to turn ideas into action and forge a more equitable world.

Sources of Information & Community Engagement

Sources of Information & Community Engagement are vital channels for sharing knowledge, fostering connections, and driving positive change.

Moving Forward Recommendations

Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Teachings offer profound insights and invaluable perspectives for a more inclusive and enlightened future.

Events and Workshops

Indigenous Education

Voices of the Land

Hope for Wellness Helpline

First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples can call Hope for Wellness at 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect via chat at: https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are available 24/7 to provide immediate emotional support, crisis intervention or referrals to community-based services. Services are available to all Indigenous people in Canada in English and French and, upon request, in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut.

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Environmental Scan Request

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Celestial Teachings: Ancestral Wisdom in the Stars

Presented by Samantha Doxtater

Join Samantha Doxtator for a powerful exploration of the stars as a source of ancestral wisdom and guidance. Rooted in Haudenosaunee traditions, this workshop delves into the timeless relationship between the cosmos, the land, and our collective journeys. Samantha shares stories and teachings that reveal how the stars have long served as roadmaps for navigating challenges, understanding identity, and connecting with our roots.
This session invites participants to explore deeper layers of celestial knowledge, uncovering how these teachings can inspire personal growth and collective healing. Through reflection and storytelling, attendees will gain insights into the sacred relationship between humanity and the universe, offering fresh perspectives on how ancestral wisdom can illuminate our paths forward.
Key Takeaways:
  • Insights into Indigenous teachings of the stars as tools for guidance and reflection.
  • A deeper understanding of the relationship between celestial wisdom and ancestral connection.
  • Practical ways to apply these teachings to personal growth and community healing.
  • Inspiring stories and perspectives to nurture a stronger connection to the cosmos and the land.
This workshop is an invitation to reflect on the stars’ enduring wisdom and their role in helping us navigate life with purpose, respect, and connection.

Honoring the Wisdom of the Belts: Walking Together with the Two Row Wampum

Presented by GRANDMA RENEE

In a world seeking direction, Indigenous teachings offer clear and enduring policies for how to live in harmony with one another and the Earth. This workshop invites participants to explore the profound lessons of the Two Row Wampum Belt and other wampum belts as frameworks for mutual respect, environmental care, and collective well-being. These belts, created long before colonization, embody ancestral agreements that guide humanity on how to coexist with honor, dignity, and reciprocity.

Led by Grandmother Renee, this session emphasizes the importance of relearning and honoring the policies established by our ancestors, rather than creating new paths disconnected from this wisdom. Through the teachings of the belts, participants will uncover the principles of self-care, stewardship of the land, and respect for all beings. This is not about inventing something new—it is about rediscovering the instructions that were always there and committing to uphold them.

Key Takeaways:

  • A deeper understanding of the Two Row Wampum Belt and its role as a policy for respect and coexistence.
  • Insights into the historical and contemporary relevance of wampum belts as guides for humanity.
  • The importance of honoring ancestral policies and learning from them instead of recreating new frameworks.
  • Practical ways to incorporate these teachings into personal, professional, and community practices.

Through this workshop, participants will be reminded that the wisdom of the belts is not only a guide for Indigenous communities but a path for all of humanity to walk together in respect and care for one another and the Earth.

The Science of Ceremony: Preparing for the Next Seven Generations

Presented by Grandma Gail and Angela DeMontigny

Ceremony is more than tradition—it is a deliberate practice rooted in wisdom, responsibility, and foresight. This workshop explores the “science of ceremony” as a guide to living with intention and accountability for the next seven generations. Our ancestors used ceremony to prepare for the future, ensuring that their actions would benefit not only their own time but also those yet to come. Now, it is our responsibility to carry that practice forward.

Led by Grandmother Gail, this session will examine what has been lost and the actions we must take to restore, respect, and reclaim the ceremonial practices that ensure the well-being of future generations. Participants will be encouraged to reconnect with ceremony as a means of healing, reflection, and renewal, building a foundation of responsibility to guide us in restoring balance and harmony.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding the “science of ceremony” as a purposeful practice for long-term sustainability.
  • The role of ceremony in ensuring the well-being of the next seven generations.
  • Insights into the principles of restoring, respecting, and reclaiming traditional practices.
  • Practical steps to integrate ceremonial wisdom into personal, community, and organizational life.

Through this workshop, participants will rediscover the transformative power of ceremony as a pathway to healing, accountability, and preparation for a sustainable and harmonious future. Together, we will reaffirm our responsibility to the generations to come.

Healing Through Indigenous Wisdom: A Journey

Presented by Asha Frost

Join Asha Frost, an Indigenous healer, teacher, and bestselling author, for a transformative workshop rooted in traditional teachings and the power of self-discovery. Asha’s work often centers on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, embracing one’s authentic self, and creating pathways for healing and empowerment. Drawing from her Anishinaabe roots, she weaves stories, teachings, and practical tools to inspire participants to reclaim their power and align with their purpose.

Through her signature blend of traditional healing practices and modern insights, Asha guides participants in understanding how to honor their own journey, navigate challenges with resilience, and embrace the interconnectedness of all beings. This workshop is an invitation to explore the sacred within and around us, fostering personal growth and collective transformation.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Insights into Indigenous wisdom and its relevance to personal and collective healing.
  2. Tools and practices to connect with ancestral teachings and align with one’s purpose.
  3. A deeper understanding of the importance of authenticity and self-compassion in the healing process.
  4. Inspiration and guidance for integrating Indigenous teachings into everyday life.
     

Whether you are seeking personal healing, professional inspiration, or a deeper connection to traditional wisdom, this session with Asha Frost promises to be a profound and enriching experience.

The Seven Fires: A Prophecy for Humanity

Presented by Allen Sutherland

The Seven Fires prophecy, as shared by seven prophets across different time periods, offers profound guidance for humanity’s path forward. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, these teachings speak to the choices we face when the world has been polluted, and the waters turned bitter by disrespect. The prophecy teaches that humanity must choose between materialism and spirituality—one path leading to survival and the other to destruction.

In this workshop, Mishoomis Allen will guide participants through the teachings of the Seven Fires prophecy, exploring its relevance in today’s world and its call for spiritual renewal. Additionally, he will share his Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline, providing a broader context for understanding the cultural, social, and spiritual significance of these teachings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Insights into the Seven Fires prophecy and its relevance to modern challenges.
  • An understanding of the critical choice between materialism and spirituality for humanity’s future.
  • Knowledge of the Canadian Indigenous Historical Timeline and its connection to the Seven Fires teachings.
  • Practical ways to integrate the spiritual teachings of the Seven Fires into personal and community practices.
     

This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect deeply on humanity’s collective responsibility and the transformative power of choosing a spiritual path for the survival of future generations.

Truth-telling and Living Our TRC History

Presented by Thohahoken Michael Doxtater

In this session, Thohahoken Michael Doxtater explores the ongoing impact of Canada’s colonial policies on Indigenous communities and the historical journey toward Truth and Reconciliation. He examines the systemic attempts to erase Indigenous identity, from residential schools to the suppression of cultural practices, and highlights Indigenous resilience and legal resistance. The presentation also delves into the concept of the “Canada Rafter,” a historical agreement acknowledging Canada’s adoption into the Indigenous Longhouse, raising the question: Has Canada truly upheld its responsibilities in this relationship?

Key Takeaways:

  1. Canada’s Genocidal Legacy – Residential schools were part of a broader policy of forced assimilation, officially condemned as cultural genocide, with thousands of children never returning home.
  2. Extending the Rafters – The historical adoption of Canada into the Longhouse signifies an obligation to uphold Indigenous sovereignty and traditions—an obligation that remains unfulfilled.
  3. Reconciliation as Responsibility – Reconciliation is not simply about acknowledgment; it requires tangible actions that prove Canada’s commitment to becoming truly Indigenous to these lands.