Who am I? I’m a family man, married to Julie almost 48 years. Live next door to Maria, Rob and Begizo (Riley). I volunteered to help write our Constitution. I’m a retired IT professor. I’m a U.S. Navy Submarine Veteran. I’m an activist. I love being in and on water including snow and ice! Anishinaabemowin learner. Not afraid of a Fight - Supported our students at PHS fighting against their “Indian Mascot.” - Supported four Women Water Warriors fighting Line 5 by using Chi-Jiimaan to guide a mini-sub videoing the straits area near Line 5 discovering culturally significant stone formations. - Supported Indian Children in our Court picketing the Court building against our prosecutor for failing to bring a case into our jurisdiction. - Picketed the Michigan Capital multiple times fighting for the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver. - Sued Tribal Councilors for violating the Constitution. - Picketed Line 5 at Mackinaw Bridge multiple times. Semaa I've struggled with the use of digital communications without violating cultural protocols. Specifically asking favors should be accompanied with semaa. Over the years I've developed long distance relationships and simply found myself unable to pass semaa at the same time as making a request. So, I invented cyber semaa. Nme Noozhishenh (my grandson) Begizo has been helping me with ceremonies for the release of Nmeak (sturgeon) release. For him, it’s an important time when he is learning by doing. During this ceremony we typically have all participants put their semaa in the ziibii (river). I have Begizo put the remnants on a stone, in a fire or at the base of a tree. For me it’s an opportunity to help nme repopulate our lakes and rivers knowing full well that by the time they begin reproducing, I’ll likely be long gone. Jiimaan Victor Kishigo-ban organized the building of the first jiimaan so that our children (of all ages!) could spend a little time on the water experiencing how we lived pre-contact. I got hooked and have been building more and paddling them ever since. Making paddles seemed like a byproduct but has taken on a life of its own. Each paddle has Enjishing (he’s in a good place) and Emaanaadeg (he’s going down a path doing bad things.) on the handle. With the Spring Grant we are using paddles to teach youth (of all ages) the gift of choice. Dugout Jiimaan At one of the youth camps last year, we started burning out a dugout jiimaan from a Shingwaak (pine) log. Started each step with primitive tools before pulling out the modern versions. Teaching the modern way is easier after using an obsidian blade!