Kehteyak Corner
Knowledge of the Old Ones
CAAN is deeply committed to honouring the wisdom and guidance of the Kehteyak (Elders) of Turtle Island in every aspect of its operations. Understanding that the Kehteyak hold invaluable knowledge and cultural teachings, CAAN consults with them regularly to ensure that their programs and initiatives are rooted in traditional Indigenous values and practices. This collaboration reflects CAAN’s dedication to culturally appropriate approaches to HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and support. By incorporating the perspectives of the Kehteyak, CAAN strengthens its connection to the communities it serves and ensures that its work is guided by the spiritual and cultural principles that have sustained Indigenous peoples for generations.
Our Elder's In Residence
Albert McLeod
Albert McLeod is a Status Indian with ancestry from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Metis community of Norway House in northern Manitoba. He has over thirty years of experience as a human rights activist and is one of the directors of the Two-Spirited People of Manitoba.
Albert began his Two-Spirit advocacy in Winnipeg in 1986 and became an HIV/AIDS activist in 1987. He was the director of the Manitoba Aboriginal AIDS Task Force from 1991 to 2001. In 2018, Albert received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg.
Albert lives in Winnipeg, where he works as a consultant specializing in Indigenous peoples, cultural reclamation, and cross-cultural training.
James Quatell
Elder Jimmy Quatell resides in Campbell River BC. At ten Jimmy was taken and put into St Michels Residential School for four years. Jimmy is an Elder now in the community, doing a lot of welcoming in many areas of things that go on. Jimmy does culture support in many villages dealing with the Trauma using our Medicine, mostly our Cedar. He brushes off from their Spirit. Jimmy was invited to be an Elder in Residence for CAAN.
Elder Betty McKenna
Elder Betty McKenna is Anishinaabe, born in Opaswayuk (The Pas), Manitoba. Her family reserve is Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (Treaty no. 4). She follows the traditions of her people, speaks her traditional language, conducts numerous ceremonies, and gathers medicines. Elder Betty is an author of several peer reviewed publications and editor of the book “Listening to The Beat of Our Drum”. Betty is very passionate about Indigenous health, education and returning people to their traditional practices and languages. Elder Betty is currently involved with many research projects and is a lecturer at the First Nations University of Canada and Luther College in Regina. Betty is also an Elder in Virtual Residence to the Canadian Virtual Hospice. She is also currently the first Resident Elder for the Mackenzie Art Gallery and recently became a Resident Elder for CAAN. Elder Betty currently also serves as the guiding Elder to RESOLVE Research and Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse, Institute of Indigenous People’s Health-Canadian Institutes of Health Research (IIPH), guiding Elder to IGNITE Adult Learning Corporation and she is an Elder in Regina Public Schools. Her previous roles include serving the College of Physicians and Surgeons Saskatchewan, serving as a Saskatchewan Police Commissioner, and she also served on the Elders National Advisory of Corrections Canada. She is widely recognized for her work and has received numerous awards over the years, these include: the Queens Gold Medal and the Queens Silver Medal, the Excellence in Health Award, the Wakamow Valley Award of Distinction for Conservation of Prairie Plants, as well as the Sovereigns Award for Volunteers. She is also on the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan’s Prayer Breakfast committee.
Elder Maggie Paul
Elder Maggie Paul is an Indigenous Passamaquoddy Elder, teacher and song carrier who has travelled around the world to share Maliseet and Passamaquoddy culture. Also a sweat lodge keeper, Maggie is known for her singing, and both performs and records traditional songs. Born in Maine USA, she has raised six children and lived most of her adult life on the Maliseet St. Mary’s First Nation in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Maggie has been a cherished Elder with the AHA Centre since 2012.
Words of the Ancestors:
The people were sent from the stars, seeded in Mother Earth grown from the land taught by nature of Mother Earth under Father Sky following the laws of Grandmother Moon and Grandfather Sun held in the center of four directions when this is understood a rebirth of living, learning, sharing, healthy communities will emerge on turtles back.
Given to Betty McKenna on October 16, 2020 in pipe ceremony with the Man in the Stone Canoe