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Gokmis Evelyn McLeod, Nipissing First Nation
Evelyn is an Elder of Nipissing First Nation who works tirelessly and with dedication to promote and preserve the Nbisiing dialect. Evelyn worked 14 years with Nipissing in the Cultural department, she taught the language to the day care children as well as assisting the language teachers with the adult evening classes twice per week. She also conducted full moon ceremonies every month for women.
During the summer of 1988 to 1991 Evelyn left her family and community to attend Lake Head University in Thunder Bay where she obtained her diploma in Native Language Instructor’s Program. During the school year she was employed with Our Lady Of Sorrows School in Sturgeon Falls ON, teaching the language to the primary grade children. In 2000, due to frequent absence she had to leave this job to care for her husband who was fighting for his life from cancer. Her husband Carl has since
passed July 15, 2021.
Evelyn faithfully attends the annual Anishinabewin Teg Conference in Sault St. Marie area from the year it began. Evelyn is actively involved in her community and is a loving mom of 7, Grand- mother/Gokmis, Great Gokmis, sister, sister in law, auntie and friend.
Evelyn will be joining AEI as a Grandmother to support the students during the school year.
“Honor your Elders” for they have the wisdom to teach what we have not learned yet.
Apply for bursaries and scholarships.....such as AEI’s Student bursary, the Indspire/Rose Nolan scholarship (AEI has a scholarship just for our students), AN7GC indigenous scholarships or check on the applicable partner college’s website for program/partner specific opportunities.
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