Our co-Authors
Kelly Bull
Chris Cromarty
Chris Cromarty
Kelly is Ojibway from Obizhigokaang (Lac Seul First Nation), is a fluent Ojibway speaker, and is a member of the Bear Clan. He attended Pelican Falls Residential School for eight years and Shingwauk Residential School for six years. To cope with the oppressive and abusive conditions at school, which he entered at age six, he sought refuge in sport and recreation. After graduation, he became a strong advocate for sports and recreation in Indigenous communities and worked for Grand Council Treaty #9 as their Recreation Director. Career highlights include forming the Ontario Aboriginal Sports Council and being a founder of the North American Indigenous Games, the premier sporting event for Indigenous youth in North America. With his wife and cherished life partner, Greta, Kelly has two children. He also has one granddaughter. He lives in Timmins, Ontario.
Chris Cromarty
Chris Cromarty
Chris Cromarty
Chris Cromarty is an elder of Wunnumin Lake First Nation. He was born in Big Trout Lake in 1937 to Eila and Issac Cromarty and lived there until he was eight years of age. He attended Pelican Falls Indian Residential School from 1945-1952 and Shingwauk Indian Residential School from 1952-1956. In 1994 Chris became the acting director of the health department at Wunnumin. In the late 1990s, he was the first board chair of the amalgamated Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, working in the health field until his retirement. He remains actively involved with foster parenting.
David Wesley
Chris Cromarty
David Wesley
David Wesley hails from Fort Albany First Nation. He attended Pelican Lake Indian Residential School and Shingwauk Indian Residential School until Grade 8 but Indian Affairs did not allow him to further his education. Considered one of the star players on the Black Hawks, David went on to play for the Port Arthur North Stars and then the Port Arthur Bearcats where he was Rookie of the Year. A severe head injury dashed his dreams of playing professionally, though hockey continued to be a part of his life. He was closely involved in building a hockey arena in Cochenour, near where he worked as the mine’s Native Employment Coordinator. He resides in Thunder Bay with his wife, Elise.