b'ELDERSElder Whabagoon in front of a painting by Brian Marion at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Credit: Bronwyn Szabo.THINKING with the HEARTQ&A with Elder WhabagoonBy Bryan HansenElder Whabagoon is a living testament to the resilience of Indigenous culture,What are your proudesthaving endured the tumultuous era of the Sixties Scoop. An Ojibwe Elder fromaccomplishments? the Loon Clan, she has called the bustling metropolis of Toronto home forMy relationship with StART goes the past 45 years, while remaining deeply rooted in her heritage as a memberback six years, and there are beau-of ObishikokaangLac Seul First Nation. She is a Keeper of Sacred Pipes,tiful things I curated that I want to a revered speaker and was appointed as First Peoples Leadership Advisormention. One is ambe magada by to the General Manager of Transportation Services for the City of Toronto inQue Rock at Daniels [Faculty building] April 2023. This historic appointment seeks to establish a lasting relationshipat the University of Toronto. Another with the First Peoples of this land, anchored in truth, honour, deep trust andone is Calling of the Four Directions profound respect. at the Aga Khan Museum. This just came up as a Facebook memory, and Whabagoons influence extends beyond her advisory role, leaving an indelibleit was the pinnacle of my curating mark on the citys cultural fabric. Her affiliation with the globally renownedcareer. It was a vision that was gifted StreetARToronto (StART) program, launched in 2012, underscores herto me a while back. I wanted to bring commitment to reconciliation, diversity, equity and inclusion. The programit to life with dancing, music and has been celebrated for its innovative projects that breathe life into the streetsdrums, and thats what we did there. and public spaces of Toronto, fostering vibrant, meaningful communities. Whabagoons guidance is evident in the breathtaking murals adorning the[ambe magada] was chosen by an city, such as the iconic Terry Fox Mural at 500 University Avenue. Her role asall-Indigenous advisory panel, and a curator shines through in the mesmerizing Calling of the Four Directions atfive of the six voted to honour 250 the Aga Khan Museum, a centrepiece of the grand re-naming celebration ofchildren recovered in unmarked Wynford Drive to Aga Khan Boulevard.graves at a residential school in 32 INDIGENOUS INNOVATORS, ICONS & INFLUENCERS |ISSUE 1, 2023'