Muriel Lee is Saulteux and Cree originally from Fort St. John, BC. She married into the Ermineskin First Nation in Maskwacis and has 5 grown children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Muriel has had her own practice offering Reiki and distributing health and wellness products. She is well known in her community for conducting moon-lodge teachings and rites of passage for young women; She is part of the Wisdom Committee of Elders and the Kohkom and Mosom Mentorship program out of the University of Alberta. Over the last 6 years, Muriel has been working with Darlene Auger on Wiwipison Therapy and now travels sharing this healing therapy to all who need it. She enjoys her work in community; she is proficient in her Cree language and culture. Muriel holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Pastoral Counselling.

Dr. Hodgson is a respected Elder who contributes her wisdom and backbone to the program, solidifying the experience for all apprentices. Her vision for Wiwipson Healing Therapy is that this Iyiniw healing modality will be recognized in mainstream institutions not only to benefit native people but all people, globally. Dr. Maggie Hodsgon has received many awards for her work in Indigenous health and governance, most notably, the Order of Canada and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her extensive work in the community includes the start of Healing our Spirit Worldwide, a conference that has been travelling the globe for over 30 years, National Addictions Awareness Week, Keep the Circle Strong campaign, and was the director of Nechi Institute, Healing and Training, Research Centre for 25 years. Dr. Hodgson was instrumental in the start of TRC in Canada, as she was instrumental in working with Indian Residential School Survivors (IRS) on the making of the large class action lawsuit against the government of Canada for abuses inflicted upon IRS survivors, which awarded them monetary restitution.

Ekti Margaret Cardinal, an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, was raised in a Northern Plains Cree family which maintained, practiced and taught the values of Traditional Cree culture. Originally from Saddle Lake First Nations in north eastern Alberta Ekti Margaret is a well-known Tipi and Tent Maker, who teaches her craft when requested. In the last two years she has taught and sold TIPIS at Lubicon/ Little Buffalo Band # 453, Blue Quills University, Ashmont School, Fringe Festival, Edmonton Folk Festival,

Saddle Lake Education Authority and Private individuals for personal use. She has developed and taught courses in a wide variety of indigenous traditional skills such as horse and moose hair, wrapping, quill work, fish scale arts, caribou and moose tufting, various forms of bead work, moccasin making, talking sticks, mini-sweet grass basket making, beaded, turtles, bears, buffalos, horse amulet pouches and their teachings, and hosts women’s gatherings yearly. She is the “Resident Kokum” One of the Elder, Knowledge & Language Holders at EDU 211 2025/26 Instructional team at the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta.

Dr. Auger is the visionary and developer of Wiwip’son Healing Therapy and the driving force behind this program. Hailing from Bigstone Cree Nation, Alberta, she brings a profound personal and cultural connection to the work. With over 24 years of experience offering the Wiwip'son Healing Swing, she is leading the transfer of knowledge to apprentices. Her extensive qualifications include being a Professor at the UofA, Author, and Researcher. Dr. Auger's deep understanding of Indigenous psychology, traditional healing, and academic frameworks uniquely positions her to lead WIHTA and its associated training. She has shared her life’s work with children, youth, communities, Elders, non-profit organizations and other Indigenous Nations around the world.

Kîsik Whiskeyjack is from Saddle Lake Cree Nation with a background in youth work serving and working with high risk homeless. Kîsik is an International 2Spirit Warrior 2018 Titleholder and founded the Edmonton 2Spirit Society that same year. He completed a 4 year commitment serving E2S building it to a half a million budget by end of term.

Kîsik is also a freelance model who’s travelled across Canada for Indigenous Fashion Weeks in Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton. 

His alter persona is Cedar T, a locally renowned Drag Queen creating visibility for Indigenous Queer representation sharing their art through fashion, culture, and storytelling  in performance art. 

Kisik proudly organizes large events and production showcases gathering people to join in celebrating and uplifting gender diversity. He spearheaded hosting Alberta’s first ever 2Spirit Powwow in Churchill Square in 2023, followed by the fourth instalment of Cedar T’s 4th “Indigi-Queer Gayla” which featured 2Spirit talent from across Turtle Island infusing fashion and culture with queer performance art. 

Dr. Suzanne McLeod is Anishinaabe-ikwe and a member of Sagkeeng First Nation MB. She completed her PhD in Art History, Art of the Americas (Native American) with Distinction and M.A. Art History through the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM. Her dissertation won the 2023 Thomas J, Popejoy Dissertation Award at the University of New Mexico, an honour that recognizes the highest level of academic excellence in a given year within the humanities. Suzanne is also working on publishing her Master’s thesis on the work and life of Anishinaabe artist, Arthur Shilling, entitled “Arthur Shilling: Anishinaabemowin-mazinibii’igewinini.”

Suzanne is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba in the art histories and cultures of Indigenous people in North America. She has developed multiple new courses that are focused on Indigenous scholarship and art history—from ancient Woodland to the brilliant work of 21st century Indigenous artists; Indigenous Feminisms; Contemporary Indigenous Art; Wahkotowin Making Relatives and Gender Creativity.

Born and raised in Wabasca, Alberta, Marlene is one of eight children of Patrick and Matilda Auger.  She is a Woodland Cree First Nations member of the Bigstone Cree Nation in the Treaty 8 territory of Alberta, Canada.  Marlene is married and a mother of two wonderful daughters.

Marlene has over 40 years of various office environment experience; the last 26 being at the Municipal District of Opportunity in Wabasca.  She was responsible for the Assessment and Taxation duties in the Finance Department.   

Marlene enjoys sports and has participated in baseball, basketball, swimming and volleyball – which is her favourite!  She also enjoys travelling, reading and nowadays keeping herself busy with crafting, mostly making mocassins! 

Marlene joined WIHTA as a board member in support of Darlene’s dream of spreading Indigenous healing for all people.

Lorna Auger currently resides in her home community of Wabasca, Alberta. She works as a Finance Officer with Bigstone Cree Nation affiliate. She has been trained in Accounting and Information Technology.

Lorna was raised within a family of 8 siblings, with four still in Wabasca. She has one son, a daughter-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren, aged 6 and 12. Spending time with family is a blessing for Lorna

Her  other interests include learning, travelling, watching her favourite hockey team, the Montreal Canadiens, reading, listening to music and playing board games.

Lorna also joins WIHTA as a board member in support of Darlene’s dream of spreading Indigenous healing for all people.

“I really believe in the healing power of Wîwîp’son. Receiving the  love and sweet songs of our mothers when we were young was so important. In our busy world today we need to take time to re energize and love our personal selfves"

Ekti Margaret Cardinal, an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, was raised in a Northern Plains Cree family which maintained, practiced and taught the values of Traditional Cree culture. Originally from Saddle Lake First Nations in north eastern Alberta Ekti Margaret is a well-known Tipi and Tent Maker, who also teaches her craft when requested.

She is a proud supporter of the work WIHTA is doing in the community and the healing importance of Wîwîp’son therapy.