Volunteer Director of Operations
Meesingw, Inc.
Nii nduzhiinzi Nahkeewsuwaákan
My name is Esperanza (Hope)
Nii ndulaangoomaawak puleew
I am from the ‘Wild’ turkey clan
Raised in Southwest Detroit/Windsor.
The birthright of being an urban Indian raised in Detroit, brought me to the frontlines of environmental racism. Realizing that almost all of our breathing area was within the sacrifice zone, helped to open my eyes to the reality. All of us are at risk. Our generation has much work to accomplish, together. With a reminder that echoes, when we leave, the next generations will deal with WHAT we leave behind for them.
I have 3 sons. As well as four grandchildren.
I am a homeschool/unschooling mother that is dedicated to keeping our children, in our circles.
I am looking forward to contributing my heart and soul to all of our Big House confederacy families and organizations, including Meesingw, Inc. I am excited and eagerly awaiting more youth and families to take part in our events, gatherings, ceremonies and new friendships.
Creator has brought me to where I am today.
I am thankful.
Anushiik
Eli Gailliard-Elzamel
Nii nduzhiinzi Eli
Nii ndulaangoomaawak puleew
I am from the turkey clan
Raised in Michigan and Eelunaapeewi Lakeewiit
Raised in Michigan and Eelunaapeewi Lakeewiit
Jamie Burleigh
Jamie has studied, practiced and taught the fundamentals of living with nature in nature and utilizing all it may provide. From living history demonstrations, lithic technologies, hunting, gathering, wild medicine, survival priorities, food preservation, tracking and much more he has dedicated his past and future endeavors to sharing what he has learned to anyone who wishes to share a campfire.
Pauline Coutre
Maxine Foster
Aaliyah Foster
Our Previous Board Members
(passed on)
John Jacobs is a healer, flag staff carrier and he enjoys spending time with his big house family. He is the youngest of seven children. He became a healer at the ripe age of 24 years. John has had 6 different healers that were his teachers.
Liilunow Stonefish (Bruce)
Nii nduzhiinzi Liilunow Nii noongiiyeayi Eelunaapeewi Lakeewiit. Nii ndulaangoomaawak tukwax Lunaapeew waak Myles doodeem Anishnaabe.
My name is Bruce Stonefish. I am from Eelunaapeewi Lakeewiit (Delaware Nation). I am Turtle clan of the Lunaapeew and Bear clan of the Anishinaabe.
I Have 7 children - Five sons Jesse, Eli, Barry, Ismaeel and Yehudah and 2 daughters Kyla and Jo Lynn.
I also have 4 grandchildren.
I also have 4 grandchildren.
My educational background includes a Native Studies Ba at Trent University up to a Doctoral studies specialty in First Nations Education at Harvard University Graduate Studies for Education. In addition to my education, my work experience has taken me to many places in the First Nations education field including Executive Director of a national non-profit.
My passion is found here learning and teaching the ancestral culture language and worldview of my people the Lunaapeew.