Godfrey Shawanda Jr.

Indigenous Elder

Godfrey Shawanda Jr. is an Ojibway Elder from the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory.   He has been a traditional facilitator for many years. Godfrey was employed with “Raising the Spirit” Mental Wellness Team located in M’Chigeeng, Ontario. Godfrey visited 10 First Nations and provided traditional support and teachings to front line health workers during his time there.

Prior to this, Godfrey worked with Noojmowin Teg Health ServicesAundeck Oming KaningAundeck Oming Kaning in Aundeck Oming Kaning on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. His teachings included fire keeping, traditional counseling/healing, as well as presentations for neighbouring communities.

He was also employed as a treatment counselor at the Kinoondidaa Gamig Group Home, which was also located in Aundeck Oming Kaning. His duties were to ensure a safe environment for young residents and provide positive, enriching, activities for the youth to participate in.

His professional training has included Counseling Skills, Mental Health First Aid Canada, and Lateral Violence Training. Godfrey’s gift of healing was given to him by the Creator and he willingly shares these gifts with people seeking traditional Indigenous healing.  

These gifts direct Godfrey to counsel people and to extract negative energies. Godfrey also advises people who seek his help what path they should take to make a change or enhance their lives. Furthermore, Godfrey encourages people to stay strong, look within themselves and apply their own skills they are blessed with to help achieve their ultimate goals.

Godfrey’s aunt was the late Marjory Shawande, a wholistic, cultural and traditional woman who told him he was a Warrior; A Spirit Warrior whom the Creator works through and who also guides the spirits to assist people here on Earth.