Remember who you are and where you came from

By Christine Smith (McFarlane)

THUNDER BAY – Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, citizen of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation and says “I have some Mohawk thrown in for good measure and a ‘good mind’.   My grandmother, a very strong woman, was Mohawk from Kahnewake, Quebec.”

In terms of a strong, Anishinaabe women, Wesley-Esquimaux is that woman and deserves much recognition for the work she has done. Wesley-Esquimaux has worked in the local, regional and national Canadian Native political field as a treaty researcher, land claims coordinator, vice chief, government and community advisor and political advocate.

She has written and co-negotiated several Ontario land claims, and has presented papers on historic trauma and Native health. In 2004, she completed her PhD dissertation at the University of Toronto in the Department of Anthology.

Over the past three decades, she has developed insight, compassion, an enduring optimism and a genuine desire to work with Aboriginal people everywhere.

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux encourages youth today and says “never forget where you came from, who you are, and walk with your head up. Always think before you act, do what you love, and make people around you happy, and remember ever action creates a reaction, so think about what your actions will bring tomorrow. Leave the world a better place for you being here!”

She is an administrator at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, but is also responsible for the Orillia Campus, has seven staff that along with her help to provide all of the background supports and encouragement for Aboriginal students across Lakehead.  There are close to 1200 Aboriginal students at the Thunder Bay campus and around 100 at the Orillia campus.

Besides being an administrator, she oversees many programs and services and creative initiatives across the campus and with the City of Thunder Bay. When asked what her definition is of a strong woman is, Wesley-Esquimaux says “My definition of a strong woman is a woman who has confidence in her abilities to get things done. She works hard, but is gentle with her words and actions, she supports those around her with encouragement and gives them the ability to grow and improve their own skill sets.

“She is never afraid that someone will outdo her in fact she insists they do, and congratulates them on their achievements, says Wesley-Esquimaux.  “A strong woman is delighted by life challenges and manages to keep a smile on her face even when things get tough, and she allows others to shine, the spotlight is not her goal, the better of humanity and those around her is. A strong woman knows a pat on the back is more effective than criticism and goes a long way to provide guidance and support even when people are difficult to work with. A strong woman knows what hate will do, what anger will do and always asks herself what love could do.”

She sees herself as this woman.

“I know my strengths and limits and work hard to think before I act. I love others and always remember the pain I experienced and remind myself daily to not visit pain on others. I do not walk with bad memories. I chose to create new and brighter thoughts and daily actions. I believe in a higher power and the gift of kindness and work hard to manifest good in the world.”