Author: Dave Courchene - Nii Gaani Aki Inini

Dave Courchene (Nii Gaani Aki Inini) created the Turtle Lodge, a place for sharing ancient Indigenous knowledge about the environment and our relationship to it. He delivered a keynote address and conducted the opening ceremonies at the 2010 G8 World Religions Summit; shared the stage twice with the Dalai Lama, in Newark and Monterrey; and initiated the Makoose Ka Win and Vision Quest rites of passage, taking young people of all cultures back to the land. Dave received an Indspire National Aboriginal Achievement Award in culture, heritage, and spirituality and the Manitoba Volunteer Award for community leadership.