Patricia Elder Whabagoon Phipps-Walker

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT PATRICIA ELDER WHABAGOON PHIPPS-WALKER

Whabagoon is an Ojibwe elder and sits with the Loon Clan. She is a current member of Obishikokang - Lac Seul First Nation while residing in Toronto for the past 45 years. She is a Keeper of Sacred Pipes, speaker, land defender, and water protector. Whabagoon is of Sapay lineage and is a Sixties Scoop survivor. Elder Whabagoon has extensive experience with the City’s globally renowned StreetARToronto. Elder Whabagoon’s advisory work is reflected in large-scale mural projects such as the Terry Fox Mural at 500 University Avenue and her curation of the “Calling of the Four Directions” at the Aga Khan Museum, featured in the opening celebration of the re-naming of Wynford Drive to Aga Khan Boulevard. Elder Whabagoon spends her summer months as the co-founder and Elder for Nikibii Dawadinna Giigwag (NDG). In its sixth year, NDG is a culturally grounded Indigenous youth employment pathway to post-secondary programs in the fields of landscape, architecture, and urban design. She has been honoured at High Table, Massey College, at the University of Toronto for her community work. In 2022, she was nominated for the BBVA Foundation’s Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Music and Opera category for her ground-breaking collaboration with Tapestry Opera for the world premiere of the first Indigenous opera Shanawdithit. Elder Whabagoon leads water ceremonies and water talks to hold space for those who want to learn about the power of ceremony, land and water. She speaks, sings and drums for special occasions across the City of Toronto.