Biography of Founder
Barbara Waterfall views herself as a bridge between Indigenous and Settler cultures. She has been given two spiritual names by her Elders. The first spiritual name given by a Healer and Pipe Carrier is Waabshki Mshkode Bzhiki Kwe, (White Buffalo Woman). As this name suggests, Barbara has been guided for much of her life by the Great Being of Light and Love, White Buffalo Calf Woman. The second name given by a Sun Dance Chief is Zaawaa Nimkii Aankwad Kwe, (Yellow Thundercloud Woman). This name speaks about the medicine of “the Calm after the Storm.” Barbara also carries the attainment name of Grace-Eterna. She is from the Waabshki Jijaawk Ndoodem, (White Crane Clan) of the Anishnabec Nation, and is of German and French ancestry. She grew up along the shores of Lake Huron on the Canadian side of the border.
Barbara obtained a Bachelors Degree in Arts from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick; a Masters Degree in Social Work, from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario; and a Doctor of Philosophy, from the Ontario Institute of Studied in Education of the University of Toronto. She has served as a registered social worker, a Treatment Team Leader, and a Clinical Supervisor in the fields of First Nations child welfare, addictions and mental health. She also was a university professor of Indigenous social work and Indigenous counselling for 17 years, teaching at the Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral levels. She currently has accepted a teaching position at the Community College level.
Barbara has been passionate about the pursuit of justice for her entire life and works for the attainment of justice making use of spiritual energies. She has been a student of the Higher Knowledges, also referred to as the Ascended Master Teachings. She has the attainment as a Master Teacher, and is also a Third Degree/Reiki Master. She is an Advanced gTummo Blessing Energy/Reiki Practitioner, a Wholistic Rebirther, and a Hollow Bone -- a Messenger for Ascended Masters and other Great Beings of Light. She was trained as Healer by North American Indigenous Elders, and is a Ceremonialist, a Traditional Indigenous Drummer, a Singer and Song Writer, and a Veteran Sun Dancer. She has spent much of her life in service to Indigenous Peoples in Canada as a Grass Roots Community Organizer, as well as an Educator, an Author and a Speaker/Orator.
Barbara obtained a Bachelors Degree in Arts from St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick; a Masters Degree in Social Work, from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario; and a Doctor of Philosophy, from the Ontario Institute of Studied in Education of the University of Toronto. She has served as a registered social worker, a Treatment Team Leader, and a Clinical Supervisor in the fields of First Nations child welfare, addictions and mental health. She also was a university professor of Indigenous social work and Indigenous counselling for 17 years, teaching at the Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral levels. She currently has accepted a teaching position at the Community College level.
Barbara has been passionate about the pursuit of justice for her entire life and works for the attainment of justice making use of spiritual energies. She has been a student of the Higher Knowledges, also referred to as the Ascended Master Teachings. She has the attainment as a Master Teacher, and is also a Third Degree/Reiki Master. She is an Advanced gTummo Blessing Energy/Reiki Practitioner, a Wholistic Rebirther, and a Hollow Bone -- a Messenger for Ascended Masters and other Great Beings of Light. She was trained as Healer by North American Indigenous Elders, and is a Ceremonialist, a Traditional Indigenous Drummer, a Singer and Song Writer, and a Veteran Sun Dancer. She has spent much of her life in service to Indigenous Peoples in Canada as a Grass Roots Community Organizer, as well as an Educator, an Author and a Speaker/Orator.