Dr. James Shawana

My name is James Shawana. I have another name gifted to me by an Elder from my mother’s home community of Wikwemikoong Unceded Indian Reserve. That name is Megis Inini. Megis is the Ojibway word for what others call a cowrie shell, and Inini translates into a man. Megis is a “Sacred Shell through which the Creator blew his breath. The Megis was to appear and reappear to the Ojibway throughout their history to show them the path that the Creator wished them to follow” (Benton-Banai, 1988, p. 4). For me, this new path is the way of Western education, travelling alongside other Indigenous peoples who have pursued their educational journeys by attending post-secondary institutions to learn from and create new forms of knowledge within these institutions. I seek to help out other students on their own learning journey.

Benton-Banai, E. (1988). The Mishomis book: The voice of the Ojibway. Indian Country Communications.

---

Educational credentials

• BSW
• MEd
• EdD

---

Professional affiliations

• RSW