I am an off-reserve member of the Nipissing First Nation. I was adopted and reconnected with my birth family many years ago. I am now retired after more than 35 years of service as a Field Technician with Rogers Communications, and I have also recently retired after 27 years as a Volunteer Firefighter, proudly serving my community.

At the age of 61, my wife and I are looking forward to enjoying life to its fullest.

I was gifted a female Bald Eagle several years ago. We have worked closely together, and I like to think she enjoys my company as much as I enjoy hers. Her name is Mashkiki Migizi (Medicine Eagle in Ojibwe), though I call her Kiki for short. She was captive-bred in Ontario and has her own unique story about how she came to me. Kiki has travelled across Canada and now resides between Caledon, Ontario and Sauble Beach, yes, she even has a summer home.

When Kiki molts, I gift her feathers to First Nations, who in turn gift them to individuals recognized for doing meaningful and inspiring work. Through this, I found a missing piece and began making feather boxes. I custom engrave each one. I previously built log furniture as a hobby, and creating signs and feather boxes has become a meaningful way to spend my time.

During the colder months, Kiki and I work together in the shop, enjoying each other’s company, along with her energetic “crazy sister,” our one-year-old pup.