2026 Storyteller-in-Residence: Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki
Taylor Galvin Ozaawi Mashkode-Bizhiki (Brown Buffalo) is a proud Anishinaabe woman from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and a member of the Sturgeon Clan. She is a graduate student at the University of Manitoba, where her Master’s thesis explores Lake Sturgeon conservation through Indigenous science, oral storytelling, and community-based knowledge. She is also one of the lead plaintiffs and knowledge keepers in the Lake Winnipeg personhood case, advancing Indigenous water governance on the legal stage.
Taylor served as the Brokenhead Wetland Ecological Reserve Chair and is the community coordinator for an Indigenous-led environmental monitoring project in Tataskweyak Cree Nation. She is a lifelong student of many Elders and Knowledge Keepers across Manitoba. She walks in both worlds, using Western and Indigenous sciences to guide her work in land guardianship, ceremony, and environmental protection.
Taylor’s advocacy centers Indigenous youth, especially young women, whom she mentors through teachings on plants, medicines, and ceremony. She brings them into spaces of leadership to see themselves reflected in this work. Taylor has shared Indigenous knowledge internationally – from the Netherlands to Belize to World Water Week in Sweden to the United Nations in New York City – and attributes every opportunity to the strength of her people, the power of ceremony, and the resilience of community teachings.
One of the many powerful ways in which Taylor shares her teachings is social media. Thousands of people pay attention as @taylorontheland, otherwise known as Auntea Taylor, shares medicine teachings, advocacy for the waters, Indigenous science, and starting in February 2026, stories from Kookum Nameo (Grandmother Sturgeon). Just Waters is thrilled to partner with Taylor as Storyteller-in-Residence.
Respecting That Which Gives Us Life
On March 17, 2026, Just Waters hosted an event titled “Respecting That Which Gives Us Life.” We were privileged to take part in a water ceremony and to learn from Nookomis Hilda Atkinson and Nookomis Louise Pierre, Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation. Joined by their children and grandchildren, we saw these younger generations taking up sacred responsibilities to the water.
In the afternoon, Dr. Tasha Beeds spoke powerfully about her experiences participating in water walks across Canada and the United States and raising awareness about the condition of our water systems.
Finally, Taylor Galvin and Kookum Nameo engaged us with stories and teachings about the sturgeon. Kookum Nameo’s unique voice brought the story of the sturgeon to life, and helped us to understand the true impacts that Manitoba Hydro has on the sturgeon. Taylor and Kookum Nameo invited the audience to consider what we could do to protect the waters and the sturgeon, facilitating a powerful and hopeful conversation.
