​Dan Thomas descends from grandparents from Sagkeeng Anishinaabe Nation and Traverse Bay Metis community. Dan worked as a teacher, consultant for Manitoba Education, a specialist for MFNERC, and an Elder instructor for the University of Winnipeg. He has authored a number of education documents for the province and for First Nations, as well as producing posters and narrating videos for MFNERC. He has 43 years of experience before retiring last august. Dan conducts an Ojibwa sundance (this year will be his 19th). He has conducted sweat lodge ceremonies for 34 years, carries a Little Boy waterdrum and also a Grandfather waterdrum. He is excited to work with a division that honours and respects the diversity of its students, and is especially thankful to see the Ojibwe classrooms in action.