About the Author

Photo: M. Needham, UPEI (2024)

David D. Varis, Assistant Professor, is of mixed ancestry, Cree (maternal) and Finnish (paternal). Born in Winnipeg (Wînipêk – ᐄᐧᓂᐯᐠ), he is on the unique path of living out the second half of his life in service to Indigenous communities and its peoples. Like many of his generation, who did not know about their Indigenous heritage, he now proudly lives his Cree ancestry (St. Peter’s Indian Reserve / Peguis First Nation, MB). Much of his story in relation to professional work and contributions can be found in this book. Other contributions are underway in one form or another. He explains that he has a lot of catching up to do (half a lifetime) to understand about his Cree bloodline and the countless cultural teachings that sustain a proud peoples on the rise. He is simply ecstatic to be in this student/learner (kiskinwahamâkan) and teacher (okiskinohamâkew) role during his seventh decade of discovery.