ELDER Dave Courchene Jr., Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man), Anishnabe Nation, Eagle Clan

ELDER Dave Courchene Jr., Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man), Anishnabe Nation, Eagle Clan

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First Nations Messenger
Taking on the ancient First Nations role as a Messenger of Peace, Nii Gaani Aki Inini has spent the last twenty-five years carrying the torch as he has worked to bring his vision into physical reality. Living in a century which has seen some of the greatest suffering in human history, he has faced many challenges. Nii Gaani Aki Inini has directed his efforts through his role as a leader of sacred First Nations ceremonies. His greatest focus has been to inspire young people of all nations, races and faiths to find and follow their own visions.

"Long ago our people always followed a vision. That was why they were so connected to the Spirit and the land. Whenever the Spirit gives a vision to an individual it always becomes a vision for the collective. It always leads to a vision of peace for humankind. You must remain firm in your belief in your vision. You must never give it up. (2002)"

Community Work On Turtle Island (North America)

Nii Gaani Aki Inini has and continues to share his understanding of First Nations wisdom and teachings in First Nations communities throughout Turtle Island (or North America), to serve the needs of these communities in Canada and the United States.

Nii Gaani Aki Inini conducts First Nations traditional ceremonies to revive, renew, and sustain the spirit of all people. Nii Gaani Aki Inini recognises that youths are the future, and he has held many Youth Gatherings throughout Canada and the United States, to provide youths with knowledge to lead a balanced life.

As time permits, Nii Gaani Aki Inini has been an invited speaker on wide ranging issues related to the First Nations communities, including issues of education, First Nations traditions; the environment; health and First Nations medicine; peace; First Nations spirituality; First Nations governance and decision-making, and other issues.

Speaker - Local, Regional & Global

Nii Gaani Aki Inini has been an invited speaker at several academic institutions, including the University of Toronto; York University, and Trent University; as well as other public forums.

In 1992, Nii Gaani Aki Inini was invited to speak at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where world leaders gathered, out of imminent concerns over environmental destruction around the globe.

In 1994, Nii Gaani Aki Inini was invited to the Middle East made a journey to Israel, where he led a gathering of all races at the foot of the Kumeran Caves by the Dead Sea, meeting and entering ceremony with Israelis and Palestinians alike.

In August 2000, Nii Gaani Aki Inini was an invited speaker at the 2000 Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, hosted by the United Nations in New York, USA .

In June 1995, Nii Gaani Aki Inini was invited speaker at the international conference entitled 'The Gathering for Human and Ecological Security: A Conference on Population, Environment and Peace' (GHES) held in Manila, Phillipines.

In 1995, Nii Gaani Aki Inini was invited to Japan by the University of Tokyo, where he spoke on Earth issues and the environment.

Invited Guest On TV-Video, Radio

Nii Gaani Aki Inini has been an invited: to participate in television and video documentaries; to serve as Spiritual Advisor on First Nations television series productions; and to participate as a guest on radio, discussing wide ranging First Nations issues.

For more details regarding Nii Gaani Aki Inini work, please refer to the web pages of this website, including those on Turtle Island Work, Global Work, TV-Video and Publications.