Dawn Martin-Hill facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dawn Martin-Hill
Martin-Hill speaking at the Toronto March for Science in April 2017
Nationality	Mohawk people
Citizenship	Canada
Education	PhD (1995) McMaster University, Cultural Anthropology
Occupation	Associate Professor, Anthropology & Indigenous Studies
Employer	McMaster University
Children	Cody Looking Horse
Family	Wolf Clan
Honours	Paul R. MacPherson Chair in Indigenous Studies, McMaster University

Professor Dawn Martin-Hill is a respected leader and teacher from the Mohawk Wolf Clan. She holds an important position called the Paul R. MacPherson Chair in Indigenous Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She was given this special role in 2013.

Professor Martin-Hill is also an associate professor. She teaches in both the Department of Anthropology and the Indigenous Studies Program. She helped start the Indigenous Studies Program back in the 1990s when she was a student herself.

What Does Professor Martin-Hill Study?

Professor Martin-Hill is a researcher in social-cultural anthropology. This means she studies how different groups of people live and think. Her work often focuses on indigenous knowledge. This is the special wisdom and traditions passed down through generations in Indigenous communities.

She also works on keeping cultures alive. This includes saving languages and bringing back old traditions. She studies Indigenous spirituality and how it helps people.

Indigenous Health and Water Safety

Professor Martin-Hill also looks at issues important to Indigenous women. She studies Indigenous health, including the use of traditional medicine. Her academic work explores how Indigenous traditions can help communities. She also looks at how to make things better for Indigenous people.

A big part of her research is about water security. This means making sure everyone has access to clean water. She has studied the lack of clean water in her own community, Six Nations of the Grand River.

Documentary Films by Dawn Martin-Hill

Professor Martin-Hill has made several documentary films. These films share important stories and teachings.

"Jidwá:doh - Let’s Become Again" (2005)

Her first film, "Jidwá:doh - Let’s Become Again," came out in 2005. It explores how Elders understand past difficulties. It also shows ways to heal together using Indigenous knowledge and traditions. This film was inspired by a meeting she organized. Over 600 Elders and young people from across the Americas attended this meeting.

"Onkwánisteńhsera - Mothers of our Nations" (2006)

In 2006, she released "Onkwánisteńhsera - Mothers of our Nations." This film talks about why Indigenous women need to reclaim and use their traditional knowledge. It highlights the strength and wisdom of Indigenous women.

"Sewatokwa'tshera't: The Dish with One Spoon" (2008)

Her 2008 documentary, "Sewatokwa'tshera't: The Dish with One Spoon," is about the Haudenosaunee people. It shows how they are working to get back their traditional lands. The film also covers the 2006 Caledonia land claims dispute.

Sharing Knowledge and Helping Communities

Professor Martin-Hill is very active in sharing her knowledge. She speaks out for the rights of First Nations people. She especially focuses on access to health care and health policy. She brings both Indigenous and university perspectives to these important discussions.

She is often interviewed by news groups. She talks about many topics. These include the lack of clean water in First Nations communities. She also discusses what should happen after reports on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

In April 2017, she spoke at the Toronto March for Science. In May 2017, she was a main speaker at a meeting in Toronto. This meeting was about Canada's science research.

Family Life

Professor Martin-Hill's son is Cody Looking Horse. He is a young Indigenous activist. He protested at Standing Rock in 2016. This protest was against the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Cody Looking Horse is a representative of the Standing Rock Youth Council.

She also has a daughter named Makasa Looking Horse.

Awards and Recognition

Professor Martin-Hill has received several awards for her important work:

• US-Canada Fulbright award
• Outstanding Teaching Award from the Aboriginal Institutes Consortium

Selected Publications

• Indigenous Knowledge and Power and The Lubicon Lake Nation, University of Toronto Press, 2007