Cat Criger is an Indigenous Elder, Traditional Teacher and Knowledge Keeper. He is from the Cayuga Nation, Turtle Clan, as well as having some German and English ancestry. 

Cat was taught through traditional methods to use Indigenous pedagogies, perspectives and philosophies when working with people. Cat has been working as an Indigenous Teacher and Knowledge Keeper for almost 30 years. He is a healer, spiritual dreamer and pipe carrier. 

Under the guidance of an Indigenous Elder from the Anishnawbe Nation, Cat learnt traditional ceremonies, teachings, circles, counselling, healing with plant medicines and uses these gifts to help all people to ‘walk in a good way’ through life.

Cat has worked as an Elder and advisor in many Indigenous Agencies across the GTA, Government Ministries including Health, Education and Transportation and the public and corporate sectors in Ontario and Canada. He is active in the inter-faith and inter-cultural communities.

He was a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal for his work, speaking to diversity, equity, respect for women, anti-racism and anti-oppression.

Presently Cat holds the position of Indigenous Advisor and is steward of the Indigenous Centre at the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus. He is also a Sessional Instructor and lectures in multiple faculties at the University of Toronto.

Cat’s focus and vision for life is to help build a world based on inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogues. This will require trusting relationships and strong bridges between all cultures. Most importantly we will need to listen to one another with our hearts. “I believe we have a lot of work ahead of us.”