jay Lomax

I am a proud Sixties Scoop survivor from Dakota Tipi First Nation. Drawing from my profound lived experiences in colonial foster care and adoption, I have dedicated my life to community healing. I am a Professor of Indigenous Studies and an Instructor in the Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work (BISW) Program at First Nations Technical Institute on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. I have taught Indigenous culture at several Ontario colleges and universities for over eight years. This follows a 20-year career that included work as a social worker and adoption worker serving the Indigenous population in downtown Toronto. I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW). I am also an established cultural performer and educator who shares a broad range of knowledge, including Birch Bark Teachings, Indigenous ways of knowing, Cultural practices, Song and Dance teachings, and perspectives on Mental Health and Social work practices. I also present extensively on personal topics, such as Sixties Scoop Survivor skills and Indigenous identity. Over the last 25 years, I have delivered hundreds of cultural talks and presentations, including for a crowd of 65,000 at the World AIDS Conference in Toronto, sharing Dakota and Ojibwe dance and drumming as a long-time member of the Red Spirits Singers and Dancers. My story highlights the vital role of Indigenous social workers in fostering healing and belonging, inspiring us all to continue supporting communities and traditions.