William Commanda

William Commanda was known by many names and titles to a diversity of people: Mishomis/Grandfather, Shaman, Wampum Belt Carrier, Chief, Elder, Doctor, Officer of the Order of Canada, William Commanda was an Algonquin spiritual and political leader of prominence, widely known and respected for his staunch and tireless advocacy and prayer on behalf of the penultimate Mother, Mother Earth, and for his promotion of racial harmony and peace building.

He was a world renowned Birch Bark Canoe Builder, Carrier of the Ancient Sacred Wampum Heritage of the Algonquins of the Ottawa River Watershed, originally held by his great great grandfather, Pakinawatik, Stick Hit By Thunder, acclaimed Chief of the River Desert/Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg for almost 20 years, and with Huron Wendat activist, Jules Sioui, architect and Supreme Chief of the North American Indian Nations Government, initiated in the early 1940s.

He received many honours and acknowledgements over the course of his long life, including Master Canoe Builder, Wolf Project and Harmony, Bernard Assiniwini awards, and the 2010 Lifetime Award of the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now Indspire). He was also recipient of two honorary degrees, in 2005 from the University of Ottawa (Doctor of Philosophy), and in 2011, from l’Université du Québec en Outaouais (Doctor of Honorific Causes), and was appointed Officer of the Order of Canada in 2009.

William Commanda founded the Circle of All Nations, a global eco-peace community unified by his fundamental and unshakeable conviction that as children of Mother Earth, we belong together and with nature, irrespective of individual colour, creed or culture.

The Circle of All Nations is grounded in the Laws of Nature and the foundational principle of GINAWAYDAGANUC – ALL IS CONNECTED.