I 
live in Pinawa, Manitoba – a small forest community in the Canadian Shield. Pinawa is located in Treaty 1 territory, traditionally inhabited by Ojibwe First Nation. An ancient culture that predates the Ojibwe left signs on this land with whom I live – signs of their deep respect for Earth as Mother. Living with sacred land has changed me. My academic work is motivated by deep concern for my grandchildren’s future on a planet with a changing climate. I study to understand how we got into this mess, how we can journey collectively toward wholeness and how we can regenerate the future.
My Learning Journey
- Bombardier scholar, doctoral student, University of Alberta 2017 – current.
- MA – Integrated Studies (Athabasca University) 2016
- B.A. (U.Manitoba) 1972; Cert.Ed. (U.Manitoba) 1974; B.Th. (CMBC) 1978.
- Applied Counseling Certificate (U.Manitoba, Continuing Education)
- Focusing & Complex Trauma Certificate (Prairie Region Centre for Focusing)
- Focusing Oriented Therapist (Focusing Institute)
Peer-Reviewed Academic Publications (selected)
- Sharing economies and Indigenous matricultures in the Land now called Canada (forthcoming Spring 2020). Canadian Woman Studies Journal special issue on The Maternalist Gift Economy: The Hidden Alternative to Patriarchy and Capitalism.
- Deconstructing necrophilia: Eco/feminist perspectives on the perversion of death and love (2019). Book chapter in Ana Isla (Ed.), Climate chaos: Ecofeminism and the land question. Inanna Publications.
- Becoming ecocentric: Transgressive learning (2018). Book chapter in L. Schultz & T. Pillay (Eds.), Global citizenship, common wealth and uncommon citizenships, pp. 191-205. Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Research, University of Alberta. doi.org/10.1163/9789004383449_013
- Mnajdra: Cosmology of the sky. (2017). Journal of Integrated Studies, 9(1).
Click this link to read unpublished papers: www.ualberta.academia.edu/IreneFriesenWolfstone
Irene, I was so touched by your presentation at our ASWM panel on Saturday. Would you be willing to share your PowerPoint with me? I would like to use it as a jumping off point to begin stretching my mind in some new directions! Bright and deep blessings, Dawn
Hi Dawn. Thank you for your kind comments. Look for an email from wolfston@…with my presentation. I so enjoyed your presentation on Hildegard as Wisdom Keeper. It was delightful to hear a chorus of women in our audience repeating the Latin words after you played the music clip. I recommend an extraordinary CD of her music titled “The Origin of Fire”by Anonymous (2005 http://www.harmoniamundi.com). It explores her theme of “Fiery Spirit”.
Irene, I always enjoy reading your thoughts.
Thanks Lynne.
Dear Irene,
I hope you and yours are all right in this turbulent time.
It has been more than three years since we exchange emails.
I have been thinking of you and how gently and uneventfully we drifted apart.
I hope we could connect again at this point of our lives.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Hugs
Rifa
rifahodgson@gmail.com
Hi Rifa. Thank you for reconnecting us. I have been on a six-year journey to complete a PhD and will soon be posting articles related to my studies on adapting to climate change. I hope you are well. Irene
Loved your article on Mnajdra. Such a beautiful place with an even more fascinating history. Thank you for your research and perspective, which has provided new inspiration and direction for my painting series on Mnajdra.
Hi Jaime. I am sorry for taking so long to reply. My doctoral dissertation is now complete so I have come up for air. Yes – Malta has a fascinating history. You are welcome to post a link to your painting series on Mnajdra. On my last visit, I took photos at Tas Silg, but I have not yet written the article to accompany them. Best, Irene
Hello, I also live in Pinawa and wanted to clarify the LGD of Pinawa is on Treaty 3 territory and borders Treaty One (across the 211 apparently according to a local scholar), it is indeed the territory of the Anishinaabe and Ininiw, as well as home to Métis communities. I’m curious about your statement in your bio, specifically the reference to an ancient culture that predates the Anishinaabe. What culture is this that you refer to? I’m also a student so I am always researching and after moving here I corrected the origin story of the place name (it is Anishinaabemowin in origin and means sheltered place – Debinawaa). I look forward to meeting one day, take care.
“Pinawa is located in Treaty 1 territory, traditionally inhabited by Ojibwe First Nation. An ancient culture that predates the Ojibwe left signs on this land with whom I live – signs of their deep respect for Earth as Mother.”
Hello Tanis. My apologies for taking a year to reply. I have been working on a large research project which is now complete. I look forward to meeting you. Regarding a culture that predates the Ojibwe, I refer to the culture that created the petroforms, which are dated to ~2000 years before today. Irene