Ms Shirley Ida Williams is a member of the Bird Clan of the Ojibway and Odawa First Nations of Canada. Her Aboriginal name is “Migizi ow-kwe” meaning “that Eagle Woman”. She was born and raised at Wikwemikong, First Nations Unceded Reserve on Manitoulin Island, now residing in Peterborough.

She attended the St. Joseph’s Residential School, Spanish, Ontario. Shirley has lectured across Ontario promoting Nishnaabe language and Culture. Elder Williams has published important Anishinaabemowin-language teaching resources on topics ranging from animals to hockey to treaties through her own publishing firm. She is a Professor Emerita at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, where she has taught and researched the Anishinaabe language since 1986.

Elder Williams has published important Anishinaabemowin-language teaching resources on topics ranging from animals to hockey to treaties through her own publishing firm, Neganigwane Co. She contributes simultaneous translation services for various organizations including the Ontario Ministry of Education, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Heritage Canada and the Union of Ontario Indians. She advises the Chiefs of Ontario and Aboriginal Physicians of Canada on health programming.