Jason Waub-Addick Johnston is Anishinaubae from Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation (Neyaashiinigmiing) in Ontario. Jason has focused his education and professional careers around appreciating, understanding, and educating people about his and other Indigenous histories and cultures, and the natural world. Currently, Jason is the Interpretative Program Coordinator for Cape Croker Park in Neyaashiinigmiing. With his colleague, Jason is developing year-round, experience-based cultural tourism programming. This encompasses the natural and cultural history of their traditional Anishinaubae territory around Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. This programming allows community members to share their traditional knowledge and revitalize their connection to our culture. It also provided the means to educated Canadian and international visitors about Anishinaubae culture, language, and our rich and extensive history dating back since time immemorial.
Jason holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Thompson Rivers University. His Master’s thesis, and three subsequent published international academic papers, focused on the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples, histories, and cultures within Canadian national park and protected area tourism sectors. Additionally, he has received a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree from Thompson Rivers University, Fish and Wildlife Technician and Fish and Wildlife Technologist diplomas from Sir Sandford Fleming College, and an Outdoor Adventure Naturalist Diploma from Algonquin College.
In 10 of the past 12 years Jason worked for Parks Canada in Visitor Experience – Bruce Peninsula National Park, Fathom Five National Marine Park, Georgian Bay Islands National Park, Jasper National Park, and Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks. During this time, he worked as an Indigenous Interpreter and Visitor Experience Supervisor. He supervised front-line visitor experience and interpretive staff at one of the busiest Parks Canada sites in the country. Jason developed and delivered dozens of interpretive programs focused on Indigenous histories and cultures, natural history, and wildlife. Jason has also worked as an interpretive and wilderness guide for two Indigenous-owned, world-renowned ecotourism lodges on the coast of British Columbia; Spirit Bear Lodge and Knight Inlet Lodge. Over the past two years, Jason has worked as an instructor for the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, developing and instructing multiple courses within the discipline of natural resource science, teaching Indigenous students in various First Nation communities throughout British Columbia.
