St. Stephen’s University is pleased to recognize Judith Moses’s ongoing relationship with the University and now announces her role as our Kahn-tineta — she who makes the grasses wave, in addition to her role as chair of the SSU board of governors.
Kahn-tineta: A name, a vocation, a relationship, and a role
Kahn-tineta is the Mohawk name (her matrilineage) that describes Judith’s vocation over a lifetime as a change-maker, servant, and visionary leader.
Judith is a member of the Delaware Nation (her patrilineage) of the Six Nations of the Grand River.
She is married to Peter Lyman, and they have three adult sons. Today, Judith makes her home in rural Chamcook, New Brunswick.
For decades, Judith has traversed the lands of Turtle Island as well as internationally as a volunteer, professional consultant, a senior civil servant and politician. Judith brings to SSU her depth and breadth of strategic leadership experience from years in federal and provincial governments, the professional business world, and service with community and cultural organizations. Judith finished her federal public service career as the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and later as an advisor in the Ontario Cabinet Office.
Nationally, Judith’s community work for Canada’s First Nations has included serving as Chair of Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), now the Mothers Matter Centre, providing effective early childhood supports in immigrant and Indigenous communities. In 2019, Judith was the first Indigenous person elected as an Officer of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, serving as Deputy Prolocutor, where she engaged in the building of the Indigenous Anglican Church and the drafting of its constitution, The Covenant and Our Way of Life. Judith also brings her gifts to the boards of the Anishnawbe Health Foundation, Historica Canada and the National Ballet School. She also served as chair of The Vision Keepers Anglican Indigenous Forum and the Jubilee Commission.
At the level of local New Brunswick relationships, Judith has partnered with Chief Akagi (a true mentor) and the Peskotomuhkati people. Each fall, she helps SSU to participate in Orange Shirt Day events in St. Andrews. Her local involvement ensures that our Reconciliation Studies program is grounded in local cultural ways and ceremony.
She has long been recognized for her wisdom, expertise, and integrity. At SSU, Judith has been described as the Indigenous Conscience of the University. We give thanks for Judith’s long-term leadership on our Board of Governors, of which she is currently chair. We trust the Creator will continue to pour out grace and strength on her and her family.
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