He is of Mohawk and Irish ancestry and is a band member of Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. He has worked with First Nations communities across Canada since 1982 in both urban and rural centres. His work over this time has included Clinical Director for an Infant Mental Health Centre in the city of Regina and Director for the Sacred Circle, a Suicide Prevention Program developed to serve First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario. While developing the latter service, Ed worked with Elders and apprenticed in traditional First Nations approaches to healing. Today his practice incorporates traditional knowledge about healing while also employing his training as a Psychologist. Ed also serves as an elder/advisor for Enaahtig Healing Lodge and Learning Centre and the Native Mental Health Association of Canada.