CTR Report 2020

2020 Action and Activity Report Cynthia C. Wesley-Esquimaux, PhD Chair On Truth And Reconciliation (CTR)

January 2021 Lakehead University Thunder Bay & Orillia Campuses Faculty, Chairs, Deans and Administration Dear Lakehead Community Members:

Lakehead University has continued to play a critical role in addressing Truth and Reconciliation in Ontario through ongoing mobilization of the 94 Calls to Action, and implementation of the thirteen principles tabled in 2015 by Universities Canada and the Presidents of Universities. In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, in 2016, Lakehead appointed the first Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation, once again stepping out and up before anyone else in Canada to ensure full engagement with social and cultural events important to the Indigenous population.

The Chair on Truth and Reconciliation has been instrumental in moving the dialogue forward locally, regionally and nationally, although it hasn’t been easy to keep people focused on the ultimate goal of equity and inclusion. Through our partnerships and work with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the Canada School for Public Service, Teach for Canada, and other engaged organizations we have however, kept things moving along.

Over 2020, we were all challenged by the Covid-19 Pandemic. In spite of that crisis/opportunity everyone rallied to support each other and ensure our students were cared for. I would like to thank the entire Lakehead community for the time dedicated to fostering and sustaining reconciliation and right relations between Lakehead University and Indigenous peoples and their communities during this difficult time.

Even though we all worked hard to ensure everyone was safe during this pandemic, I know every member of the Lakehead community found a way to contribute to the process of reconciliation we share with the City of Thunder Bay, the City of Orillia and our local and regional Indigenous partners and allies to ensure the 5th anniversary of the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation process was marked in December 2020.

With Great Respect,

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D. Chair on Truth and Reconciliation Lakehead Orillia and Thunder Bay

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair, Truth and Reconciliation c: (249) 385-6765 e: cynthia.wesley@lakeheadu.ca

The Chair on Truth and Reconciliation (CTR) and the President’s Council on Truth and Reconciliation (PCTR) met on a regular basis throughout 2020, and have put together four webinar modules on ZOOM. The PCTR has completed four online sessions which will be uploaded for a launch in January 2021 since in person interactions were suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The online modules are also posted in D2L’s and have pictures, videos, voice overs, and web links to complete them.

It has been a long journey, with tight finances, but we are well on our way to having a complete process for generating a series of comprehensive (and sometimes difficult) conversations, on history, culture, worldviews, literature, and where stereotypes and our biases and beliefs can leave us as a community unless we choose to address them.

In a very different kind of year, because of the Covid 19 pandemic, the CTR like everyone else was confined to working directly from her home on Georgina Island from March through October and at her home office in Orillia Ontario for the balance of the 2020 year.

In spite of being confined to ZOOM, Teams and Cisco Webex, the Chair on Truth and Reconciliation was able to maintain a significant amount of community engagement with multiple committees, boards and organizations across Canada. In addition, she was able to offer several online academic lectures, media discussions, and over 30 public workshops and presentations across Canada.

On August 11th, Cynthia’s daughter Tareyn gave birth to a baby girl. She was named Odamyn (meaning strawberry in Ojibway). Congratulations on the new addition to the family.

2020 Community Engagement The Chair attended and participated in a Dialogue on the National Convention on Reconciliation in Yorkton, Saskatchewan from January 7th through the 9th 2020.

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Erin Dixon, Daryl Kootney and Elder Dila Houle (2020) delivered a session on Right Relations for Reconciliation at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, February 1-7th The Chair is an advisory member of the Indigenous Ad Hoc Advisory group for Universities Canada and we met over ZOOM on January 31st 2020.

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux provided a “Reconciliation in Canada Update” for the Canadian Federation of University Women of Orillia (CFUW), Orillia Museum of Art & History, January 28th 2020 (this is the picture of me in a red shawl with a bunch of women sitting in chairs) The Chair attended a Teach for Canada Board meeting in Toronto on January 24th and the Board welcomed John Kim Bell as a new Board Member. Lakehead continues to host the summer enrichment program for teachers going into northern Ontario schools, although the summer program for 2020 was online.

On January 21st the Chair met with Beth Symes and Shelley Knott-Fife from Curve Lake First Nation to discuss their project “Gibimishkaadimin” an Indigenous youth program that reaches from coast to coast to coast in Canada to see where there are points of collaboration with Lakehead University and the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity.

On January 17th the Chair met with Lakehead Orillia students to review and make recommendations on for their Reconciliation Project for Professor Doug West in Orillia.

On January 9th the Chair attended an Ethics in Research committee meeting at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health in Penetanguishene, Ontario to review research requests, the Chair is an advisory member of the ethics committee.

On February 13th the Chair was invited to participate in a televised commentary on the provincial leadership election.

Throughout late February the Chair was invited to commentate on the Wet’suwet’en and other Indigenous blockages across Canada with CBC – Fresh Air/Here and Now, Nana Aba Duncan – Metro Morning with Piya Patachatta – Ontario Morning show with Wei Chen – CBC Metro Morning.

On February 25th the Chair was invited to speak to Indigenous high school students of Thunder Bay about why choosing law school was a great option for their continuing education.

On March 3rd the Chair attended a community session in Winnipeg with the Canada School of Public Service and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) on building and sustaining reconciliation engagement across Canada.

On March 11th the Chair met with the Gojijing Circle on Reconciliation Simcoe Country – This is Senator Gwen Boniface’s Reconciliation Circle.

Along with Lakehead University many organizations and institutions are going online to keep things moving forward, on March 16th the Chair participated in a ZOOM Board call to review applications for a new Executive Director for Teach for Canada.

At the end of March, beginning of April the Chair read, edited, and approved a five-year report for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

April 1st and 3rd the Chair working with Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care completed a review of a Research Proposal on Covid-19 patient/staff infections.

On April 1st and 2nd the Chair reviewed and agreed to participate in a U of T study to examine the impacts of the “MeToo” movement on Sexual Violence disclosure.

Also, on April 1st the Chair became a Womens Advocacy Council Project participant on Women in Leadership and Democratic participation for research interview.

On April 3rd the Chair participated in a virtual meeting on the Covenant on Reconciliation Meeting, which was hosted by the United Church of Canada.

April 9th the Chair participated in a virtual Right to Play Advisory Council meeting and update.

Throughout April and May the Chair has been assessing research materials for a pharmacogenomics research project for Waypoint Centre for Mental Health.

On April 29th the Chair attended a ZOOM meeting with the team working on a Covenant for Reconciliation with the All Parties National Table.

On May 6 th the Chair joined a Virtual Coffee Shop with the Orillia TALL Team and Linda Rodenburg, this is some of what we will all be doing over the next while to maintain relationships outside of our families – it was an interesting experience and will help maintain social relations throughout the year.

The Chair created an online recording on Simcoe County Treaties and Land Claims with Prof’s Ellen Field and Hilary Vilneff on October 16th

June – September 2020 – The Chair attended National Online discussions on Violence Against Women and girls with Minister Carolyn Bennett, Yukon Gov’t Minister Dendys, and women on MMIW Report and moving forward on the final report.

The Chair has been actively engaged throughout the summer and fall with Teach for Canada as we seek out a new Executive Director and hold Board Meetings and discussions.

In June the Chair worked with community members to develop a Georgina Island proposal to fund youth and adolescent mental health w/Leah Atkinson, Kerrie-Ann Charles and Jake Charles

In July 11th the Chair attended some very interesting sessions with the Church of the Redeemer to discuss a Mural Circle with the artist – this was about history and reconciliation in the City of Toronto.

July 28th – The Chair participated in a TakingitGlobal online discussion on Indigenous Education Barriers August 5-6th – The CTR attended a Borealis Summer Institute attendance with President Moira McPherson August 7th – “Inaadiziwin (Way of Life) Wellness and Cultural Centre” proposal development with GI Team – Leah Atkinson and Kerrie-Anne Charles August 25th – the CTR attended a seminar on Perspectives on Reconciliation – A Virtual Convening

by Yukon University The Chair hosted a dialogue on “Understanding Reconciliation through ACE’s” Banff Centre Webinar, August 26th

August 27th – Universities Canada Ad Hoc Advisory Council on Indigenous Education August 27th – First Nations Information Governance Centre – the CTR participated in a research discussion on gender based violence September 3rd – Canadian International Council – Couchiching Institute Brainstorming Session for 2020

September 9th – Banff Centre Executive – the Chair presented a conversation on Allyship and Reconciliation in Canada September 12th – Meeting and interview with Elizabeth Holland – Globe and Mail Insiders Report

September 17th – We have continued to meet on ZOOM to maintain interest and participation in Senator Gwen Boniface’s community table for Truth and Reconciliation in Orillia September 18th – The CTR hosted a conversation with Alexia McKinnon at the Banff Centre on Indigenous leadership Fireside chat and an open engagement session with Banff Centre employees September 22nd – Society of St. Vincent de Paul – invited the CTR to be a part of the Reconciliation Circle planning on systemic racism and poverty September 23rd – Discussion on racism with the Ontario Science Centre – volunteer advisory to Science Panel on Racism September 28th – Spirit of Canada Dialogues – Reconciliation Group to open conversations

September 30th – Orange Shirt Day and presentation of “Every Child Matters” Nationally – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and Lakehead University October 21st – Red Road and Feather Carriers Training October 29th presentation on Treaty relations and November 4th moderation of panel – Alan Corbiere, Brenda Collins, Elder Josephine Ontario Public Service – Treaty Recognition Week – Being an Extraordinary Ally presentation and open discussion with OPS staff.

The Chair joined a new discussion group “The Spirit of Canada Dialogues” hosted by women and men across Canada and asking how we can open a new dialogue about Canada that is inclusive of many issues, concerns and celebrations.

The CTR remained engaged with the “Feathers Carriers Training and Webinars through to the end of 2020, and participated in multiple discussions, and with the Orillia Reconciliation Tables for change.

2020 Public Education Presentations and Workshops The Chair participated in a panel presentation for the Trudeau Foundation – C. Rémy-Paulin Twahirwa, Rita Karakas, and Alison Holder (2020) Trudeau Foundation Webinar on Power and Knowledge: exploring new models for greater equity in crisis, for Lia Grimanis, Up With Women, July 30th 2020

September 2nd – The Chair presented a Banff Centre Wise Practices and Leadership webinar for Banff Administration September 2nd – Neighbourhood Law Services – the CTR presented a morning conversation Reconciliation and Gladue Reports for this Toronto lawyers association

September 25th – Banff Centre – Karen Dove, and Alexia McKinnon (2020) “Wise Practices in Project Management” Banff Centre, September 25th Guest Speaker for Project Management Course on Wise Practices in Project Management

October 3rd – Church of the Redeemer webinar on Worldviews and Tricksters in Environmental Commitments with the wider Church community – presentation of a creation story and discussion about the similarities and differences in Indigenous and Christian learning and spiritual views.

Wesley-Esquimaux, Cynthia (2020) “Treaties of Canada” taped and live webinar for Lakehead University students and public, November 6th Wesley-Esquimaux, Cynthia (2020) “Treaties of Northern Ontario and Canada” for Paul Francis, St. Joseph’s Health Care, Thunder Bay, November 6th Wesley-Esquimaux, Cynthia, Denisha Gingles, BCBA (United States), Dr. Sharon Smile, Physician and Joy Johnson (Canada) (2020) “Beyond Inclusion: Let’s talk race, culture and ASD” Geneva Centre for Autism, November 12th

Wesley-Esquimaux, Annie Kidder and Sharif Mahdy (2020) “Do we need a National Education Strategy?” Panel discussion for People for Education’s 2020 Summit - The Future of Public Education, November 17th Wesley-Esquimaux, Cynthia (2020) “Wise Practices in Project Management” for NOGDAWINDAMIN Family and Community Services, November 25th The Chair offered a presentation to the Thunder Bay District School Board Leadership Council on “ReMinding Leadership” about the value of Emotional and Cultural Intelligence, the value of Cultural Humility and flexibility in learning how people generally are affected by lived and leaning experiences, December 9th

2020 Academic Lectures The Chair was invited to offer an Inspiration presentation to Indigenous high school students about attending Lakehead Law school, Bora Laskin Law School, February 25th The Chair presented a discussion on “The Ethics of Storytelling” for the Centre for Health Ethics, Thunder Bay, February 26th 2020

The Chair participated on an Indigenous Research Reconciliation Panel, put together by McKenzie Media Productions, Organizer, Becky Big Canoe, Gary Pluim, Jacob Kearey-Moreland, Daniel Scholte, McKenzie Watt and Vicki Monague, March 11th 2020

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux and Don McIntyre (lawyer from Alberta), created a dialogue for the Bora Laskin Law School Orientation September 8th 2020

The Chair participated in creating a webinar on Conservation and Reconciliation Webinar for Ellen Field and Hilary Vilnef, Lakehead University Sustainability Classes, October 16th The Chair hosted a conversation on “Treaties of Ontario and Canada” for Treaty Recognition Week, Georgian College, November 3rd 2020 The Chair hosted a conversation on “Reconciliation and Wise Practices” for Verne Ross, Centre for Indigenous Studies Class, University of Toronto, November 17th 2020

General Publications and Research Reports Publication “She is Wise” article for Lakehead and the Ontario Native Women’s Association Newsletter, September 2020

Podcasts Wesley-Esquimaux, Cynthia and Annie Leblond (2020) “The Legacy of Intergenerational Trauma” for the Canada School of Public Service, January 14th

Activities Related to Community Based Research or Services Sunderji, Nadiya (2021-22) RCPSC Strategic Initiative Grant – Academic Project title: Developing and initiating a CPD intervention to reduce traumatic and coercive experiences of mental health care for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) – Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux – Co-Investigator, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care.

Mastrangelo, Sonia, Meridith Lovell-Johnston, et all (2019-2022) Supporting the Development of Young Children’s Self-Regulation Capacities and Literacy Skills in Ontario’s Northern Communities: Engaging Families and Educators – Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux – Academic Collaborator

The Chair has been invited to collaborate on two external research projects, one with Annie Leblond, and we collaborated on a podcast on the “The Legacy of Intergenerational Trauma” for the Canada School of Public Service on January 14th The 2nd research project is with Dr. Ramona Alaggia from the Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, and we will be collaborating on several podcast’s and ultimately a video (tbd).

The Chair also provided a research interview on Historic Trauma to Dr. Anabel Mifsud from the University of New Orleans.

Book Forward – “Indigenous Knowledge and Mental Health: A Global Perspective” for Masood Zangeneh and David Danto, Editors, October 2020

The Chair was invited to write a synopsis of a book on an International Indigenous Health Care Ethics – Book Synopsis written for an Indigenous Health Ethics Book, editor, Alireza Bagheri and submitted on April 10th In April and early May the Chair prepared a module on Indigenous Engagement for training Enbridge staff – a very helpful experience for the work Lakehead is also undertaking.

On May 1st the Chair joined over 50 other people on ZOOM for a “Teaching with ZOOM” webinar offered by Lakehead University TECH services. Was interesting and helpful as the PCTR moves to online the modules for staff, faculty and administration at Lakehead University Orillia and Thunder Bay. The Chair has been invited to participate in a special edition by the Concurrent Disorders Society on the experience of frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic.

June 10th – Peer Review and edit of paper for the Canadian Race Relations Foundation on Bill C21 – Quebec July 7th – Invitation to co-author paper “Systematic Literature Review on Indigenous Mediation” w/ Masood Zangeneh & David Danto

Media CBC – Fresh Air/Here and Now, Nana Aba Duncan – discussion on Wet’suwet’en and Tyendinaga Blockades, February 22nd 2020 Metro Morning with Piya Patachatta on Blockades, February 24th 2020 Ontario Morning show with Wei Chen on Blockades, February 25th 2020 CBC Metro Morning on the Blockades, February 27th 2020

Professional Appointments Appointed Chair for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Appointed

The Katimavik Board – National Indigenous Learning and Engagement Advisory Circle

Reappointment National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, April 2020 Reappointment Teach for Canada Board of Directors through 2021

President’s Council for Truth and Reconciliation Lakehead University will be hosting and celebrating intercultural conversations through a series of eight modules designed by members of the President’s Council on Truth and Reconciliation (PCTR). Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux and the Council members have pulled together a series of sessions on line to ensure all members of the Lakehead community have an opportunity to participate.

Faculty and staff will be offered a completion certificate to add to their teaching dossiers and resumes.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a Lakehead specific “reconciliation through education” model. With every person from the Board of Governors, through Senate, the student body, staff, faculty, and guests working together on a reconciliation process that weaves together the diversity of cultures, colours, languages, knowledge bases, and art across our institution. Together we can demonstrate that there is no room for separation when it comes to reconciliation, and that each of us can be involved as Canadians, whether we are Indigenous or nonIndigenous.

Module One: Exploring worldviews and creation stories: what do stories represent and how will learning about them inform our academic community?

Everyone in the world has a worldview and an oral or written library of creation stories. Sadly, most creation stories are not taught to children anymore, but they are still there and they still have meaning.

This opening webinar will offer an exploration of how diverse worldviews continue to inform our perceptions of each other. We will begin the conversation by our thoughts on how worldviews are developed and influences and how creation stories from around the world resonate in our unconscious.

We call up the trickster figures from Indigenous cultures and discuss how they continue to teach and challenge Indigenous people to be inclusive and respectful of the world around us.

Module Two: What has History got to do with it? – Where does history begin and why does the history we learn and teach in our academic institutions matter?

There is a saying in the Indigenous world that says “you have to look backward to go forward” and this

is often expressed as “Looking seven generations back and seven generations forward” because there is a firm belief that where we have come from can deeply inform where we are, and more particularly, where we are going. If we do not bother to understand what the “wise practices” of our ancestors are and how they continue to have utility today, we will not fully appreciate what we need to learn and teach to build a better tomorrow. This discussion examines Indigenous history in Canada and asks how the Indigenous story might reflect the story of other cultures who have experienced various forms of trauma. Why does what happened “then” continue to impact what happens “now?” and, can our attention to history ensure our future relations will be different, and perhaps even improve?

Module Three: Intro to intercultural literature and content – what can “reading around the world” teach us about each other?

As an academic community, Lakehead University has a plethora of literature and course materials to challenge and inform our students. Our second module opens a window on Indigenous literature and asks our entire learning community to look into their own cultural backgrounds and bring their literature and cultural stories to this discussion. Intercultural literatures ask us to explore stories, books, and communications from around the world because they can offer us deep insights into the biases and beliefs that sometimes get in the way of forming mutual understandings and “right relations”.

Module Four: Addressing systemic racism, biases and beliefs – where does problematic social thinking and relating come from, how do we recognize when negative stereotypes are coming forward in our words and actions so we can own them and move them out of our way?

Our goal is to open a discussion based on what we have already explored in Modules One through Three. Our intention is to host what we believe might be a difficult discussion on the what’s and why’s of exclusion, inclusion, and fostering humane economics. Why does ownership and allocation of resources matter so much in contemporary society.

Hopefully, participants will bring some strong opinions into the circle and challenge everyone to dig deep and relate!

Will people in our academic community bring insight into the kinds of relationship building necessary to support local, regional and national reconciliation?

Where do stereotypes come from? What is the difference between implicit and explicit biases? Do we recognize how much we have been affected by the things we have experienced or been told, and can we change our perceptions?

and reconciliation. It is time that we do more than offer words.

Module Five: Beyond Indian Residential schools – now that Canadians are more aware of Indian Residential Schools and the impact on the Indigenous community of Canada, what are the next steps for Canada?

This module lays out a fascinating story which impacts Indigenous communities across Canada, and has affected an incredible number of children of colour. What was the impetus behind CAS decisions that took so many children out of their homes and fostered such harmful policy and practice, and why does it continued today?

The historic progression and impact of government decisions that laid the foundation for Indian Residential School, Labour Schools, and Training Institutes for Indigenous peoples has been a very recent topic across Canada. There have been other histories in other cultures that have created similar negative results and we want to invite a discussion that will foster a sense of compassion for those who have suffered and demonstrated powerful resiliency.

This conversation is not being held to rehash the hurt, but to prompt an open discussion on where do we go from here? We know there has been harm, now what do we do as a community to ensure our steps forward are positive, inclusive and healing?

Module Six: The history and impacts of child welfare, 60’s scoop, millennial scoop, and what about all those children in care today?

The Children’s Aid Society https://www.parnipcas. org/truth-reconciliation/ has posted an apology that acknowledges and expresses understanding of the impact and meaning of cultural genocide to the Indigenous community. Intergenerational trauma and cultural loss has been inflicted on the Indigenous peoples of Ontario, and Canada for 7 generations.

There continues to be a extreme shortage of Indigenous culture-based services for children and families, and there continues to be resistance to Indigenous self-determination with respect to the care of Indigenous children and families.

As a country we need an intense dialogue on the restoration of jurisdiction and authority to Indigenous peoples for their children.

“These are historic and current day injustices for which we, as Ontario’s non-Indigenous Children’s Aid Societies, must take responsibility. These are difficult truths, but they are truths we must speak in order to begin the journey towards healing, change,

Today we commit to Indigenous communities that we will continue to seek and implement your guidance as we undertake active measures to ensure that we are serving Indigenous children and families in a manner that empowers children, families, and communities.”

Module Seven: Ethics, protocols, and research in our communities – what is OCAP? How were the Ownership, Control, Access and Possession principles developed within the Indigenous community? Who were the scholars who pulled these principles together and why should researchers respect them in research and data collection with every Indigenous community – and what about your community? When research happens in a cultural community, what protections should be in place, and what benefits must accrue to the people being researched? What about the USAI Research protocol developed by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres? Utility, Self-Voicing, Access and Inter-Relationality Research Framework which has been developed to guide the connections and relationship building essential to doing research with any cultural group. https://www.afn.ca/uploads/files/nihbforum/info_and_ privacy_doc-ocap.pdf https://ofifc.org/research/

Module Eight: International Protocols, National Studies and the Truth. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the TRC - 94 Calls to Action – how do they fit into this conversation and how might they effectively include all of Canadian society?

Module Eight opens the conversation with an examination of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) and the 94 Calls to Action put forward by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

We will include other pieces of legislation, studies, and commissions that have asked for the truth.

Canada has not been able to provide satisfactory answers, and other cultures in Canada have similar questions. This module has been designed to prompt an inclusive and important dialogue on how we can address, undo, and implement policies and practices that will ensure respect for equity, inclusion, and a celebration of diversity. http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/ DRIPS_en.pdf https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginalheritage/royal-commission-aboriginal-peoples/Pages/ introduction.aspx https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/aboriginalheritage/royal-commission-aboriginal-peoples/Pages/ introduction.aspx and the principles - https://www. afn.ca/uploads/files/policingforum/valerie_richer_-_ truth_and_reconciliation_commissions_calls_to_ action_regarding_justice.pdf

And Ontario’s contribution to the conversation - https://www.ontario.ca/page/journey-togetherontarios-commitment-reconciliation-indigenouspeoples Lakehead University has made a commitment to reconciliation, and we hope you will join us in the Q & A sessions to ask questions, embrace the difficult questions, challenge the discussions, and work together with your colleagues to create a new story, one that celebrates our cultural differences, challenges our biases and beliefs, and is a model of reconciliation for all of Canada.

President’s Council for Truth and Reconciliation Members Dr. Moira McPherson, President of Lakehead University, Thunder Bay Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Chair on Truth and Reconciliation, Orillia Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell, Adjunct Professor, Education, Theatre & Media Artist, Orillia – rdeverel@lakeheadu.ca Dr. Sonja Grover, Professor, Faculty of Education, Thunder Bay Kaitlyn Watson, Instructor, Faculty of Education, Orillia – kswatson@lakeheadu.ca Dr. Sandra Jeppesen, Professor, Media, Film, and Communications, Orillia Dr. Gary Pluim, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Orillia Denise Baxter, PhD Candidate and Vice Provost Indigenous Initiatives, Thunder Bay – vp.ii@lakeheadu.ca Jerri-Lynn Orr, Masters of Education and Lakehead Indigenous Curriculum Specialist, Thunder Bay – jorr1@lakeheadu.ca Robin Sutherland, Director of Indigenous Relations, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Thunder Bay – 1-807-356-3246 / directorir.law@lakeheadu.ca AllyshaWassegijig, Aboriginal Affairs Coordinator, Orillia (presently on maternity leave) JasminePanacheese, Acting Aboriginal Affairs Coordinator, Orillia – orillia.ii@ lakeheadu.ca