The History & Legacy of the Residential School System in Canada: Thursday, November 4th at 1 PM – 3 PM EST
Panelists will discuss the why behind the residential school system and the mark that it has left on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people across the country.
Speakers:
Ms. Levinia Brown, former MLA Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove:
Ms. Brown is a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the electoral district of Rankin Inlet South/Whale Cove in the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut from 2004 to 2008, and also served on the Executive Council of Nunavut and its Deputy Premier. Ms. Brown was the first female mayor of Rankin Inlet, served on the hamlet’s council, and helped set up the Eastern Arctic Teachers Education Program.
Dr. Lorena Fontaine, Associate Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, University of Winnipeg:
Lorena Sekwan Fontaine is Cree-Anishnaabe and a member of the Sagkeeng First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. She is the Indigenous Academic Lead, co-director of a new Indigenous languages program and an Associate Professor in the Department of Indigenous Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Her research includes linguicide, the legacy of the residential schools and Indigenous language rights in Canada.
Dr. Niigaanwewidam Sinclair, Professor in Native Studies, University of Manitoba:
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba. He is an award-winning writer, editor and activist who was named one of Monocle Magazine‘s “Canada’s Top 20 Most Influential People” and he won the 2018 Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press. In
2019 he won Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He is an international media commentator as a part of the “Power Panel” on CBC’s Power & Politics and National Affairs panel on CBC’s The Current. He is also a former secondary school teacher who has trained educators and students across Canada on issues of Indigenous education and reconciliation.
Moderated by: Ms. Nicole Robertson, journalist
Nicole Robertson has dedicated her life to creating awareness about Indigenous Peoples through the media. Nicole’s career has taken her across North America and the United Kingdom writing, directing, producing and reporting on issues that encompass Indigenous communities. Her on-air work experiences include working with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), A-Channel, Global News, CTV as a reporter, video journalist, producer, anchor, associate producer and writer.