Speakers Bureau
Annie Battiste
Named after her maternal grandmother, Annie Battiste, is a proud Mi’kmaw woman and member of Potlotek First Nation situated in Unama’ki (Cape Breton, Nova Scotia). She is a certified teacher, holding a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree (Educational Foundations) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Her work as a Reconciliation Consultant in anti-racism, treaty education, and Indigenous education has been mostly within educational institutions and non-profits.
She is committed to social justice and improving treaty relationships within Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations through deep reflection on their historical roots of Canada and its possibilities for new directions in empowerment of diverse groups and peoples.
Annie is available for virtual sessions only
Topics:
The Treaties: Treaty Relationship, Treaty Responsibilities
The Indian Act: History of the Indian Act, Negative Implications, Indian Residential Schools, Current Issues
Positive Race Relations: Multi-Cultural inclusivity
Treaty Implementation: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Principles of Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action
Aaron Tootoosis
Aaron Tootoosis is Plains Cree from the Poundmaker Indian Reserve in Treaty 6 Territory.
University and traditionally educated, he shares his expertise on current Indigenous issues through several speaking engagements throughout Saskatchewan and through his involvement with boards and committees. His ceremonial grounding guides him in how he communicates and builds relationships with people.
A father of three, he makes is home on the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation in Treaty 4 Territory with his wife of 22 years.
Speaker Topics:
The Treaties: Treaty History, Treaty Relationship, Treaty Responsibilities, Spirit and Intent of Treaty, Treaty Land Entitlement
The Indian Act: History of the Indian Act, Negative Implications, Indian Residential Schools, Current Issues
Indigenous Culture: Worldview, Language Systems, Tribal/Nation Systems, Pre-Contact History, Colonial Decimation of Culture, Cultural Resilience
Treaty Implementation: United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Principles of Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, Resilience and Revitalization, Honoring Treaty Promises
*singer, drummer, storyteller