Digital Artwork by Tiffany T. Hill
Digital Artwork by Tiffany T. Hill
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Kiana is a proud Iskwew, daughter, creative thinker, wife, researcher, leader, unlearner, speaker,
curator and a lover of an exquisite cup of earl grey tea. Kiana is the Lead Executive Officer at
Raven Institute, Director at Indigenous LIFT Collective and Team Lead at Iskwew Air.
curator and a lover of an exquisite cup of earl grey tea. Kiana is the Lead Executive Officer at
Raven Institute, Director at Indigenous LIFT Collective and Team Lead at Iskwew Air.
In 2019, Kiana was named WXN's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in the Future
Leaders Category and Future of Good’s 2019 list of 21 Young Impact Leaders. Most recently,
Kiana completed her Masters degree in Leadership at Royal Roads University with distinction
for her thesis titled: A Journey to kiscâyâwin ᑭᐢᒑᔮᐃᐧᐣ: Belonging Within us, Around us and
Between us A Co-Created Exploration into Cultivating Collective Belonging for Young People her work was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal.
Leaders Category and Future of Good’s 2019 list of 21 Young Impact Leaders. Most recently,
Kiana completed her Masters degree in Leadership at Royal Roads University with distinction
for her thesis titled: A Journey to kiscâyâwin ᑭᐢᒑᔮᐃᐧᐣ: Belonging Within us, Around us and
Between us A Co-Created Exploration into Cultivating Collective Belonging for Young People her work was awarded the Governor General's Gold Medal.
Alexander-Hill is the hopeful one- fiercely in pursuit of ensuring all young people across the
lands know unwaveringly that they are leaders and that they belong. Embracing radical
curiosity and deep responsibility-she believes in what is possible when we co-create spaces of
collective belonging for current and future generations.
lands know unwaveringly that they are leaders and that they belong. Embracing radical
curiosity and deep responsibility-she believes in what is possible when we co-create spaces of
collective belonging for current and future generations.
Kiana Alexander Hill (she/her)
speakers
speakers
Courtney is a proud Lenape, person of Delaware Nation (Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit), Turtle Clan from the Hopkins family. She is a first-generation university graduate, an intergenerational cycle-breaker, traveler, thrill seeker, and an unapologetic dreamer. As an intuitive urban Indigenous woman, Courtney shares a deep-rooted passion for strengthening the voices of her community and has been involved in many initiatives that foster unity and pride of Indigenous culture. She is a certified Gladue Report Writer, Program Coordinator, Career Coach and Youth Mentor.
Courtney’s story reminds us how powerful it is to reclaim who we are as caretakers of the beautiful lands we call home. While standing in her truth, she honours moving forward in a good way, with authenticity. Courtney’s journey is one of reconnection to her Indigenous kinship, embracing her culture, and most importantly taking pride in her Indigenous identity. As an emerging leader, Courtney consistently brings forth positivity, love and dedication to being the person she needed when she was younger, sharing “we are the resilient voices that continue to bring strength to carry on for the next seven generations”. She hopes to inspire, uplift, and reminds us to always dream big.
Courtney Copoc-Hopkins
Talk: Coming Home
Dakota Williams
Talk: From the Concrete Jungle to the Ancestral Mountains
Dakota is a son, a grandson, a big brother, a nephew, and a role model to many Indigenous youths. Williams is a proud urban Indigenous youth that was raised on the traditional lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh. Having lived experience being at risk to homelessness in the city, he uses his time to help fight youth homelessness throughout BC. Now residing in Whistler as a Peer Support Worker for Zero Ceiling and Snowboard coach at the Indigenous Life Sport Academy. He spends most of his free time outdoors reconnecting with nature knowing that is where he belongs.
Knowing how important it is to hear from Indigenous youth as they will be the ones to lead future generations to healing. He has chosen to emerge through RavenSPEAK during these hard times of the global pandemic that we are all going through. To emerge is to come out to the public and acknowledge the story that is being told to us.
Carey Wahobin is a Nakon (Nakota), Néhiyaw (Cree) man from Mosquito Grizzly Bears Head Lean Man First Nation. People also know Carey as Wâseskwan (Sunny in Cree). He resides on his traditional Treaty 6 and 4 territory, also resides on his other Traditional lands in Waterhen Lake First Nation. Wâseskwan is the first Jr Chief of Mosquito Grizzly Bears Head Lean Man First Nation and an advocate for Indigenous Rights, MMIWG movement, Gender Equality and the LGBTQ2S+ community. He is actively speaking and raising awareness about reconciliation in his community, while dismantling racism and discrimination by educating people about the outcomes of residential school, colonialism, genocide and prejudices. During his free time. Wâseskwan enjoys singing, acting, talking about politics, watching Netflix, makeup, playing volleyball and honing his creativity through drawing.
Carey is currently in grade 12 and will be graduating this year, hoping to enroll into the University of Saskatchewan for his Masters Degree in teaching so he can be a Professor in Indigenous Studies.
Carey believes that RavenSPEAK Emerge means coming together to tell our powerful stories so we can make society more well-aware and a better place. It’s very important to hear our Indigenous Youth’s voices because we are the future and we will be the ones to break barriers, to heal, and make change in our society.
Carey Wahobin
Talk: âstepayiw (he/she is healed)
Sentilla Bubb
Talk: Two Worlds
Sentilla is a 24-year-old Afro-Indigenous woman from the Black Diaspora of Grenada, West Indies, and the Metis community of St-Pierre Jolys, she is from Treaty 1 Territory the heart and the homeland of the Metis Nation currently living, learning, and unlearning on Treaty 4 Territory.
Sentilla’s journey growing up as the only afro-indigenous woman in the education system, navigating constant barriers, has shaped how she grappled with her identity and the struggles to embrace the beauty in her cultures. Through this experience, Sentilla went on to become a first-generation University Graduate and an emerging educator learning, growing, and creating safe equitable spaces for BIPOC within education and is a recent graduate from University of Regina and as well as from St. Lawrence College. Today, she proudly teaches grade 6/7.
In 2019, Sentilla received the Full Circle for Indigenous Education – Our Young Leaders award for her emerging leadership and commitment to the continuation of Indigenous education initiatives. In addition, she was named the youngest Manitoba Hero honoree in 2019 for her dedication and determination in breaking barriers within educational and institutional settings with youth and youth in Care.
With Indigenous youth being the fastest growing demographic in Canada, Sentilla believes that hearing the perspectives and lived experiences of Indigenous youth will create safe spaces for future generations as Indigenous youth are powerful beings and are the future throughout these lands/territories.
Sentilla's story will speak to what it means for her to live in two worlds, generational trauma and its impacts and what she hopes to teach her future children.
Ally Freedman is a sixth-generation Métis woman with roots in Northern Saskatchewan/Manitoba. She is also the proud descendant of Italian and Jewish immigrants. Ally is actively in the process of learning how to honour and acknowledge all parts of her identity, including her mixed heritage and the complicated relationship each part has had with the systemic and institutionalized racism, colonialism, and sexism both in Canada and abroad.
She has a BA (Hons.) in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Carleton University. And she is currently pursuing a Masters in Native Studies at the University of Manitoba with her research focusing on Métis culture and identity.
She is a passionate defender of Aboriginal/Indigenous rights and equality for all peoples. Ally has contributed in many aspects to promote diversity and inclusion for women, Indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups in politics and society. She is a powerful young woman who uses her voice to amplify the voices that are far too often ignored, especially the voices of Indigenous women.
Throughout her many endeavours - she strives to make the world a better place. Ally is always looking for ways in which she can use her skills, knowledge, and privilege to speak out for injustices of anyone and everyone. She is hopeful for a future where she can be a voice for the Métis, as well as share her story of growing up with a diverse background influenced by both the beauty and pain of her heritage.
Ally Freedman
Talk: I Know You Are, But What Am I?
Ricky-Lee Watts
Ricky-Lee Watts is Hupačasath Nuučaan̓uł on his mother’s side, and his father’s ancestry is a mystery. Receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree with a focus in Psychology from the University of Victoria, Ricky-Lee is a confident communicator, who leads with determination, curiosity, compassion, humility, and gratitude. Embracing many meaningful experiences working with Indigenous Communities, Universities, Government, a growing involvement in entrepreneurship, public speaking, traveling, and leadership; he continues to engage in a life of interconnectedness that is purpose-driven.
Passionately, Ricky-Lee has a strong desire to connect with people to enhance their opportunities for learning, motivation, and exploring one’s purpose. He supports embracing self-empowerment through a trauma informed and strengths-based lens, allowing people to find beauty within their community, within themselves, and in the world around them.
Most of all, he loves to connect with people; inspiring them to embrace their power, and to be a role model to younger generations.
Talk: Believe in Beauty
Tressa Beaulieu (she/her) is a 28-year-old Métis woman who is a lifelong learner with Oji-Cree ancestral ties to Lake St. Ann, now known as Lake Nipigon. Tressa currently resides as a guest on Treaty 1 territory, also known as Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Tressa moves through this colonial world by valuing honesty, authenticity, and stands in her ancestor’s strength and freedom, who fought hard so she could feel proud to be who she is today. She’s transformed a lifelong passion of working with horses into a unique, culturally safe, business called ‘Red Horse Connection’. This business combines her passions of food sovereignty initiatives, land-based education, and horses to empower others.
Tressa strives for connection in all things, within herself, with others and most of all with her community to offer Indigenous-led safe spaces that promote learning and healing. Her talk will take you on a journey of losing, fostering and finding connection throughout the 28 years she has lived on mother earth.
Tressa Beaulieu
Lori Abraham
Lori Abraham is an Ojibway woman from Sagkeeng First Nation in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Lori is passionate about creating community and working with the vulnerable and unhoused population within the Winnipeg Urban area.
She is a strong community leader in helping those find their way back to their Indigenous Identity and healing through trauma. Lori works with P.W.L.P.W.U.S and Strength in the Circle in harm reduction and men's wellness. Lori continues to advocate and stand up for the rights of our houseless Indigenous relatives and is currently working towards reconciliation within the United and Anglican Churches of Canada.
Talk: Finding Place in Displacement
Talk: Re-Rooted
Leo (he/him) is a 29 year old Carrier-Sekani proud Indigenous man. He was born into the Nak’azdli Whut’en nation but was raised non-traditionally on Syilx territory most of his life. He is a son, brother, uncle, and passionate about inclusion, the MMIW movement and LGBTQ2S+ rights.
Leo continues to learn more about himself and discover all his beautiful facets with a guided direction of enthusiasm for bridging the divides. The divides between gender equality, gender identity, and Indigenous rights, within the workplace and world around us. Having not had the opportunity in the past to experience and see Indigenous people or Two Spirit people existing (or succeeding) in the workplace and often having looked through a colonial lens, Leo now strives to be the role model that he didn’t have growing up; breaking down barriers and having the conversations that begin to decolonize and reshape outlooks.
Sustained by endless cups of coffee in a day, Leo is continuing to learn more about leadership, Indigenous ways of being, and cultivating community within the younger Indigiqueer community while trying to convince himself to not rescue anymore dogs.
Leo Isaac
Talk: Living Loud
My name is Robyn Soulier-Ritchot and am an Indigenous woman with métis decent from treaty 1 one territory, my hometown is Cranberry Portage and my City is Winnipeg, MB.
I am a compassionate, strong, gentle, innovative, always evolving spirit. I am my grandmothers’ prayers. I am a woman with a dream and voice that deserves to be heard, a mother to be and a loving partner and proud daughter and granddaughter.
I am a current college student in Social Enterprise and thrive to help work towards a better tomorrow for my community and my people. I am transitioning through this healing journey I call my life and I continue to fall in love and admire the person I am becoming each and every day. I envision a future where my son will be proud of who he is and is fully enriched in his culture and knowledgeable of his background, he is my proudest creation and my greatest inspiration.
This is my RavenSPEAK. Welcome.
Kinanaskomitin
(Thank You)
Jacey Firth-Hagen
Tsuk Tsal (Jacey Firth-Hagen) is proudly Gwich'in from Inuvik, Northwest Territories. She is the Founder of the digital language revitalization activism initiative Gwich'in Language Revival Campaign #SpeakGwichinToMe and the Co-Founder and Project Coordinator at the Western Arctic Youth Collective. She is passionate about language, culture, the land, community, and organizing. She is very grateful to be a part of this year's beautiful cohort.
Robyn Soulier-Ritchot
Talk: A New Legacy
Talk: Gwiizhii (Knowledge)
RavenSPEAK emerge is partnering with Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world.
The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org