10 Oct

R2R20 – OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER – DR. LEROY LITTLE BEAR

Dr. LEROY LITTLE BEAR has himself become an institution. This veteran educator and renowned academic is the founder of the Native American Studies Department at the University of Lethbridge – where he served as Chair for 21 years – also went on to become the founding Director of Harvard University’s Native American Program. He has brought together Elders and Scientists in symposia in order to better connect knowledge and wisdom. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including the Officer Order of Canada, and the Alberta Order of Excellence. He’s co-authored three texts – Pathways to Self-Determination: Native Indian Leaders Perspectives on Self-Government, Quest for Justice: Aboriginal Rights in Canada, and, Governments in Conflict: Provinces and Indian Nations in Canada – and helped write Justice on Trial, the report of Alberta’s Task Force on the Criminal Justice System and Its Impacts on the Indian and Métis Peoples of Alberta. A member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Little Bear contributed to publications for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the area of criminal justice issues, did the same for the Assembly of First Nations on constitutional issues and has provided legal advice to numerous Aboriginal organizations on land claims, treaties and hunting and fishing rights. He is now recognized as one of the continent’s leaders in the advancement and acceptance of North American Indian philosophy.

We are indeed honoured to have Dr. Little Bear as our opening keynote speaker. In this unique time to have an Elder of his strength, depth of knowledge and good humour, it is a tremendous gift.