PROGRAM

This session brings together some of Fulbright Canada’s Honouring Nations award recipients alongside distinguished Indigenous leaders, practitioners, scholars, and partners to explore the principles and practices of successful Indigenous nation building. Building on more than three decades of research and practice by the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, Fulbright Canada’s Honouring Nations initiative was developed in partnership with the Harvard Project to recognize and celebrate excellence in Indigenous governance and nation building within Canada’s unique constitutional, legal, and cultural context. The conversation is grounded in the understanding that lasting progress is achieved when Indigenous Nations exercise genuine self-determination, build capable and culturally legitimate institutions, cultivate principled leadership, and draw strength from Indigenous laws, knowledge systems, languages, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

While every Nation’s journey is unique, the discussion will also recognize the important role of Indigenous Nations, Indigenous-led organizations, programs, and initiatives that are driving meaningful change. Together, these experiences will illuminate the shared principles that underpin strong governance, institution building, economic development, resilience, and community well-being, while demonstrating how Indigenous-led development offers practical models for sustainable, scalable, and inclusive change. The conversation will also explore the importance of forging respectful and enduring partnerships among Indigenous Nations, Indigenous-led organizations, governments, philanthropy, business, academia, and civil society to advance shared goals. Rather than simply celebrating individual achievements, the roundtable will examine what Indigenous Nations, Indigenous-led organizations, programs, and initiatives can teach governments, philanthropy, business, academia, and civil society about creating the conditions in which Indigenous Peoples, and ultimately all communities, can flourish.

Featuring:

Matt Vickers
Co-Chair, Honouring Nations Canada

Clint Davis
CEO, Cedar Leaf Capital

Symone Marshall
Membertou Nation

Kelly Lendsay
CEO, Indigenous Works and the Luminary Network

Jeff Cyr
Raven Indigenous Outcome

Wahiakatste Diome Deer
Raven Indigenous Outcome

Diane Redsky
Shoal Lake 40 First Nation

Christine Smith Martin
Coast Funds – Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence

Dallas Smith
Coast Funds – Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence

Stella Lameboy
Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (Quebec)

Doug Hyland
Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Co-moderators: 

Robin McLay
Executive Director, Fulbright Canada Honouring Nations

Darcy Gray
Executive Director, Centre for First Nations Governance