Colleen Cardinal is a Plains Cree from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, AB and she currently resides in Algonquin Territory. Colleen is an Indigenous adoptee of the 60’s scoop, daughter of a residential school survivor and has had two women murdered in her family. She organizes with Families of Sisters in Spirit (FSIS) based in Ottawa. She speaks publicly and candidly about murdered and missing Indigenous women and the impacts of the 60’s Scoop drawing critical connections between genocidal colonial policies and her lived experiences and those of women in her family. She believes that sharing her story is an important part of her healing journey in addition to raising awareness and building solidarity and understanding within Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Colleen is also a volunteer organizer for the Bi-Giwen Indigenous Adoptee Gathering 2014 and the upcoming Bi-Giwen IAG 2015

Sage Cree is Plains Cree youth from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta. He is a musician, songwriter and Youth Engagement Facilitator at the Youth Services Bureau (YSB) in downtown Ottawa. He works on a committee called the Art Messengers, which provides youth workshops, discussion groups, and art collaborations such as spoken-word and drumming. Sage is enrolled at Algonquin College with aspirations of working in the music industry. He is the son of Colleen Cardinal, father of Lily and uncle to Rosalie.

 

 

 

Elaine Kicknosway is Swampy Cree Originally from Northern Saskatchewan, Wolf clan. She is a member of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation. She is a singer / women’s traditional dancer / participant in ceremonies / Ongoing learner. She works at Minwaashin Lodge Aboriginal Women’s Support Centre as the Children and Youth Manager. The Centre Raises awareness That violence is not apart of our Culture (related to the intergenerational impacts from Residential Schools and Child Welfare).

 

 

 

 

Dr. Raven Sinclair s a member of Gordon First Nation of the Treaty #4 area of southern Saskatchewan. She is a Professor of Social Work at the University of Regina, and was previously on faculty with the First Nations University of Canada. Raven’s academic and research interests include Indigenous knowledge and research methodologies, the synthesis of traditional and contemporary healing theories and modalities, aboriginal cultural identity issues, adoption, colonial and decolonization theories, and mental health and wellness.

 

 

 

 

Duane Morrisseau-Beck is Métis from Winnipeg, Manitoba and has lived in Ottawa, Ontario since 1999. Since 1992 Duane has been involved in Aboriginal advocacy initiatives at the community and national level. His cultural background and focus on community collaboration has led him to a number of volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles. Duane is currently enrolled in the Honors Bachelor of Arts Program in Aboriginal Studies at the University of Ottawa and works full-time.  Duane is a survivor of the 60s scoop and repatriated with his Métis family in 1997.

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