USask and Gwich’in Tribal Council hosts two-day public symposium on Indigenous leadership, energy policy and arctic issues

SASKATOON – Members of the media are invited to join the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the Gwich’in Tribal Council for a two-day event showcasing speakers from across Canada regarding public policy and energy sovereignty in Indigenous communities. USask’s College of Arts and Science and the School of Environment and Sustainability are hosting 10 young adults and youth from Inuvik, Northwest Territories as well special guests from Gwich’in Tribal Council for a week-long immersive post-secondary experience.

The visit is sponsored by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.

Monday, May 6 (11 am – 4 pm) and Tuesday, May 7 (9 am – 4:30 pm)
Louis’ Loft, Memorial Union Building
93 Campus Drive
USask campus
Eventbrite

 

Special guest: Deputy Grand Chief and Vice-President of Gwich’in Tribal Council Jordan Peterson will be giving the keynote address on Monday, May 6. Gwich’in Tribal Council is a leader in Indigenous sovereignty and government, as well as visionaries in renewable leadership in Canada and internationally.

Spokesperson: Greg Poelzer, professor with SENS and lead of the Renewable Energy in Northern, Remote and Indigenous Communities Flagship Program, is available for interviews. He can be reached directly at 306-880-0965.


Event Agenda:

Monday, May 6

11 am: Opening remarks
11:05 am – noon: Ken Smith, Manager Corporate Affairs, BHP
1 – 2:30 pm: Keynote address by Jordan Peterson, Deputy Grand Chief/Vice-President, Gwich'in Tribal Council
3 pm - 4 pm: Dakota Norris, USask student, Indigenous Peoples in the global economy and e-commerce use in the North

 
Tuesday, May 7

9 am: Opening remarks
9:05 am - 10:15 am: Amy Amos, executive director, Gwich'in Renewable Resources Board, Inuvik, NWT
10:30 am - noon: Indigenous Leadership Panel

  • Bonita Beatty, Professor, Department of Indigenous Studies, College of Arts and Science, University of Saskatchewan
  • Guy Lonechild, chief executive officer, First Nations Power Authority
  • Jordan Peterson, deputy grand chief/vice-president, Gwich'in Tribal Council
  • Matt Vermette, chief executive officer, Northern Research Group
  • Dorothy Myo, senior director of policy and research, Métis Nation Saskatchewan   

1 - 2:15 pm: Renewable Energy and Community Engagement in Arctic Communities

  • Jenna Gall, community energy project manager, First Nations Power Authority; candidate, Master of Environment and Sustainability, SENS, USask.
  • Jarrett Merasty, educator; candidate, Master of Environment and Sustainability, SENS, USask.
  • Martin Boucher, faculty lecturer, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy; candidate, PhD in Environment and Sustainability, SENS, USask.

2:30 - 3:30 pm: Dominique Souris, co-founder and executive director, Youth Climate Lab, Ottawa, ON
3:30 - 4:30 pm: Jacqueline Ottmann, vice-provost Indigenous engagement, USask
4:30 pm: Closing prayer and remarks

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For more information, contact:

Meagan Hinther
Communications Specialist
School of Environment and Sustainability
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1019
c.306-222-2296
meagan.hinther@usask.ca