Join us virtually on Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST), for “My Privilege, My Responsibility: A Higher Calling To Do Better in an Era of Truth, Reconciliation & Redress with Sheila North“. In this sixth session of the Indigenous Speaker Series, we will learn about the activism of Sheila North who has been working tirelessly to bring urgent attention to systemic racism faced by Indigenous women and girls. She is the creator of the widely used hashtag #MMIW – a movement that advocates for the end of violence against First Nations/ Indigenous women and girls. This important conversation with Sheila North will bring to light some of the things and actions that we need to think about as we continue to reckon with the many truths and injustices committed against Indigenous – First Nations, Inuit, Métis – girls, women, peoples, and communities.
Join us virtually on Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST), for “My Privilege, My Responsibility: A Higher Calling To Do Better in an Era of Truth, Reconciliation & Redress with Sheila North” This virtual event is presented by the Indigenous Speakers Series.
Sheila North, Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (2015), CBC Journalist and Anchor, Proud Mother and Grandmother, Activist, Author, Director & Community Leader
A member of Bunibonibee Cree Nation (also known as Oxford House), Sheila North is the former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) 2015 to 2018 and achieved her lifelong goal of becoming a journalist/storyteller and worked in the media industry for 15 years. She is recognized for her efforts building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities during with her work in and with media and during her time as the MKO Grand Chief.
Most recently, Sheila was an anchor and journalist at CBC Manitoba. Formerly, she was the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Legacy Bowes and Political Commentator for CTV Network. Prior to becoming the Grand Chief of MKO, Sheila North worked as a journalist for CBC for seven years (2005 to 2012). She has also been an entrepreneur, a Cree translator, an economic development officer, a radio personality, a Chief Communication Officer at the Assembly for Manitoba Chiefs, and as a correspondent with CTV News until being elected as MKO Grand Chief in September 2015.
One of Sheila’s passions is working with Indigenous and non- Indigenous communities to raise awareness about the national tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) and is the original creator of the commonly used hashtag, #MMIW. She continues to work closely with families, friends and Indigenous and non- Indigenous leaders to address the issue of violence against Indigenous women that has resulted in the current crisis. She has succeeded in engaging people in responding to the critical issue of MMIW through a variety of means, including her most recent project —a documentary she co-produced with Leonard Yakir titled “1200+” that highlights some of the systemic issues that place Indigenous women at greater risk for violence and sexual exploitation. With assistance from the Canadian Women Foundation, Sheila also commissioned a curriculum on MMIW that pairs with the film, 1200+.
Sheila comes from proud and big family, is a mother of two and a Kookom of one.
Moderator
- Derek K Thompson – Thlaapkiituup, Indigenous Advisor
Description
Sheila North has been working tirelessly to bring urgent attention to systemic racism faced by Indigenous women and girls. She is the creator of the widely used hashtag #MMIW – a movement that advocates for the end of violence against First Nations/Indigenous women and girls.
Indigenous – First Nations, Inuit, Métis – women and girls face overwhelming circumstances in the areas of violence, poverty, lack of education, and within all of the historical context of racism against First Nations people and communities. The adverse experiences of First Nations women and girls in this country is unparalleled. There is no other segment of Canadian or Indigenous societies that are simultaneously trying to come to terms with the past and find a way forward than those faced by Indigenous – First Nations, Inuit, Métis – women and girls.
In 2021 she published her memoir – My Privilege, My Responsibility – to critical acclaim for her openness, insight and a roadmap for all of us to consider how to best come to terms with our relationship with Indigenous peoples and communities. Her memoir chronicles an achievement of the human spirit over the will to not settle for mediocrity, but to persevere with a resolve to set things right for all women and girls in our homes and communities. Her hope is for all of us to consider our own privilege and to answer the call to make this our responsibility and to live in the best way we can for a better future for all of us – as Indigenous peoples and as Canadians.
In an era of telling the truth and reconciling for the future there’s an urgency to find ways to uplift all of the girls and women in our communities. Every word, every action, every gesture, every utterance, and every energy must be an effort to uplift the girls and women in our homes and communities. This important conversation with Sheila North will bring to light some of the things and actions that we need to think about as we continue to reckon with the many truths and injustices committed against Indigenous – First Nations, Inuit, Métis – girls, women, peoples, and communities.
Topic: My Privilege, My Responsibility: A Higher Calling To Do Better in an Era of Truth, Reconciliation & Redress with Sheila North
Date: Wednesday, February 15th, 2022
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm PST
What Will I Learn?
You will learn about the unique perspectives of how to best approach the work in relation to the processes of Truth and Reconciliation.
Continue Learning
“The time to make things happen is now. The time to seek out our individual and shared power is now.”
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