#365 Indigenous

For National Indigenous Peoples Day, RAVEN is highlighting 365 Indigenous People to watch. 

We’ve come up with a list of 100 amazing people, including 9 trailblazing Indigenous lawyers - see profiles below.  

#365 Indigenous: Louis Riel doesn’t need exoneration. Canada does. 

For some of the country, February 21 is Family Day - offering a much needed long-weekend for folks in the middle of the darkest winter.  ...
Digital illustration of John Velten. Text reads "#365Indigenous John Velten"

#365 Indigenous: John Velten

John Velten is a mixed Dene-European multi-disciplinary artist whose art-making is rooted in mentorship and community. As a kid, John never saw himself becoming an ...
A digital illustration of DJ O Show with text that reads #365 Indigenous DJ O Show

#365 Indigenous: DJ O Show

DJ O Show is an Afro-Indigenous DJ, youth mentor, and proud member of the Squamish Nation. Her enthusiasm for the work she does is evident ...

#365indigenous: Murray Sinclair

Murray Sinclair’s Ojibway name Mizanay Gheezhik:  "The One Who Speaks of Pictures in the Sky.” He grew up  on the former St. Peter's Indian Reserve ...

#365Indigenous: Jody Wilson Raybould – Puglaas

Jody Wilson Raybould is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation and a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples who are part ...

#365 Indigenous: John Borrows

Dr. John Borrows is Anishinaabe/Ojibway and a member of the Chippewa of the Nawash First Nation in Ontario, Canada.​​​  Borrows credits his mother with teaching ...

#365 Indigenous: Ardith (Walpetko We’dalx) Walkem

Ardith Walkem is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation and grew up in Spence’s Bridge, Salmon Arm and Chilliwack.  A formidable force for justice, Walkem ...
Digital Illustration of Adam Beach with text that reads "#365 Indigenous: Adam Beach"

#365 Indigenous: Adam Beach

Adam Beach is an actor and activist from the Saulteaux First Nation. He may be recognized for his role as Victor Joseph in Smoke Signals, ...
digital illustration of Buffy-Sainte Marie. With text that reads "Buffy Sainte-Marie. #365 Indigneous"

#365 Indigenous: Buffy Sainte-Marie

It’s should come as no surprise that Buffy Sainte-Marie, Cree singer-songwriter-activist-icon, be celebrated on RAVEN’s #365 Indigenous series.  With a life dedicated to Indigenous sovereignty ...
Digital illustration of Julie Flett. Text reads "#365Indigenous, Julie Flett"

#365 Indigenous: Julie Flett

Cree-Métis illustrator and author, Julie Flett, is a staple on any kid’s bookshelf. Flett’s distinct style brings spirit to the stories of Indigenous youth.  Known ...

#365 Indigenous: Terri-Lynn(Lalaxaaygans) Williams-Davidson

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson (Gid7ahl-Gudsllaay Lalaxaaygans) is a Haida musician, author, activist, artist, and lawyer who has dedicated herself to the continuation of Haida language and culture. ...

#365indigenous: Marion Buller

Marion Buller is a Cree woman and member of Mistawasis First Nation in Saskatchewan.  Buller was the first female Indigenous judge appointed to the British ...

#365 Indigenous: Delia Opekokew

Cree lawyer and writer Delia Opekokew is from Canoe Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. A residential school survivor, she blazed a trail as the ...

#365 Indigenous: Pam Palmater

Dr. Pamela D. Palmater is a Mi’kmaw citizen and member of the Eel River Bar First Nation in northern New Brunswick.  A practicing lawyer for ...

Truth Before Reconciliation: Wenecwtsin Wayne Christian

Wenecwtsin Wayne M. Christian is of Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan ancestry and remains rooted in the culture, principles, and laws of his Nation. Here, Speaking ...

#365 Indigenous: Honouring Lee Maracle (1950-2021)

Lee Maracle, a giant of Indigenous scholarship, poet and writer, mentor, activist, and Stó:lō matriarch, is dead at 71.  Writing in the Globe and Mail, ...
Digital Illustration of Tanya Tagaq. Text reads "Tanya Tagaq #365 Indigneous

#365 Indigenous: Tanya Tagaq

Tanya Tagaq is an Inuk throat singer, composer, visual artist, advocate, writer and public speaker from Ikaluktutiak (Cambridge Bay, Nunavut). Tagaq is decolonizing the status ...

#365 Indigenous : Freda Huson, A Stronghold for her People

Freda Huson was awarded the "Right Livelihood" award — known as the alternative Nobel — "For her fearless dedication to reclaiming her people’s culture and defending their ...

#365indigenous: Amazing leaders to learn from

Kiley May, part of the Hotinonhshón:ni confederacy, Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) nation, and belongs to the Turtle Clan. She's from Six Nations of the Grand River territory and now rooted in Aterón: to (Toronto) - a city-minded Rez Girl at heart.

Nina Wilson - co-founder of Idle No More

Sylvia McAdam - co-founder of Idle No More

Jessica Gordon - co-founder of Idle No More

Sheelah McLean - co-founder of Idle No More

Cindy Blackstock - Gitxsan Nation,Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s School of Social Work.

Jeska Slater - Graphic Facilitator serving Turtle Island and Indigenous Social Innovation Coordinator @skookum_lab

Harry Daniels

Marie Clements, Metis. Filmmaker and theatre producer (the Road Forward, Red Snow). 

Richard Wagamese, author, Indian Horse, Medicine Wheels. 

Roy Henry Vickers, Tsimshian, Haida and Heiltsuk artist

Jody Wilson Raybould, lawyer, former Attorney General & Independent Member of House of Commons

Val Napoleon, co-founder, Joint Indigenous -Common law degree program, University of Victoria

Ryan McMahonAnishinaabe comedian, podcaster and host of RAVEN's "Home on Native Land" education series. 

Cherie Dimaline: Founder and organizer of the annual Indigenous Writers' Gathering, as well as the founding editor of FNV Magazine and Muskrat Magazine. 

Clayton Thomas Muller: member of the Treaty #6 based Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. ‘Stop It At The Source’ Campaigner with 350.org as well as a founder and organizer with Defenders of the Land.

Eriel Deranger, Dënesųłiné woman (ts'ékui), member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and founder of Indigenous Climate Action. 

Jesse Cockney: Inuvialuk cross-country skier who competed for Canada at both the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics.

Autumn Peltier, Wiikwemkoong First Nation,is a  water activist and she advocates for clean drinking in First Nations communities and across Mother Earth.

Ta'kaiya Blaney is a singer , actress, and environmental activist from the Tla A'min Nation in British Columbia.

 

Chris Derksen is a two-spirit Juno Award–nominated Cree cellist from Northern Alberta, Canada. 

Thelma Chalifoux - Metis. was the first Indigenous woman and the first Métis person to be appointed to the Canadian Senate.founded the Michif Cultural Institute

Dr. Nadine Caron, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation. Canada's first female First Nations general surgeon, faculty member UBC Faculty of Medicine and is leading an innovative biobank project.

Dr. Stanley Vollant,  first Innu surgeon in Quebec walked 6,000 km to bring Indigenous peoples together and foster cross-cultural understanding in Canada.

Naiomi Metallic: assistant professor and holder of the Chancellor’s Chair in Aboriginal Law and Policy, Dalhousie University. Mi’kmaq, from Listuguj Mi’gmaq First Nation, Quebec.

Shirley Williams/Migizi ow-kwe - elder and professor emeritus, Nishnaabemowin language, Indigenous studies, Trent University. Odawa-Ojibway, from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

Hayden King: is Anishinaabe from Beausoleil First Nation on Gchi'mnissing, in Huronia Ontario. Executive Director of Yellowhead Institute

Denise Williams - First Nations Technology Council Chief Executive Officer

Catherine Anne Martin - Blind Bay, N.S.- award-winning documentaries and for her commitment to promoting education among the members of the Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Innu and Inuit communities, particularly women and youth.

Michel Noël - Saint-Damien, Que. For his promotion of Indigenous culture as a writer and government official, and for his work to improve cultural exchange in Canada.

Andrew Qappik - Pangnirtung, Nunavut - master printmaker and sculptor.

Judith Sayers - Hupachasath, Port Alberni, B.C. - clean energy projects in her community and for her role as a champion of sustainable development in Indigenous communities.

Calvin A. White - Flat Bay, N.L.- sustained leadership and mentorship within the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation.

 

Robert Joseph: Kwakwaka’wakw Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada and a member of the National Assembly of First Nations Elders Council.

Ernest Alfred,
Namgis teacher at Alert Bay School, hereditary chief & leader of a movement to stop fish farming in his territory.


Dini Ze Smogelgem: 
Hereditary Chief from the Fireweed Clan of the Wet'suwet'en People actively working to keep his territory clear of fracked gas infrastructure.

Richard Wright, Luutkudziiwus wilp member, fierce defender of Gitxsan land and lifeways

Beau Dick, Walas Gwa’yam was a Kwakwaka’wakw (Musgamakw Dzawada’enuxw First Nation) artist and activist who was acclaimed as one of the Northwest Coast’s most versatile and talented carvers. 

Lianne Charlie, Tagé Cho Hudän (Big River People), of the Yukon; mother, artist and Political Science instructor at Yukon College in Whitehorse, Yukon

Shoshona Ray - Anishinaabe, Indigenous Music Summit founder and front woman of the band Digging Roots. 


Dakota Bear Sasakatchewan born Indigenous Hip Hop artist & producer, founder of Decolonial clothing. 


Jerry Whitehead
painter of Cree descent who paints rich surreal ceremonial pow wow scenes. 


Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, activist and leader of UBCIC involved in the defence of Aboriginal Title and Rights by readily offering support to Native communities in need. 

Brian Jungen, Dane-zaa sculptor and installation artist. 

Molly Wickam Sleydo', Gidimt'en Clan member, spokesperson for Wet' suwet'en Nation members and their allies. 

Eden Robinson, Haisla and Heiltsuk author of "Trickster" series. 

Helen Knott, Dane Zaa & Cree, MA student, facilitator/speaker, author of “In My Own Moccasins” memoir. 

Michelle Lorna Nahanee -  Founder or  Nahanee Creative: teaching decolonizing practices.

Doreen Spence - Cree Elder advocating for peace and Indigenous peoples' human rights.

Waubageshig Harvey Andrew McCue of Georgina Island First Nation: contributions to the health and well-being of Indigenous youth in Canada and leadership in education.

Lee Maracle author of the  novels Ravensong and Celia's Song.

 

Now it’s your turn: name someone who is a legend in your life and tell us why. Let’s get to know and honour amazing Indigenous People:  today and everyday: post on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #365indigenous and we'll collect your stories here!