Intermediate Establishing Indigenous Institutions of Governance - Winter 2024

My name is (Naashkiiyaaskigek, Pizhiw Ododem) and I am a member of the Ojibways of Onigaming in northwestern Ontario. I was born in 1941 at Anishinaabe Park on the shores of Lake of the Woods and grew up in the traditional Anishinaabe way: summers were spent picking berries, fishing and harvesting wild rice, and winters were spent on the trap line. I was one of three girls in a family of twelve children. My childhood memories were later marred by my experiences at St. Mary’s Residential school, when I was taken from my parents, my siblings and my life that I loved. I now make my life in Calgary with my three sons and my four grandchildren. I am a retired teacher and graduate from the University of Calgary (1992). Today, I work in schools and communities sharing my lived experience and traditional knowledge. This work is important for our communities to heal and seek reconciliation.

Kory Wilson, BSc., LL.B, is Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach. Both nations help make up the Kwakwaka’wakw Nation, also known as the Kwak’wala speaking people. She is a Mother as well as a member of the We Wai Kai Nation. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. (BCIT)

Kory is a member of the BC Law Society with the majority of her practice in criminal defence and family law. Kory Wilson also founded the Right 2 Learn project. She has 20 years experience in post-secondary education and she has taught a wide variety of courses at various post-secondary institutions. Subjects include; Law, Aboriginal & Canadian Studies, Community Development, and Good Governance. 

Her passion and research is in ensuring success for Aboriginal Learners and other multi-barriered learners. She has a deep commitment to education within both the community and institutions. She has dedicated her working life to ensuring that Aboriginal learners and other marginalized learners succeed. 

Tim Raybould was educated at the University of Cambridge, receiving his PhD in 1993. His research centred on Aboriginal land rights and self-government. As an undergraduate Raybould became interested in aboriginal issues through his work with Survival International, a London-based charity supporting the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide.

After completing his PhD, Raybould was appointed the Chief Negotiator for the Westbank First Nation in Kelowna BC on the bilateral Westbank First Nation Self-Government Agreement. The Self-government agreement was concluded between Canada and Westbank on October 3rd 2003 and brought into law by the Westbank First Nation Self-government Act passed on May 6th 2004 which came into force on April 1st 2005. The Westbank Agreement is the first stand-alone self-government agreement under Canada’s inherent right of self-government policy. Raybould continues to work with Westbank on implementation issues, including the development of the numerous laws and agreements contemplated under the self-government package. He is currently the Chief Negotiator for Westbank First Nation for Treaty negotiations being concluded under the auspices of BCTC process.

Raybould has been involved in the successful additions of land to reserve as well as establishing property tax systems on reserves under section 83 of the Indian Act. He has represented First Nation employers in labour negotiations and advises on labour matters concerning First Nations.

Raybould currently advises the First Nations Finance Authority and was directly involved in the development of Bill C-20, The First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Management Act. The Act established four national First Nation Institutions that will provide services to First Nations’ government collecting property tax on their lands. Over the years Tim has provided advice to many First Nation communities and organisations including the Indian Taxation Advisory Board and the First Nations Land Management Board and the National Centre for First Nations Governance.