Presentations

Dr. Stewart Hill shares a powerful and personal story of resilience, identity, and transformation. Growing up in a Cree community, he struggled with the colonial education system that instilled disconnection from his culture. Despite this challenge, he pursued both traditional and formal education, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s in Natural Resource Management. After a period of hardship, he began a PhD focused on Indigenous water issues, supported by mentors and community. Throughout his academic journey, he faced personal losses but found strength in cultural practices, and community supports. Completing his PhD in 2021, he emphasizes that education—both institutional and traditional—is a lifelong tool for empowerment. Dr. Hill concludes by affirming Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination as inherent rights granted by the Creator, not by colonial systems.

The presentation, Pathways to Partnerships with Taylor Galvin, examines how meaningful and equitable collaborations can be built between communities, organizations, and allies. Taylor highlights the central importance of community‑driven priorities, particularly those of Indigenous groups and emphasizes that trust, reciprocity, and shared long‑term goals are essential foundations for successful partnership work. She underscores the vital role of Indigenous leadership in guiding collaborative efforts, ensuring that relationships honour sovereignty, cultural knowledge, and lived experience. Taylor’s insights illustrate how partnerships can move beyond symbolic gestures to become transformative relationships that address systemic inequities and strengthen collective well‑being.