Decolonizing Leadership: Inspiring Speakers Video Resources

On September 30, 2023, we mark the third annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in this land now known as Canada. 

In the days leading up to September 30th, the School of Leadership Studies (SLS) will be posting a series of blogs with resources to support ongoing learning in pursuit of truth, justice, decolonizaton, and reconciliACTION.

Here we share videos by four inspiring speakers: Carey Newman, Harmony Johnson, Melanie Goodchild, and Harley Eagle.

1. Convocation address by Dr Carey Newman

On June 9, 2023, master carver, public speaker, filmmaker, artist, and scholar, Hayalthkin’geme – Carey Newman, was awarded The Doctor of Laws, honoris causa at Royal Roads University.  In his convocation address, he explored the topics of seeding change through the arts and making something bigger than ourselves. He shared examples of how his creative work promotes decolonization and reconciliation through responsibility to the past, present and future; living in good relationship with the land, air, water, spirit world, and everything in them; and working and speaking together in ways that embody the land, the self, and one another.

Watch the recording here: https://youtu.be/REOAKUUj99U

The next three videos come from the Decolonizing Leadership Webinar Series, which ran from May 26 to June 20, 2022. It explored important leadership topics from Indigenous perspectives. The series sought to deepen relationships with Indigenous knowledge and ways of being and doing and encourage all leaders to consider how we can transform our leadership practices.

2. Exploring the In Plain Sight report and the Implications for Health Leadership with Harmony Johnson

Harmony reflected on the In Plain Sight Report: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care nearly two years since its release. She explored key meta-findings from the report and consider the implications for human beings and leaders working in the health sector. Although the In Plain Sight Report focuses on the B.C. health care system, the lessons shared are relevant and applicable for all leaders working in Canada.

May 26, 2022
Graphic recording by: Michelle Buchholz
Watch the recording here

3. Relational Systems Thinking with Melanie Goodchild 

Over the past few decades, Systems Theory, Systems Thinking, Systems Change, and so on have become popular topics in the field of Leadership Studies. However, many of the underlying principles derived from ancient wisdom from Indigenous cultures worldwide. Drawing upon her 2021 and 2022 articles on Relational Systems Thinking, as well as her doctoral work engaging in conversations with Haudenosaunee Elders and Western systems thinkers, Melanie identified doorways to healing, transformation, and spiritual understanding.

May 31, 2022 
Graphic recording by: Nigit'stil Norbert
Watch the recording here

4. A Trauma-Informed Approach to Cultural Safety with Harley Eagle 

This webinar explored Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) through a trauma-informed lens. Harley offered foundational understandings and insights into: 

• Indigenous Cultural Safety, including a description of trauma and a cultural safety learning journey.
• The colonial history of Canada from Indigenous perspectives. 
• Systemic Racism and its connection to colonization. 
• Actions to address systemic racism at the personal, intra-personal, classroom, and institutional levels.

This webinar was influenced by several discussions between Harley and the School of Leadership Studies, as well trainings he conducted at RRU in 2021 and 2022. 

June 20, 2022 
Graphic recorder: Mo Dawson
Watch the recording here

The Decolonizing Leadership series was funded by the Exploring New Ways Funding stream which supports curriculum innovations to increase Indigeneity and understanding. 

Graphic recording was funded by a BC Ministry of Health Institutional Grant.

The series was brought to you by the School of Leadership Studies, Master of Arts in Leadership, Health Specialization. We would also like to express our gratitude to Russell Johnston, Asma-na-hi Antoine, and Candice Cook as well as members of the Heron Peoples Circle for their ongoing leadership, guidance, and support.