Land Acknowledgment
Fulbright Canada acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional unceded territories of the Algonquin Anishinabe People and the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
We also acknowledge that our work spans the territories of many Indigenous communities and recognize that they have guarded and nurtured the land for millennia.
Fulbright Canada remains committed to doing everything in our power to recognize, support, and amplify Indigenous communities and Indigenous ways of knowing.
About the Program
Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed, Honouring Nations Canada is a new initiative of Fulbright Canada that has been established to recognize, celebrate, and share stories of Indigenous achievement and promote and encourage opportunities for Indigenous persons. The program will create national awards that recognize exceptional achievement, and underwrite case studies of Indigenous issues and Indigenous economic development.
Initiatives
Program Director
Honouring Nations Canada is directed by Robin McLay who has had a long history of supporting Indigenous access to higher education through his association with Fulbright Canada, Harvard University’s Native American Program and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. In addition to his role as Director of Honouring Nations Canada, he serves as Special Advisor to the President and CEO of Fulbright Canada and Regional Director of Fulbright Canada West.
Robin McLay
Director, Honouring Nations Canada
Regional Director, Fulbright Canada West & Special Advisor to the President and CEO
Robin McLay has had a long history of supporting Indigenous access to higher education through his association with Fulbright and Harvard University’s Native American Program. Before taking on the role with Fulbright Canada, Robin was the Senior Advisor to the President of Vancouver Island University. Before returning home to British Columbia, Robin served as the Head of Research and Strategy at The MasterCard Foundation – a foundation that continues to support Indigenous access to higher education in partnership with many Canadian universities. Prior to that role, Robin was the Executive Director of McGill University’s Institute for the Study of International Development. He also worked for more than a decade at Canada's International Development Agency (CIDA) as its Director of Research and Director of Democratic Institutions and Conflict. As part of his responsibilities at CIDA he represented the Agency’s participation at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples and managed its Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program. Robin also worked at Harvard University as the Executive Director of the Harvard University Native American and still works closely with the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development as a Research Associate.
Robin pursued his graduate studies at Harvard’s Kennedy School as a Fulbright Scholar. He also holds a Master’s of Science degree from the London School of Economics and a BA from McGill University. He remains actively involved in his family’s Indigenous art business and is proud member of the Métis community in British Columbia with strong Métis roots in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Circle of Advisors
The work of Honouring Nations Canada will be guided by a Circle of Indigenous Advisors representing culturally based initiatives from across all parts of the country.
Regional Chief Kluane Adamek
Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief
Chief Adamek belongs to the Dakl’aweidi (Killerwhale) Clan and comes from a diverse background with Tlingit, Southern Tutchone, German and Irish origins.Throughout her career, she has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Yukon College Board of Governors, Kluane Dana Trust, Actua, the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, and the Aboriginal Sport Circle.
Dr. Becky Cook
Land Monitoring Manager at the Misipawistik Traditional Learning Program
Dr. Becky Cook is from Misipawistik Cree Nation, and she was raised on the lands and waters surrounding Misipawistik and Lake Winnipeg. She completed her Ph.D. in Marine Geophysics in 2015 and is now committed to her traditional education. Becky was a coordinator with the Northern Manitoba Food Culture and Community Collaborative for two years. She has worked with Elders and knowledge holders in her home community of Misipawistik to develop a land-based education program for youth, Misipawistik Pimatisimēskanaw, which offers teachings throughout the year.
Dr. Mike DeGagné
President and CEO of Indspire
Michael D DeGagné has been the President & CEO of Indspire since 2020. Indspire is an Indigenous national charity which supports and
invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across Turtle Island.
He was appointed President and Vice Chancellor of Nipissing University in 2013, becoming one of the first Indigenous president of a Canadian public university. While President of Nipissing, Dr. DeGagné dedicated much of his work to Indigenous issues and ensuring that Nipissing University played a significant role in the Indigenization of the post-secondary education sector. In 2020 he served as the first President of Yukon University, a new hybrid post-secondary institution in Whitehorse, Yukon.
His career includes working with the federal government in management of Indigenous programs and as a negotiator of comprehensive land claims. In 1998, Dr. DeGagné became the founding Executive Director of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, a national Indigenous organization dedicated to addressing the legacy of Canada’s Indian Residential School System, a role he played until its closure in 2013.
Dr. DeGagné holds a PhD from Michigan State University, focusing on Indigenous post-secondary success, and Masters degrees in Administration, Law, and Public Ethics. He has co-edited and co-authored several publications in Canada and Australia on reconciliation and healing, including the “Speaking My Truth” series.
He is currently Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto Scarborough, his alma mater.
He has served on numerous boards of directors in the health and university sectors including as Chairman of Ottawa’s Queensway Carleton Hospital and Chairman of the Child Welfare League of Canada. He is currently the past-Chair of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, a Board Director of the Global Centre for Pluralism, and Vice Chair of the Collegium of the University of St. Michael’s College.
He is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In 2018 he received an Indspire Award for Public Service. He holds Honorary Doctorates of Law from Dalhousie University and Ontario Tech University.
Dr. DeGagné is a citizen of the Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation (Northwest Angle #37 First Nation) in northwestern Ontario.
Dr. Joe Dragon
Board Chair, Canadian Mountain Network
Dr. Dragon is a member of Smith’s Landing First Nation. Dr. Dragon began his career as a wildlife biologist for the Government of the Northwest Territories while completing his Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from the University of Alberta. In 2017, Dr. Dragon returned to the territorial government to serve as the Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, followed by an appointment as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, where he was also Chairman of the Board for the Northwest Territories Power Corporation. Dr. Dragon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and is a graduate of the Government of Canada’s Accelerated Executive Development Program. Dr. Dragon was born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and received a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his community service in 2012.
Mr. Kirt Ejesiak
Inuit leader and founder of UAV Arctic
A seasoned manager with 25 years of experience running successful start-ups in the Arctic, Kirt Ejesiak is Chairman & CEO of Arctic UAV Inc (Professional Drone Imagery). He is a past chairperson of Ilitturvik University, chair of the board of the Iqaluit Museum, and has served as Iqaluit's deputy mayor and vice-chair of Nunavut Trust. As a Fulbright Scholar, Kirt attended the Harvard Kennedy School, completing his MA in Public Administration in 2005. From 2010-2014, Kirt served as vice-president and executive member of the Inuit Circumpolar Council.
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Mr. Cliff Fregin
Executive Director, Four Pillars Society
Cliff Fregin has been extensively involved in Indigenous economic & business development throughout Canada. A strategic thinker and strong financial manager he is known nationally for his expertise in leadership development, stakeholder relations, partnership development and development of programs and services.
Cliff is one of the founders of YES – Young Entrepreneurs Symposium, which provides entrepreneurship training through an annual conference – for past 20+ years
Since January 2024, Cliff has held the Executive Director position with Four Pillars Society; a new not-for-profit society managing a $2.8 billion trust fund on behalf of 325 First Nation communities across the country. Four Pillars Society will support the revitalization of languages, culture, heritage and well-being in the First Nation communities over a twenty-year period.
Ms. Carol Anne Hilton
Founder and CEO of the Indigenomics Institute
Carol Anne Hilton, MBA, is the CEO and founder of the Indigenomics Institute and the Global Center of Indigenomics. Carol Anne is a dynamic national Indigenous business leader, author, speaker, and senior advisor with an international master's degree in business management from the University of Hertfordshire, England. Carol Anne is of Nuu-chah-nulth descent from the Hesquiaht Nation on Vancouver Island. Carol Anne is the author of 'Indigenomics–Taking A Seat at the Economic Table' and is an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University's School of Business.
Mr. Chris Lewis
Indigenous Executive Lead, Simon Fraser University, Former Spokesperson for Squamish Nation
Chris Lewis's ancestral name is Syeta'xtn. A proud member of the Squamish Nation, Syetaxtn is the Indigenous Executive Lead at Simon Fraser University. He recently completed his third consecutive four-year term as a member of the Squamish Nation Chiefs and Council. Most importantly, Syeta’xtn is a family man and enjoys connecting to his territory with his wife Jennifer and children Madison and William.
As a former Spokespersons for the Squamish Nation, Chris has proven and continued leadership and experience in harnessing our Rights and Title to foster Nation driven governance structures in Economic Development, resource planning, Education and Skills and Training. He is focusing on Reconciliation and how we move forward in post-secondary institutions, Boards and all levels of indigenous and non-indigenous governments. Currently, he is serving on the Invest Vancouver, Providence Health, and ICBC Board of Directors.
Co-Chair
Ms. Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie
CEO/Principal, JWR Business Group and LNM Indigenous Consulting
Lea Nicholas-MacKenzie is the CEO and Principal at the JWR Business Group and LNM Indigenous Consulting. She is a member of the Wəlastəkwey Nation (Maliseet First Nation) at Negwotkok (Tobique) in New Brunswick. She has held numerous senior roles within Indigenous organizations and the federal government, including a recent stint as Special Advisor for Indigenous Issues at the permanent mission of Canada to the United Nations. Lea has also served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, as well as Chief of Protocol for the Four Host First Nations.
Ms. Sarah Midanik
President, Gord Downie/Wenjack Foundation
Sarah Midanik is an Indigenous professional who is passionate about increasing capacity and social impact across Indigenous communities. Born and raised near the historic Métis community of St. Albert, Sarah is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Cunningham family. She is currently the President & CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, a national charity that builds cultural understanding and creates a path towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. Sarah is the former Executive Director of the Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto (NWRCT), a charity dedicated to providing resources and support to urban Indigenous women and their families.
Sarah is committed to advancing Indigenous programs and projects and has sat on many advisory councils and boards including the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada (IPAC), the Aboriginal Advisory Committee for the City of Toronto, the Toronto Indigenous Health Advisory Circle, the Toronto Police Service and was the co-chair and co-founder of the Indigenous Place Making Council. A dedicated volunteer, Sarah currently sits on the national boards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business. Sarah is a Founding Member of the Honouring Nations Canada Circle of Advisors which is a collaboration between Fulbright Canada and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. She also serves on the CRA’s Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector. Sarah completed her MBA in the Indigenous Business and Leadership program at Simon Fraser University in 2023 and was named one of The Peak’s Emerging Leaders of 2022.
Mr. Brian Phillips
Senior Advisor Indigenous Relations at Global Affairs Canada (Retired)
Brian Phillips is an expert in sustainable development with 40 years of experience in a variety of community, regional, national, and international roles. Previously, he represented the Canadian International Development Agency and Global Affairs Canada in United Nations and multilateral donor processes to advance the global understanding of Indigenous peoples’ rights and minority inclusion in international sustainable development policy, architecture and programming, including Agenda 2030/ Sustainable Development Goals, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Brian has worked throughout his career to advance the self-determination of Indigenous peoples through access to business capital, telecommunications, extractive industries, trade, health services, climate change responses, and the rights and empowerment of Indigenous women and girls.
Co-Chair
Mr. Matt Vickers, CET
Director and CEO of the NorthernNations Cooperative
Matt Vickers is a director and Chief Executive Officer of NorthernNations Cooperative. Matt is also the Managing Director of Indigenous Engagement with Hillcore Group, responsible for developing strategy and advancing new business opportunities with First Nation communities to close on these opportunities. Matt has over 36 years of experience in a diverse range in the management consulting field. Throughout his career, Matt has had the opportunity to work in a broad base of industries, including First Nations, arts and culture, financial institutions, healthcare, government, and information technology.
Mr. Robert (Bob) Watts
Reconciliation Practitioner
Robert (Bob) Watts is a much sought-after expert in Indigenous policy, negotiations, training, and conflict resolution. He is the former Interim Executive Director of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which examined and made recommendations regarding the Indian Residential School era and its legacy. In 2019 Bob served as Chief of Staff to National Chief Perry Bellegarde and played a key role in historic budget allocations and the passage of Bills C-91 and 92. Bob is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and Fellow at the Harvard Law School. Currently, Bob is the Vice President of Indigenous Relations at the NWMO and an Adjunct Professor and Distinguished Fellow at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. He developed one of the first graduate-level courses on Reconciliation in the country. Bob recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from McMaster University. He is from the Mohawk and Ojibway Nations and resides at Six Nations Reserve, Ontario. Bob carries and honours his Ojibwe Spirit Name, Kinoozishingwak (Tall Pine), and is a member of the Bear Clan.
Updates
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An initiative of Fulbright Canada and its founding partners, the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness (SCSC) and the Harvard Kennedy School, Honouring Nations Canada is supported by generous commitments from the University of Saskatchewan, the Canadian Mountain Network, the Government of Canada and the U.S. Embassy in Canada.
Program Partners
