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Through dialogue and information sharing the Speakers Bureau is a service provided by the TRCM that is working to create an understanding about the historical and contemporary issues that relate to Treaty. The Speakers Bureau was launched in 2006 and has increased participation to approximately 30 active members from the Treaty territories in Manitoba who are well versed with knowledge and experience about the Treaties.
Speakers Bureau Objectives:
- Raise awareness of Treaties and their importance
- Raise awareness of the rights and obligations associated with Treaties
- Facilitate discussion on Treaties
- Promote the concept "We Are All Treaty People"
- Enhance the Treaty relationship
By invitation, speakers are requested to provide Treaty Information Sessions to groups who are interested in learning about the Treaties. The Speakers Bureau is versatile and continues to grow as it becomes well-known within Manitoba. Focused attention has been given to the Speakers Bureau and the profile of the Treaties is being raised throughout Manitoba. Development of the Speakers Bureau is ongoing, during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, 27 events were held with approximately 1,000 participants being reached in total. In 2009-10, 52 events were held, with an estimated total of 1,500 participants.
Through the partnerships that have been created, the TRCM has been able to secure Speakers Series with organizations to utilize the TRCM as a source of education for their staff and managers. This in turn has created an opportunity for the Speakers Bureau to ensure that it becomes the best resource for information on Treaties within Manitoba. To balance the information that Manitoban's receive from various outlets in relation to Treaty, the Speakers Bureau has a unique opportunity to offer presentations that can speak to both the Canadian and First Nation perspective of the Treaties. Elders have been instrumental in the development of the Speakers Bureau and many have become members in light of their wealth of experience and traditional knowledge.
Profiles
Visit the Media section to see videos of the following speakers:
Jeff Harris
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Jeff Harris is a partner in the Winnipeg law firm of Myers Weinberg LLP. His practice focuses on representing First Nations and their organizations in asserting their aboriginal and treaty rights. He is the past Chair of the Aboriginal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association in which capacity he advocated for fair compensation for residential school survivors and for the appointment of aboriginal people to the courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada. He is currently negotiating land claims for several First Nations in Manitoba.
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Elder D'Arcy Linklater
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Elder D'Arcy Linklater is Cree from the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. He has served as a councillor for his community for the last 15 years. He was instrumental in negotiating the agreement between Manitoba Hydro and NCN regarding the Wuskwatim Hydro Electric Project. Elder Linklater is committed to educating all people about the culture and history of his people.
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Elder Doris Pratt
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Elder Pratt is Dakota and a member of the Sioux Valley Dakota First Nation. She has dedicated her life to educating First Nation youth about their cultures, language and history. Elder Pratt has made it a personal goal to collect the traditional Dakota names and history of important First Nation sites throughout Manitoba. Elder Pratt holds a Masters in Education from Brandon University and Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Arizona. She has served as an official translator for the federal government and has produced numerous educational materials for teaching about the Dakota people.
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