Shayn Anderson

Shayn Anderson is the founder of Diversity Inclusion, a training and consultant firm, committed to enhance workforce diversity through education, enlightenment and creating business environments that embrace full inclusion. Shayn is an internationally recognized speaker and author of two books, The Disability Factor and Pride in That Which Sets Us Apart. His third book, A Pain in My Neck is due out in October of 2011.   
 
As a proud member of the disability and Native American communities, Shayn is in a special position to share many of his rich insights and personal stories regarding the area of disability having had many unique vantage points. He has worked with the public sector with the California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the private sector with Wells Fargo Bank and the California Business Leadership Network, as a service provider with United Cerebral Palsy Association and currently with education as faculty with the University of California at Davis.

He has a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of the Pacific.  
 

Shayn engages audiences and approaches disability from a down to earth perspective and fundamental approach while mixing humor and his perspective as a person with a disability in order to give participants an enriched and valued learning experience. His high energy, positive nature, charisma and passion around the areas of inclusion and diversity are contagious. He believes successful training is best accomplished through an atmosphere of honesty, trust, and comfort.

Narcisse Blood

Blood Tribe Elder

Research Coordinator – Red Crow College

Narcisse Blood, Ki’naksaapo’p, was the first Coordinator of the Kainai Studies Program at Red Crow College, and has been recognized as an Eminent Scholar (K.Ph.D.) by their Elders Advisory Committee.  He currently serves as the Research Coordinator for Kainai Studies, and is the Lead for the Learning From Place Animated Theme Bundle under the Canadian Council of Learning’s Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre.  Ki’naksaapo’p has taught for the Kainai Studies Program, the Department of Education at the University of Lethbridge, and the International Indigenous Studies Department at the University of Calgary.  He has served as Chair for the Mookaakin Cultural and Heritage Foundation of the Blood Tribe and was an elected member of the Blood Tribe Chief and Council for several terms.  Ki’naksaapo’p has principal transfer rights in the Niitsitapi knowledge disciplines of Iitskinaiksi and Ninnaimsskaiksi.

 

All Nations Theatre

This interactive introductory session facilitated by Charlene Hellson and Richard Campbell from All Nations Theatre is designed to allow participants to connect with each other and begin to identify and explore key issues pertaining to the employment of First Nations People with Disabilities. The session will be lively and fun, engaging and energizing participants for the focus group discussions that follow.

Charlene Hellson is a proud member of the Blackfoot Confederacy and a proud mother of two artistic daughters. She is a community Artist based in Calgary. She is involved with her community personally, professionally, and artistically promoting awareness, understanding and healing. Charlene discovered the healing potency of the Arts as a student of Psychology at the University of Calgary when she became an accidental actor… Since then she has been on a creative journey with amazing people, and meaningful moments.

 

Dr. Wordsworth,  Ph.D.

Indianology 101 is a lecture delivered by Dr. Wordsworth, Ph. D., descendant of a Cherokee princess.  Dr. Wordsworth is the foremost Indian expert as is demonstrated by her publications, and research.  Her area of interest is the Aboriginal male, for which she has a great passion dating back to her early field research days.   She has travelled the red road, and has been run off the road on many First Nations rural communities – a testimony to her courageous approach to Participant Observation research.   Join Dr. Wordsworth as she takes you on a learning journey, and share her experiences in Indian country.

Richard Campbell is the Executive Artistic Director of All Nations Theatre. He has worked in Calgary for more than 20 years using interactive theatre techniques to promote personal growth, community development and social change. He has worked for All Nations Theatre for the past three years and is most proud of helping to bring All Nations Theatre and Urban Youth Worx together to create Antyx Community Art Society.

 George Arcand Jr. – Regional Director General, Alberta Region

George Arcand Jr. was appointed Regional Director General (RDG) for the Alberta Region in September 2008. Prior to that, he was the Associate and Acting RDG for eight years. Before joining INAC in 1998, Mr. Arcand worked with the Alexander First Nation (located northwest of Edmonton), to which he is a member. His 14 year tenure with his community started with his post as Director of Community Development and Planning and progressed to Tribal Administrator. As the Tribal Administrator, Mr. Arcand was responsible for managing all facets of the Alexander First Nation's affairs, including finance, operations and human resources. Mr. Arcand is credited for his contribution in negotiating the Alternate Funding Arrangement with the Alexander First Nation, a first in all of Canada. He had also been involved with constitutional talks among Alberta Chiefs, and had provided technical and political advisory services to the collective. In his capacity with INAC, Mr. Arcand had been instrumental in reorganizing the Region to provide more effective services to Alberta's three treaty areas; the introduction of agreements with the Province of Alberta in the area of Child and Family Services; and fostering excellent working relationships with the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs and the Executive Directors of the three treaty areas.