• Dr. Elder Francis Wiskeyjack, KW Indigenous Centre, MacEwan

Dr. Elder Francis Whiskeyjack is a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation and has dedicated his life to serving others while also committing himself to the principle of lifelong learning. He is passionate about sharing traditional knowledge and teachings. He provides council and mentorship while also promoting awareness and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing.

Francis has worked for over 15 years as an Elder and cultural advisor at various community organizations and educational institutions. He currently holds the position as Elder for the University of Alberta, Macewan University and Concordia University of Edmonton where he supports students and staff in a variety of capacities. He is fluent in nehiyawewin (Plains Cree Language) and promotes the learning and retention of the language.In 2010, Francis was appointed as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta. In 2019, Francis received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta.

  • Chief Greg Desjarlais, Frog Lake First Nation

Greg Desjarlais was born in High Prairie, AB on February 28, 1972. His parents are Albert and Alma Desjarlais. He is the 3rd youngest of 9 siblings. Greg is married to his wife Benita and together they have 3 beautiful children. He is also a grandfather of four Grandchildren and one in the coming in the new year. Greg is involved in his culture, ceremonies, youth sports and empowerment when he is not in the boardroom. Greg has served three 2-year terms as a councillor and is currently in his second two-year term as Chief of The Frog Lake First Nation of Treaty 6. 

  • Dr. John-Paul Himka, University of Alberta

John-Paul Himka is professor emeritus in the Department of History, Classics, and Religion at the University of Alberta. He is the author of numerous studies in Ukrainian history, including Galician Villagers and the Ukrainian National Movement in the Nineteenth Century (1988) and “The Background to Emigration: The Ukrainians of Galicia and Bukovyna, 1848-1914,” in A Heritage in Transition: Essays in the History of Ukrainians in Canada, ed. Manoly R. Lupul (1982). Together with Kalyna Somchynsky, he is editing a volume on Ukrainian Canadian art, which will appear as an issue of the Zakhidnokanads’kyi zbirnyk of the Shevchenko Scientific Society.

  • Matthiew Hiltermann, Métis Nation of Alberta – Region 3

Matt Hiltermann is a Métis historical researcher, interpreter, and artisan. He has worked at several museums and heritage sites across Alberta- including Fort Edmonton Park, Fort Calgary, Heritage Park, Lougheed House, and the Edmonton City as a Museum Project, gaining experience in interpretation, education, program development, and curation. He is currently employed as a historian for Metis Nation of Alberta – Region 3. Matt is descended from several prolific Red River families, including the Prudens, Ross’, Brelands, Setters, Spences, McDonalds, and Calders.

  • Lindy Ledohowski

Dr Lindy Ledohowski is a Canadian cultural arts and education expert. Her doctoral work focuses on 60 years of English language Ukrainian Canadian literature, the field in which she publishes as a peer reviewed scholar. The edited collection Unbound: Ukrainian Canadians Writing Home that she co-edited won the nation-wide Kobzar Award in 2018. She served 8 years on the Board of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and now serves on the Board of the Shevchenko Foundation.