Aboriginal Education Research Forum 2023

Dr. Stewart Hill

Dr. Stewart Hill received a doctorate at the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Manitoba in 2021, a Doctor of Philosophy degree in natural resources and environmental management from the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Manitoba, including a Master’s degree in natural resources management from the same institution and a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Brandon University.  He currently works as a Senior Research and Policy Analyst at the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), the Manitoba northern Chiefs organization. Dr. Hill is from the God’s Lake First Nation and was born and raised in northern Manitoba at God’s Lake and speaks his Cree language fluently. His PhD thesis researched and asserted Indigenous governance over land and water in the traditional territory of his home community of God’s Lake First Nation and this assertion has implications for all First Nations using Indigenous methodologies. Dr. Hill has over thirty (30) years experience providing research, writing, technical and analytical services for First Nations, government, academia and non-governmental organizations in the field of natural resources, environmental and lands management.

Dr. Jennie Wastesicoot

Dr. Jennie Wastesicoot is an Assistant Professor with the University College of the North. She is originally from the Chemawawin Cree Nation, Easterville, Manitoba, a fishing community located on the Cedar Lake Manitoba. She is a band member with the York Factory First Nation Dr. Wastesicoot is a fluent Ininew (Cree) speaker with the Swampy Ininew (Cree) dialect. She has 38 years of work experience with Aboriginal people in areas of health as an advocate, policy analyst, director, researcher, and research associate. She also worked at a crisis centre as an advocate and a volunteer worker for crisis line serving northern and aboriginal communities. Dr. Wastesicoot is a tenured Assistant Professor with the University College of the North and has been teaching for the past 8 years since she graduated with her PhD. Jennie is a published author, a university educator, researcher, speaker, and consultant.

Dr. Wastesicoot served on the Premier Advisory All A board, Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction and Social Inclusion Strategy from 2010-2017. Dr. Jennie Wastesicoot currently serves in a technical and advisory capacity to the Summit of the Treaty Five Sovereign Nations.  She also served as committee member with the Children’s Advocate of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs working on the development of the sovereign nation’s family law.  Jennie has made numerous presentations on topics of Aboriginal spirituality, traditional governance, traditional childrearing practices, Cree ways of knowing, and empowering our women. She also presented at the Healing our Spirit World Wide 5th gathering in Edmonton Alberta (2006) Jennie received her Doctorate degree (2015) and Master degree (2005) from the University of Manitoba. She received her undergraduate degree from Brandon University (1985).