Trustee Academy

I am Tlingit from the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Northen British Columbia, granddaughter of Susie Anderson, Crow Clan. My father was from Carcross/Tagish and my grandfather was James Dickson. My name is Bi’di, given to me by Kwakwaka’wakw Chief Oastakalagalis ‘Walas ‘Namugwis (Peter Knox) from T’asix’s (Fort Rupert) and his wife Mabel Knox.

Rose LeMay is an accomplished speaker with keynotes to international mental health conferences, department and ministry retreats and more. On topics of Indigenous inclusion and anti-racism, on leading reconciliation, on finding your vision of Canada, Rose can raise hope and sense of team for your organization.

Rose has a regular column in The Hill Times, Canada’s politics and government news service.

Rose has over 20 years of experience in policy and program development in health and mental health development in government and non-profit sectors. She was the founding chair of the Wharerātā (fare’eh rata) Group, an international network of Indigenous leaders and their allies working in mental health and addictions. She is a Certified First Nations Health Manager, and Certified in Prosci Change Management. Rose is a board member on the Canadian Coalition for Police Reform.

Michael Kusugak is an Inuit author and storyteller who first become well known for A Promise is a Promise, co-written with Robert Munsch. He takes audiences on a journey into a world & way of life foreign to most of us by sharing first-hand narratives from his Arctic home. Michael’s captivating presentations offer practical big-picture takeaways drawn from his early life traveling on the Hudson Bay and the traditional teachings of his community.

Michael Kusugak grew up in Repulse Bay, a small village in the Northwest Territories (now Nunavut). During his childhood, Michael’s family traveled by dog team, living in igloos in winter and tents in summer. He had no access to books as a child, and didn’t speak a word of English until he was six when he was sent to a residential school in Chesterfield Inlet. Michael went on to become one of the first Inuit from the eastern Arctic to graduate from high school.

While in school, Michael enjoyed writing stories and poems, but he never thought of becoming an author until he met Robert Munsch. “He stayed with us during Children’s Book Week once, and I told him all kinds of legends. He suggested that I write them down, so we worked on one together, and eventually, it was published!” That story, A Promise is a Promise, is based on one of Michael’s childhood memories. He explains, “I take things that are native to me, such as the northern lights, and create a story around them.” The story appeared in a Hollywood movie, “LEAVING NORMAL,” and was made into a play.

Prior to writing books for children, Michael spent 15 years working for the government in various positions. In his last posting, he was Director of Community Programs for Arctic College. Now he devotes his time to writing, storytelling and speaking to educators.

Michael mesmerizes young audiences with narratives from his Arctic home and tales told with string. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, boating and looking out his study window at the northern landscape stretching towards the horizon. Michael now lives in Valhalla, Manitoba.