Syllabics
Dr. Jacqueline Ottmann is Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) from Fishing Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan. Prior to her academic career, Jackie was an elementary, high school teacher and principal. She remains an engaged scholar alongside her responsibilities as a senior academic leader. While at the University of Calgary, she was the Coordinator of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit undergraduate teacher education program, and Director of Indigenous Education Initiatives within the Werklund School of Education (WSE). She also co-chaired the WSE Indigenous Strategy, and alongside the Provost, the university-wide Indigenous Strategy.
After her time with the University of Saskatchewan as Professor and Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement, Jacqueline Ottmann was appointed President of the First Nations University of Canada. Ottmann has been recognized as an international researcher, advocate, and change-maker whose purpose is to transform practices inclusive of Indigenous leadership, methodologies, and pedagogies. Jacqueline is driven to create schools and communities that foster a deeper sense of belonging and appreciation for Indigenous peoples – their histories, stories, ways of knowing and being. Ottmann is also the first Indigenous person to become President of the Canadian Society for the Study of Education.
Dr. Shalene Jobin is Cree and Métis from Red Pheasant Cree First Nation. Dr. Jobin was founding Director of the Indigenous Governance program and holds a Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Governance at the Faculty of Native Studies, University of Alberta.
Dr. Jobin’s focus has been supporting Indigenous nations in governance revitalization, and supporting student training in Indigenous governance and partnerships. Her recently published book Upholding Indigenous Economic Relationships: Nehiyawak Narratives (2023, UBC Press)details the way Indigenous peoples move with and between economic structures imposed by the Canadian state with a particular focus on prairie Indigenous life and philosophy.
Dr Jobin has led numerous institution-building endeavours and provided strategic advice to the Offices of the Provost and the President at the University of Alberta and has been involved in four multi-year, and community-led Indigenous nation building research projects.
Jason Wong is a proud citizen of the Gitxsan Nation, located in BC, and has completed an Executive Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business and Leadership. Jason has complemented his business education with Indigenous governance & law, economic development, and nation rebuilding. Additionally, Jason has 22+ years of practical business experience, with the past 15 years focusing on Indigenous education, skills training, and community development.
Jason has held the position of Vice President, Finance & Administration since June 2019.
Gord Hunchak joined First Nations University of a Canada in 2022 in the inaugural role of Vice President University Relations.
Gord is an innovative and collaborative leader with vast and diverse experience spanning over three decades. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Gord’s career in the post-secondary leadership began in Ontario in 2007 at Niagara College, where he took on several roles, culminating in the AVP, Planning and Communications position. Gord joined Brock University in 2015 as Associate Vice President, External Relations.
Prior to joining us at FNUniv, Gord’s most recent role was as Associate Vice President Strategic Communications / Chief Communications Officer at the University of Saskatchewan.
In all previous post-secondary leadership roles, Gord has successfully re-branded and re-positioned the respective institutions for enhanced profile and growth, and developed important stakeholder and community engagement strategies.
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(the good path through life)
(the good path through life)