Laurier expert alert: National Indigenous History Month

WATERLOO — June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Wilfrid Laurier University has experts available to discuss topics related to National Indigenous History Month, including Indigenous-settler relations, environmental stewardship, and missing and murdered women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

The following list includes experts who are available to speak at this time but does not represent the full breadth of expertise that exists at Laurier. For a more comprehensive inventory of the university’s faculty researchers please consult the Experts at Laurier database. 

Lianne Leddy, associate professor of History in the Faculty of Arts, conducts research focused on Indigenous-settler relations, particularly those framed by gender and environmental issues. Leddy is a member of Serpent River First Nation and recently published a book about the impacts of uranium mining in her home community. Leddy’s work also examines the gendered experiences of colonialism and performance art as an expression of Indigenous feminist thought. Contact: lleddy@wlu.ca

Percy Lezard, assistant professor of Indigenous Studies, is an expert in Indigenous knowledge, two-spirit pedagogies, community Indigenous health, missing and murdered women and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and gender-based violence in 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Lezard is outma sqilxw of the Penticton Indian Band in British Columbia and centres Indigenous knowledge, teaching and research methodologies in their work. They are a survivor of the multi-generational impacts of the residential school system and the Sixties Scoop. Read more about Lezard’s work. Contact: plezard@wlu.ca

Gus Hill, a professor in Laurier’s Indigenous Field of Study program within the Faculty of Social Work, is an expert in Indigenous health and wellness, Indigenous community building, and community-based Indigenist research. Hill’s main research focus is improving the well-being of Indigenous Canadians, guided by holism and the commitment to place control of Indigenous knowledge firmly in the hands of Indigenous peoples and communities. He is the Lyle S. Hallman Chair in Child and Family Welfare. Contact: ghill@wlu.ca

Alex Latta is an associate professor in the departments of Global Studies and Geography and Environmental Studies, as well as the director of Laurier's Cold Regions Research Centre. He is an expert on natural resource conservation and Indigenous rights. Latta is involved in research partnerships with First Nations in the Northwest Territories and northern Ontario, with a focus on climate change adaptation and Indigenous-led environmental stewardship. Contact: alatta@wlu.ca

Susan Neylan, associate professor in the Department of History, is an expert on the history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous relations in Canada. She is available to speak about the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Catholic church in British Columbia in the 19th and 20th centuries, Indigenous-missionary relations and forms of Indigenous Christianity. Contact: sneylan@wlu.ca

Miguel Sioui, assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, is an expert on Indigenous knowledges, Indigenous land use and environmental management, particularly in eastern and northern Ontario, northern Quebec, the Northwest Territories and Yucatan, Mexico. Through his research, Sioui is building connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, researchers and governments in order to develop responsible, respectful and sustainable environmental management strategies. Sioui is of Huron-Wendat descent. Contact: msioui@wlu.ca

Darren Thomas is Laurier’s associate vice-president of Indigenous Initiatives as well as an associate professor of Indigenous Studies. As the most senior Indigenous leader at Laurier, Thomas provides strategic advice, support and expertise to academic and administrative units across the institution to achieve goals related to Indigeneity. As a researcher, he focuses on Indigenous rights, resource governance and self-determination. Thomas has worked in the educational, health care and child welfare sectors to support efforts to improve services as these sectors work toward reconciliation and Indigenization. Contact: dthomas@wlu.ca