National Indigenous History Month: Reconnecting with Identity

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Featuring: Dylan Jenkins, CPO 2 Pat Stevens, and Vanessa Brousseau

Co-hosted by: Darlene Bess and Rob Chambers

Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM EST

Audience: Open to all Government of Canada employees

Link to join: Join the event

Submit a question: Submit a question to our panellists

About Event and Speakers

Event description

In June, we commemorate National Indigenous History Month. During this month, we recognize the rich history, heritage, perseverance, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Canada.

Learning about the cultural and linguistic diversity as well as the contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, places and experiences is a step forward each Canadian can take on the path to reconciliation.

In this month’s Ask Me Anything (AMA), we will honour National Indigenous History Month with a courageous conversation on Reconnecting with Identity. Join us as our speakers share their sincere stories and candid reflections on the Ask Me Anything stage!

About the Ask Me Anything series

This session is part of a series of Ask Me Anything discussions that give us a platform to share stories, listen, ask respectful questions and continue on our journey towards more inclusive organizations.

As an individual, you can’t necessarily change where you live. You certainly can’t change your past, but you can adjust who influences you—through the authors you read, the music you listen to, the movies you watch, and the interactions with your community. The ‘Ask Me Anything’ series provides you with an opportunity to increase your perspective — to learn from the lived experiences of individuals who are bravely sharing their stories to help educate and move the public service towards a culture where equity is embedded.

The series also provides an opportunity for you to know that you aren’t alone. These experiences, especially the negative ones, are systemic and can happen all too frequently throughout the public service. The objective of shining this light is to continually increase the network of public servants ready to take action and move forward toward a culture of inclusivity and belonging.

Meet our panellists

Dylan Jenkins (they/he - lel/il/lui), Senior Executive Advisor, Economic Development Policy and Engagement, Indigenous Services Canada

Dylan Jenkins began his journey as a dedicated federal public servant 23 years ago and is currently serving as a Senior Executive Advisor in Economic Development Policy and Engagement at Indigenous Services Canada. Throughout Dylan’s enduring and distinguished career, he has worked in the areas of Indigenous governance and administration, economic development, community housing, and infrastructure, education, social development and partnerships and Indigenous Cultural Competency training and development.

Dylan recently served in the role of Associate Ombuds at Indigenous Services Canada and also served as a faculty member at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, Ontario as a Professor of Indigenous Public Administration and Governance.

Born and raised in North Bay Ontario, Dylan’s ancestral lands include Treaty 1, 3, and 5, and is matrilineally connected to York Landing First Nation in northern Manitoba.

Over the past 30 years, Dylan has been mentored by Wisdom Keepers and Spiritual Advisors from the Omushkego, Anishinaabe, Algonquin, Haudenosaunee, Tuscarora and Métis Nations, and as a sanctioned Two-Spirit Knowledge Keeper, and Storyteller, Dylan lives by and shares teachings imparted by his Elders, Teachers, and Guides.

Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Pat Stevens, Indigenous Advisor to the Chaplain General, Royal Canadian Chaplain Service, Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence

Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Pat Stevens's career reflects his strong commitment to both his nation and his cultural heritage. His journey began in 2001 with the Canadian Forces Aboriginal Entry Program, leading to eventually sailing aboard HMCS Halifax. It was in Thunder Bay where his commitment to exploring and embracing his Anishinaabe roots began. As a sonar operator turned mentor and instructor in Halifax, and later at CFLRS-St Jean, Stevens not only guided new recruits but also vigorously promoted Indigenous representation and cultural practices within the military.

As the Quebec military co-chair for the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group, he was a strong advocate for Indigenous rights, contributing to the establishment of a cultural center that would allow spiritual practices to flourish. His return to HMCS Halifax saw him undertaking overseas deployments, during which he worked to maintain spiritual connections among Indigenous crew members.

In 2021, Stevens was appointed as the second Indigenous advisor to the Chaplain General for the Royal Canadian Chaplain Services in Ottawa. In this capacity, he continues to support and advocate for the spiritual and cultural needs of Indigenous military personnel. Through his efforts, Stevens contributes to preserving and enhancing the legacy of his predecessors, ensuring that the spiritual needs and cultural rights of Indigenous service members are acknowledged and upheld.

Vanessa Brousseau a.k.a. Resilient Inuk, Indigenous Languages Lead Project Officer, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Advocate, Artist and Content Creator, Owner of Resilient Inuk Creations

Vanessa is registered as a land claim beneficiary with Sanikiluaq, Nunavut however, her Inuk mother was born and raised in Moose Factory, Ontario. Vanessa's Ojibwe father is from Mattagami First Nation, which is located in Northern Ontario.

Vanessa has been a federal government employee for almost 11 years in many positions. Vanessa started her current position as Indigenous Languages Project Lead in August 2022 where she is responsible for recruiting and maintaining Indigenous Language interpreters and/or translators across Canada.    

Vanessa is a family member and survivor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous women, girls and two spirit. Her sister Pamela Holopainen has been missing for over 20 years. Vanessa has directly experienced abuse, neglect, racism and poverty.

Vanessa is also an artist and owner of Resilient Inuk Creations where she uses ethically sourced materials such as sealskin and porcupine quills for her art.

Vanessa enjoys creating content and works everyday to create awareness on Indigenous issues on her social media handle "ResilientInuk".

Vanessa truly believes that with truth and sharing, we can work together towards a better future for all.

Meet our co-hosts

Darlene Bess, Assistant Deputy Minister, Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Darlene has 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. She is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Prior to this, Darlene served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Finance Canada.  Darlene also held various senior financial management positions at the Office of the Comptroller General for Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Mitel Networks Limited, Office of the Auditor General of Canada and Shoppers Drug Mart Limited.  

Darlene holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto and completed her Chartered Accountant Designation with Price Waterhouse in 1996. Darlene is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA) and a Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA).

Darlene is a Diversity and Inclusion Champion and enjoys mentoring and sponsoring individuals from equity-seeking groups.

Rob Chambers, Assistant Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Environment, Department of National Defence

Rob joined Infrastructure and Environment at the Department of National Defence in November 2017 and has been serving as the Assistant Deputy Minister since June 2019. He has been a federal civil servant for more than 20 years, dividing his time between central agencies such as the Privy Council Office, Treasury Board and the Department of Finance, and line departments such as Employment and Social Development Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. He studied political science at Acadia University in Nova Scotia and is a graduate of the National Security Programme at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto. He served in the Primary Reserve with the 30th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Rob and his wife, Nancy, have two children, Adrian and Keira.

Mission: Ask Me Anything series

We recognize that individuals are composed of a multitude of layers that make us who we are. We do not fit easily in one box or another and we can’t be neatly counted. We represent the mosaic of Canada.

It is important that we find value in each other’s experiences, differences and unique characteristics. When we build our cultural competencies, we are able to work better together in our teams and respond to each other with relevance, empathy and compassion. By celebrating and sharing our authentic selves, we gain greater appreciation of each other and the diversity that surrounds us.

We know through diversity, that workplaces and communities are stronger, more successful and resilient. And most important, it creates spaces of inclusion and fosters a sense of belonging at work where people feel valued.

#AMAChallenge

We encourage others to have courageous conversations with their peers. Use the monthly Ask Me Anything sessions as an opportunity to have brave conversations in your workplaces with your teams.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Invite your leaders and colleagues in your organization to an Ask Me Anything watch party, tune in live and watch the session together. Make sure it’s in their calendars.
• Before the watch party, book an “After the AMA – Team Session” with your immediate team for the day after the event for 30-60 minutes. Share the resource guide and have these questions for discussion.

After the AMA: Team session discussion questions

1. What was my main takeaway? – Expand and share an amazing quote, story or moment
2. What made me uncomfortable?
3. What is an example of systemic discrimination that I am aware of in my life?
4. What am I not going to do anymore?
5. How can I use my voice/ influence? – both overtly/covertly
6. Where am I going to dig in and learn more?
7. How will I continue this conversation?

It is important that we find value in the experiences, the unique characteristics of each other. When we develop our cultural competence, we are able to work better together within our teams and respond to each other with relevant empathy and compassion. By celebrating and sharing our authentic selves, we gain a greater appreciation for each other and the diversity that surrounds us.

Thank you to our contributors

Thank you to our contributors from across the Public Service of Canada – National Defence, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Public Service and Procurement Canada MCs: Darlene Bess and Rob Chambers Panellists: Dylan Jenkins, CPO 2 Pat Stevens, and Vanessa Brousseau Production Team: Samantha Moonsammy and Lyrique Richards