There is one question Canadians have asked the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould more than any other — what can I do to help advance reconciliation?

Drawing from her bestselling book, True Reconciliation, Wilson-Raybould explores the difference between performative and symbolic reconciliation vs. actions that are truly impactful. She shows audiences how together we can build transformed patterns of just and harmonious relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples at all levels of society, and why it’s crucial this work is done by all, not just Indigenous people.

True reconciliation takes relentlessness and the courage to act differently. Learn how to become an “inbetweener” to break down silos constructed by colonialism and act on what our collective future requires.

Topics to be explored include:

• Understanding the core actions individuals and groups can take to advance reconciliation.
• Ways of understanding our history and envisioning our shared future.
• The differences between performative and impactful reconciliation efforts.
• Exploring how to be impactful agents of change in one’s own communities and organizations.
• Making sense of the current reconciliation landscape, including the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, PC, OBC, KC, was raised to be a leader. The daughter of a hereditary chief and Indigenous leader, she always knew that she would seek leadership roles and responsibilities. As a lawyer, an advocate, and a leader among Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, she’s built a strong reputation as a bridge builder and champion of good governance and accountability. She shares her unique perspective as both a community and political leader on topics such as Indigenous rights and reconciliation, democracy and governance, leadership, and justice.

Wilson-Raybould was first elected as a Member of Parliament for the new constituency of Vancouver Granville in 2015. She was then appointed the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada making her the first Indigenous person to serve in this portfolio. In January 2019, she was appointed the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Canada and Associate Minister of National Defence, positions she held until her resignation from cabinet in February 2019.

During the 2019 election, Wilson-Raybould was re-elected as an Independent Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, making her Canada’s first ever female Independent MP elected and the only elected Independent in the 43rd Parliament.

Prior to politics, Wilson-Raybould was a provincial crown prosecutor in Vancouver and served three terms as an elected Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission. She was also elected BC Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 2009, where she devoted herself to the advancement of First Nations governance, fair access to land and resources, as well as improved education and health care services. She served until 2015, holding responsibilities for governance and Nation building on the Assembly of First Nations Executive.

Wilson-Raybould is a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, which are part of the Kwakwaka’wakw and also known as the Kwak’wala speaking peoples. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation with her traditional name, Puglaas,
meaning “woman born to noble people.” She served two terms as an elected councillor for her Nation and was also a director and chair of the First Nations Finance Authority and a director of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board.

Wilson-Raybould is the bestselling author of three books, the political memoir “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power, which was a finalist for The Writers’ Trust Balsillie Prize for Public Policy and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing; From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada; and True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change. She is also the co-author of, Reconciling History: A Story of Canada, named one of Toronto Star’s “25 books to read this season”, amongst other accolades.