Indigenous peoples speak thousands of languages.
While Indigenous peoples total only about 6% of the world's population, they represent 90% of the cultural diversity.
Jack Saddleback Gender Equality + Education + Identity
There Are No Closets in Tipis
Riveting, captivating, real, insightful, grounded, illuminated are just a few words to describe Jack Saddlebacks presentation of his life as a Cree Two-Spirited Champion. Jack’s life story embodies how one man’s spirit can help transform a community as well as individuals. We all need his message of self awareness, identity and embracing our authentic self. Jack Saddleback is a true gift to our society; he tears down the barriers that divide us all.
“Everyone has an identity. Mine just happens to be rarer than most”- Jack Saddleback-
In his wake, Jack Saddleback eliminates gender barriers. Jack is a Cree Two-Spirited Transgendered Gay Man. He is the first elected Transgender Student Union president of University of Saskatchewan and only the fourth Aboriginal person to hold that position.
Jack captivates his audience in sharing his message of Embracing Two Spirits, Conquering Mental Health, and Finding Ones Identity.
Jack has found many struggles not only from the world at large but from his own Native community. This has not stopped him from reaching new heights. He embraces life with an open mind and a child-like curiosity that helps push his own limits in the pursuit of happiness.
Jack brings a new way to understand gender identity and he embodies what gender equality should be.
Jack spent the first four years of his life on his home reservation of the Samson Cree Nation. Moving with his Family to Calgary, Alberta at the age of four didn't stop him from being instilled with Cree values which comes through in everything he does.
Artist, Speaker and lifelong learner, Jack possesses a powerful zest for life.
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Conquering Mental Health Issues:
- Its ok to go through it, it is part of the Road to Recovery
- The Importance of Support Circles
- Embracing Your Culture
Embracing Two Spirits:
- There are No Closets in Tipi’s
- Two Spirits in Historical First Nation Culture
- Everyone Belongs in the Circle
Finding One’s Identity: Jack Saddleback story
- Romantic Identity
- Gender Identity
- Cultural Identity
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Highlights / Awards
- Youth by Youth cinema award for best short documentary (The Uprising), Calgary International Film Festival 2007
- Excellence in Language Arts Award, Nutana Collegiate Institute 2011
- Kiwanis Scholarship for Volunteerism 2011
- Living in Harmony Award, City of Saskatoon 2012
- USSU Pride Centre Peer Choice Award 2012
- Affinity Credit Community Youth Award, OUT Saskatoon 2014
- Young Eagles Award, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network 2015
- CBC Future 40 Under 40, CBC Saskatchewan 2016
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Clients
- Amnesty International Saskatchewan
- Memorial University (Grenfell Campus)
- ACPA - College Student Educators International
- Unifor Union
- Aboriginal Government Employees Network, Government of Saskatchewan
- Egale Canada
- World Pride Human Rights Conference (Toronto)
- Canadian Association of Colleges & University Student Services
- Shell Canada
- Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies
- Bell Canada
- Saskatoon School Board
Speaker Categories:
Youth Champions Two Spirited Champions Education Leadership and Mentorship Mental Health Motivation Social Change Spirituality Ted/RED Talks and WE Day Champions Indigenous Awareness and Diversity Actors Entertainers and Celebrities“Everyone has an identity. Mine just happens to be rarer than most”- Jack Saddleback-
In his wake, Jack Saddleback eliminates gender barriers. Jack is a Cree Two-Spirited Transgendered Gay Man. He is the first elected Transgender Student Union president of University of Saskatchewan and only the fourth Aboriginal person to hold that position.
Jack captivates his audience in sharing his message of Embracing Two Spirits, Conquering Mental Health, and Finding Ones Identity.
Jack has found many struggles not only from the world at large but from his own Native community. This has not stopped him from reaching new heights. He embraces life with an open mind and a child-like curiosity that helps push his own limits in the pursuit of happiness.
Jack brings a new way to understand gender identity and he embodies what gender equality should be.
Jack spent the first four years of his life on his home reservation of the Samson Cree Nation. Moving with his Family to Calgary, Alberta at the age of four didn't stop him from being instilled with Cree values which comes through in everything he does.
Artist, Speaker and lifelong learner, Jack possesses a powerful zest for life.
Speaker Summary
Location: Canada
Language: English
Website: Click Here
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