While Indigenous peoples total only about 6% of the world's population, they represent 90% of the cultural diversity.
Of more than 130 clinically useful major prescriptive drugs that are derived from plants over 70% came to the attention of pharmaceutical companies because of Indigenous peoples use in traditional forms of medicine.
John Lagimodiere Community Builder + Media Communications
“Community is Everyone’s Business”
Recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal and Saskatoon’s Living in Harmony Award, John Lagimodiere is a dedicated community builder and role model. President of ACS Aboriginal Consulting Services and the Editor/Publisher of Eagle Feather News, Lagimodiere is also the recipient of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce ABEX Award Business for Aboriginal Business. John’s enthralling performance as host of the award-winning national show, As If, on CBC Radio serves as another reason why he is a highly sought after keynote speaker, master of ceremonies, and facilitator.
A Métis from Saskatoon, he struggled through school before eventually convocating with a 3 year Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Saskatchewan. A degree that he strategically spread over seven years! His high school teachers are all surprised. Sociology studies with a focus on Aboriginal history and issues led to his current career.
Between facilitating Aboriginal awareness sessions for businesses across Saskatchewan and hosting various radio gigs with CBC, he has found the time to grow his business, Eagle Feather News into the largest independent Aboriginal newspaper in Saskatchewan.
John’s great, great, great, great grandmother, Marie Anne Lagimodiere, was the first white woman to settle in Western Canada and was grandmother to Canadian Metis hero, Louis Riel. John can trace his Métis family history back to the Red River settlement, the homeland of the Métis Nation in Canada.
As a business owner and employer of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, John is aware of the challenges faced by both employees and employers in the workplace. It was this experience and background that became a leading force in inspiring John to develop his aboriginal awareness training program.
Since 1998, John has been delivering Aboriginal awareness seminars to an incredible array of clients, such as Sasktel, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Saskatoon Police Service, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Provincial Court Judges, Cameco Corporation and the University of Saskatchewan.
The real reward for this guy is spending time with wife Deirdra and the kids at Shell Lake and coaching son Riel and daughter Willow in hockey.
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Understanding Canadian Aboriginal History: Everything you wanted to know about Aboriginal People but were afraid to ask
Using humour and history, we walk through 500 years of contact between Canada and the original people of this land. You will learn about the fur trade, the treaty process and then the implementation of the Indian Act and the damage it did to the First Nations community. This presentation answers all the questions you have about why things are the way they are in Aboriginal communities across Canada.
- Everything you wanted to know about aboriginal people but were afraid to ask.
Creating Positive Change: Understanding and Implementing Truth and Reconciliation
This presentation is on the Indian Residential Schools in Canada and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. You will learn about the policies behind the schools, what happened in the schools, the government response including the class action law suit, compensation, the TRC process and the Calls to Action, and how you can be a part of positive change.
Working Together: Business and Aboriginal Community Collaboration
This presentation has some high level history about our relationship that you need to know, then turns in the middle to explain how your organization can use policies and a plan to engage the Aboriginal community in your area. You will learn what to expect during the process and some best practices to give you some ideas for your organization.
Potential Realized: Taking the Path Less Travelled
I failed out of high school. Worked dead end jobs for several years. Finally mustered the nerve to apply to the University of Saskatchewan as a mature student….and I got in! This funny but real presentation will explain how I wound up failing grade 12 English and math then went on to build the largest independent Aboriginal media outlet in Saskatchewan without funding, grants or a lottery win. Included in this talk are lessons about life, business and realizing your potential.
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Awards/Highlights
- Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce ABEX for Aboriginal Business
- Saskatchewan Centennial Medal
- Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
- Saskatoon Living in Harmony Award
- Métis Award for Journalism
- Order of Merit Credit Unions of Saskatchewan
Speaker Categories:
Master of Ceremonies and Facilitators Duty to Consult Elevating Business and Entrepreneurship Leadership and Mentorship Social Change Indigenous Awareness and Diversity Residential Schools Treaties and Indigenous HistoriansA Métis from Saskatoon, he struggled through school before eventually convocating with a 3 year Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Saskatchewan. A degree that he strategically spread over seven years! His high school teachers are all surprised. Sociology studies with a focus on Aboriginal history and issues led to his current career.
Between facilitating Aboriginal awareness sessions for businesses across Saskatchewan and hosting various radio gigs with CBC, he has found the time to grow his business, Eagle Feather News into the largest independent Aboriginal newspaper in Saskatchewan.
John’s great, great, great, great grandmother, Marie Anne Lagimodiere, was the first white woman to settle in Western Canada and was grandmother to Canadian Metis hero, Louis Riel. John can trace his Métis family history back to the Red River settlement, the homeland of the Métis Nation in Canada.
As a business owner and employer of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, John is aware of the challenges faced by both employees and employers in the workplace. It was this experience and background that became a leading force in inspiring John to develop his aboriginal awareness training program.
Since 1998, John has been delivering Aboriginal awareness seminars to an incredible array of clients, such as Sasktel, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Saskatoon Police Service, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Provincial Court Judges, Cameco Corporation and the University of Saskatchewan.
The real reward for this guy is spending time with wife Deirdra and the kids at Shell Lake and coaching son Riel and daughter Willow in hockey.
Speaker Summary
Location: Canada
Language: English
Website: Click Here
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