CONFERENCE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Wednesday Afternoon Keynote Speaker

Berice Anning - WINHEC and WIRA Journal Co-Chair

World Indigenous Research Alliance

Berice Anning

Wednesday Afternoon Keynote Speaker JOLAN HSIEH - Taiwan

Jolan is a leading scholar in Indigenous Studies at National Dong Hwa University, directs the Center for International Indigenous Affairs, focusing on indigenous rights and justice, trauma healing, and sovereignty

JOLAN HSIEH

Keynote Address: Boni Robertson

Professor Boni Robertson is a First Nations woman whose cultural background is aligned with Kabi Kabi and Gorang Gorang People through her matriarchal bloodline. Professor Robertson has a widely recognized and respected career having held senior Executive or leadership positions as a First Nations woman in higher education, within Government and in community-based agencies that align with her passion for human rights, culturally responsive and respectful education and social justice.

Boni Robertson

Thursday Mornings Keynote Address: REUBEN QUINN

kiskisomitok ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ a finalist for the 2026 Indigenous Voices Award for Published Prose and the winner of the 2026 Wilfrid Eggleston Award!

In ᑭᐢᑭᓱᒥᑐᐠ kiskisomitok: ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ to remind each and one another, nêhîyaw educator ᑳᐯᓵᑳᐢᑌᐠ Reuben Quinn uses the spirit marker writing system as a foundation for teaching ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ nêhîyawewin.

Rueben Quinn

Friday's Keynote Address: Dr. Janet Smiley

Dr. Smylie is a family physician and Indigenous health research scientist. A Métis woman with Prairie kinlines, Dr. Smylie, acknowledges her family, teachers, and lodge. She holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Advancing Generative Health Services for Indigenous Populations in Canada at Unity Health Toronto where she directs the Well Living House Applied Research Centre (www.welllivinghouse.com). She is a Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and DFCM, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Dr. Smylie has practiced and taught family medicine in diverse Indigenous communities both urban and rural. She maintains a part-time clinical practice with Inner City Health Associates at the Call Auntie Clinic.

Dr. Janet Smiley