Dr. Sean Lessard
Keynote: Thursday, April 10
Bubbling Up: Empowering Indigenous Youth Through ‘Radical Advocacy’
In this keynote presentation, Dr. Sean Lessard reflects on his work alongside Indigenous youth both in and outside of schools. His approach to working alongside youth on the margins is based on the Pedagogy of the Heart and what he loosely coins “radical advocacy.” Sean has worked across North America with youth and is especially known for his design of graduation coach models, transition/career planning and “school at any place and at any time” approaches. He has most recently turned his attention to the youth from his home community and has worked toward designing alongside them a land-based and wellness hub for healing. Through speaking, Sean has specifically purchased over 1,000 pairs of shoes for elders and youth and over 300 bikes so each child might have an opportunity “to bike to places within their imaginations.”
Biography
Dr. Sean Lessard is Woodland Cree from Montreal Lake Cree Nation in Northern Saskatchewan Treaty 6 territory. He is an award-winning professor, writer and researcher specializing in youth wellness. Sean is a former youth worker, teacher and high school guidance counsellor. He is known for his work alongside Indigenous youth and communities in the development of innovative educational programming and, in particular, Indigenous youth empowerment. Sean is currently an Associate Professor of Secondary Education at the University of Alberta in Indigenous Education and Teacher Education. He continues to write and research on the experiences of Indigenous youth and families in and outside of school places. This Montreal Lake Cree Nation video is being shown across Canada in Landmark Cinemas, celebrating Sean’s work in his home community of Montreal Lake Cree Nation.