As a member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, a 27-year Canadian Armed Forces veteran and former Member of Parliament, Robert-Falcon Ouellette’s personal and professional journey is an exceptional story of service and leadership. He joins the Faculty of Education as associate professor, teaching and researching in the areas of Indigenous spirituality, Indigenous education, territories, military ethics and political science. A dedicated educator and anthropologist, Professor Ouellette helped establish the new Yellowquill University College, the only Indigenous post-secondary institution in Manitoba.
Promoting Indigenous education
“Since 2015 Reconciliation has become an important issue in public and private spheres. When we speak of Reconciliation what is our understanding?” asks Professor Ouellette. “Equipping educators with authentic knowledge which goes beyond a review of history, and data that allows experiences of traditional culture in modern contexts is critical. It is important for all Canadian youth to have these understandings which spark their curiosity, but Indigenous youth need it more, because they also need deep connections to their own rituals and knowledge of their ancestors to help rebuild Indigenous families.”
“Equipping educators with authentic knowledge which goes beyond a review of history, and data that allows experiences of traditional culture in modern contexts is critical.”
Robert-Falcon Ouellette
Education and Indigenous rights
Professor Ouellette holds a doctorate and two master’s degrees from Laval University in Quebec City and was only the second Indigenous person in 350 years to earn a doctorate from Laval. He was also elected as a Member of Parliament and served as Chair of the Indigenous Caucus. During his mandate, he made important advances in Indigenous rights, including contributing to changes in child and family services and Indigenous language legislation and the adoption of new rules in the House of Commons to include the interpretation of Indigenous languages.
Professor Ouellette's publications include: The Second Métis Revolt of 1885: A Case Study in Non-Commissioned Member Training and the Intermediate Leadership Program. Canadian Military Journal, 14(4), 54-65; and Honouring Indigenous Languages in Parliament. Canadian Parliamentary Review, 42(2).
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