Meet Our Keynote Speakers

Breakout: Understanding Treaty Rights

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    Deanne Kasokeo

    POUNDMAKER CREE NATION, SK

    "UNDERSTANDING THE IMPLICATIONS OF COWS & PLOWS CLAIMS ON TREATY"

    Deanne Kasokeo is a dedicated lawyer, advocate, and playwright from Treaty 6 Territory, known for her relentless commitment to defending the rights and interests of First Nations people. With 16 years of legal practice, she has represented clients in criminal, family, child protection, labour, employment, and governance matters. She has served as legal counsel to three First Nations, helping build strong governance frameworks and engaging in negotiations with both provincial and federal governments.

    Deanne has appeared in Provincial, King’s Bench, and Federal Courts, as well as before labour boards and adjudicators for IAP Residential School claims. A published playwright, her powerful work “Truth Hurts” inspired her to pursue law. She famously reclaimed her copyright in Federal Court, highlighting her tenacity. A descendant of Mistahi Maskwa (Big Bear) and raised in a strong matriarchal tradition, Deanne is a proud mother, grandmother, and advocate for Treaty rights, cultural protection, and Indigenous justice.

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    Leroy Wolf Collar

    “INFRINGEMENT OF TREATY RIGHTS FROM PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS”

    Leroy Paul Wolf Collar, Sako Opakiiyi (“Last to Break Camp”), is a respected leader from Siksika Nation. A fluent Blackfoot speaker raised on the reserve, he brings over 35 years of leadership and governance experience as a former Chief, Councillor, Tribal Manager, and Executive Officer. He served Siksika Nation from 1993 to 2010 and was twice recognized for Good Governance by the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

    Leroy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies from the University of Lethbridge and a Master of Education from the University of Calgary. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education Leadership. He also holds leadership certificates from Mount Royal University and the Banff Centre.

    In 2020, he authored First Nations Self-Government: 17 Roadblocks to Self-Determination, offering insights on Indigenous governance. A proud husband, father, and grandfather, Leroy continues to be a strong voice for self-determination and community empowerment.

  • Randy Ermineskin

    ERMINESKIN CREE NATION

    Randy Ermineskin is the President of Yellowhead Tribal College in Edmonton, Alberta, with extensive experience in both school and college administration. A member and former Chief of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, Randy also served as a Councilman for his Nation. A residential school survivor, he overcame early adversity through discipline and determination, eventually earning a Master’s degree in Administration and Leadership. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

    Randy is a firm believer in servant-leadership and the importance of long-term vision, inspired by the concept of seven-generation stewardship. A former professional hockey player, he is committed to mentoring and empowering others by sharing his experiences and knowledge. Married to his wife Fran for 43 years, they are proud parents of four adult children—three of whom are teachers and one working in the oil and gas sector. Randy continues to inspire future generations through education, leadership, and cultural values.

Elders Panel on Treaty History and Interpretation

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Moderated by Deanne Kasokeo

KASOKEO LAW, POUNDMAKER CREE NATION

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Panelists

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  • Chakstaypasin Bank SK, Treaty 6

    Sol Sanderson, a respected Cree leader from James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, served as Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) from 1979 to 1986. During his leadership, First Nations in Canada became increasingly active in asserting their political rights. Sanderson played a pivotal role in the inclusion of Treaty and Aboriginal rights in the Canadian Constitution in 1982. He led a delegation to the British Parliament to advocate for Treaty rights and was instrumental in elevating their recognition at the international level. A founding leader of the Assembly of First Nations, he was a senior spokesperson at the First Ministers’ Conferences on Indigenous issues. Sanderson was a driving force in the development of Indigenous self-government and helped establish key First Nations institutions, including the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and First Nations University of Canada. He also played a vital role in the Treaty Land Entitlement process in Saskatchewan.

  • Blood Tribe, AB Treaty 7

    Dr. Mike BruisedHead (Niina Piiksii) is an Elder from Kainai Nation of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) and a fluent speaker of the Blackfoot language. His Blackfoot name, Niina Piiksii, means “Chief Bird.” He is a Kaaahsinnooniksi (Elder) for many Kainai ceremonies and cultural events, and serves as an instructor for Poo’miikapii: Niitsitapii Approaches to Wellness and Niitsitapiisinni: Real Peoples' Way of Life at the Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary.

    Dr. Bruised Head completed his Doctorate in Philosophy (Social, Cultural, and Political Thought) at the University of Lethbridge in 2023, becoming the first person to defend a thesis in Siksikaitsipowahsiistsi (Blackfoot). His thesis, The Colonial Impact of the Erasure of Blackfoot Miistakistsi Place Names in Paahtomahksikimi, Waterton Lakes National Park, focuses on restoring traditional Blackfoot names to the mountains. He also chairs KEPA, raises horses and cattle on the Blood Reserve, and upholds Blackfoot ceremonial traditions.First Nations institutions, including the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, and First Nations University of Canada. He also played a vital role in the Treaty Land Entitlement process in Saskatchewan.

  • Siksika Nation

    Miiksika’am, known also as Elder Clarence Wolfleg, is a respected Siksika Nation elder and Canadian military veteran. Taken to Old Sun Residential School at age seven, he emerged with a vision shaped by hardship: to serve as a soldier and become a leader. At 17, he enlisted in the Canadian Army, later serving with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, including peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and Europe. His experiences taught him resilience, teamwork, and the long-lasting effects of trauma. After his military service, he returned home to serve with the Blackfoot Tribal Police and later as Chief of Police. He was elected to ten terms on the Siksika Nation Council and led Siksika Alcohol Services.

    A passionate advocate for Indigenous veterans, Elder Wolfleg now serves as a spiritual advisor to many institutions, including Mount Royal University and Veterans Affairs Canada. His life stands as a testament to healing, leadership, and cultural strength.

Scholar Panel on Provincial Separation Attempts

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Moderated by Carolyn Buffalo

MONTANA CREE NATION

Panelists

  • Dr. Andrew Bear Robe is a respected member of the Blackfoot Confederacy from Siksika Nation, Treaty 7. A fluent Blackfoot speaker raised in traditional ways, he has been a lifelong cultural and community leader. He has held key leadership roles in the Prairie Chicken Society and continues to serve as a mounted leader of the Brave Dogs Society. Bear Robe holds both a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Calgary, where his academic focus centered on treaty federalism and First Nation–Crown relations.

    He has contributed extensively to the field of Indigenous education and cultural revitalization, including his work as an Indigenization consultant at Mount Royal University's Bissett School of Business. Deeply committed to the preservation of Blackfoot language and governance traditions, Dr. Bear Robe is widely recognized for his efforts in strengthening cultural identity and advancing Treaty understanding within academic, governmental, and community circles.

  • Dr. Leo Baskatawang is an Anishinaabe scholar from Lac Des Mille Lacs First Nation, located within Treaty #3 territory. He serves as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba, where he brings a critical Indigenous lens to the study and teaching of law. Dr. Baskatawang is the author of Reclaiming Anishinaabe Law: Kinamaadiwin Inaakonigewin and the Treaty Right to Education, a landmark work that explores the intersection of Indigenous legal traditions and treaty obligations in Canada. His research is rooted in Indigenous resurgence and focuses on Indigenous education, treaty rights, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the broader processes of reconciliation and decolonization. As both an academic and community advocate, Dr. Baskatawang is committed to advancing Indigenous self-determination and revitalizing Indigenous legal systems through education, scholarship, and dialogue.

  • Matthew Wildcat is a member of the Ermineskin Cree Nation and was raised in the community of Maskwacis, Alberta. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of British Columbia and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. His research focuses on Indigenous governance, with a particular emphasis on relationality and jurisdiction among First Nations. He leads the Relational Governance Project, which explores how Indigenous nations establish shared governance structures. Wildcat is also a research fellow at the Wahkohtowin Law and Governance Lodge and a director of the Prairie Relationality Network. His collaborative work spans institutions and communities including the Maskwacis Education Schools Commission, Parks Canada, Dene Nahjo, Gwich’in Youth Council, and several universities and Indigenous organizations across Canada. Through his scholarship and community engagement, Wildcat is contributing to the advancement of Indigenous governance and legal traditions.

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Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre

11834 Kingsway NW | Edmonton, Alberta

United in Treaty will take place in Edmonton, Alberta at the Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre. Located just five minutes from the city’s downtown, this convenient, amenity-rich venue is Edmonton’s largest meeting space and offers the perfect, welcoming environment for a meaningful, connected, community-focused event.

A dedicated room block has been arranged at the Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre for attendees of the United in Treaty Conference, scheduled for June 25–26, 2025. Located at 11834 Kingsway Avenue, Edmonton, AB, this venue offers 260 spacious guest rooms and is recognized as Edmonton's largest conference hotel, providing ample space and amenities for conference participants. 

To reserve your accommodation, please contact the hotel directly at 1-888-747-4114. Mention your attendance at the United in Treaty Conference to access the special group rate. For more information about the hotel and its facilities, visit their official website: edmontoninn.ca

We encourage early booking to ensure availability and secure the preferred rate.