Tanisi. I am a member of the Samson Cree Nation, which is one of the four Cree communities that surround Maskwacîs in Treaty No. 6 Territory. My family and I are currently blessed to reside as guests within the foothills of Treaty No. 7 Territory. Through my role as Coordinator for NIAB’s Social Work Education Circle (SWEC) I have the pleasure of learning from a diverse group of Knowledge Keepers, community organizations, IIHL alumni, and educators. I am currently completing doctoral research which is centred around using visual methods to share the storywork of Indigenous Institutes of Higher Learning. I thank you for your interest in learning more about our organization and I invite you to walk with us as we collectively strive to develop education systems that are sourced within local landscapes, languages, and knowledges.

Greetings. It has been my pleasure over the past four years to have provided research services on multiple projects of the National Indigenous Accreditation Board. Collaborating with the dedicated people associated with this key Indigenous organization has provided me with the opportunity not only to make contributions to the assertion of Indigenous sovereignty in the field of post-secondary education but also to continue on a personal path of lifelong learning from and within Indigenous communities. I have been a member of Sawridge First Nation (Treaty Eight) since 1981 and currently reside within Treaty Six Territory near Maskwacîs.

Michelle V. Huggins is a Doctor in Research in Social Sciences (major: Sociology) with post-doctoral training in Cultural Anthropology. A remote faculty of Algoma University, her career focus revolves around the decolonization of higher education. A firm believer in life-long learning and a grateful inhabitant of Treaty 7 territory, Michelle looks forward to being of service to NIAB due to the organization’s commitment to validating Indigenous-led education in a manner true to Indigenous ways of life.