Lori Campbell
Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagement, University of Regina
Indigenous issues, Social justice issues, EDI, Decolonization, Indigenous education, Sixties Scoop, 2 Spirit, Indigenous feminism, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Adoption, Reconciliation, Indigenous research methodology
Media
Reconciliation is Dead
“Reconciliation is dead, or so it has been said. But is that really so?” In this timely and powerful talk, Lori Campbell speaks about what reconciliation with Indigenous communities is not, while giving us all some steps to take as a path forward to reviving it. Acknowledging that reconciliation has been quite the buzz word since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Lori argues that reconciliation isn’t actually dead unless we choose to let it die. Lori Campbell has made it her career, personally and professionally, advocating for social justice and working towards a more equitable society for all. She started out working with at-risk youth, later moved into public housing, and then became a victim services resource officer before moving into post-secondary. Now, with over 12 years of progressive leadership that comprises contributions in student services, academics, research and administration, Lori is an experienced leader in post-secondary education with a proven track record particularly in advancing processes of Indigenization and reconciliation. She currently holds the position of Director, Shatitsirótha’ Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre St. Paul’s University College. Lori is a 2-Spirit nēhiyaw āpihtākosisān iskwew (Cree-Métis) and her family is original from Treaty 6 territory. She is an intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential School system and a child from the Sixties Scoop generation. She is proud to say that over the last 25 years she has managed to locate and contact not only her birth mom, but all 6 of her living siblings. Her life experiences have contributed not only to her understanding of Indigenous issues, but also to her passion for education. Lori holds two undergraduate degrees (Indigenous Studies and Psychology), a master’s degree in Adult Education and is currently working towards a PhD in Social Justice Education through the University of Toronto.
MMIWG Inquiry: Marc Montgomery interviews specialist Lori Campbell
Marc Montgomery talks with Lori Campbell, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at St. Paul's University College, affiliated with the University of Waterloo, Ontario, about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Inquiry.
Lori Campbell Indigenous Research Methods
Guest lecture for UWaterloo Architectural graduate students, staff, and faculty.
The Auntie's DandelionRadio/Podcast
AUNTIE: Wa’tkwanonhweráton Sewakwé:kon – on this episode of The Aunties Dandelion we visit with Lori Campbell a formidable justice warrior, Intergenerational residential school survivor, Indigiqueer Auntie… she’s scholar and and recent contender on the reality show Canada’s Ultimate Challenge. Lori is a member of Montreal Lake First Nation Treaty 6 Territory and spent decades on a quest to piece her family back together after she and her siblings were taken from her mom by Canada’s government. It’s estimated 20 thousand Indigenous children suffered the same fate as the Campbells in what’s known as Canada’s Sixties Scoop. Lori walks us through the details of her grueling journey which eventually let the assurance she encountered when she finally met her birth family. LORI: All those times that I was sitting wondering if anybody thought of me. You know I would say to anybody out there who has been separated from their family never doubt that our people don’t think of us. That they are not longing for us and missing us and loving us and wanting the best for us. AUNTIE: Lori takes her Auntie role seriously and she competed in Canada’s Ultimate Challenge in order to reveal a more complete narrative of Indigenous people than the media typicall shows us. LORI: People weren’t just seeing me but they were seeing… our people and the strength that we bring right? Not our victimhood. But our strength. AUNTIE: Despite suffering a devastating injury – Lori made us all proud and amazed with her determination. So make sure you keep listening. We are Yéthi Nihsténha ne Tekarónyakénare. The Aunties Dandelion. We’re focused on revitalizing our communities through stories of land, language, and relationships. And we want to say Nyá:wenkò:wa – or big thanks – to Canada’s Indigenous Screen Office – teyonhkiwihstekénha – for making this podcast possible through their New Media fund. We make space here for real conversations to unfold like we’re visiting in our communities. So take a breath, make some tea – and listen to your Aunties. And when you are done – please follow us, provide some feedback, and share these visits with others. It helps us continue these visits together.
The Conversation Podcast: Don't Call Me Resilient, November 2, 2023Radio/Podcast
When the Buffy Sainte-Marie news broke last week, people were stunned. A CBC investigation was accusing the legendary singer-songwriter of lying about her Indigenous roots. Sainte-Marie had already come out on social media and said she had been claimed by the Piapot Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan - something the Piapot First Nation confirmed. And from earlier conversations about “pretendians” - those faking an Indigenous identity - it was clear kinship ties were maybe even more important than genealogy when it comes to establishing Indigeneity. In today’s episode, Lori Campbell, Associate Vice President of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina, speaks to Vinita about how this story rolled out, and why it matters to everyone following it.
"A first of its kind": Indigenous-centred degree business program in the works
The Morning Edition - K-W: CBC News, Waterloo, February 8, 2019Radio/Podcast
URL: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1435910211549
A new undergraduate program is in the works at St.Paul's University College at the University of Waterloo. A first of its kind bachelors program will focus on teaching students business management skills... from an Indigenous perspective
After 'Justice for Colten' rallies subside, what's next?
The Waterloo Record, February 16, 2018Print
Interview after the Colten Boushie verdict: the man responsible for shooting Boushie in the back of the head goes free.
What's with the territorial acknowledgments at public events in Waterloo Region?
The Role of Faculty Associations Following the Truth & Reconclliation Commission
Academic Matters, May 10, 2019Online
As universities take on the work of Indigenization, what role do faculty and faculty associations have in advancing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and the rights of their Indigenous members?
Biography
Lori is Two-Spirit and is a member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, Treaty 6 territory. She is an intergenerational survivor of the Indian Residential School system and a child from the Sixties Scoop generation. Lori has made it her career advocating for social justice and working towards a more equitable society for all. With over 15 years of progressive leadership in student services, academics, research and administration, Lori is an experienced leader in education. Most recently, she was the oldest female player and the only Two-Spirit person on CBC’s first season of Canada’s Ultimate Challenge. Through the sharing of her lived experiences, traditional knowledge, and professional proficiencies she provides uncomfortable truths required for advancing processes of Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation within organizations and communities. Lori holds two undergraduate degrees (Indigenous Studies and Psychology), a master’s degree in Adult Education and is completing a PhD in Social Justice Education. She currently holds the position of Associate Vice-President, Indigenous Engagementat the University of Regina.
Recognition/Reconnaissance
Waterloo Reads Winner | Professional
The region of Waterloo's version of Canada Reads.
Chose and successfully defended "The book every Canadian should read: Halfbreed", by Maria Campbell.
2019 Leading Women, Leading Girls Award | Professional
This award celebrates women and girls whose hard work and contributions inspire others to take a leading role in their community.
Additional Titles and Affiliations
Senior Women's Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC)
Professional membership.
The Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada organization was founded in 1987 to provide a forum and a collective voice for women in senior administrative ranks in Canadian universities, colleges and technical institutes. The primary purpose of SWAAC is the promotion of female leadership in Canadian universities, colleges and technical institutes through:
Developing and enhancing leadership skills
Mentoring future leaders
Recognizing exceptional leaders
Networking and communicating
Promoting equity, diversity and inclusion
Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE-SCEES)
Professional membership.
The purpose of the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education (CSSHE) to promote scholarship related to postsecondary education through publications and scholarly conferences.
Native American Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
Professional membership.
The largest scholarly organization that engages Indigenous issues and communities. The international and interdisciplinary membership is comprised of professional academics, students, independent scholars, community-based educators and elders.
Canadian Studies Network (CNS)
Professional membership.
An association dedicated to serving the purposes of scholars - including faculty, students, and independent researchers - involved in the study of Canada through Canadian Studies programs or within other disciplines at the post-secondary level in Canada.
Past Talks
Missing & Murders Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2Spirit
Women's March Canada: Waterloo Chapter
Kitchener City Hall, Kitchener, Ontario, January 19, 2019
Mentoring, Gender, and Academia
W3 Represents: A Research Symposium
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, February 20, 2019
White Feminism
Waterloo Women's Centre Panel
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, March 7, 2019
Speak up: A forum on Anti-Racism
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Kitchener Public Library, March 21, 2019
Indigeneity, students, and higher education: The complexities, the realities, and what you can do to support Indigenous Student Success
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Toronto, Ontario, April 5, 2019
Indigenous Leadership
Senior Women's Academic Administrative Conference (SWAAC)
University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, April 20, 2019
Is Indigenization Yet Another Assimilation Project?
Mai ki te Ao Indigenous Doctoral Pre-Conference to Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)
Hamilton, New Zealand, June 21, 2019
Indigeneity, Indigenous Feminisms, and Indigenization
NORA Conference: Border Regimes, Territorial Discourses, and Feminist Politics
University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland, May 23, 2019
Research Grants
An indigegogical framework for curriculum development
Organization: Learning Innovation and Teaching Enhancement (LITE) Seed Grant, U WaterlooDate: March 30, 2019
Grant amount: $7,500
Details:
Principal Investigator.
Reconciliation in the workplace: Creating cultures of trust via effective communication, building relationships, and a climate for cultural safety for Indigenous employees in Ontario and Canada
Organization: Ontario Research Fund Excellence Fund (ORF-RE)Date: March 30, 2018
Grant amount: $1,000,000
Details:
Collaborator & Applied Theme Lead.
More information: https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous-workways/
Unsettling tourism: Settler stories, Indigenous lands, and awakening an ethics of reconciliation
Organization: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)Date: October 30, 2018
Grant amount: $302,000
Details:
Collaborator.
Northern districts student recruitment strategy. Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development
Organization: • Ontario Postsecondary Access and Inclusion Program: Transition Preparation for projectDate: March 30, 2018
Grant amount: $73,000
Details:
Principal Investigator.
A research project scanning needs of northern students and post-secondary access.
Ceremonial Firegrounds
Organization: Student Life Endowment FundDate: June 30, 2018
Grant amount: $10,000
Details:
Funding to complete a permanent outdoor cultural and ceremonial learning space on campus.