Resume for Barb Brant

Barbara Brant

Practicing Mohawk Elder, Traditionalist, Ceremonialist

SKILLS

● Educate and provide counselling and healing services to individuals

and groups across the country

● Unique experience working on education, community development

programs, and various initiatives with the Government of Canada

● Superior communications, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills

● Practitioner of the Indigenous Oral Tradition

● Traditional Indigenous Medicine Healing

EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS

●  Tyendinaga - Six Nations Practicing Mohawk Elder 1999 - present

● Serve and guide my community on all matters related to their wellbeing, health (including mental health), and Spirituality

● Worked with the community during the training stages that predated 1999 Kumik Elders Lodge Elder-in-Residence (on a rotational schedule) 2014 - present

● Serve as the Elder-in-Residence at the Government of Canada’s Kumik Elders Lodge, a service provided for the benefit of Indigenous employees of the Federal Government, their families, and Non-Indigenous Allies

● Provide one-on-one counselling on Personal and Spiritual matters

● Deliver small and large group teachings

● Advise Kumik staff and public servants on protocols

● Share Traditional Knowledge that has been passed on by Master Teachers

● Government of Canada (various events, ceremonies, and projects), Practicing Mohawk Elder, June 2014 - present.  These are a few examples of my previous work with the Government of Canada:

● National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

●  One of a few Elders selected to conduct ceremonies for the opening of the Inquiry

●  Provide support to the families of the victims

● Conducted the closing ceremonies for the Parliament of Canada when the centreblock moved for renovations

● Conducted with other Elders the opening ceremony for the Federal Government’s incoming government and cabinet in 2015 with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

● Conducted several ceremonies for and provided advice to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Carolyn Bennet and her staff.

● National Strategy To Combat Human Trafficking conference in Toronto (2019)

● Conducted the opening and closing ceremonies at the request of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, former Minister of Public Safety
●  Performed healing work and provided support to law enforcement officers, the victims who were in attendance, social workers, and public servants
●  Held Healing Circles and Sacred Spaces for attendees to assist with their emotional transitions during difficult periods

● Opening and closing ceremonies for the launch of the diversity programs under the Honorable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality

● Provided advice and assisted with traditional ceremonies for Canadian Forces Base Trenton

● Canada Beyond 150 - Elder-in-Residence, June 2017 - May 2018

● Canada Beyond 150 was a leadership and training program for policy analysts put on by Policy Horizons Canada and the Privy Council’s Office

● Advised on protocols and traditions when working with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers

● Provided individual and group Spiritual Guidance, and conducted Healing Ceremonies

● Taught Indigenous Teachings and traditions to participants working on the Reconciliation program theme

● Opened and closed conferences and events related to the program

● Loyalist College, Belleville, 2012 - present

● Serve on the board of governors to represent Tyendinaga Centennial College, Toronto, 2010 - present

● Assisting with Community Development Programs Woodland Cultural Centre Board of Governors, Brantford, 1994 - present

● Oversee the directors of the cultural center and make decisions that impact language and cultural programs and performances Quinte Mohawk Dancers 1985 - 2009

● Coached and supervised the group to perform in traditional social dancing

EDUCATION

Mentorships under Indigenous Chiefs and Elders (locally and internationally)

● Chief Earl R. Hill (Wolf Clan)

● Elder Tom Porter, Spiritual Leader of the The Iroquois Confederacy (Bear Clan)

● Grandmother Elder Sara D. Smith (Turtle Clan, Mohawk Nation, Grand River Territory)

● Elder Ted Silverhand (Bear Clan, Tuscarora)

Nipissing University (North Bay) - Several courses 1999 - 2014

● First Nations Classroom Assistant (Level III)

● Original Peoples of the Americas Cultural Identity

● Activities and Societies: Programme Enhancements for Native Children/Student Learning

Humber College (Toronto) - Developmental Services Worker Honours Diploma - 1982

- 1984