The National Truth and Reconciliation Day- symbolic gesture or systemic change?

Speaker:
Bob Watts, Adjunct Professor, School of Policy Studies Queen’s University 

Bob Watts has been involved in many major Indigenous issues in Canada over the past 20 years and led the process, with support from across Canada and internationally, to establish Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is examining and will make recommendations regarding the Indian Residential School era and its legacy. He was Interim Executive Director of the Commission and was a member of the team, which negotiated the historic Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.

His current activities include working with Mediate BC to recommend ways for Aboriginal communities to respond to changes to the Canadian Human Rights Act and working on the Siting Process with the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. 

Mr. Watts is also a former CEO of the Assembly of First Nations, served as the Chief of Staff to the Assembly of First Nations‘ National Chief Phil Fontaine, and is a former Assistant Deputy Minister for the Government of Canada. He is a graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and fellow at the Harvard Law School. Mr. Watts is from Mohawk and Ojibway ancestry and is a member of the Six Nations Reserve.

• FREE EVENT but registration is required.