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Conference Session
C4: Circle of Change: Indigenous Wisdom for Workplace Transformation
Speakers | Lewis Cardinal, Jacquelyn Cardinal
What if the key to a thriving workplace lies in ancient wisdom?
Dive deep into the transformative power of Indigenous circle practices in this immersive session. Experience firsthand how the fundamental concept of interconnectedness can reshape your team’s dynamics and address persistent workplace challenges.
Through participation in a traditional smudge ceremony, you’ll not only learn about, but feel the impact of circle processes. Discover how these practices can:
- Dissolve hierarchical barriers, fostering genuine equality in team interactions
- Cultivate deep listening skills that enhance understanding and empathy
- Create space for authentic sharing, leading to more innovative problem-solving
- Build a sense of community that supports mental health and well-being
Leave with practical tools to immediately implement circle processes in your regular team meetings, transforming them from routine check-ins to powerful sessions of collaboration and growth.
This isn’t just about changing how you meet—it’s about fundamentally shifting how your team connects, communicates, and creates together. Join us to explore how timeless Indigenous wisdom can be the catalyst for profound change in your workplace.
Speaker Biographies
Lewis Cardinal
Lewis Cardinal is a respected Indigenous educator, communicator, and community leader dedicated to fostering relationships and understanding across cultural divides. With a strong background in Indigenous education and a commitment to lifelong learning, Lewis brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work as a speaker, consultant, and advocate for social justice.
As a member of the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation, Lewis’s commitment to his community and culture is evident in his extensive record of public service. He has served as a founding board member of Alberta Aboriginal Arts, vice-chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada, and chair of the Global Indigenous Dialogue for Initiatives of Change Canada. His contributions have been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for Public Service and the IndSpire Award for Public Service, the highest honour given to an Indigenous person by Indigenous people in Canada.
Through his consulting company, Cardinal Strategic Communications, Lewis specializes in Indigenous education, communications, and project development. As the Project Manager for kihciy askiy (Sacred Land), Lewis has been instrumental in establishing Canada’s first urban Indigenous ceremony grounds in Edmonton, Alberta. This groundbreaking project reflects Lewis’s deep commitment to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture and spirituality.
A gifted storyteller and communicator, Lewis has also made his mark in the world of media as the owner and CEO of Red Earth Blue Sky Productions. His ability to bridge cultural gaps and promote understanding has earned him recognition as a Distinguished Alumni from MacEwan University and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Sacred Letters from St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta.
With his unique blend of traditional knowledge, academic expertise, and passion for social change, Lewis Cardinal is a powerful voice for Indigenous rights and reconciliation in Canada and beyond.
Jacuelyn Cardinal
Jacquelyn Cardinal is an entrepreneur and change-maker dedicated to fostering understanding and prosperity among Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. As the co-founder of Naheyawin, an Indigenous-owned consulting firm, Jacquelyn’s passion for Indigenous perspectives and storytelling has earned her recognition as a trusted leader in the equity, diversity, and inclusion sector.
Recognized for her achievements with the Esquao Award in Business and the SHEInnovates Award from the UN Women’s Global Innovation Coalition for Change, Jacquelyn continues to empower communities and drive meaningful change. Her testimony before the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples on contemporary treaty relations and the role of technology further demonstrates her influence in shaping the national dialogue on Indigenous issues.
Jacquelyn’s impact extends beyond the business world, as evidenced by her acclaimed play, Lake of the Strangers, co-written with her brother Hunter Cardinal. The play, which earned the 2019 Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Award for Outstanding New Play, showcases Jacquelyn’s ability to engage and inspire audiences through the power of story.
As a member of the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation, Jacquelyn brings an authentic and grounded perspective to her work, rooted in the teachings of her ancestors and the vision of a more connected and understanding world.