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The Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould

First Nations Leader | Former MP and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada | Bestselling Author

Jody Wilson-Raybould
Be an Agent of Change
Jody Wilson-Raybould podium 3
Avoiding Performative Reconciliation
Jody Wilson-Raybould podium2
Partisanship Is Corrosive to Leadership
"Indian" in the Cabinet
The
Jody Wilson-Raybould podium 3
Jody Wilson-Raybould podium2
Jody Wilson-Raybould
Be an Agent of Change
Jody Wilson-Raybould podium 3
Avoiding Performative Reconciliation
Jody Wilson-Raybould podium2
Partisanship Is Corrosive to Leadership
"Indian" in the Cabinet

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, PC, OBC, KC, was raised to be a leader. The daughter of a hereditary chief and Indigenous leader, she always knew that she would seek leadership roles and responsibilities. As a lawyer, an advocate, and a leader among Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, she’s built a strong reputation as a bridge builder and champion of good governance and accountability. She shares her unique perspective as both a community and political leader on topics such as Indigenous rights and reconciliation, democracy and governance, leadership, and justice.

Wilson-Raybould was first elected as a Member of Parliament for the new constituency of Vancouver Granville in 2015. She was then appointed the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada making her the first Indigenous person to serve in this portfolio. In January 2019, she was appointed the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Canada and Associate Minister of National Defence, positions she held until her resignation from cabinet in February 2019.

During the 2019 election, Wilson-Raybould was re-elected as an Independent Member of Parliament for Vancouver Granville, making her Canada’s first ever female Independent MP elected and the only elected Independent in the 43rd Parliament.

Prior to politics, Wilson-Raybould was a provincial crown prosecutor in Vancouver and served three terms as an elected Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission. She was also elected BC Regional Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 2009, where she devoted herself to the advancement of First Nations governance, fair access to land and resources, as well as improved education and health care services. She served until 2015, holding responsibilities for governance and Nation building on the Assembly of First Nations Executive.

Wilson-Raybould is a descendant of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk and Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples, which are part of the Kwakwaka’wakw and also known as the Kwak’wala speaking peoples. She is a member of the We Wai Kai Nation with her traditional name, Puglaas, meaning “woman born to noble people.” She served two terms as an elected councillor for her Nation and was also a director and chair of the First Nations Finance Authority and a director of the First Nations Lands Advisory Board.

Wilson-Raybould is the bestselling author of three books, the political memoir “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power, which was a finalist for The Writers’ Trust Balsillie Prize for Public Policy and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing; From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada; and, her most recent, True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force For Change. She is also the co-author of the forthcoming book, Reconciling History: A Story of Canada.

Speaking topics

Presentations listed below include in-person and virtual keynotes, as well as workshops, fireside chats, and other presentation formats.

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Client reviews

  • Oh wow, Jody was incredible. She wove her story along with her strength in leadership and intertwined it with our mandate. I received great feedback, including, “She brought tears to my eyes,” and “After hearing her speak, it gives me the confidence to continue being ‘difficult’.” Personally speaking, I have always looked up to her, but now I want to be even better because of her. The energy after she left was palpable. We had a sold-out event, and it was better than we could have imagined.

  • Jody’s speech at our 2022 Wonder Women conference was phenomenal. She was candid, raw, and incredibly inspiring. You could see people leaning on the edges of their seats to hear the next words. From the stage, she made everyone feel seen and important. With such a diverse audience, Jody’s ability to capture both attention and hearts will not be soon forgotten!

  • Please thank Jody for coming to Whitehorse and giving the most inspirational speech our town has ever heard! After Jody’s keynote presentation, several panelists quoted her in their sessions reiterating the importance of true reconciliation.

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