Ask the Experts | Indigenous Allyship in the Workplace

Description

Join us for an empowering and thought-provoking conversation on Allyship in the Workplace, where we'll explore what it truly means to be an ally, and how individuals and organizations can actively support equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Sponsored by LBMX, this event brings together voices from across sectors to discuss how intentional allyship can strengthen teams, create safer and more inclusive environments, and drive meaningful change at every level of the workplace.

Whether you're in leadership, HR, or simply passionate about fostering a positive workplace culture, this event will offer practical strategies, personal insights, and actionable steps toward building allyship into your daily work and organizational values.

Facilitator: Katie Wilhelm
Panelists:

• Chantel Antone
• Christy Bressette
• Emily Schuyler

About our panelists
 

Katie Wilhelm, RGD (she/her) is an award-winning Indigenous designer and consultant based in London, Ontario. Katie is a proud Indigenous woman from the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation at Neyaashiinigmiing.

Prior to founding her own design practice, Katie spent more than ten years specializing in corporate communications, specifically in local economic development. Katie is a leader in the local arts and culture community, having worked in London's creative industry since 2009. 

A champion for the Indigenous community, she continuously looks to inspire others to create a colourful future for Turtle Island. Learn more at www.katiewilhelm.design.

Christy Bressette, Vice-Provost & Associate Vice-President
Dr. Christy Rochelle Bressette serves as Western's inaugural Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Initiatives, where she leads work to advance Reconciliation through Education" based upon her lived experiences as an Anishinabe parent, student, teacher, and community member of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation. As an educator within provincial public schools, First Nation schools, and within several Canadian universities, and a leader within in a variety of educational leadership capacities, such as the National Coordinator of Indigenous Education at the Council of Ministers of Education Canada; Special Advisor to the Paul Martin Family Initiative; Board Governor with Lambton College; Indigenous Trustee with the Lambton Kent District School Board; and a longstanding member and former Chairperson of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation Education Committee - she relies upon lived-experience and Indigenous wisdom, knowledge, values and worldviews of Indigenous people to advance the work of truth and reconciliation.

Emily Schuyler - The new Specialist, Indigenous London Arts at the London Arts Council
Emily Schuyler is an emerging multi-media artist from Oneida Nation of the Thames, which is located in Ontario, Canada. Schuyler received a certificate and an advanced diploma in Fine Arts from Fanshawe College. Schuyler was also the recipient of both the Bob and Shelly Siskind Visual Arts Award and The Mackie Cryderman Award for Excellence in the Arts. Schuyler has received her Bachelor of studio arts degree from the Institute of American Indian arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Schuyler has exhibited internationally, a two-artist show titled Preserve, 2019 in London, Ontario. 
Schuyler creates mixed media works that provide an intimate narrative into her
cultural traditions, personal stories and lived experiences. Schuyler continues to create work focused on her cultural heritage, and what it means to be a contemporary Indigenous artist.