Les Causeries du ROM

Langues, terres et perspectives : Les voix autochtones dans Le Photographe naturaliste de l’année

Born & raised in Apex Hill, Nunavut, Naulaq LeDrew is Inuk and was brought up with 8 siblings and many cousins. During her formative years in Apex Hill, Naulaq learned from her family how to live traditionally, developing a deep respect for the land and all that it provides that is grounded in Inuit knowledge and understandings. Naulaq has supported the Urban Inuit community in Toronto for many years and has been elected to be an Inuit community knowledge keeper. Much of her community work focuses on health and well-being taught through the lens of Inuit resiliency, working through the impacts of colonization and supporting those she helps to move forward in their lives in a good way.

As part of her responsibilities in community, Naulaq is experienced presenting at universities and symposiums on the topic of Inuit well-being, has provided ceremonial openings for organizations and has served lightening qulliq (oil lamp) for Ontario's Ministers. As an artist and performer, Naulaq makes her own outfits for her performances at Pow Wow gatherings where she has shared her gifts of throat singing & drum dancing. She has also travelled to Europe, invited to be part of a collaborative stage performance illustrating and comparing the impacts of colonization on Inuit peoples with the impacts of war on the Spanish people. Her favorite pastime is sewing seal skin and creating art & crafts that celebrate her Inuk heritage. 

Naulaq is a wife, mother, auntie, grandmother, and a great grandmother of one.

The County of Peterborough recognized Keith Knott with a Certificate of Recognition in 2013 for his years of dedicated service to his community and local region, stating, “Keith Knott has emerged as a prominent figure in the Peterborough area; both as a champion for First Nations people and as an active volunteer in community projects throughout the region. He is celebrated for his strong communication skills and sense of fairness, enabling him to bring about many important developments in the community.”

Keith Knott was the elected Chief of Curve Lake First Nation for 9 terms, between 1992 and 2025. Keith’s service to community has stretched for over 65 years. In addition to being granted an Honourary Doctorate from Trent University in 2017, Dr. Keith Knott has received many awards and recognitions including the first Trent University Civic and Community Leadership Award in 2007, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Anishinaabek Nation, named a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 2019 and most notably, was inducted to the Order of Canada in July 2019.

Having turned 90 in June, 2026, Keith is proudly Anishnaabe, a devoted husband of over 60 years to his much loved and remembered, late wife, Bubbles, father of five daughters and “Papa” to twelve grandchildren and two great granddaughters and one great grandson.

Katsenhaienton Lazare is a first-language Kanien’kéha (Mohawk) speaker from Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory. He is a Kanien’kéha language and culture consultant, educator, mentor, and ACTFL language proficiency tester whose work supports the continued use and intergenerational transmission of Kanien’kéha. Katsenhaienton contributes language, cultural knowledge and guidance to educational resources, curriculum, translation, and language revitalization initiatives. He is also a forthcoming published author. His work is grounded in the understanding that Kanien’kéha carries cultural knowledge, teachings, and relationships to the natural world, and he is committed to sharing the language in ways that remain connected to community, culture, and future generations.

Barbara Nolan, [Nesdotmookiid “Causer of Language Understanding”], is grateful to have survived the attempts by Canada’s Indian residential schools system to take her Nishnaabe language from her.

As a vibrant first-speaker of Nishnaabemwin, Barbara has spent several decades working with a variety of organizations to revitalize the Ojibway/Odawa language, her most passionate method is through storytelling.

Barbara was acknowledged for her passion and dedication with language and culture by the City of Sault Ste. Marie and was presented with the Medal of Merit Award. She was also appointed by the Anishnabek Nation as the Anishnaabemowin Commissioner in December 2020.

Barbara is a proud Nishnaabe-kwe, formerly from Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, who now resides in Garden River First Nation.