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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Speaking and Workshop Development
For the last 20 years, Victor has toured across Canada, primarily to First Nation communities, presenting his individualized program to youth and adults. He combines awareness of critical socio/cultural issues plaguing communities along with building self-esteem. Tribal Councils, Health Departments, or other community-based organizations liaise with Victor. He presents his age-appropriate, student-centred workshops that incorporate music, multi-media, and interactive teaching methodologies.
Workshop topics include You’re Just Right and Little Actions Make Big Differences with a focus on:
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Drug/Alcohol Abuse Prevention (Opioids, Fentanyl, Crystal Meth, Marijuana, and other)
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Bullying Awareness
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Life and Career Goals
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Suicide Prevention
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Leadership Development
- Grieving, Loss, and Resilience
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HIV/AIDS and STIs
On average, Victor presents to over 40 Indigenous communities yearly though this changed when COVID-19 started. This schedule also involves driving and flying to numerous semi-isolated and isolated communities which often include many days of travel.
Victor has spoken to upwards of 16,000 attendees per year required up to 40 flights. He has ventured to over 600 locations thus far in his speaking career. The following is a sampling of Victor’s activities.
Teaching/Mentorship
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Moosomin First Nation Educational Council: Pink Shirt Day – Bullying Prevention Feb 2022
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Grasslands Regional School Division: – Jan 2022 On-Line Wellness presenter for teachers Personal Development Day for all teachers.
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Woodland Cree Band, Cadotte Lake, AB: Building Effective Teams and Strategies for Better Communication. 2016 and 2018.
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Enoch Cree Nation, Edmonton, AB: Workshops for portfolio holders and administrators: Building Effective Teams and Strategies for Better Communication. 2016 and 2017.
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University of Saskatchewan Department of Education: Literacy for Life Conference. Presented to the department of education students and Saskatoon teachers as part of their Professional Development Day. Also presented in the schools of Kinistin Saulteaux Nation, Yellowquille First Nation, One Arrow FN, Muskoday FN, Mistiwasis FN and Muskeg Lake FN.
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Presenting Author Literacy for Life Fair sponsored by Cenovus. Victor was the Indigenous representative and presented additional workshops to First Nation communities.
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There were so many presentations and teaching opportunities that it would be very hard to shortlist them. Victor is thankful for the many opportunities and to the numerous people that he met along the journey.
Government (Provincial/Federal)
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Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) - Plan Institute: 120 presentations of this Federal Program creating awareness for financial planning for people with disabilities, 2017
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Wood Mountain Historical Society, Wood Mountain, SK: Literacy Day Writers Conference. Victor was invited as a Keynote speaker and to conduct a book reading at the Museum, 2016.
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Northwest Territories Government Sponsorship: Extensive touring in the Northwest Territories communities presenting youth workshops on High-Risk Behaviours - Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope, Fort McPherson, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Gamatee, Rae Lakes, Lutsel’ke, Wha Ti, Aklavik, Deline, Edzo, Fort Smith, Hay River, Fort Resolution, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson, Behchoko, N’Dilo with Dettah Students, Fort Providence, Tsigichic, Tuktoyaktuk. 2004, 2005, and 2016.
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National Crime Prevention Center: Federal grant for Youth Crime Prevention Workshops - Preventing and reducing substance-related crime among at-risk populations. Received funding involving touring to 20 Indigenous locations between 2006 and 2007.
Health & Wellness
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National Aboriginal Addictions Awareness Week: Presentations focused on Drug and Alcohol Addictions. Over 400 workshops have been conducted from 2005 to 2018.
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Athabasca Health Authority: Locations in the semi-isolated communities of Black Lake, Fond du Lac, Stony Rapids, and Uranium City northern Saskatchewan.
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Deschambault Lake First Nation Health and Youth Symposium: Main presenter along with actor Gordon Tootoosis, NHL Player and Coach Ted Nolan and other First Nation celebrity speakers.
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Communities in Crisis Symposium - Edmonton, AB: Presentations and developing strategies for issues affecting communities in Treaty 6,7, and 8. Keynote speaker for youth workshops, 2015.
