Featuring Dean Jacobs

Executive Director, Walpole Island First Nation Heritage Centre

Tuesday, May 20, 11:20 a.m - Noon
Wenjack Theatre, Otonabee College

Dean Jacobs is the Director of the Walpole Island Heritage Centre. Dean Jacobs is a former Chief of the Walpole Island First Nation. He also has served six elected terms as a Councillor on the WIFN Council of Three Fires. Dean was Wallaceburg Chamber of Commerce's Professional Business Person of the Year for 2004. He is a recipient of two honorary doctorate degrees and two eagle feathers. He has served on the Editorial Advisory Board for the Journal of the Ontario Historical Society. He was a member of the International Joint Commission's Council of Great Lakes Research Managers and was a charter member of the Ontario Round Table on Environment and Economy. In addition, Dean Jacobs is a former board member of the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ontario Historical Society, and the Premier's Council.

For over 34 years Dean has worked on establishing and sustaining a community-based research program for the Walpole Island First Nation. Through his guidance, Walpole Island has been recognized, by international scholars, as having one of the best First Nation community research offices in Canada. In 1982, he was instrumental in enhancing community-based research capabilities by implementing a socio-economic and environmental research program called Nin.Da.Waab.Jig. In 1989, he became the founding Director of the Walpole Island Heritage Centre. In 1995, the Walpole Island First Nation received the "We the Peoples: 50 Communities Award" from the Friends of the United Nations for their exemplary record in environmental research and sustainable development. In 1992, the Governor General of Canada conferred upon Dean the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community, and Canada. In1997, the Walpole Island Heritage Centre was selected by Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development as a "First Nations Effective Practices" site. In 1976, Dean became the first Canadian Indian admitted to the Smithsonian Institution's American Indian Cultural Resources Training Program. He has been an expert witness in a number of hunting and fishing rights court cases and has also testified as an expert witness in environment and energy regulatory agency hearings. Dr. Jacobs currently specializes in negotiating land claims and the development of First Nations impacts and benefits agreements.