Panellists
Taryn Michel (Michipicoten First Nation)
Bio: Taryn Michel, whose Spirit name G’inew Kwe was given to her by her Elders, holds a Juris Doctor (JD) with an Indigenous Specialization and is a dedicated educator, researcher, and advocate specializing in Indigenous legal traditions, governance, and social justice. A proud member of Michipicoten First Nation and Marten Clan, she teaches Indigenous Social Work at Laurentian University, where she mentors students and fosters critical discussions on Indigenous rights and legal pluralism. With a background in law and Indigenous relations, her work focuses on the revitalization of Anishinaabe legal orders and the intersections of Indigenous sovereignty and contemporary governance.
Dr. Taima Moeke-Pickering (Maori)
Bio: Dr. Taima Moeke-Pickering is a Māori scholar of Ngāti Pūkeko and Tūhoe descent, currently serving as a full professor and Director of the School of Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Dr. Moeke-Pickering’s Ph.D titled “Decolonisation as a social change framework and its impact on the development of Indigenous-based curricula for Helping Professionals in mainstream Tertiary Education Organisations,” reflects her commitment to integrating decolonization principles into educational frameworks. Since joining Laurentian University in 2006, her teaching portfolio encompasses Indigenous research methodologies, international Indigenous issues, and United Nations and Indigenous social work. Dr. Moeke-Pickering’s research interests are diverse, focusing on Indigenous cultures, MMIW, Indigenous food insecurity, Women empowerment and Indigenous pedagogies. She has extensive experience working with international Indigenous communities, engaging in evaluative research, big data analysis, and employing photovoice methodologies. Beyond academia, Dr. Moeke-Pickering actively contributes to discussions on Indigenous rights and women’s empowerment. She co-developed the #girlpowereffect, an international blog dedicated to women’s rights and has authored numerous op-eds addressing Indigenous and women’s issues. Dr. Moeke-Pickering has co-authored several influential works, including: Critical Reflections & Politics for Advancing Women in the Academy (2020); Decolonizing & Indigenizing Education in Canada (2020); Perspectives on Indigenous Pedagogy in Education: Learning from One Another (2023); Women Transforming the Future of Higher Education (2025).
Sheri Cecchetto (Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation)
Bio: Sheri Cecchetto (she/her) is an Anishinaabe-kwe from Waabigonii Zaaga’igan (Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation) and a field coordinator and sessional instructor at Laurentian University’s School of Indigenous Relations. She is also a master’s student in Indigenous Relations, focusing on Indigenous governance, self-determination, and knowledge systems. Sheri’s presentation explores AI through Medicine Wheel teachings, examining its impact on governance, cultural safety, and ethics. She highlights Waabigonii Zaaga’igan’s leadership in nuclear waste management, ensuring decision-making follows the WLON Regulatory Assessment and Approval Process (WLON-RAAP). Sheri is committed to centring Indigenous governance in AI and technology discussions.
Panel Moderator
Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek (Teme-Augama Anishinabai)
Bio: Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek is Anishinaabe from the Teme-Augama Anishnabai. A leader in Indigenous postsecondary education, she is currently Director and Professor of Indigenous Educational Studies at Brock University. Prior to this she was the inaugural Vice-President, Equity, People and Culture at York University where she led the development of York’s first institutional-wide Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) strategy and their Black Inclusion Strategy. She was also the inaugural Associate-Vice-President, Indigenous and Academic Programs at Laurentian University. Dr. Cote-Meek is author of Colonized Classrooms – Racism, Trauma and Resistance in Post-Secondary Education (2014) and three co-edited books, on decolonizing and Indigenizing education in Canada. Dr. Cote-Meek is well-known provincially and nationally for her work in advancing decolonization, Indigeneity, equity and inclusion in higher education.