Who Is Dennis Paul?
For the past three years, Dennis Paul has been a very good friend, mentor and teacher to the Seba Seniors and Seba Beach community. In 2021, Seba Seniors developed a two-year program for the community called Talking Circles – Working Towards Truth and Reconciliation. It began as a speaker’s series and then developed into an exchange of knowledge in culture, traditions, and the shared history of our region. Seba Senior’s goal is to learn from Indigenous people, form better relationships with our Indigenous neighbours, and explore the meaning of reconciliation. In order to do so, the Seba Seniors required a knowledge-keeper who was willing to provide the much-needed cultural information and organization skills that would make the program successful. Dennis Paul enthusiastically volunteered to assist by becoming a member of the Talking Circles organizing committee. Without his help, the program would not have been as effective as it was.
2024 Okimaw Award
In recognition of Dennis Paul’s contributions to Seba Senior’s and to the surrounding community, Seba Seniors has nominated Dennis Paul for a 2024 Okimaw Award – Human Rights and Advocacy category. In support of this nomination, four people wrote about their reasons for nominating him for this prestigious award. Below is a summary of their letters of support:
Carolyn Wagner
Advisor and leader for Talking Circles, member of Seba Seniors
Dennis is an incredible resource for his community of Paul First Nation and for others beyond. He follows his traditions and honors his ancestry, never forgetting to recognize and thank his ancestors for the sacrifices they made, and to pass that knowledge on to the next generation. I am honored to learn from Dennis, to participate in ceremonies with him, and to have him as a friend.
Letter Of Support
During our Talking Circles: Indigenous Speakers Series (2022 and 2023), Dennis Paul was a Committee Member, Knowledge Keeper, and presenter. His special contributions included Indigenous history, traditions and culture, language stability, environment and social justice concerns.
Dennis is the Team Leader for the “Coming Home” initiative that researches, documents, and reports on the life-histories of students who attended Indian Residential Schools (IRS) from Paul First Nation.
Dennis is a well-known and sought after speaker, and he is constantly being asked to participate in community events that promote the Nakoda Stony and Nehiyawin cultures and languages. He never refuses to assist, and in many cases volunteers to support.
Dennis was an organizer and facilitator of a 2023 event regarding addiction programs and initiatives in the Paul First Nation community, during National Addictions Awareness Week.
Dennis was a presenter at a 2022 Agriculture Department, University of Alberta- event, regarding Indigenous environmental practices and land-based cultural knowledge.
In response to the loss of his daughter due to homicide in 2023, Dennis turned his energy to advocacy for change against violence towards Indigenous women. In 2024, Dennis was an organizer and presenter at an event Honouring Murdered and Missing Indigenous People and Families advocating for public awareness and social justice for the victims and their families.
Carolyn Wagner
Advisor and leader for Talking Circles, member of Seba Seniors
Letter Of Support
Dennis helped organize our Talking Circles activities in a number of ways. He assisted us in choosing informative speakers and talented performers. He provided knowledge about the history of the land, and how settler society has affected the lives of his people who are our neighbors. Of all the speakers in this project, Dennis was certainly the most popular presenter.
Through Dennis’s mentorship, we have come to understand that reconciliation can happen through genuine, trusting relationships. Seba Seniors was honored when Dennis’s grandchildren performed by dancing in full regalia during the Orange Shirt Day events, and Dennis took the time to explain the important cultural meaning of each dance. His great contribution to our Talking Circles program has deeply affected the Seba Beach community.
I believe that Seba Seniors members have come one step closer towards understanding social justice issues because of the knowledge Dennis has shared.
Cathie Duchesne
President, Seba Seniors
Letter Of Support
Dennis Paul, a Special Advisor for Paul First Nation, is an exceptional individual whose contributions to human rights, cultural preservation, and community advocacy are truly inspiring. His wisdom, dedication, and friendship have profoundly impacted my work and the way I see life. He continually encourages individuals to pursue further education, connect with their culture, and learn in-depth about history, so that they can better understand themselves and the world around us.
As a member of Paul First Nation, Dennis’ roots descend from his Nakoda Stoney father, Bluebird-Paul, and his Nakoda Stoney/Cree mother, Peggy Paul, who raised Dennis, alongside his eight brothers and three sisters. Thanks to wonderful parenting and good elder guidance growing up, today he is a revered knowledge keeper and a traditional man with profound knowledge of both the Nakoda Stoney and Cree cultures that form the rich tapestry of the Nation’s history. He is a carrier of oral stories, reminding everyone of the journeys of their ancestors and how it has brought us to where we are now. This makes him an invaluable asset to the Nation and other connected communities.
Dennis Paul is a leader and advocate in areas of significance:
- In 2014, the Minister of External Affairs asked Dennis to speak to a South Korean Delegation on Greenhouses and Food Sovereignty, as well as land and knowledge preservation.
- In spring of 2019, Dennis supported the spiritual performance put on by the Ukrainian Shumka dancers and First Nation Thunder Dancers at the Jubilee Auditorium..Dennis spoke afterward. He reflected on the partnerships of these ancestral communities and how they worked together to help one another survive through hunger, cold weather, and illness.
- In fall of 2023, at the Acimowin Opaspiw Society’s “Investigation Methodologies National Symposium”, Dennis provided a presentation on Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and current updates.
- In May 2024, the City of Vancouver and City of Edmonton hosted delegates from countries around the world (England, Scotland, Netherlands, China, Japan, etc.). Topics of discussion included Tourism, Economic Development, History, and Climate & Effects. Dennis Paul was asked by the City of Edmonton to speak to the hundreds of delegates about these topics, with a particular focus on History and Climate & Effects.
- In recent years, Dennis has spearheaded a significant initiative, called ‘Coming Home’ (a.k.a Kiway’Tun/lih’nubi’th (“Let’s Go Home”)), where the focus is to locate and honor the missing children from Paul First Nation who attended the six different Indian Residential Schools (IRS) from 1873 to 1990, including Youville (St. Albert), Poundmaker’s (Edmonton), Blue Quills (St. Paul), Ermineskin (Maskwacis), Red Deer Industrial (Red Deer), and Brandon (in Manitoba). His relentless efforts in identifying each child by name and archiving & sharing their stories with federal support are a testament to his commitment to justice and reconciliation. This initiative not only seeks to honor the memory of all the lost children and bring them home but also provides their families and school survivors with a platform to share their stories and undergo land–based activities that promote further healing and understanding.
Human rights, at its core, is about recognizing and upholding the inherent dignity and equality of every individual. Dennis Paul’s work exemplifies this principle through his tireless efforts to honor the past, advocate for justice, and foster a community where every voice (past and present) is heard and valued. His passionate advocacy and unwavering dedication make him the ideal candidate for the Okimaw Human Rights Award.
Felecia Dosunmu
Paul First Nation, Accounting and Reporting Officer
Letter of Support
Dennis Paul is humble and puts back more than he takes in life.
Dennis is a carrier of oral history. He speaks of the deep divide Indigenous people have from their ancestral wisdom due to Residential School. The extent of his knowledge regarding this dark period in Canada’s history amazes me.
Dennis is involved at many public awareness events, such as a walk for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, Truth and Reconciliation gatherings, National Addictions Awareness Week activities at Paul Band, and cultural activities held at the Duffield community hall.
I observe how Dennis deeply honors Elders – some extremely aged – who come to events to share their Nakota Sioux history, traditions, culture and language. Dennis retains qualities our Elders teach.
Dennis often acts as the official spokesperson for the Paul First Nation and as an advisor to leadership in the areas of treaty rights or social justice. His academic studies in business management, and commercial and corporate law, make him well-suited for this role.
Dianne Meili, President
Skydancer Indigenous Cultural Society and Art Gallery
Recipients will be announced in November 2024. Make sure to watch for details
