Anthony Johnson

Belonging is foundational to a healthy workplace culture. When individuals feel recognized, valued, and empowered to bring their full selves to work, they are more likely to perform at their best. In this session, Anthony Johnson explores the intersection of belonging, human connection, and workplace culture through the lens of lived experience and traditional Indigenous knowledge. He examines how hiring practices, inclusive leadership, and meaningful engagement can reshape how individuals experience their place within an organization.

Drawing on his work in health services, advocacy, and cultural revitalization, Anthony offers strategies to support diverse employees across gender, cultural, and generational lines. He emphasizes the importance of understanding identity and relational accountability, addressing how organizations can shift from representation to integration. Participants will examine how inclusive cultures are shaped through consistent actions that build trust, strengthen relationships, and reinforce shared values across teams.

In a time when social division, polarization, and shifting equity policies are reshaping how communities and organizations function, Anthony Johnson offers a grounded perspective on the importance of connection, respect, and cultural awareness. Drawing from his lived experience as a Two-Spirit Indigenous leader and his work in health, advocacy, and education, he explores how identity and belonging are shaped not by conformity, but through meaningful engagement with difference.

This session examines how the evolution of EDI frameworks creates both opportunities and tensions in workplaces and communities, and how centering mutual respect and curiosity can lead to deeper understanding. Anthony challenges participants to move beyond reaction and toward reflection—acknowledging how diverse perspectives strengthen collective identity and inform how individuals define their passions, values, and roles. Through this lens, he emphasizes how unity is not found in sameness, but in the willingness to listen, adapt, and build relationships rooted in accountability and shared growth.

Anthony Johnson brings a grounded and engaging presence to any stage, drawing on his lived experience, cultural teachings, and sharp sense of timing to guide audiences through events with care and clarity. As an emcee and host, he combines compassion with precision—ensuring smooth transitions, honoring the voices of speakers and guests, and creating a welcoming environment for all participants. His ability to connect authentically with diverse audiences makes him a trusted bridge between ideas, people, and perspectives.

With a thoughtful blend of humour, insight, and adaptability, Anthony keeps programming on track while responding intuitively to the room. Whether navigating unscripted moments, contributing to meaningful conversations, or elevating key themes throughout the day, he brings cultural awareness, warmth, and professionalism to every event he supports. Audiences leave feeling seen, respected, and part of a shared experience that reflects the tone and purpose of the gathering.

Many institutions and organizations have embraced diversity initiatives, yet struggle to translate those commitments into sustained, equitable outcomes. In this session, Anthony Johnson challenges audiences to examine the gap between public-facing inclusion statements and the lived experiences of marginalized individuals within those systems. Drawing from his lived experience as a Two-Spirit Indigenous advocate and his work in health services, community leadership, and cultural engagement, Anthony explores how inclusion must be practiced—not just promised.

He outlines how systemic change begins with acknowledging historical and ongoing barriers to participation, particularly for Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ communities. Through practical examples, he demonstrates how equity is achieved through consistent, accountable actions embedded into hiring, governance, leadership, and everyday interactions. This session provides insight into how organizations can reframe their approaches to equity—moving from representation as a goal to representation as an integrated standard. Anthony offers tools for building relationships based on trust, fostering environments where people feel seen and valued, and creating space for diverse knowledge systems to inform collective growth

Effective leadership begins with a clear understanding of one’s values, identity, and responsibility to others. In this session, Anthony Johnson explores how personal integrity, cultural grounding, and self-awareness form the foundation of sustainable, community-minded leadership. Drawing from his lived experience as a Two-Spirit Indigenous leader and his work across health, advocacy, and education, he examines how internal alignment influences external impact across organizations, institutions, and public systems.

Anthony discusses how relational leadership—rooted in respect, listening, and shared responsibility—can transform how decisions are made and how communities are served. He emphasizes the importance of leading with humility, being accountable to both outcomes and relationships, and recognizing leadership as a collective process rather than a position. Participants will gain insight into how to foster inclusive environments where others are empowered to lead, and how to model transparency and care in ways that build lasting trust. This session offers a values-based approach to leadership that strengthens personal resolve while cultivating environments where collective success is possible.

Indigenous peoples navigating life in urban centres or on reserve face complex mental health challenges shaped by the lasting impacts of colonization, systemic discrimination, and intergenerational trauma. In this session, Anthony Johnson draws from his personal experiences and his work in health program coordination to examine the intersections of mental health and the impacts they have on identity, families, health, communities, lack of opportunity and incarceration. He addresses the historical and ongoing harms experienced by Indigenous peoples in care systems, and how these experiences influence mental health outcomes, stigma, and access to culturally grounded support.

Through the integration of traditional teachings, personal narrative, and community-based strategies, Anthony explores how self-worth, cultural connection, and accountability contribute to long-term healing. He shares practical approaches rooted in Indigenous knowledge—emphasizing the importance of ceremony, traditional practices, health habits, family support elder guidance, and safe spaces that support individual and collective resilience. This session provides insight into how organizations and communities can strengthen support systems, reduce stigma, and foster environments that uphold cultural identity and promote healing for those facing challenges with trauma, addiction, suicide, incarceration and many other challenges that are a direct result of mental health.

In this enlightening presentation, Anthony Johnson addresses the painful history and harsh realities of colonialism in Canada and its profound impact on First Nation communities and Indigenous peoples. With a focus on uncovering the truth, Anthony reveals how early settlers systematically stripped Indigenous peoples of their values, traditions, languages, and customs, leading to long-lasting inequalities and mistreatment. Through a powerful blend of facts, personal stories, and Indigenous teachings, Anthony brings awareness to the historical context of colonialism and its ongoing effects. He emphasizes the urgent need for reconciliation and provides practical insights on how individuals, communities, councils, industries, and organizations can actively support the 94 Calls to Action put forth by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Anthony addresses the unique challenges faced by First Nation communities and outlines strategies for dismantling the colonial structures that continue to perpetuate inequality. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming Indigenous roots, honoring Indigenous knowledge and traditions, and fostering a united front for all Canadians to stand up against the systemic exclusion of Indigenous communities from the Canadian system. Tailored for each audience and organization, this presentation addresses specific TRC Calls to Action relevant to the audience, whether it be community leaders, industry professionals, or organizational representatives. By examining the challenges Indigenous Peoples face and offering actionable steps toward reconciliation, Anthony Johnson inspires individuals to be part of the solution and contribute to the positive transformation of our society, one Call to Action at a time.

The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation stems from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 report, which was based on thousands of interviews with survivors of Canada’s Indian Residential School System. The report includes 94 Calls to Action, offering a framework for organizations, individuals, and communities to address the historical and ongoing injustices faced by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. In this compelling presentation, Anthony Johnson, a renowned advocate and winner of The Amazing Race Canada, guides participants on a transformative journey of understanding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and shares invaluable insights on best practices for engaging with First Nations communities. Through engaging storytelling and personal anecdotes, Anthony illuminates the historical context leading to the TRC’s establishment and its significance in Canada’s reconciliation process. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Treaty-based relationship between First Nations and the Crown and the importance of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action as a catalyst for positive change.

Anthony showcases case studies of individuals, organizations, and companies that have successfully implemented the Calls to Action, illustrating the transformative power of taking action. He provides practical examples that participants can apply in their own unique contexts, inspiring them to move beyond performative allyship and embrace a grassroots perspective that fosters meaningful relationships and impact within First Nations communities. Participants will learn about the ongoing threats faced by Indigenous Peoples and the negative impacts of colonialism, the Indian Act, and the Doctrine of Discovery. Anthony emphasizes the urgent need for individuals and organizations to adhere to specific Calls to Action and fulfill their roles in supporting Indigenous rights, languages, traditions, and societies. He shares best practices for promoting cultural understanding and inclusivity, offering practical guidance on building meaningful relationships, moving toward reconciliation, and dismantling barriers that perpetuate systemic oppression.

Through his public platform, including his appearance on The Amazing Race Canada, Anthony demonstrates the power of engaging in public dialogue and educating organizations and corporations on treaty relationships, Allyship, and the realities of Indigenous life. He inspires participants to embrace their personal responsibility in creating change, underscoring the importance of unity and togetherness in fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and reconciled society. By the end of this presentation, participants will have a deeper understanding of the TRC and the responsibilities outlined in its 94 Calls to Action. Anthony Johnson’s message empowers attendees to become agents of change, contributing to a future where equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism thrive, and communities can heal and be restored through the TRC’s framework.

Key Takeaways Can Include:

• Opening Doors to Inclusive Education: Empowering Teachers and Students
• Reclaiming Indigenous Knowledge and Teachings in the Education System
• Education for Community Restoration: Empowering Youth Leadership
• Reclaiming Roots: Community Empowerment, Healing, and Strategic Partnerships
• Resilience and Renewal: Navigating Challenges in First Nation Communities
• Celebrating Identity: Strategies for Two-Spirit Youth and Community Leaders
• Uniting Conversations on Allyship
• Inclusive Pathways: Integrating Two-Spirit Wisdom into Diverse Service Practices

In this session, Anthony Johnson examines the ongoing structural challenges facing First Nations communities in Canada through the lens of lived experience, advocacy, and policy analysis. He outlines the enduring effects of the Indian Act of 1876 and how it continues to shape access to education, healthcare, clean water, housing, and other essential services. By connecting these outcomes to the broader legacies of colonialism and residential schools, Anthony provides a clear understanding of how historical systems continue to influence present-day realities.

Grounded in the knowledge systems of Indigenous nations, Anthony highlights precolonial governance, land stewardship, and community practices that sustained societies for generations. He contrasts this with contemporary data on youth suicide, language loss, water insecurity, and graduation rates, underscoring the urgency for informed action. Through the integration of cultural teachings and analysis of systemic inequities, he explores how corporate policy, environmental degradation, and state decisions intersect with Indigenous rights and well-being.

Anthony offers a direct call to action centered on shared responsibility, allyship, and restoring equity across communities. This session provides a framework for understanding social justice through an Indigenous perspective, encouraging individuals and institutions to participate in dismantling systemic oppression and fostering inclusive change rooted in accountability, understanding, and unity.

Anthony Johnson brings a deeply informed perspective to the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and unconscious bias. As a Two-Spirit individual, his lived experience reflects the complexity of navigating identity within both Indigenous and non-Indigenous spaces. In this session, he explores how systemic barriers and social expectations impact LGBTQ2S+ and First Nations individuals, particularly those whose identities do not conform to dominant norms. Through his personal narrative and professional insight, Anthony illustrates how exclusion is often reinforced by unconscious bias and how these biases shape relationships, workplaces, and leadership decisions.

Drawing from Indigenous teachings and contemporary inclusion practices, Anthony provides a framework for building environments where difference is understood rather than marginalized. He offers practical approaches for recognizing bias, supporting diverse identities, and fostering inclusive cultures where people can fully participate and contribute. This session invites participants to expand their understanding of allyship, deepen cultural awareness, and take active steps toward equity and safety in both organizational and community settings. It emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where everyone belongs, contributes, and has equitable access to opportunities and support. This session is relevant for individuals who have experienced exclusion or difference, as well as those in positions to support equity and inclusion in their communities, workplaces, or daily lives.

Anthony Johnson’s journey reflects the strength required to navigate overlapping challenges tied to identity, systemic barriers, and cultural survival. Growing up in the Navajo Nation, where limited opportunities and high unemployment rates shape daily realities, Anthony also faced the pressures of being Two-Spirit in a community still grappling with the effects of colonialism. In this session, he shares how cultural expectations, family dynamics, and exclusion shaped his early experiences, and how education and personal growth became tools for transformation.

Through his academic journey from the Navajo Nation to Harvard University, Anthony confronted the contrasts between privilege and marginalization, gaining insight into the broader systems that impact Indigenous youth. This session explores how reconnecting with traditional teachings, embracing personal accountability, and mentoring others can fuel resilience and purpose. Drawing from the Diné way of life, Anthony outlines how identity reclamation and cultural belonging support individual growth and community strength. His story offers a model for navigating adversity with intention and leading with authenticity, humility, and pride.  This session is relevant for individuals who have experienced exclusion or difference, as well as those in positions to support equity and inclusion in their communities, workplaces, or daily lives.

The process of self-discovery is ongoing, shaped by experiences, culture, and the search for meaning. In this session, Anthony Johnson explores the personal journey of identity formation, purpose, and resilience through the lens of lived experience and cultural reflection. He examines how understanding one’s values, strengths, and history supports personal growth and reinforces the importance of aligning inner purpose with external action.

Anthony shares how reconnecting with traditional teachings and embracing Two-Spirit identity helped guide his own path toward authenticity and fulfillment. He discusses how passion can drive clarity, how purpose is developed through experience, and how resilience is built by engaging fully with life’s challenges. This session invites participants to reflect on how identity informs direction, how adversity shapes strength, and how individuals can live in alignment with their truth while contributing meaningfully to their communities.

As the world faces compounding crises—climate instability, health emergencies, and deepening social inequality—many are seeking grounded approaches to sustainability, justice, and personal resilience. In this session, Anthony Johnson explores how Indigenous knowledge systems offer enduring guidance for navigating modern challenges. Drawing from his own journey of cultural reconnection and learning across diverse First Nation communities, he illustrates how traditional values rooted in land, kinship, and spiritual balance can inform a more sustainable and equitable future.

Anthony reflects on how Indigenous teachings provide insight into restoring balance between people and the environment, strengthening community relationships, and building personal accountability. Through ceremony, elder wisdom, and cultural practices, he has applied these teachings to his own path as an advocate and community leader. This session invites participants to consider Indigenous knowledge not as a relic of the past, but as a living framework that supports leadership, wellbeing, and collective progress.

Anthony Johnson’s upbringing in the Navajo Nation reflects a journey shaped by cultural resilience, personal discovery, and the strength of Two-Spirit identity. In this session, he shares how reconnecting with “Dinê,” the Navajo way of life, offered a framework for transformation rooted in ceremony, community, and cultural guidance. Through the teachings of elders and the wisdom passed down through generations, Anthony found clarity, purpose, and a renewed commitment to lifelong learning.

This session explores key principles of Dinê philosophy, emphasizing the importance of spiritual connection, respect for nature, and relational accountability. Anthony illustrates how traditional knowledge, language, and history serve as vital tools in personal development and in building inclusive communities. By highlighting the value of Indigenous medicine, community-based wisdom, and collective responsibility, he shows how these teachings offer relevance and direction well beyond Indigenous contexts.

Anthony invites audiences to reflect on how Indigenous knowledge systems can support meaningful change in individual lives and broader social structures. This conversation encourages the integration of Indigenous perspectives to support empathy, unity, and culturally grounded approaches to growth and leadership.

Anthony Johnson presents a solutions-focused session that explores how First Nation communities are reclaiming cultural identity, asserting self-determination, and building pathways for sustainable growth. While government policy reform plays a role, Anthony emphasizes the greater impact of empowering communities to revitalize traditional governance, cultural practices, and autonomy. He shares adaptable strategies rooted in lived experience and grounded in the distinct strengths of each community.

This session examines systemic barriers and cycles of oppression while offering practical, community-specific action plans. Drawing from successful initiatives across Turtle Island, Anthony highlights models of social and economic development that integrate Indigenous values, elder knowledge, and local leadership. He explores how partnerships with other nations, government agencies, corporations and western allies and can foster innovative approaches to healing and economic renewal. Anthony’s perspective underscores the importance of restoring cultural foundations while pursuing structural change. Participants will gain insight into how community-led initiatives, cultural revitalization, and strategic collaboration can work together to restore hope, strengthen identity, and support long-term development.

Anthony Johnson offers a comprehensive examination of the impact of colonialism across North America, drawing direct connections between historical policies and present-day realities. This session explores the strategic implementation of settler-colonial systems from first contact, including governing acts and European policies that led to the displacement of Indigenous nations, the loss of land, and the erosion of cultural identity. Through an Indigenous perspective, Anthony outlines how these actions shaped borders, institutions, and the long-standing marginalization of Indigenous peoples.

He presents a broader historical context by revisiting the strength and complexity of pre-colonial Indigenous civilizations, including expansive trade networks, political systems, and cultural ties across Turtle Island. With a focus on knowledge systems grounded in land, kinship, and community governance, Anthony highlights how Indigenous societies-maintained stability and intertribal relationships long before colonial disruption. The arrival of European settlers, he explains, introduced a pursuit of wealth and power that ultimately transformed hospitality into exploitation and resistance into survival. This session addresses the enduring stereotypes and systemic barriers that stem from colonial systems and polices, linking them to ongoing issues in education, healthcare, governance, and justice. Anthony also highlights key moments in Indigenous resistance and resurgence, offering pathways to repair and understanding. Participants will gain historical insight and consider their role in supporting truth, accountability, and equity through informed allyship and collective responsibility.

Anthony Johnson traces the complex history of LGBTQ2S+ rights through policy, activism, and cultural resistance. This session explores how deeply rooted societal norms—shaped by political, religious, and institutional influences—have long marginalized individuals across the spectrum of sexual and gender identity. While recent decades have brought significant legislative and social advances, systemic barriers and exclusion remain embedded in media, education, and public policy. Anthony offers a historical overview of landmark movements, including the Stonewall uprising, and the broader struggle for equality across generations.

He highlights the influence of key policies, cultural icons, and advocacy milestones that have shaped the visibility and rights of the LGBTQ2S+ community. With a focus on resilience and progress, he examines how cultural narratives, intersectional leadership, and inclusive policies continue to evolve. This session also addresses the role of institutions, workplaces, and individuals in advancing equality. Anthony provides insight into the responsibility of allyship, the need for inclusive practices, and the importance of creating environments where all identities are respected and affirmed. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the LGBTQ2S+ movement’s historical context and the practical ways they can contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future.

Anthony’s Custom Presentation Topics for Social and Personal Growth:

• Mental Health
• Suicide Prevention
• Addictions
• Effects of Bullying
• Resilient Mindset
• Dealing with Setbacks
• Gratitude
• Forgiveness

Anthony Johnson’s Custom Presentations for Worldview and Current Events

• Human Rights
• Equality
• Social Justice
• Social Change
• Activism
• Advocacy
• Social Responsibility

Anthony Johnson’s Customized Presentations on LGBTQ2S+ Topics: 

• LGBTQ2 Support Systems
• LGBTQ2/Two-Spirit Youth
• Two Spirit Variations and Celebration
• Traditional History of Two-Spirit
• LGBTQ2 Mental Health
• LGBTQ2 Access to Health Services
• LGBTQ2 Advocacy

Anthony’s Custom Economic Development Topics:

• First Nation Socially Responsible Business
• First Nation Community Funded Business Opportunities
• First Nation Employment Opportunities
• First Nation Business Start ups
• First Nation Entrepreneurship

Anthony Johnson’s Custom First Nation Topics:

• Spirituality
• Traditional Values and Cultural
• Community Development on First Nation
• Social Programming for First Nation
• Governance
• Partnerships
• Community Programming
• Project Development
• Importance of History
• Importance of Family
• Mentorship and Elders
• Inter-generational Trauma
• Intersectional Trauma
• Indigenous Youth
• Indigenous Resilience
• Indigenous Leadership
• First Nation Community Development/Engagement
• Indigenous Education