Anthony Johnson

Anthony Johnson has an incredible firsthand experience in growing up as Two-Spirit in a segregated and marginalized community. He has one of the most unique perspectives on the importance of acceptance and equal treatment regarding cultural, gender, sexuality, and racial differences. Two-Spirit is a contemporary English term to reflect the gender diversity that Indigenous nations have always had.

Although the history of the term Two Spirit is to a celebratory term within Indigenous communities. The imposition of colonialism has caused individuals that identify as Two-Spirit within their community often to be discriminated against and excluded from peer groups. Anthony Johnson felt pressure from his peers, his community and even some members of his family, to conform to gender roles while struggling with racial inequality, and racial discrimination in western society.

Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Many individuals face personal challenges in achieving success. Anthony Johnson combines his story; everyday life experiences and areas of expertise to deliver practical insights on how to create accepting spaces and to implement strategies where EVERYONE can prosper by incorporating an accepting attitude to anyone that is outside of social norms. He will share insights on experiences LGBTQ2+ and First Nation individuals face in coping, confronting and internalizing forces of discrimination.

Anthony Johnson teaches audiences how to identify and acknowledge our unconscious bias, which often creates and reinforces stereotypes and stigmas which then negatively impact our relationships. Johnson teaches how to become an ally to refocus our relationships to be accepting, safe and supportive. This presentation will provide key introspective learning for individuals and organizations that work and create new inclusive programs for diverse populations.

By creating inclusive and accepting environments, we will be able to create new leaders, stronger teams and a humanistic and united synergy for equality and access. He will shed light on the type of support individuals and organizations can provide to create an equal, inclusive and accepting environment to eradicate the mistreatment of anyone labelled as being different.

Anthony Johnson takes us on a dive through the history of Colonialism in North America. Through a historical approach to identify the Truth and the effects of settler colonialism in the Americas in the early through European policy, settler tactics and governing acts over the past 500 years. Through this history, Anthony shows the strategic tactics, from first contact to where we are today to overtake and repudiate the culture and history of Turtle Island and the Americas through the exploitation and assimilation of Indigenous tribes and their lands.

Anthony Johnson will first take us on a journey back to before European settlers landed in America to show how civilization existed for Indigenous peoples. Across the Americas were Indigenous empires, large cities, villages, vast systems of trade, and complex systems of governance. He also shows the intertribal connections and shared cultural practices and values of different Indigenous tribes with a strong connection to nature, their elders, spirituality, and family. the intertribal connections that were in place before settlers arrived in the Americas were strong, often heavily routed with the same values with little or no disputes between nations and the vast traditional territories they possessed.

When settlers first arrived in the Americas, Indigenous tribes welcomed them and hosted them with open arms. Unfortunately, European settlers had different intentions for creating strong relationships with the Indigenous leaders. The settlers took the opportunity to study each tribe, and their cultural practices and learn the lay of the land.  From the direction of the Catholic Church and the Monarchy from each country, In the name of “GOD, GOLD and GLORY”, settlers were directed to seize the land for corporate gains and claim the land ownership for their home European countries.

Colonialist tactics came in many different forms, which eventually led to the removal of all Indigenous structures, and traditional lands and the destruction of cultural practices, families, languages, and people. Settler colonialism was enacted by vast means ranging from violent depopulation of Indigenous peoples to legal means of policy and trickery.

Anthony Johnson highlights major events over the past 500 years that shape our perspectives on how we have arrived at this conversation today. He identifies key European figures that played a major role in colonialism, and the Indigenous heroes that we as non-Indigenous peoples have never heard their stories of. He shows how many of the policies created over the 500 years have led to stereotypes that still exist for Indigenous populations today, and the impact they have in our society. Anthony also shares the Indigenous perspective of the history, current situation and what we can all do to repair the relationship we have with Indigenous peoples around the world.

In learning of these major events, Anthony Johnson reshapes our understanding of our history and identifies the systems of oppression created through colonialism which conform both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to separate us from one another. He links the history to the challenges that Indigenous peoples are faced with in their everyday lives, which then sparks a new understanding of our approach for First Nation groups and Indigenous groups around the world. Allyship is key for us all to claim our history and stop systematic oppression. We must all play a role to abolish historical practices and ways of thinking, to assist one another in a united approach to our HUMAN experience and to protect our sacred planet.

Anthony Johnson then shows how the impact of colonialism and systems of oppression have been maintained and created through corporate initiatives, controlling the historical narratives, the imposition of western values and government policy and programs. He then identifies the important Indigenous movements in North America and how different groups have been able to reclaim their rights, history, culture, traditional values, and identities to restore Indigenous identities across the world. He also teaches us about different movements that are going on today and reinforces the importance that we all become an ally to all social movements that fight against the exploitation of cultures and lands around the world.

History is important. Anthony shows us the importance to recognize our history as Non-Indigenous Canadians so that we can understand the complexity and deeply routed systems in place that have left us, Indigenous people, behind for over the past 500 years. We need to be conscious of history to understand where we are now, and where we need to go. Anthony Johnson shows us the Truth of history and what we can all do now to make a difference and become Allies to work together to take care of the earth and each other.

He sparks our thinking to break down stereotypes and any bias through our relationship to our thoughts and by providing the history of colonialism and the problematic systems of oppression that support a misinformed narrative of Indigenous culture.

Many people are working hard to change the outcomes for First Nation communities, through changing government policy, but more importantly, by giving First Nation communities a strategy to reclaim their cultures, communities, and their governance. Anthony assesses strategic plans of action that each community can take to improve social and economic outcomes for Indigenous communities.

Anthony Johnson will research and work with each organization to learn the different challenges each community faces to empower each other through a resilient approach by first showing the cycles of oppression and focusing on strategic action plans each community can take. Anthony’s presentation will show working examples of the success that other First Nation communities have taken to overcome negative outcomes for First Nation communities to break the cycles passed on to them through systems of oppression.

Anthony’s presentation will reinstate the livelihood of each community by outlining the importance of traditional values, cultural practices, and teachings from elders. He then identifies changes for systematic, cultural, and economic development each community can work on with and without the assistance of government and non-Indigenous Canadians.

Most Canadians do not know that most Indigenous peoples’ lives are governed by federal laws under the Indian Act of 1876. The Act is still in place today. Treaties were signed years ago to protect First Nation groups and their rights to land. The Government of Canada continues to treat treaties as though they are non-existent, with the United Nations pointing its finger at the Canadian Government to change the racial discrimination of Indigenous populations.

Prior to the arrival and settlement of European immigrants, Indigenous people had complex and successful knowledge systems and practices about land systems, sciences, mathematics, clans, politics, physical and mental health, and food security that provided healthy and abundant livelihoods for millions of peoples for tens of thousands of years. The effects of colonialism and the Indian Act play a major role in First Nation access to education, health care, clean drinking water, housing, and many other things that non-Indigenous Canadians often take for granted. Canada’s horrific and not so distant past of the residential school system utilized education as a form of oppression between the 1880s to 1960s.

There are still over 40 First Nation communities that still do not have schools in their communities. K-12 completion rate for First Nation students is 49%. There are anywhere between 52 and 70 languages indigenous to what is now called Canada (depending on how you count them). Only three are expected to survive this century. The sad fact that First Nation students are more likely to end up in jail than to graduate high school is in large part because of colonialism. Suicide rates among First Nations youth are up to seven times higher than among non-Indigenous youth.

Close to 20% of First Nations communities are under a drinking water advisory, a statistic that has remained remarkably consistent for the past 25 years. As corporations are rarely being held accountable, the global threat of climate change, the lack of economic and social equality in all nations, the rise of fake news, and the never-ending corporate fight for world domination and control, humanity and our earth have never faced so many global and social threats.

Anthony Johnson shares insights on the importance of pivoting from our current path and that humans can band together to create a united mindset of peace, compassion, and forgiveness. He offers solutions on how to overcome systematic oppression and divide and conquer strategies no matter who we are, where we come from and what we think. We all have a responsibility to our planet, each other, and ourselves. In creating a united perspective on social change and an equality approach to the human experience we can work together to create and reconstruct our reality to be aligned with our purpose.

A wide variety of individuals and organizations are opposed to LGBTQ2 movements. The reason is that may have learned to develop a personal prejudice through their political, religious or family structures. The Media, education system and society reinforce gender and sexuality norms which often lead to LGBTQ2S+ individuals being marginalized and oppressed as they are indifferent to other human beings on the planet. In studying history, we know that there were many different cultures that have partaken in homosexuality as well as identifying different types of genders as long as humans have been able to document their experiences.

In recent years, there have been some major developments to create a clearer path for gay rights, same-sex marriages and laws that protect LGBTQ2S+ individuals in their jobs, in their communities and in society. The Traditional family structure is set and reinforced through social policy. Often discounting historical accounts of homosexual relationships, it is only in the past 50 years or so that we have been able to determine that there are more than two genders, and that sexual preference is not something that is biologically determined by our birth gender.

Although we have come a long way in Gender and sexual equality, we still have a long way to go. It is important for us all to understand how far the movement has come and how we got to where we are today. Anthony takes us on a journey of major events that have positively and negatively affected the LGBTQ2S+ Movements. Anthony Johnson identifies the negative impact of oppressive policies; media influence and how religious structures reinforced the oppression of LGBTQ2+ individuals which often still exists today. He also identifies major historical events, social movements and advocates that have fought for LGBTQ2S+ rights.

From Disco Balls to Riots, From Dwight Eisenhower to Bill Clinton, From the YMCA chant to Elton John, learn about the early, mid and new age stages of the LGBTQ2S+ movements for equality and human rights. Through going through the history, Anthony Johnson will break down the importance of these events and the impact they had. He will identify the roles and responsibilities institutions have within the movement and what needs to happen to change their ways.

Most importantly, Anthony exposes individuals to their role and to develop compassion and empathy to better understand how we all have a role to play by developing new ways of thinking, standing up against oppression and how to be an ally for gender and sexual equality. g, standing up against oppression and how to be an ally for gender and sexual equality.

The world is changing faster than ever before, and some may argue for the worse than the better. A worldwide pandemic, climate change, and the Black/Indigenous Lives Matter Movement have caused a shift in our approach to our work, relationships and how we think. The industrialization and corporatocracy of the world economy have caused mass inequality between rich and poor, exploitation and mistreatment of minority populations and the destruction of our planet and its ecosystems.

So many of us are striving to make sense of the world we live in to make our lives, the people we love and the world better in every and any way. Many are unaware of the roots of Indigenous culture, values and spirituality through traditional practices that are intertwined and encompass so many solutions for these challenges.

Anthony Johnson shows how his roots and traditions helped him become who he is today with a strong focus on improvement for himself, his relationships, and the world and to advocate for any oppressed communities. He shares how Indigenous culture has enabled him to focus on his relationship with himself, the creator, the earth and all living things. Rooted back to hundreds of years of life before and during colonialism, he shows how the solutions to many of the world’s problems mirror Indigenous values and cultural practices.

Anthony Johnson has had the rare opportunity to reconnect with his elders, leaders, community members and explore different Indigenous cultural practices from different First Nation communities and share insights and learn from some of Canada and the world’s top leaders regarding the establishment and importance of Indigenous values for all Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples. We have much to learn from incorporating a worldview through the Indigenous approach to living and being. Learn about how Indigenous culture helped Dr Makokis to achieve extraordinary success and practical insights we can all use in our everyday lives.

Anthony Johnson highlights the unfortunate history and TRUTH of the realities of colonialism in North America the impact on First Nation communities and Indigenous Peoples. Anthony Johnson will explain the structures and systems of how early settlers stripped First Nation communities and peoples of their Indigenous values, traditions, languages and customs. Anthony Johnson connects colonialism to our current reality while teaching how systems of the past have maintained inequality and unfair treatment for First Nation communities and Indigenous Peoples in North America. He will deliver facts on the current challenges Indigenous cultures face and how to break down the colonial structures of the past to reclaim their culture without assistance or intervention from Non-Indigenous Canadians.

Anthony Johnson will provide practical insights on the importance of RECONCILIATION and deliver strategic advice on how each community member and their leaders can implement procedures to support the 94 TRC Calls to Action. The United Nations stated clearly that we can no longer be a 1st world country with 3rd world conditions for Indigenous communities. Anthony Johnson presentation focuses on a united front for all Canadians to take part in and stand up to eliminate the reality that we have left behind many people and communities outside of the Canadian System. This presentation can focus on or include multiple TRC Calls to Action in each community. council, industry or organization faces different challenges for RECONCILIATION.

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

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

• Spirituality
• Traditional Values and Cultural
• Community Development on First Nation
• Social Programming for First Nation
• Governance
• Residential School Systems
• Partnerships
• Community Programming
• Project Development
• Remembering the History
• Importance of Family
• Mentorship and Elders
• Generational Trauma
• Intersectional Trauma
• Indigenous Youth
• Indigenous Resilience
• Indigenous Leadership
• First Nation Community Development/Engagement
• Indigenous Education

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

• 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