Teddy Syrette

Keynote Speaker | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Two Spirit Advocate
Mental Health Expert | Indigenous Professional of the Year Awardee

Teddy Syrette Expertise Business Leadership, Business Management, Cultural Diversity, Employee Engagement, Gender Equality, Generational Differences, Happiness & Positivity, Inclusive Leadership and Indigenous.

Teddy Syrette

About Teddy Syrette

Teddy Syrette (Ozhawa Anung Kwe/Yellow Star Woman) is a 2-Spirit and First Nation Anishnabe and Mental Health Expert from Rankin Reserve of Batchewana. Teddy Syrette has received numerous awards for work in advocacy, including the Mark S. Bonham Award for Sexuality, Planned Parenthood Toronto LGBTQ+ Person of the Year, Sault Ste. Marie YMCA Peace Medal, Best Indigenous Person of the Year award, and Canada's Inspiring Person of the Year Award 2025 – Inspire Awards. Teddy Syrette and 2Spirit Anishnabe Arts & Advocacy have been nominated for multiple categories at the 2025 Outstanding Business Achievement Awards, recognizing their excellence in business, community impact, and advocacy.

Teddy Syrette Videos

Teddy Syrette - Advocate & Champion at the Anishinabek Health Conferen

Teddy Syrette: We Matter Campaign

A7g Tea and Chat with Teddy Syrette

Teddy Syrette Interviews & Podcasts

Up North with Jonathan Pinto

Let Me Be Perfectly Queer the Northern Queer Experience

Episode 4: Yru: Interview with Teddy Syrette

TEDDY SYRETTE BIOGRAPHY

Teddy Syrette (Ozhawa Anung Kwe/Yellow Star Woman) is a 2-Spirit Anishnabe from Rankin Reserve of Batchewana First Nation of the Anishnabek. Teddy Syrette has a background in social justice for First Nation and 2-Spirit and LGBTQ+ people and communities. Their background also includes community theatre and bingo. Teddy Syrette has a Diploma in Social Service Work – Indigenous Specialization from Sault College. Teddy Syrette uses they/them as their pronouns. As a brown, First Nation queer person, there were many barriers and challenges that Teddy faced growing up on Rankin Reserve and Sault Ste. Marie. These acts of discrimination and bullying led Teddy Syrette to a path of self-destruction and isolation. However, they did manage to find support from a high school guidance counselor, an LGBT+ youth group of Algoma, and affirming family and friends.

This didn’t stop  Teddy Syrett from experiencing different forms of addiction, and mental illness and ultimately dropping out of high school several times. At a young age, Teddy showed a creative imagination, brought on by their love of reading, writing television, and film. Not knowing what being First Nation entirely meant, Teddy Syrette did understand they were different after developing a crush on Zach Morris, from the television show Saved by the Bell. Teddy Syrette would become involved in theatre in elementary school, musical theatre in their later teen years, and then Indigenous and community theatre in their 20s.

While studying Indigenous theatre and storytelling at Debajehmujig Storytellers in Manitowaning ON, on Manitoulin Island, Teddy Syrette discovered that his grandmother was a residential school survivor from St. Joseph Residential School in Spanish, Ontario. Teddy Syrette also discovered that his uncle and aunt also attended residential school, but unfortunately, her aunt would die of tuberculous at residential school. This would set Teddy Syrette on a healing journey for their mental health and addiction. Teddy is now 4 years sober from alcohol. Their fondness for news and media, shifted their journey in their mid-twenties, from being performing artists to social justice and social advocacy.

At 24, they dropped out of theatre school in Manitoulin Island and returned to Sault Ste. Marie enrolled and graduated from the Sault College Social Service Worker – Indigenous Specialization program. Teddy Syrette would then get involved with an LGBTQ+ youth committee with the former Provincial Advocates Office of Ontario, and assist with revamping the Sault Pride movement in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

Teddy Syrette has received the following awards for their work in advocacy, which include the Mark S. Bonham Award for Sexuality, Planned Parenthood Toronto LGBTQ+ Person of the Year, and the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA Peace Medal, the Community Driven Award for Leadership, and the Grade 8 Graduate Award for Geography and History. Teddy currently lives back in Sault Ste. Marie, their home territory of Baawaating with their pug Hortus.

Recently, Teddy Syrette was awarded the Best Indigenous Person of the Year award sponsored by Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. This award is presented to Teddy Syrette for making an impact in the Indigenous, Metis, and Sault Ste. Marie communities. Teddy also received recognition with Inspire Awards as Canada’s Inspiring Person of the Year for 2025.

Teddy Syrette Topic Presentations

Teddy Syrette Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

A Journey in Rainbow Moccasins

2 Spirit/queer-trans Indigenous People: Identities & Experiences

Mental Health & 2slgbtq+ Communities

2spirit and Gender Diversity Inclusion

Teddy Syrette Books & Articles

Teddy Syrette Chosen to Receive Peace Prize
Teddy Syrette Chosen to Receive Peace

Rankin-raised Theodore Syrette will receive the 2018 Sault Ste. Marie YMCA Peace Medal on Friday, Nov. 30, city councillors learned Monday....

A Conversation with Two-spirit Leader and Social Justice Advocate Teddy Syrette: Fostering Inclusion Through Education and Allyship
A Conversation with Two-spirit Leader and Social

Through storytelling and personal life experiences, Teddy explains the history and importance of the term Two-Spirit and offers knowledge...

Teddy Syrette Speaking Testimonials

"I have had the privilege of hearing Teddy speak on a number of occasions, most recently at our 2021 national conference when she spoke on the impact of colonialism on 2Spirit and queer-trans Indigenous people. Teddy is a highly knowledgeable and passionate storyteller, and I would recommend him without reservation."

President

Board of Directors
FCP

"Teddy Syrette brings together storytelling and knowledge sharing in their facilitation approach, creating an engaging space for learning. They offer impactful experiences for learners through their critical, forward-thinking analysis, and lots of humour, too. Teddy has significant experience working with audiences of all backgrounds, and has contributed meaningfully to increasing awareness within and across communities in relation to the experiences of two spirit, queer and trans people in Indigenous communities. Teddy helps individuals involved in organizations and programs of all kinds to better understand ways of supporting two spirit, Indigenous queer and trans community members, while..."

Rebecca Beaulne-Stuebing

Former instructor Community Economic and Social Development
Algoma University

"Over the past five years, Teddy has spoken numerous times in the SHAE program in Hamilton. In each and every one of these times, he has left an impression on Indigenous youth and has made them feel welcomed and engaged and ready to work in order to make the community better. He educates with both grace and humour and engages all of the audience in understanding 2SLGTBTQ+ challenges but also their beautiful realities. For a group of young people to say “when is he coming back?” means to me that he’s ignited in them a spark to not only learn more but that they had fun while doing it."

Jerica Danielle

Secondary Teacher
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre

"I have had the pleasure working with Teddy many times over the past several years for conferences on Indigenous Health and Wellness. As a keynote speaker, workshop presenter and MC (Mistress of Ceremonies). They have a stage presence, energy and accountabilty to the work contracted for. Some words that come to mind on their work; real, honest, and hard hitting. They have the ability to read the room while covering some uncomfortable truths and harder topics by adding in humor or a moment for participants to digest the information and closing in a good way. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Teddy and I highly recommend them and the work they do."

Lisa Jackson

"Teddy facilitated a workshop for several high school classes at my school. He was engaging and informed. He taught the students a lot of new things about intersecting identities and how that can impact individuals. The students enjoyed his workshop and learned a lot from him. Their reflection and growth was visible."

Rebecca Millicent

Educator
Collingwood, Ontario

"Teddy Syrette has been an incredible resource to us at Planned Parenthood Toronto, providing training for staff and for many groups of our volunteers on Two Spirit identities and gender sexuality diversity in Indigenous experiences and histories. In recognition of their advocacy and community building for Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ communities, we were delighted to honour Teddy with a PPT Choice Award in 2019."

Cheryl Dobinson

Interm Executive Director
Planned Parenthood, Toronto

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Teddy Syrette known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Teddy Syrette is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Teddy Syrette speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Teddy Syrette delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Teddy Syrette is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Teddy Syrette is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Teddy Syrette from and where do they speak across Canada?

Teddy Syrette is from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Teddy Syrette available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Teddy Syrette is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Teddy Syrette deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Teddy Syrette may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Teddy Syrette to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Teddy Syrette is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Teddy Syrette for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Teddy Syrette is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Teddy Syrette as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Teddy Syrette keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Teddy Syrette for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Teddy Syrette may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Teddy Syrette for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Teddy Syrette should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Teddy Syrette represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Teddy Syrette is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More