Tim O’Loan

Keynote Speaker | Ottawa, Ontario

Military & Indigenous Survivor
First Nation's Expert

Tim O’Loan Expertise Adaptability & Agility, Addictions & Substance Abuse, Burnout Prevention, Change Management, Cultural Diversity, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Excellence & Success, Inclusive Leadership, PTSD & Trauma, , and .

Tim O’Loan

About Tim O’Loan

Tim O’Loan is a Sahtu Dene Indigenous veteran, knowledge keeper, and reconciliation advisor recognized for his work at the intersection of Indigenous identity, military service, mental health, and reconciliation in Canada. He served ten years in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1983 to 1993, including service during the Oka Crisis, before leaving the military physically and spiritually wounded. Following his service, he earned a Bachelor of Arts and later a Master’s degree in Canadian Studies from Carleton University. Tim O’Loan served as Advisor to the Chair at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada under the Hon. Murray Sinclair. He continues to advise governments, institutions, and organizations on Indigenous veterans, reconciliation, and trauma-informed leadership.

Tim O’Loan Videos

Life-changing: Invictus games provides a healing journey for Tim O'Loa

November 2021: Newsletter Introduction from Tim O'loan

Tim O'loan: My Ptsd Diagnosis

Tim O'loan: Being My True Authentic Self

Tim O’Loan Interviews & Podcasts

‘that Was a Pretty Horrific Time for Indigenous Veterans’: Extende

TIM O’LOAN BIOGRAPHY

Tim O’Loan comes from two wounded communities: one military, and one Indigenous. A is a proud indigenous (Sahtu Dene) Veteran, having served 10 years (1983-1993) in the military. Throughout his life, Tim O’Loan experienced massive amounts of racism and trauma. The racism and his search for his identity was something Tim struggled with until his mid-40s when Tim O’Loan started working at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). While Tim O’Loan was at the TRC his mental health started to decline as he realized how his story was similar to the survivors of residential schools story, one of a lifetime of trauma.

Tim O’Loan joined the army at 17 — partly to escape an adoptive father who was physically and emotionally abusive, his father named him “Dim Tim”. Tim’s 10 years of service included a time when the military was called out during the Oka Crisis. “Soldiers had no qualms,” Tim O’Loan says, about sharing their feelings about Indigenous people. Anxious to avoid confrontations with fellow soldiers, Tim O’Loan endured taunting, bullying, and other abuse while trying to fit into the brotherhood, Tim O’Loan struggled with issues of identity and self-worth. Tim O’Loan served at military bases in Winnipeg, Petawawa, and Baden, Germany. At 27, Tim O’Loan decided to leave the only career Tim O’Loan had ever known: “I couldn’t do it anymore. I left the military physically and spiritually wounded.”

Like many survivors of physical and sexual abuse, Tim O’Loan “packed away” his trauma and pondered the next steps in his life. Tim O’Loan had promised his mother he would go back to school if he ever left the military, but Tim O’Loan never thought he’d actually have to act on the vow. His only non-military job had been pumping gas as a teenager. Despite the struggles, Tim O’Loan enrolled as a special student at Carleton University. Tim O’Loan studied political sciences and received failing grades on his first four essays. Tim O’Loan persisted and celebrated when he received his first ‘D.’ It took him four years to earn a three-year bachelor’s degree, even then he was very proud of his accomplishments as he never saw a future in college, let alone university.

Tim O’loans healing journey takes a shift to a new path to rediscovery himself, and his identity, and connect with his birth family.  In 1997, Tim O’Loan moved to the Northwest Territories, where members of his Dené family, including his grandfather, still lived. His grandfather was a trapper who had moved to Yellowknife to gift his children a modern education and modern healthcare, sadly to have all his children taken off to residential schools. From 1998-2006, he was a Land Claims and Self Government Negotiator and Intergovernmental Relations for the Government of the NWT. In 2006 Tim felt his BA was a good start but needed to hone his writing skills, so in 2006 Tim and his family moved to Ottawa for his MA in Canadian Studies at Carleton University. In 2010, Tim O’Loan was asked to join the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) as the Advisor to the TRC Chair, the Hon. Murray Sinclair.

Given his unique history, Tim O’Loan now identifies as a knowledge keeper and continues to share this unique perspective across Canada and beyond, particularly through the Indigenous Veterans’ lens, mental health, and Reconciliation.  Tim O’Loan is also a proud volunteer of the Veterans Ombuds Advisory Council, the Aboriginal Veterans Association (AVA), and the Assembly of First Nations Veterans Council. Tim O’Loan is the co-founder of an Ottawa-based community reconciliation initiative called “Mamawi Together”.  It intends to engage and educate parents, students, and community members in putting Reconciliation into action.

While Tim O’Loan was with the TRC he made several presentations on Reconciliation to a range of institutions and a number of stakeholders. Tim O’Loan continues to share this unique perspective with all levels of government, educational institutions, and the private sector across Canada and the United States.

Tim O’Loan Topic Presentations

Tim O’Loan Ottawa, 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.

Journey Towards Truth and Reconciliation: Insights from Experience

Community Healing and Restoration: a Pathway to Reconciliation

The Wounded Warrior: Tim O'loan on Trauma, Ptsd, Identity, Crisis Prevention, and Healing Pathways

Navigating the Storm: Tim O'loan's Insights into Healing, Identity, and Community Support

Unraveling Injustice: an Insightful Journey Through Systematic Oppression and the Path to Racial Inclusion

Authenticity in Healing and Inclusion: Creating Safe Spaces for Acceptance and Being One's Self

Bridging Two Worlds: Partnership Between Western and Indigenous Institutions and Nations

Tim O’Loan Books & Articles

Tim O’Loan Speaking Testimonials

"Your presentation was absolutely amazing. I have been to several workshops where we learned about the trauma caused by residential schools but I have never heard testimonies from survivors. This had quite an impact on me as I know it did the same for my colleagues. It is clear that as a staff, we are not all at the same place with regard to information on indigenous affairs and reconciliation. Your workshop gave us a good foundation on which to build on.        "

Claire

"At a personal level, I wasn’t expecting to face deep questions about my relationship with my mother…but I did and I thank you for that because I think it is a part of reconciliation. I am also certain that everybody in the room had their own view positive experience of the presentation and took something of great value from the things that you shared. I hope you know that you also are a hero to share, educate, honour and encourage reconciliation."

Ariane

"May you continue to move hearts and open minds with the power of your message and know that your contributions to Reconciliation through sessions like the one we had are making a difference."

Grace

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Tim O’Loan 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

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Tim O’Loan is from Ottawa, 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 Tim O’Loan available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Tim O’Loan 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 Tim O’Loan deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Tim O’Loan 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

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Tim O’Loan 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

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Tim O’Loan 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

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Tim O’Loan 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

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Additional costs to hire Tim O’Loan 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

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Tim O’Loan 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

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Tim O’Loan 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