Dr. Leona Makokis is a nêhiyaw nôcikwesiw (female Elder) from Kehewin Cree Nation and past President of University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills (UnBQ).
UnBQ is situated in a former Indian Residential School near St. Paul, Alberta in which Leona attended as a child. Leona has extensive teaching and research experience with a focus on leadership and revitalization of nêhiyawêwin (the Cree language). Leona’s contributions have been widely recognized including an Honorary Degree from the University of Calgary and an Indspire Award, (formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards) for outstanding lifetime achievement in the field of Indigenous Education.
Leona facilitates omanitew and nêhiyaw kesi wahkotok: Cree relationship mapping – which are experiential learning opportunities guided by the nêhiyaw teaching of kiskinohâmakewin – learning by modelling and doing.
