Shannon Monk is the founder and CEO of Sakatay Global, and creator of the Indigenous Circle Approach to Cultural Confidence™. She is currently managing the Mi’kmaq Cultural Tourism project with Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Mi’maq Rights Initiative in Nova Scotia. Shannon has been a leader and innovator in Indigenous Education for over 35 years and has an extensive background in community engagement and policy. Shannon’s academic accreditation includes a Graduate Degree in Public Administration with a focus on Indigenous Policy and Governance from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies and Psychology, and a Bachelor of Education from Brandon University. Shannon has led a number of high-profile national projects to inspire cultural confidence and build relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations. Some recent projects include: • Online and in-person cultural training and consulting for Apple Canada, Sobeys, Leap Pecaut Centre for Social Impact, Ian Martin Group, Mackenzie Investments, Government of Manitoba, Government of Northwest Territories, Mascwacis First Nation, Mining Matters, Teach For Canada, Sudbury Catholic School Board, Horizon Maritime, etc. • Assembly of First Nations (AFN) national and regional projects: First Nations Self Government Summit, Raised Voices Youth Conferences, AFN Water Conference, Mi’kmaw Students on Ice, It’s Our Time First Nations Education Digital Tool Kit with Apple Canada, Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada with Canadian Geographic • Capacity Development Projects – Pathways to Education Canada and Three Things Consulting, Rideau Hall Foundation, YMCA Indigenous Tool Kit – YMCA Canada, Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Canada C3 Legacy Room Shannon’s professional background is in education, working primarily with First Nations. She is a member of St Theresa Point First Nation, an Oji-Cree fly-in community in Northern Manitoba with Mi’kmaq (Lennox Island, PEI) and Celtic (Eastern Shore, NS) roots. She was employed with the Assembly of First Nations for six years as a First Nations Education Policy and Research Analyst, and as a Senior Policy Analyst / Community Liaison for Residential School Survivors (Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory). She has taught all grades from Kindergarten to grade 10, mainly on reserve, including time as a Teaching Principal and Special Needs Coordinator (Manitoba). As well, Shannon has worked as an Indigenous Education Coordinator (Northwest Territories), an Adult Educator, Trainer, and Employment Counsellor (Nova Scotia), and university Learning Skills Counsellor (York University, ON). She has wide-ranging experience in community involvement and volunteerism and is a mother and grandmother passionate about creating a better world of opportunity for our next generations.