Thursday June 11th
8:30 am to 10 am
Activity open to individuals registered for the Forum.
Rooted in the vision of Manitou, Kiuna College now stands as a successful example of an education model designed by and for First Peoples. Through implementation of the House of Knowledge university project, we celebrate a journey of continuity that underscores the relevance of this approach for the future of education and the next generation.
Charles Bender – Presenter
Charles Bender – Wendat
Actor/Director/Translator
Charles Bender is an actor, host, translator, and director of Wendat and settler origin. He is co-artistic director of the theatre company Menuentakuan and the host of Sans Reserve on APTN. He has sat on many committees and boards of directors that have social justice and contemporary Indigenous culture as part of their mandate.
Charles has been involved in theatre and television for more that 20 years and is often asked to host events that spotlight the exceptional richness of Indigenous peoples and organizations.
Denis Gros-Louis
Director General, First Nations Education Council (FNEC)
A proud member of the Wendat Nation, Denis Gros-Louis holds a law degree and completed the Executive Leadership Development Program at the Canada School of Public Service.
He has served as Director of the First Nations Land Management Initiative, Senior Policy Analyst at the Privy Council Office and Deputy Veterans Ombudsman.
In 2018, he became Director General of the First Nations Education Council, where he played a key role in negotiating a historic regional agreement between 22 First Nations and the Government of Canada. Deeply committed to protecting the right to education and supporting student success, he was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024 for his lasting contributions to First Nations education.
Outside of his professional work, Denis Gros-Louis is an enthusiastic triathlete who is actively involved in cultural and sporting events.
Ghislain Picard
An Innu from the North Shore community of Pessamit, Ghislain Picard was Chief of the AFNQL from 1992 to 2025.
Prior to his political career, Ghislain Picard held a number of positions with groups representing Indigenous communities, including Conseil des Atikamekw et des Montagnais. In the 1980s, he was among the founding members of Société de communication Atikamekw – Montagnais (SOCAM), dedicated to broadcasting programs in Indigenous languages.
Since 2021, he has chaired the McCord Stewart Museum board of directors and the FNEE advisory committee. He is also co-author of De Kebec à Québec – Cinq siècles d’échanges entre nous.
Ghislain Picard’s career distinctions include the following: Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Québec (2003), Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur de France (2005), Honorary citizen of the City of Montréal (2017), Honorary doctorate, UQAM (2021), Honorary doctorate, Université du Québec (2025).
Lise Bastien
Born in Wendake, Lise Bastien is a leading figure in Indigenous education in Québec. She began her educational journey at Manitou College, a pioneering institution dedicated to training Indigenous students. Her time at Manitou had a profound impact on her career and achievements.
For 34 years, she served as executive director of the First Nations Education Council, transforming the organization into a major player in First Nations educational autonomy. Among her most notable achievements is the creation of Kiuna College, the culmination of her efforts to provide education that is better adapted to Indigenous realities.
These accomplishments are the fruit of collaboration among many actors who, for more than three decades, have contributed to improving First Nations education.
In June 2026, she received an honorary doctorate from Université du Québec à Trois Rivières for her contribution to First Nations education.
Today, her commitment is reflected in her advisory services. She is also the co-founder of ONQUATA, a company that offers paddles and other items made by Indigenous peoples.
