Chief Robert Joseph is a true peace-builder whose life and work are examples of his personal commitment. A hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, Robert has dedicated his life to bridging the differences brought about by intolerance, lack of understanding and racism at home and abroad.

Robert has worked as Ambassador of Reconciliation for Reconciliation Canada and as a member of the National Assembly of First Nations Elders Council. He models an inclusive approach to peaceful dialogue that embraces all cultures and faiths to create unity of purpose to reach reconciliation.

A survivor of the St. Michael’s Indian Residential School, he endured inconceivable hardships as a young boy. He persevered and dedicated his life to help renew relationships between aboriginal peoples and all Canadians.

Robert’s work has received several awards including an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from UBC, the Jack P. Blaney Award for Dialogue from SFU, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Vancouver School of Theology.

One of the last fluent speakers of the Kwakwaka’wakw language, he is an eloquent and inspiring speaker who initiated the reconciliation dialogue process and ignited a fire under it.