Robert Animikii Horton
"Bebaamweyaazh"
Rainy River First Nations
Manitou Rapids Anishinaabe
Descendant of Long Sault Rapids (“Kaynahchiwahnung”)
Marten Clan
Degree: B.A. (Honors) 2006
Major: Sociology - Politics, Society, and Economy emphasis
Minors: Human Relations and Ethnic Studies
Organization: Rainy River First Nations and Grand Council Treaty Three
Title: Social Analyst and Federal Coordinator
Website: www.rainyriver.firstnation.ca
E-mail address: r.horton.rrfn@gmail.com
Job History, Involvement, and Responsibilities:
Rob has recently been involved in the Treaty #3 region; directly assisting with the Anishinaabemowin Anjimaamino Biijigaade Language Revitalization Project to honor and preserve the Anishinaabe language in partnership with regional elders and leaders. It is a three year research and development project to determine and outline the next 20 years of language initiatives, programs, and planning in the Treaty #3 region of Ontario. He has been serving as a Federal Consultation Coordinator for Grand Council Treaty #3 (First Nation political representation) for the National Federal Action Plan to increase positive relations and respect for Treaty rights between indigenous First Nations and the Nation of Canada, as well as serving as a Trustee for the Rainy River First Nation and $73 million dollar Community Fund Land Claim Trust following the 2005 historic Land Claim in Ontario; to promote education, health, economic development, cultural continuity, business, and housing for Rainy River First Nations and coming generations. He has built a sound reputation as a political and social activist; and an orator and public speaker on an international scale.
In 2009, Rob was asked to keynote alongside Ontario’s Grand Chiefs and Kenora Mayor Compton at the Chiefs of Ontario Leadership. On this occasion, Horton served on a youth leader’s panel and was presented a policy essay award for an authored article, “Social Change: Reflection, Revelation, Revolution” that promotes building Native youth as progressive leaders to shape a positive future. In coming months, Horton will be serving as Master of Ceremonies for the 2010 Ontario Native Educators and Counsellors Association Annual Conference in Sault Ste. Marie, as well as for the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) in Niagara Falls, New York. He will be travelling to keynote speak for Lakehead University’s “Catch Your Dream” Conference and the Native Access Program Conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and the 8th Annual National Aboriginal Youth, Violence and Changing Times Conference, Victoria, British Columbia. Horton is currently finishing his Masters degree in Sociology from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. His Thesis is entitled “Voice for Change: Preparing the Seventh Generation: What Are the Educational Needs and Concerns of Students from Rainy River First Nations?” and examines specific educational needs and concerns across many contexts such as school and community; identified by students themselves; giving a voice to their experiences and feelings in contemporary and area education as Anishinaabe people. It is intended to give young people a voice and to give insight into future educational improvements to promote higher rates of graduation; bringing into question; “what are student needs and concerns…and what can be done to help students succeed?”’
Following graduation from SCSU, the opportunity to author a 300-page curriculum for the Rainy River District School Board centered on indigenous/Anishinaabe history, life, and culture to increase support for Native students in the district came to light. It has now been made available to the 19 schools and all educators for application in the regional school district. The following year, Horton authored a social and political analysis for his First Nation entitled “Currents and Still Waters: A Manitou Rapids Manifesto” to promote community support, progressive political autonomy, increasing cultural foundations, and youth empowerment; presented to Rainy River First Nations Chief, Council, and Administration. He had a great time working with his First Nation administration, education counsellor, and fellow progressives in Minnesota on this project.
Robert has extensively travelled few years (primarily as a keynote speaker and advocate) since he has been a SCSU alumnus, in such places around North American, such as; Native Awareness Week at Big Grassy First Nation, Ontario, the 2009 Ontario Native Education and Counselling Association Annual Conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario, the 2009 Indigenous Youth Empowerment Conference in Shoal Lake First Nation, Ontario, as a National Representative and Panellist at the Indigenous Cooperative on the Environment (ICE) Symposium in Ottawa, Ontario, at Timiskiming First Nation and area school conferences in Quebec, the 2009 Anishinaabemowin Anjimaamino Biijigaade Language Gathering Conference in Kenora, Ontario, at Hiawatha Anishinaabe First Nation Education and Career Symposium near Peterborough, Ontario, as well as the chance to serve as a National Representative and keynote speaker for the 2009 Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers Symposium in Montreal, community speaker at Golden Lake First Nations (Algonquins of Pikwakanagan), and Keynote speaker and Representative at the University of Guelph Aboriginal Week in Guelph, Ontario.
Representative opportunities for the National Aboriginal Role Model Program at the 2008 Manito Ahbee Festival, 2008 Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards Winnipeg, Manitoba, and as a representative and speaker for the 2008 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) at Cowichan Valley, British Columbia, has also been were time Robert has placed time. Following the National Aboriginal Role Model Award Ceremony in Ottawa, Governor General Michaelle Jean and assistant Peter Flegel and Horton spoke about the opportunity to serve with involvement with Urban Arts for Social Change Initiative. This past year, he also served on the NAHO National Aboriginal Role Model Program’s National Selection Committee. To assist with fundraising to keep youth programs afloat, Horton served as keynote guest speaker and Representative at the N ‘America Friendship Center and Youth Program Benefit in London, Ontario. The then-youth Coordinator has recently informed him that 25 programs have been solidified, as well as jobs created to improve support for Native youth. Horton has had the opportunity to serve as a keynote speaker, representative, and deliverer of the Plenary Address at the Gegenoatatoltimg: Sharing the Knowledge Gathering at Elsipogtog First Nation (and Bonar Law Memorial High School and Big Cove First Nation Youth Centre), near Moncton, New Brunswick. Discussing social justice, human rights, and leadership, Rob served as the Treaty Three First Nation Ambassador and keynote address for the Oshki-Aa-yaa'aag Mino Bimaadiziwin (Good Life for Young People) Foundation's Third Annual Benefit Gathering and Concert at Asabaska Ojibway Heritage Park – Morson, Ontario, as well at God's Lake Narrows First Nation's 2nd Annual Youth Conference in northern Manitoba, and Master of Ceremonies at the Rainy River First Nations Annual Education Award Ceremony in 2006 and 2008. These are but a few of places around North America where Horton has spoke to audiences.
On his own family’s First Nation, he has been making a point to stay committed and dedicated to the youth as often as possible; assisting the administration as co-coordinator and volunteer chaperone for the Rainy River First Nations Education Student trips to Chicago, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as past involvement and volunteer work with M-UNIT (Manitou United Native Interactive Teens)upon returning home, past involvement with the Rainy River First Nations Pow-Wow Committee, assisting RRFN Administration with research for the unveiling of the Manitou Rapids War Veteran Memorial, assisting Chief and Council with communications, and assisting RRFN Education Administration with final developments of education policy. With a very appreciated opportunity from his Chief, Council, and Administration, the opportunities to; author a historical overview analysis of Kaynahchiwahnung Historical Society (entitled "Our Walk We Remember", to volunteer as a storyteller and tour guide for visiting schools to the center, to serve as a co-keynote speaker at the Rainy River First Nation Annual Community Gathering with Canadian indigenous actor Gordon Tootoosis (‘North of 60’, ‘The Edge’), and to assist with a review of consultation analysis for Rainy River First Nations of 2006 RRFN Governance, Program, and Organizational External Review are some opportunities that have come his way. He states that they have been appreciated and enjoyed and could not have happened without his `amazing First Nation administration’s commitment to provide opportunities.`
Horton continues to support social justice organizations, HIV/AIDS awareness groups, GLBTA organizations, Turtle Island's Warrior Societies, Ejercito Zapatista de Liberacion Nacional (EZLN), and organizations focused on community and youth empowerment, indy-media, decolonization, grassroots organizing, solidarity, progressive change and social movements, awareness and advocacy, and social/economic/political/reproductive justice.
This past year, an opportunity to; be a one-hour guest spot on the Native America Calling (KUNM-FM) Radio Program, to serve as a Graduate and Teaching Assistant at Lakehead University, a collaborator and research assistant for community and neighbourhood development research in Thunder Bay, as a presenter at the Fourth Canadian Occupational Science Symposium, to assist University of Victoria faculty with development of indigenous based curriculum for the Justice Institute of British Columbia, to author and publish social/political current event articles promoting human and social rights, facilitation of gathering of resources/books for donation to Rainy River First Nations library and Resource Center, to serve as a presenter on First Nations Education at Lakehead University GraduateS tudent Conference, to assist in collaborating across international borders for indigenous college recruitment with Steve Briggs of Rainy River Community College, and a volunteer lecturer on First Nations Education and Curriculum Development for Dr. David Nock has kept Horton busy.
Very recently, a Harvard Ph.D. candidate asked Horton to contribute an interview for his Doctoral Dissertation, which he intends to turn into a book following graduation; the subject matters was improving positive relationships, understanding, and awareness between indigenous communities and nearby regional mainstream communities, towns, and cities.
Accolades:
Since graduating from St. Cloud State University, many opportunities have crossed Horton's path while working for his People. Similarly, there have been opportunities to work with amazing people where hard work and dedication has been recognized. Horton was brought to Ottawa, Canada and received the 2008 NAHO National Aboriginal Role Model Award from Canada’s Governor General Michaelle Jean for work in social justice, activism, and leadership; described as an “Ogichidaa Scholar, Activist, and Future Leader” by this Canadian national leader. For work in human rights, social justice, activism, and leadership, he also was the recipient of the Assembly of First Nations “Heroes of our Time” award, as well as induction to a departmental course curriculum on indigenous leaders in North America at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. His authored work (“Irony of our Time”) focusing on increasing the respect for indigenous women in communities was included in Ryerson University’s material entitled““Protecting the Circle: Aboriginal Men Ending Violence Against Women.” In 2004 and 2009, Horton was presented with the Minnesota Indian Education Association State wide American Indian Post-Secondary Student of the Year Award and has recently been included as a First Nation Applied Sociologist and social activist in an introductory Sociology University Textbook, “Our Social World” (printed November 2008 Pine Forge Press/SAGE Publications) for progressive dedication; to social and human rights. For work in social activism, youth advocacy, and contemporary leadership, he was the recipient of official statements of appreciation from Indian and Northern Affairs Representative Chuck Strahl, the Hon. Tony Clement, P.C., Member of Parliament, and the Hon. Joe Comuzzi, P.C., Member of Parliament of Superior North. In 2008, Native actor Dakota House presented Horton with the Northwestern Ontario Aboriginal Achievement and Recognition Award not long after receiving honorary lifetime induction to Alpha Kappa Delta’s International Honor Society for Sociologists and the Kappa Delta Pi’s (International Honor Society for Education) 2006 Inspiring Student Award. During his time at Lakehead University, Horton received the Department of Sociology External Scholarship Award for Honors Standing and the Dr. Freda Ahenakew Scholarship in 2008, Rainy River First Nations Honors Graduate Award and Certificate presented by Chief and Council, and Minnesota Indian Affairs Council State wide Student of the Year Award presented by MIAC Director Joseph Day. Established in 1963, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council is the oldest tribal council in the United States and serves as the official liaison of the 11 tribes and the state of Minnesota. The MIAC represents the sovereign nations and indigenous communities of; Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Lower Sioux, Mille Lacs, Prairie Island, Red Lake/Ponemah, Shakopee-Mdewakanton, Upper Sioux, and White Earth.
Rob has been recently informed that he has been nominated for the Jefferson Award for Public Service and the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award.
http://newsite.fftimes.com/node/217462
http://www.wawataynews.ca/archive/all/2010/2/18/Robert-Horton-continues-political-activism-journey_19252
How I use sociology in my job(s):
"When I began my program in Sociology at St. Cloud State University, it was with the sincere and complete intention of using the skills and awareness to put to use for the betterment of our People, either on my family's community or others, in whatever paradigm (education, public policy, politics, etc). The fulfillment of those hopes, put to use, keep that vision alive and strong. Critical thinking skills, utilizing understanding and awareness in a complex society, and a sense of the larger and (at times) rarely seen underlying issues are just a few skills the program at SCSU offered. All these skills and more have come into play many times and I expect them to continue to do so. I couldn't have asked for a better starting point than the program which I took figurative first-steps as and the advisors and mentors I worked with closely during my tenure as a student in the Sociology Department, as well as the Human Relations Department. My education, greatly rooted at St. Cloud State University and inspired by much of the faculty, is something I wanted to being home to Canada and home to my family’ s First Nation of Rainy River First Nations/Manitou Rapids our Treaty region. Since parting ways with St. Cloud State University as an alumnus, I have dedicated much of my time to work for my First Nation, our regional First Nations back home in Canada; and working towards social and political activism, speaking internationally as an orator, sociologist, First Nation and Native advocate, and spoken-word poet; overall, my time is fully dedicated to social/political/economic justice, human rights, community organizing, and youth empowerment.
A very special Thank You to Tracy Ore, Mehdi Abbas, and Linda Havir for your much valued guidance .This, paired with a lot of influence here in Minnesota watching the late Senator Paul Wellstone, created so much awareness, conviction, and integrity.
Miigwech!"
Advice for students
"The best advice I can offer students with an interest in sociology is to acknowledge and fully understand that you are an active part, not a detached aspect, in the society to which you exist. No matter how distant or abstract issues or enacted policies may appear, we are connected within this said society. Sociology opens eyes, minds, and hearts to issues and concepts that one, without placing their feet in the sands of context, may have gone without building an understanding towards. Because you are a part of this world, this society, you can most certainly affect and influence change. Become the change in which you are passionate to see and part of the stability in the foundations of progress made. You are part of this web of life, the world, and society. Be the change you wish to see. It is more than possible to have strong roots and strong wings. Defy convention. Hope. Dream. Imagine. Inspire. Gashkozin. Niibawain. Giigidoon. Aabijidoongaanaweyin Gaa-gii-miinigooziyin Mii ih gii-pagamishkaag ji-andwaa nikaadomaan niishwaaso-bakine-ishkode."
