Centering Indigenous Knowledge Systems: A Conversation with Indigenous Leader, Diane Roussin
As we reflect on understandings of leadership, we feel it’s important to explore diverse perspectives, importantly Indigenous understandings and worldviews. With this, it is important to emphasize that there is no ‘single’ Indigenous worldview; Indigenous communities and worldviews are diverse, and deeply rooted in the unique contexts, histories, and communities across Turtle Island. We had the opportunity to connect with Diane Roussin, an Indigenous leader admired in the community and systems change spaces. Here, Diane shares her reflections on leadership. The purpose of this conversation is to center Indigenous ways of knowing and learn from the unique and important ways Indigenous knowledge systems shape our understandings of leadership, community, and care.
Diane Roussin, Winnipeg Boldness Project
A proud member of Skownan First Nation, Diane Roussin is an Anishinaabe leader passionately committed to the pursuit of mino bimaadiziwin (the good life) for all families and children. Working tirelessly at the local, regional and national levels to promote Indigenous People’s values and ways of knowing, being, doing and feeling, she has led many avant-garde initiatives. Currently heading the Winnipeg Boldness Project, Diane is a driving force in establishing the first and longest-serving Indigenous Social Innovation Lab in Canada that seeks large-scale systems of change for children and families. Diane serves on numerous Boards of Directors including the University of Manitoba, The Winnipeg Foundation, the Winnipeg Art Gallery and Animikii. Diane is a TEDx speaker and is a recipient of the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Indigenous Leadership and of the Manitoba Women Trailblazers Award by the Nellie McClung Foundation. Visit winnipegboldness.ca.
Diane centers her Anishinaabe culture and teachings in all she does, acknowledging and celebrating that her thoughts on leadership come from an Anishinaabe place, particularly a female Anishinaabe place.
Leadership from an Indigenous Perspective
Everyone is a leader
Reflecting on ‘who’ is considered a leader, Diane shares her clan system teachings: “clan system teachings fundamentally tell us that everyone has a role, and all roles are important, and all are needed”. She highlights the importance of recognizing that with roles also come responsibilities and accountabilities. Diane hopes that we can get closer to this idea - of recognizing the important role that everyone plays, and even further, honoring and valuing those roles.
“I really do feel, and have watched, women lead and demonstrate their leadership through serving. It’s always been this humble, almost behind the scenes kind of servitude”
- Diane
Leading from behind
Diane refers to this as leading from behind, a type of leadership rooted in leading by example and through action: “it’s doing, practicing, and demonstrating what are the most important things that need to happen to keep our communities healthy and strong”. This leadership and action come from a place of responsibility and accountability to each other and community, not ego.
Guided by vision
Diane reflects that part of the community’s expectation is for people to work together. Despite differences or disagreements, leaders have an obligation to work with others towards a shared vision or purpose. This does not mean everyone sees things the same way or that we always get it right, but leaders support others in understanding and centering the shared goal or vision, rather than themselves. Leaders recognize they are part of something bigger than themselves.
Holistic thinking, interdependence and relationality
Diane shares that Indigenous approaches are about holistic thinking and mino bimaadiziwin (the good life). For her, the good life is about “being able to see the world from this holistic place, understanding, as best we can, those interconnections and that we are interdependent”. Diane acknowledges that while there is a role for independence, humans and all living things cannot survive independently; nowhere in mother nature does that happen. Leadership involves recognizing that it takes all of us - knowing we all need and have to support each other; and the behaviours, actions, and approaches that support and foster interdependent ways of being.
Holistic thinking also means recognizing people as whole beings - the physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual self. Diane speaks to the importance of leaders caring for all aspects of their and their community members’ beings. Diane shares that in Midewiwin Lodge, which are Anishinaabe teachings, they talk about four guiding or leadership questions: “it’s being able to have a sense of who am I, where do I come from, what is my purpose, and where am I going? Working hard at those four questions, that’s leadership. That’s how you express leadership”.
Diane reminds us of the importance of relationality: “female leaders, I’ve seen, do all the things to nurture relationships. When relationships are nurtured in a strong, good, and kind way, that shows real strength in our community”. Diane notes that a foundation built on relationships fosters trust and confidence, enabling people(leaders) to take on bigger risks and challenges in pursuit of a greater vision. Reciprocity and mutual respect are also vital. Leaders recognize and appreciate they have much to learn and benefit from those around them. Our role as leaders is to create opportunities where people can apply and share their gifts.
Gratitude and Reflection
At the core of our work at Skills Society is supporting the good life for the people we serve. The reflections and teachings shared by Diane resonate strongly with our purpose and the values guiding our collective work - upholding people’s right to dream and explore the four Midewiwin teachings: Who am I? Where do I come from? What is my purpose? Where am I going?
As Diane reminds us, everyone has a role, and every role is valued. By centering this knowledge, we strive to support community in valuing the diverse, unique, and beautiful contributions of people with disabilities - leaders - in our community.
We express our deep gratitude to Diane for sharing her wisdom, knowledge, and experience with us. We hold these closely as we reflect on leadership
Think Inside the Circle
Diane shared a teaching offered to her by an Elder that resonated with our approach to creativity and innovation at Skills Society, and ways of working together, and with community:
“think inside the circle” (vs think outside the box)
Thinking inside the circle is about creating space for emergence and is tied to intuition and relational ways of being - being agile and responsive to community.