How Being Indigenous Helps Me Understand Jewish People and The Middle East
With Metis Indigenous Activist Ryan Bellerose
12:30 PM, following 10:00 AM Shabbat services
Join us for lunch and this provocative program
Ryan Bellerose is a well-known Metis indigenous rights activist from Northern Alberta and a self-proclaimed Zionist. Ryan has traveled extensively through Israel. He believes that Israel is an inspirational model for indigenous peoples. He is a great storyteller and his knowledge of history and various indigenous peoples has enabled him to write articles about identity and indigenous rights that have been published worldwide.
Ryan was an organizer of the “Idle No More” movement (which supports indigenous sovereignty and land and water stewardship). He has helped found groups such as Canadians for Accountability (a native rights advocacy group), Canadians for Human Rights in the Middle East and Calgary United with Israel.
Ryan has a diverse work history ranging from building ice bridges, to working in security, telecommunications, and in substance abuse counseling. This diverse life experience enables him to relate to various groups.