Dr. Alexandria Wilson, Ed.D.

Alex Wilson gathered her first lessons on leadership in her home community Opaskwayak Cree Nation. “I have always been surrounded by women who lead, most of them leading steadily, some quietly, a few raucously, but always with love in their actions,” she once wrote. This understanding – that the most valuable leadership is driven by love for the people – has been borne out in her work as a scholar, educator, community activist, and mentor.

In 2007, Wilson became the first First Nations woman in Canada to receive a doctorate from Harvard University.

Her groundbreaking work on the identity development of two-spirit people is widely cited and has become a touchstone for many LGBTQI Indigenous people. As an associate professor at University of Saskatchewan’s College of Education, Wilson co-developed a masters program in land-based education, which combines academic study with teachings from the land, community and traditional knowledge holders. With the success of 40 graduates, she is now creating a doctoral program in land-based education.

Wilson co-facilitated Indigenous cultural awareness training to more than 3,500 employees of Manitoba Hydro and other private and public sector organizations. She is an organizer in Idle No More, integrating radical education with grassroots interventions that honour Indigenous sovereignty and protect the land and water.
She is one of many who work to repair the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. She has advised politicians and supported grassroots networks to get out the Indigenous vote.

Wilson has worked to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and trans people. Wilson’s home remains in Opaskwayak Cree Nation, where, in collaboration with her family and community, she has established an award-winning community garden and nutrition program.

Alex Wilson is a knowledge keeper, recognized for her ongoing work to revitalize Cree culture.