On Thursday, May 22, 2025, we had the honour of celebrating the appointment of Ghislain Picard as Adjunct Professor at HEC Montréal, in the presence of about fifty guests. A minister, Grand Chief, partners, facilitators, and members of the FNEE team gathered around a great leader, Ghislain Picard. It was an evening filled with recognition and knowledge-sharing, held under the theme Carrying Knowledge Across Generations.

The Living Legacy of a Great Leader 

During the ceremony, Ghislain Picard’s exceptional impact was recognized by Ken Rock (co-initiator of FNEE), Serge Lafrance (Director of Executive Education HEC Montréal), Chief Francis Verreault-Paul (AFNQL), Maya Colombani (L’Oréal Canada), and Federico Pasin (Director of HEC Montréal). Each speaker praised his humility, unwavering commitment, and remarkable ability to guide, inspire, and build a collective future—where education becomes a powerful driver of change and self-determination. 

The Fundamental Role of Our Partners

FNEE’s partners showed up in great numbers: AFNQL, FNHRDCQ, the New Paths Foundation, Hydro-Québec, L’Oréal Canada, TD Bank Group, the McConnell Foundation and the Government of Quebec, to name just a few. Their long-term commitment and financial support make possible a unique educational model in Canada—one rooted in co-creation, knowledge complementarity, and the strengthening of Indigenous leadership. Ghislain Picard warmly acknowledged and thanked them during his speech. 

Knowledge Transmission 

Five membres of FNEE's coordination committee (left to right): Ian Picard, Ken Rock, Ghislain Picard, Jinny Thibodeau Rankin & Marjolaine Siouï.

For this special evening, the newly appointed Associate Professor at HEC Montréal chose to highlight his portage across generations. As a true bridge-builder, Ghislain Picard is beginning a new chapter through this role. What drives him is the transmission of knowledge, the strengthening of Nations (Nation Building), and supporting the next generation of leaders. Through FNEE, this key architect of reconciliation continues to build a legacy that is academic, institutional, and deeply human. 

Acknowledgements   

FNEE would like to extend special thanks to Elder Sedalia Fazio for opening the evening, to Chief Francis Verreault-Paul for his kind words, to the Honourable Ian Lafrenière for his presence, to the coordination committee members—Jinny Thibodeau Rankin, Ian Picard, Marjolaine Sioui, and Ken Rock—and to the musical group Okara from the Tyendinaga community. We are deeply grateful to our partners for their continued support in advancing FNEE's work. 

Tshi nashkumitin to Ghislain Picard for his unwavering commitment to FNEE, as Chair of the Advisory Committee and as a facilitator in both the Governance and Economic Reconciliation programs.

Once again, FNEE extends its heartfelt congratulations to him on his appointment as Associate Professor at HEC Montréal. 

Chi naskumitin, Mikwetc, Mik8etc, Meegwech, Migwetc, Nakurmiik, Nia:wen, Wela'lioq, Wliwni, Woliwon, Tiawenhk, Tsheniskemeten, Tshi nashkumitin, Yïawenh.