Information

Shown below are items associated with Chief Robert Joseph available without first logging in. This person appears in records from MOA.

Knowledge shared by institutions

Chief Robert Joseph is a hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation. Joseph began his life immersed in the rich cultural and family life of the Kwakwaka’wakw people but as a child of 6, he was removed from his community and placed in St. Michael's residential school in Alert Bay. In spite of this, he is one of the last few speakers of the Kwakwala language. In 2003, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of British Columbia for his distinguished achievements in serving BC and Canada. Chief Joseph is currently the Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada and the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, Chairman of the National Assembly of First Nations Elder Council, and Special Advisor to both Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Indian Residential School Resolutions Canada.