Government of Canada-Indigenous Services
“While we are engaged in the process of decolonization and reconciliation everyday, being able to have the team members take some concentrated time to experience your leadership as a guide on the journey was invaluable and provided a powerful experience that almost defies words. I will continue to advocate with my colleagues across the federal system and elsewhere that they too enable as many public servants – and indeed, Canadians – as possible to benefit from your wisdom and guidance.”
Joanna Wilkinson,
Assistant Deputy Minister
Child and Family Services Reform
The Law Society of British Columbia
“Since September 2017, you have facilitated a 90-minute version of this workshop with the students registered in the Professional Legal Training Course. We run three sessions a year of this course, in Vancouver, Victoria and Kamloops. So far, you have taught over 1350 future lawyers about the impacts of residential schools and colonization, while creating a safe space for them to grow from this transformational experience. Although as you say the goal is not to make people feel individually guilty for the dark history of residential schools and colonization (although we are collectively responsible), you nevertheless invite participants to feel responsible for the way forward to reconciliation.
Students in the course must answer questions about their knowledge of these issues before attending your workshop, and they must also reflect on what they have learned during this workshop. Judging from these reflections, your workshop undeniably reaches participants at a deeper and emotional level, fostering empathy and a sense of responsibility towards reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.”
Annie Rochette,
The Law Society of British Columbia
Western Sydney University-Australia
“His workshop is a deeply meaningful and powerful experience. Despite its virtual undertaking, the attendees (myself included) were profoundly moved by his emotive approach, drawing you in and making you truly empathize with Indigenous peoples. I left feeling an eerie resemblance to the colonization processes that occurred, and continues to occur, here in Australia. Numerous attendees contacted me immediately following the session to voice how powerful his session was and how honoured they felt to have been present for it. One stated that “It was an unstoppable wave of words through which we had to dive through or attempt to keep standing and totter”, inferring the power in the content and presentation style as impactful and eye-opening. I sincerely valued and appreciated the personal portrayal of Brad Marsden: a First Nations man who grew up in small-town Canada, and how that added such an intimate insight into the importance of community, connection, and family.”
Dr Paul Saunders MBBS, MPH, Prof.Cert.Indigenous Research (University of Melbourne)
Research Fellow, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health & Wellbeing
School of Medicine
Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre
“Brad has excellent rhetorical skills and his interactive multi-media workshop clearly captures the audience. He Succeeds in briding the story of his people with the broader themes of racism, persecution and intergenerational trauma. The prompted discussion about resilience, reconciliation and healing from historical trauma has been particularly impactful for the workshop audience comprised of Holocaust survivors, and second and third generations of survivors of the Shoah. Here is feedback by Amalia Boe-Fishman, a child survivor of the Holocaust, who attended Brad’s workshop:
‘I was deeply moved by Brad’s workshop. I learned so much more than what I imagined, especially through the interactive circle exercise. There is a close relationship between the children of the Residential schools and the children of the Holocaust and the families affected by it. I think every Canadian and every person who has a connection to th Holocaust should attend Brad’s outstanding workshop.’‘”
Dr. Ilona Schulman Spaar,
VHEC Education Director
Pacific Business & Law Institute
“Across this diverse audience, Brad’s session was the most acclaimed of the program, with universally positive feedback and many requests to connect with him after the fact. Numerous attendees approached me to say how powerful his session was and how honoured they felt to have been present for it. I think one of our delegates put it best when they said, ‘The stories were so powerful and heart wrenching but added a very personal realistic view of the realities of the work. [I] truly valued and appreciated the visual presentation of Brad Marsden and how that added such a personal look at the importance of community, connection and family.’“
Rebecca Levi,
Chief Executive Officer
British Columbia Teachers Federation
“We booked Brad’s Fire Across the Land workshop for one of our district’s professional development days where he presented to elementary teachers, high school teachers, administrators, and support staff about the realities and impacts of Canada’s residential school system and historical trauma. This experiential workshop was incredibly moving and impactful. Not only did he share the horrible truths and realities of Canadian history, he offered stories of resilience and empowerment. It was one of the most talked about and praised workshops we’ve had in a number of years.”
Allison Burt
Professional Development Coordinator, British Columbia Teachers Federation
City of Vancouver
“Brad recognizes that many of the people who take his training have little to no knowledge of Canada’s Residential School system, or the harmful impacts that they had on Indigenous peoples and communities. He approaches this information and engages with participants in a sensitive yet impactful manner. This is not easy information to present or absorb, and Brad has a special way of getting the message across, and facilitating interactive elements that add to its impact. City staff that have taken his training have given highest praises and have recommended that we ensure more staff are able to take it – so we have. To date, we have sent over 900 City staff through Brad’s training. We continue to get requests to make it available. “
Ginger Gosnell-Myers
Manager, Aboriginal Relations, City of Vancouver
View: City of Vancouver Letter
Columbia University-New York City
View: Columbia University Letter
“Brad’s voice is essential for the deconstruction of colonial ideologies that destroy the histories of indigenous communities. His voice is essential for equipping service providers with the awareness of the consequences of indigenous traumas so that they may be effective advocates in the pursuit of decolonization.”
Peter Maugeri,
Lecturer in Social Work, School of Social Work
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian-Washington DC
“What was most striking about Brad’s presentation was his ability to engage participants in a personal and immersive experience about the emotional and spiritual strain when children were taken from their families…Brad is a gifted teacher who is practical and resourceful, and who practices his teaching philosophy, which is student-centered. I’m confident that Brad’s thoughtful approaches in teaching, healing and cross-cultural bridge building between cultures is beneficial to the people he works with.”
Renée Gokey (Eastern Shawnee/Sauk),
Student & Teacher Services Coordinator
View: Smithsonian NMAI Letter
City of New Westminster
“Much of this information was new for our community and Brad’s approach to presenting it was powerful, sensitive and impactful. Many of our residents who attended the workshop have spoken highly of Brad’s approach and the keen manner in which he helps people understand the fear, shame, helplessness and anger felt by Indigenous peoples in Canada.”
Rob McCullough
Manager, Museums and Heritage Services, City of New Westminster
View: City of New Westminster Letter
Suicide Crisis Centre
“Brad has a thorough understanding of colonization and residential schools, and an ability to facilitate an emotionally charged workshop in a way that felt empowering for the participants. Many participants left with a deeper understanding of Aboriginal experience in Canada, and a desire to do something about it in their own lives and in their work at the Centre.”
Lu Ripley, MA
Director, Community Education
View: Crisis Centre Letter
Fordham University-New York City
“…Because these experiences are rarely addressed in the first person, students were eager to share their personal stories about the how boarding schools had a lasting impact on their own families and communities. Mr. Marsden offered ways to overcome the trauma that continues into adulthood. He was authentic and compassionate and even spoke with humor to lighten moments in his history. Even non-Native participants wrote in their school assignments how they appreciated Mr. Marsden’s coaching for similar tragedies in their own lives. Mr. Mardsen’s contributions to this Native American Heritage Month Career event were stellar and overwhelmingly embraced.”
Melissa Cornick,
Co-Director – Rutgers Boyd
Journalism Diversity Workshop
Board of Advisors – Fordham
Lincoln Center
National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition-Minnesota USA
“I attended Brad’s workshop in Orlando, FL at the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) Convention on October 5, 2017. It was an accurate and powerful depiction of the impacts we see in Indian Country due to boarding schools. His workshop was interactive, informative, and inspiring. There was an element of healing as he shared personal stories and programs of resiliency.”
Christine Diindiisi McCleave,
Turtle Mountain Ojibwe
Executive Officer
View: National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition Letter
National Indian Education Association-Washington DC
“As an educator and culturally conscientious trainer, Brad’s message resonates with educators, elders, students, and non-Native people who are eager to share their story and learn from others.”
Diana Cournoyer,
Program Director