Reconciliation Regina and the Regina Public Library present the Decolonize YQR: The Journey Through Truth & Reconciliation Series, a monthly workshop series focused on exploring a deeper shared understanding of truth and reconciliation in our community.
Join us for a conversation between Reconciliation Regina Executive Director, Kristin Francis and Elder Harry Francis to discuss his early life growing up on the reserve in the 50s and 60s, his career and family life and how his experiences shaped him into the person he is today.
For more information or assistance: info@reconciliationregina.com
Elder Harry Francis Biography
Harry Francis is a respected Elder and member of the Piapot First Nation and Knowledge Keeper for the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council area. Francis has been working with Leading Thunderbird Lodge youth treatment centre for almost 13+ years, as an Elder, cultural advisor, and in supporting the Lodge’s equine therapy program.
Through traditional teachings of this grandparents (the last of the free roaming people), Francis provides foundational cultural and historical knowledge to treatment centre programming, as well as facilitating pipe, sweat lodge, rain dance, and horse dance ceremonies, feasts, name giving, medicine picking, and many other ceremonial practices and traditional teachings.
Although able to retire, Francis still provides support and guidance to Leading Thunderbird Lodge Board, Staff, and Youth, but also gives of his time to the many community requests that are requested of him each day from the Regina General Hospital, Provincial Justice System and community members in crisis or mourning. His prayers have guided countess individuals and families through difficult times and his advocacy has brought clarity, safety, and assuredness to many. He specializes in crisis management, residential school, trauma, suicide, grief, co-occurring disorders and is an authority in Western and Indigenous therapeutic approaches.
When requested by a family, Francis provides traditional and cultural healing support to families of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and other Missing Persons. Francis also helps deliver cultural programming at Caring Hearts Camp.
Elder Harry Francis, a Plains Cree, was born and raised on the Piapot First Nation and is recognized and supported by his home community. He has dedicated his entire life to preserving his culture.