Doctor of Letters
(honoris causa) DLitt
Joan McLeod Shabogesic is a proud Nbisiing nishnaabe-kwe. She held the position of Land Manager for Nipissing Nation for 37 years. Ms. McLeod Shabogesic was instrumental in the settlement of three land claims that not only increased Nipissing’s land holdings, but also established lucrative settlement trusts.
Significant milestones in her tenure at Nipissing Nation were her responsibilities of treaty and land claim negotiations, repatriation and research. Her professional specialties include the land governance responsibilities of managing revenue generating initiatives, the establishment of protectionist measures such as land use zoning and resource management.
She was a member of a group of fourteen First Nations from across Canada who developed and successfully negotiated with Canada to enact the First Nations Land Management Act. This Act set in place the Chief’s Land Advisory Board. Her responsibilities as Land Manager included the drafting and consultative processes for enacting Nipissing’s land laws. Ms. McLeod Shabogesic accomplished the first drafts for Nipissing environmental management, archaeological management and the Nipissing Land Use and Zoning Law. The archaeological management plan developed under Ms. McLeod Shabogesic’s tenure as Land Manager resulted in the Nipissing Archaeological Summer School. Ms. McLeod Shabogesic notes this summer school as her proudest achievement. The youth that attend this summer school achieve summer job experience that delves into the Nipissing Peoples historical past and a wider vision of educational and career opportunities.
Ms. McLeod Shabogesic holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Nipissing College under Laurentian University.