Inclusion Speaker Jesse Wente | Culture Expert & Indigenous Advocate

Indigenous Right-Relations Advocate & Cultural Storyteller

Indigenous Speaker Jesse Wente is a self-described “Ojibwe dude” whose sharp cultural commentary on CBC Radio’s Metro Morning for 20+ years and national bestselling book Unreconciled have made him one of Canada’s most trusted voices on Indigenous rights and authentic reconciliation — helping organizations move beyond performative gestures toward meaningful “right relations”.

Keynote Speeches

Virtual Keynotes & Webinars

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Unreconciled: Making Meaningful Change

In this unflinching talk, Jesse Wente brings his national bestselling book Unreconciled: Family Truth and Indigenous Resistance to life.

Using stories from his life and his family’s history Jesse takes stock of the current state of truth and reconciliation in Canada, the challenges that exist to achieving both truth and reconciliation and what can be done to further the process.

Using his experience advocating for and creating space for First Nation, Inuit and Métis people in the arts sector, Jesse will explore how companies, organizations, institutions and governments can create meaningful change for Indigenous people and themselves. Jesse will touch on themes of sovereignty and self-determination, systems change, and decolonization.

This talk is appropriate for those looking to take a deep dive into truth and reconciliation, to have their ideas challenged, and those willing to face the challenges ahead.

Reconciling: A Healing Path

In this moving and personal talk, award winning Anishinaabe writer and speaker Jesse Wente explores what it is to reconcile through the lens of his own healing journey.

Using the framework of a healing process and his path of healing from several traumas, Jesse explores how he has healed, and how that might apply to the process of truth and reconciliation. Jesse touches on issues of career burnout and stress, the impact of false claims to Indigenous identity, and physical health, while relating truth and reconciliation to the healing of mind, body and spirit.

This talk is a preview of Jesse’s next book, which is a follow-up to his best-selling and award winning debut, Unreconciled: Family, Truth and Indigenous Resistance.

Growing the Future: Lessons in Indigenous Career Development

In this exclusive talk, best selling and award winning Anishinaabe writer, broadcaster and arts leader Jesse Wente explores the pathways towards career development for Indigenous people.

Using his own experience from his expansive career, Jesse will look at some of the barriers, as well as the opportunities First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have in their careers and suggest a framework for employers to better ensure their success.

Diversity & Inclusion Is A Necessity, Not A Choice

Issues of diversity and inclusion are front and centre in today’s culture. As our population diversifies, it’s important to prepare for culture shifts and to engage empathetically with a diverse group of people.

Looking at the hurdles towards inclusion, this talk looks to break down those barriers and encourage inclusion on all levels. This presentation positions inclusion as a benchmark and pathway to success for business, institutions and the broader culture. Jesse offers up key strategies to increasing inclusion and diversity.

Pop Culture in Living Colour

Jesse synthesizes the trends he sees happening across the country and shares a vision for what is possible.

As a self-described ‘Ojibwe dude’ with a national and international lens, he encourages audiences to consider diversity and inclusion into their future view of their organization, industry and country. He specializes in representations in pop culture, film and education.

Reconciling Representation: Indigenous People in Popular Culture

In this presentation, Jesse offers up a look at the history of Indigenous representation in popular culture, from movies, television and video games to sports mascots. He shows how representations in popular culture have been largely skewed by political/colonial ideology and continues to harm Indigenous people.

In an age of reconciliation it’s important to understand how representation shapes our point of view and our actions so that we can avoid the problems caused by misrepresentation. Audiences leave this presentation inspired, informed and ready to make change.

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.

Event Moderator

Panelist/In Conversation

Why Organizations Choose Speaker Jesse Wente

Corporate, association and community leaders choose Jesse Wente because he delivers hard truths with accessibility and action steps. His presentations combine personal narrative with practical advice for building authentic relationships across cultural divides.

Whether addressing reconciliation, workplace inclusion, healing from trauma, or cultural transformation, Jesse Wente helps audiences understand that real change starts with examining the stories we tell ourselves—and being willing to rewrite them. Organizations walk away with concrete steps for creating “right relations” both internally and with Indigenous communities.

Biography

Jesse Wente brings:

– Two decades of CBC Radio broadcasting expertise
– Leadership experience as first Indigenous Chair of Canada Council for the Arts
– National bestselling author credentials (“Unreconciled”)
– Authentic Indigenous perspective on workplace inclusion and reconciliation
– Media-trained presentation skills with proven ability to connect across diverse audiences

The Voice Behind the Stories
Jesse Wente spent over 20 years as CBC Radio’s Metro Morning culture critic, where his sharp wit and unflinching commentary on film, TV, and pop culture reached millions of Canadians weekly. But Jesse Wente’s storytelling goes deeper than entertainment reviews.

His work is about examining how stories shape culture, challenge assumptions, and reveal uncomfortable truths about Canadian identity. This perspective makes him uniquely qualified to help organizations understand how their own narratives either support or undermine authentic inclusion.

Building Bridges
Jesse Wente currently serves as Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he mentors emerging storytellers and works to expand understanding of what storytelling can be in academic and professional contexts.

Jesse Wente’s leadership roles have included groundbreaking positions across Canada’s most influential cultural institutions. As Director of Film Programmes at TIFF Bell Lightbox and founding director of the Indigenous Screen Office, he didn’t just program content—he fundamentally changed how Indigenous stories are told and heard. His work as the first Indigenous Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts demonstrates his ability to create systemic change from within established institutions, a skill he brings to corporate speaking engagements focused on authentic transformation.

Award-Winning Truth-Teller
Jesse Wente’s national bestseller “Unreconciled: Family, Truth and Indigenous Resistance” earned the Rakuten-Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and recognition as one of 2021’s best books by major retailers and critics. The book’s unflinching examination of belonging, sovereignty, and cultural reckoning reflects his speaking approach: honest, accessible, and transformative. His upcoming children’s book “Danger Eagle” shows his range as a storyteller who can communicate across generations and audiences.

Recognition and Community Leadership
Speaker Jesse Wente’s contributions have earned recognition including the International Association of Business Communicators’ “Communicator of the Year” award (2022) and ceremonial blanketing at the ImagineNative Festival for his impact on Indigenous screen storytelling. As a Senior Fellow at Massey College and former board member of multiple arts organizations, he brings both grassroots community connection and institutional credibility to corporate engagements.

The Personal Touch
A member of Serpent River First Nation with family roots spanning Chicago and Genaabaajing Anishinaabek, Jesse Wente brings authentic lived experience to discussions often dominated by theory. When not challenging audiences to examine their assumptions about reconciliation and inclusion, he’s a husband, father and an avid golfer working to improve his game. This blend of serious cultural advocacy and relatable personal interests reflects his ability to connect with diverse audiences while never compromising his core message about the urgency of right relations.

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Jesse Wente

Indigenous Right-Relations Advocate & Cultural Storyteller

In the News

Keynote Speeches

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.

Audience reviews:

Similar Speakers 123

Speaker Books

Speaker Biography

His approach to “right relations” helps audiences understand that genuine reconciliation requires examining the stories we tell ourselves about diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous partnerships—and being willing to rewrite them.

“The most important things to preserve are the human things: how we communicate, how we live, how we understand the world, how we dance and share with one another.”

Why Organizations Choose Speaker Jesse Wente

Corporate, association and community leaders choose Jesse Wente because he delivers hard truths with accessibility and action steps. His presentations combine personal narrative with practical advice for building authentic relationships across cultural divides.

Ask about Jesse Wente for your event

Biography

Jesse Wente brings:

The Voice Behind the Stories
Jesse Wente spent over 20 years as CBC Radio’s Metro Morning culture critic, where his sharp wit and unflinching commentary on film, TV, and pop culture reached millions of Canadians weekly. But Jesse Wente’s storytelling goes deeper than entertainment reviews.

His work is about examining how stories shape culture, challenge assumptions, and reveal uncomfortable truths about Canadian identity. This perspective makes him uniquely qualified to help organizations understand how their own narratives either support or undermine authentic inclusion.

Building Bridges
Jesse Wente currently serves as Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he mentors emerging storytellers and works to expand understanding of what storytelling can be in academic and professional contexts.

Ask about Jesse Wente for your event

Indigenous Right-Relations Advocate & Cultural Storyteller

In the News

Keynote Speeches

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.

Audience reviews:

Similar Speakers 123

Speaker Books

Speaker Biography

His approach to “right relations” helps audiences understand that genuine reconciliation requires examining the stories we tell ourselves about diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous partnerships—and being willing to rewrite them.

“The most important things to preserve are the human things: how we communicate, how we live, how we understand the world, how we dance and share with one another.”

Why Organizations Choose Speaker Jesse Wente

Corporate, association and community leaders choose Jesse Wente because he delivers hard truths with accessibility and action steps. His presentations combine personal narrative with practical advice for building authentic relationships across cultural divides.

Ask about Jesse Wente for your event

Biography

Jesse Wente brings:

The Voice Behind the StoriesJesse Wente spent over 20 years as CBC Radio’s Metro Morning culture critic, where his sharp wit and unflinching commentary on film, TV, and pop culture reached millions of Canadians weekly. But Jesse Wente’s storytelling goes deeper than entertainment reviews.

His work is about examining how stories shape culture, challenge assumptions, and reveal uncomfortable truths about Canadian identity. This perspective makes him uniquely qualified to help organizations understand how their own narratives either support or undermine authentic inclusion.

Building BridgesJesse Wente currently serves as Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he mentors emerging storytellers and works to expand understanding of what storytelling can be in academic and professional contexts.

Ask about Jesse Wente for your event

Similar Speakers

The Voice Behind the Stories
Jesse Wente spent over 20 years as CBC Radio’s Metro Morning culture critic, where his sharp wit and unflinching commentary on film, TV, and pop culture reached millions of Canadians weekly. But Jesse Wente’s storytelling goes deeper than entertainment reviews.

Building Bridges
Jesse Wente currently serves as Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he mentors emerging storytellers and works to expand understanding of what storytelling can be in academic and professional contexts.

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