Hi, I’m Gladys Rowe.
I am a Muskego Inniniw Iskwew (Swampy Cree woman) from Fox Lake Cree Nation, and I currently live on the lands of the Duwamish and Suquamish peoples in Washington State.
My work weaves together Indigenous wisdom and experiences, storytelling, and academic knowledge, focusing on decolonization and resurgence. I received a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Manitoba, where my research focused on Indigenous birthworkers and resurgence. I advocate for wholistic approaches to well-being across the lifespan and decolonial futures.
Through my podcast, Indigenous Insights, I explore Indigenous evaluation practices, fostering spaces for reflection and learning. I believe in the power of stories to build relationships and foster healing, which is why contributing to projects like the Stories of Decolonization film series are important to me.
My professional journey spans years of teaching, facilitating, and supporting program development and community-driven research.
I love thinking inside the circle, envisioning and working toward transforming the futures we are collectively living into.
MISSION
To weave hearts, minds, and stories into a tapestry of transformative change. Through deeply relational processes and guided by principles of reciprocity, respect, humility, and love, I invite individuals and organizations to embark on a journey of unlearning and learning, reflection and imagination. Together, we can honor the stories we carry, celebrate the gifts we bring, and envision decolonial futures where all can thrive.
Guiding Values
Grounded in honesty, authenticity, and relational accountability, Gladys upholds principles of transparency and accountability in all endeavours, fostering trust and respect within every interaction.
Integrity
Embracing the spirit of creativity and exploration, Gladys cultivates environments of curiosity and experimentation, where bold ideas flourish and new possibilities emerge, all deeply rooted in Indigenous wisdom and innovative thinking.
Innovation
Committed to diversity and equity, Gladys champions spaces of belonging and acceptance, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual, guided by principles of reciprocity and respect.
Inclusivity
Honoring the cyclical flow of giving and receiving, Gladys cultivates a dynamic ecosystem of mutual support and shared responsibility. This principle guides the creation of balanced partnerships where exchanged knowledge and resources catalyze collective progress, fostering growth across diverse communities and contexts.
Reciprocity
Inspired by the teachings of resilience of ancestors and the natural world, Gladys embodies perseverance in the face of adversity, embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and transformation, guided by humility and respect for the wisdom of those who came before.
Resilience
Love for community, knowledge, and the process of discovery and transformation drives Gladys’ commitment to honouring and centering Indigenous experiences, perspectives, values, and traditions, fostering relationships built on respect, reciprocity, and mutual understanding.
Love
“I had a project to bring together experts from different fields to help inform my program’s measurement framework. Gladys helped bring disparate ideas together by grounding us in our common purpose and values. She was a phenomenal co-facilitator, thoughtful, intuitive, and very responsive. She was able to adapt the agenda in real-time to meet the needs of the group. It’s a rare and important skill set in a facilitator. I highly recommend working with her!”
Crystal Li
Director of Data and Insights Management,
Race Forward
“Your kindness and respect in all forms created an environment of personal growth that allowed me to further understand my role within my organization. With your guidance I was able to use my creative/artistic skills to facilitate learning with my team.”
Brandon Mitchell
Learning Facilitator,
Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation
“We've been working with Gladys for 3 years on a variety of projects. Working with her has been a remarkable experience. Her attention to culturally specific nuances and careful management of knowledge gathering and research has supported us in our mission to uphold and uplift Indigenous ways of knowing, Indigenous practices, and Indigenous pedagogy. We look forward to continuing our work with Gladys as we build capacity and safer spaces for Indigenous women within the screen sector.”
Jennifer Podemski
Founder and CEO,
The Shine Network Institute
