Indigenous Governance Experts-In-Residence
Established in 2023, our experts-in-residence bring both Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives of Indigenous politics and governance, in the Quebec context. They co-teach a course in our MPPPA program, and serve as mentors and advisors, sharing invaluable knowledge with students.
Ghislain Picard
Ghislain Picard is Innu from the community of Pessamit in Quebec. He has served as Chief of the AFNQL since first elected in 1992.
In his capacity, Picard sits on the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Executive Committee and Management Committee, and acts as the main spokesperson for global claims, the urban population and international issues. He also served as the AFN’s interim National Chief for six months in 2014.
Geoffrey Kelley
Born and raised in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, Geoffrey Kelley earned a BA and MA in Canadian History from McGill University. In 1994, Kelley was elected to the Quebec National Assembly for the Jacques-Cartier riding in Montreal’s West Island, a position he held until retiring in 2018. During his career as an MNA, he served as Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs three times (2005-7, 2011-12 and 2014-2018).
Kelley has maintained his interest in Indigenous issues since retiring. He was appointed chief negotiator for Quebec with Kahnawake in 2021 and since 2019 has sat on the board of Projets Autochtones du Québec, which offers emergency shelter and housing services to Montreal’s Indigenous homeless population.
In the spotlight
Concordia’s Indigenous Directions welcomes Ghislain Picard and Geoff Kelley as experts-in-residence
Geoff Kelley (left) and Ghislain Picard.
