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C U R R I C U L U M V I T A E

RAYMOND OBOMSAWIN
- P E R S O N A L D A T A -
Citizenship: Canada & the United States
Contact Coordinates: 34 Territory Road, Oneida NY 13421
Mobile Tel. 315.765.9424
E-Mail – pro@twincomm.ca
- I N T R O D U C T I O N -
Raymond Obomsawin holds several decades of professional experience domestically and internationally with
demonstrated competencies in all phases of institutional, program and project planning, implementation,
management, and evaluation. He holds a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. (CPU) with concentrations in Health Science, and
Human Ecology. A delineation of his salient professional experiences, skills, and achievements follow.
- P R O F E S S I O N A L P O S I T I O N S -
Recent Assignments and Positions
In 2014 commissioned by the First Nations University of Canada to carry out all essential preparatory
organizational steps for launching at FNUC the peer reviewed, trans-disciplinary, and online Open-Access
Journal of International Indigenous Research (JIIR). This assignment is designed with the objective of
ensuring that all essential technical, policy, procedural, and infrastructural elements are in place to ensure
that the launching of the web-based journal is as smooth and seamless as possible.
In 2013 commissioned by the First Nations University of Canada in the development of a comprehensive
design report with recommendations on establishing the Journal of International Indigenous Research (JIIR).
Conceptually the Journal is dedicated to advancing the well being of Indigenous peoples and societies, and
the larger human family. It will seek to integrate the best of traditional to contemporary indigenous values,
knowledge and wisdom with the progression of knowledge and experience covering the full spectrum of
thought disciplines as historically and presently embodied in mainstream scholarship. Through the sharing of
Indigenous perspectives and knowledge, the journal will serve as a vehicle to bring to its readership an
alternative, integrative and more sustainable world-view. It will be publishing original and secondary

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research articles, short-communications, image stories, as well as review articles in all areas of ancient-to-
modern knowledge and the sciences.
In 2011-12 served as Executive Director with the Tla’Amin Community Health Board Society (TCHBS)
in Powell River, British Columbia. In addition to fulfilling a broad range of executive responsibilities,
managed consultant services for and co-authored the seven year (2012-2019) TCHBS Health Plan. In this
task, designed a new organizational structure incorporating expanded middle management elements, and also
conceptualized and proposed the Tla’Amin Natural Medicine, and Food Security Program. This program is
designed to employ nature-based approaches to degenerative disease prevention and the strengthening of
treatment interventions. Also acquired and directed consultant services for completion of the five year (2007-
2012) TCHBS Institutional Evaluation Plan and Report.
In 2011-12 undertook a review study focusing on Culture and Language as Health Determinants contextual
to the Aboriginal Head Start in Urban and Northern Communities (AHSUNC) with the Public Health
Agency of Canada - Division of Children and AHS.
In 2011 organized a research team representing six Canadian universities in five provinces and engaged in
the primary writing on a Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute for Aboriginal Peoples
Health (CIHR-IAPH) grant application under the Aboriginal Health Intervention Research Project to
examine Indigenous Culture, Knowledge and Medicine as a Basis For Strengthening Degenerative Disease
Prevention and Treatment Interventions.
In Summer-Fall of 2011 prepared and taped for Satellite Television (Galaxy 19) a series of Health Science
Seminar presentations which iner alia addressed the following topics:
„ Earth – Foundation of Health;
„ Dangers to Human Health of GMs and GMO Foods;
„ Natures Physicians: Confronting the Killer Diseases;
„ Health Lessons from Indigenous Peoples; and
„ The Creator’s Healing Vision for the Human Family.
Engaged under a professional service contract with the British Columbia Provincial Health Services
Authority (2010) in the development of an Indigenous Cultural Competency training platform in Mental
Healthcare for health professionals. The following draft deliverables were prepared and submitted:
i. Indigenous History, Values and Cultures
ii. Indigenous Traditional Knowledge/Medicine and Mind-Body Health &
iii. Culture in Indigenous Health and Health Care
Served as the Senior Advisor on First Nations Health for the National Aboriginal Health Organization
(NAHO) in which I undertook the following activities:
} Spearheaded development of the 2009-2010 FNC Operational Workplan;
} Edited the FNC Governing Committee Five Year Strategic Plan (2010-2015);
} Keynote Speaker for the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority – Aboriginal Health Cultural
Competency Forum, Jan. 2009;
} Plenary Speaker on Traditional Medicine and First Nations - Natural Health Products Research
Society of Canada Conference, Vancouver BC, Feb. 2009;
} Presentation - Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Health of Canada’s First Peoples given at the
14th
International Congress on Circumpolar Health, Yellowknife NWT, July 2009;

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} Presentation on Traditional Medicine to joint Eeyou Istchee (James Bay Cree) and Universities of
Montreal/Ottawa CIHR Project Team in Aboriginal Antidiabetic Medicines, Ottawa, April 2009 and
Panelist, Montreal, Aug. 2009;
} Advisor - BC Food Systems Network – Working Group on Indigenous Food Sovereignty; and
} NAHO National Conference, Nov. 2009, led a workshop on The Protection of Traditional Knowledge
and Medicine.
Ancillary Contract Assignments
Senior Consultant : (2008) CRU - NAHO, Ottawa, Canada. The following draft documents completed in 2008.
} Issues and Framework for Development of a National Policy on Traditional Medicine (principal author)
} The Efficacy and Safety of Traditional Plant Medicines (sole author)
Senior Consultant: (2006-2008) multi-task research assignments carried out for Health Canada’s First
Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Ottawa, Canada. The following respective deliverable reports
were researched, completed and submitted:
} Aboriginal Health Human Resource Initiative (AHHRI) M&E Framework;
} AHHRI Evaluation Framework;
} AHHRI Participatory Evaluation Resource Guide (Guide and PPT presentation);
} AHHRI National Research Plan;
} Health History of Canada’s First Peoples (Document and PPT presentation);
} Traditional Medicine for Canada’s First Peoples (Document and PPT presentation);
} Notes and PPT Presentation on Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Medicine; and
} Syllabus on Cultural Competency in Health Care. (Syllabus and PPT presentation)
Positions Held (Earlier in Career)
International Focus
± Senior Researcher and organization support services contract based at Center for Intl. Security and
Cooperation, Stanford University - Palo Alto, California
± Senior Advisor on Indigenous Knowledge and Local Ownership – Canadian Intl. Development Agency
± Evaluation Analyst - Canadian Intl. Development Agency
± Manager of Overseas Operations - CUSO (Canada's largest international development NGO)
± President - Indigenous Futures Intl. Inc. (Public sector consulting services encompassing multi-
disciplinary public policy, project, and programming research)
North American Focus
± Director National Office of Health Development - NIB (Assembly of First Nations); and the Founding
Chairman - National Commission Inquiry on Indian Health
± Executive Director - California Rural Indian Health Board (Ukiah Program)

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± Executive Director – Woodland Indian Cultural Educational Centre (Six Nations Ontario)
± Supervisor of Native Curriculum - Government of the Yukon Territory
± Housing Liaison Officer – YNB (Council of Yukon Indians), Yukon Territory
± Evaluation Manager - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
- SUPPLEMENTAL POST-2000 PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS -

î Served as Co-Chairmen of the United Nations Environment Programme - Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Potential Impacts of Genetic Use Restriction
Technologies (alius “Terminator Seed” technologies) on Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous and Local
Communities, and Farmer’s Rights. Report and recommendations submitted to the CBD SBSTTA and
Conference of the Parties (168 Nation State Signatories).
î Organized and Engaged in consultation meetings in the field with officials of selected multilateral,
academic and civil society organizations, in Canada, USA, France, Denmark, Nepal, Bangladesh, China,
and Japan on policy development issues related to valuing and incorporating Indigenous/Local Knowledge
Systems and Local Ownership in international development programming;
î Served as principal researcher and writer of CIDA Draft Policy and Background Papers on “Indigenous
Knowledge and Sustainable Human Development”. Presentations were made to CIDA’s Strategic
Planning Working Group, and Policy Committee;
î Drafted the plenary presentation document “Culture in Development” for the 2003 Experts Seminar on a
new International Instrument on Cultural Diversity.
î Organized and Co-Chaired an international Seminar on Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Human
Development featuring a number of world experts in the field of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and
Development representing multilateral (World Bank, UNDP, IADB), Aboriginal institutions, and CSOs;
î Served as Co-Presenter at the 2002 Government of Canada Inter-Departmental Aboriginal Policy
Research Conference on issues surrounding Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Human Development;
î Played a central role in organizing the inaugural CIDA-HSSFC Collaborative Program at the 2002
Congress of Social Sciences and Humanities, which was a complex program of 31 diverse sessions
covering a seven (7) day period. Direct consultations were carried out with ICHRDD; IDRC; North South
Institute; IISD; APFC; Liu Centre for the Study of Global Issues, and 19 other organizations across
Canada;
î Served as a CIDA representative at the tri-annual Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC) General
Assembly (2002) in Kuujjuak with delegations from the Circumpolar regions of Canada, Alaska,
Greenland and Chukotka, Russia. Engaged in negotiations with key Inuit leaders from ICC Canada;
î Represented CIDA at the 2002 Global Mountain Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This summit focused
upon key policies for achieving sustainable mountain development, emphasizing sustainable livelihoods for
poverty alleviation; and the integration of education, science and culture. The Summit established a working
charter for the sustainable development of mountain areas for the 21st century.
î Researched and Completed the following four key reports (2003) for CIDA Americas Branch - Inter-
American Program and Indigenous Peoples Partnership Program:
i. “Genesis and Status of ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent
Countries”;

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ii. “Aboriginal Institutional and Corporate Initiatives in Canada Related to Traditional Culture and
Development”;
iii. “Multilateral, Bilateral, and Development Bank Programming Activities and Policies Related to
Indigenous Cultures, Knowledge Systems and Peoples”; and
iv. “Summary Conclusions and Recommendations for CIDA Relative to Its Posture on Indigenous
Peoples’ Sustainable Development and the Indigenous Peoples Development Program.”
î Served as plenary presenter on the “Impacts of Globalization on Culture based Knowledge Systems”, and
Co-Chaired a workshop on the same subject at the Indigenous Bar Association of Canada’s Fall 2003
National Conference on Indigenous Rights, Globalization and Federalism, Vancouver B.C.
î 2005-2006 Engaged in various research activites based at Stanford University’s Center for International
Security and Cooperation. This research led to the development of Powerpoint presentations related to
U.S. presidential health and decision-making; the physiological impacts of low levels of ionizing radiation
on human health (BEIR VIII); and Global Health as a Bridge for Peace, and International Physician’s
Movements, etc.
î September 2007 presented a lecture at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada on Globalization and
Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
î 2006-2008 Engaged in conducting Multi-Task assignments for the First Nations and Inuit Health
Branch, Health Canada, and the National Aboriginal Health Organization (See page one for
breakdown of tasks.)
î September 2008 on invitation of the UBC Division of Aboriginal Peoples Health, provided a lecture
presentation on Traditional Medicine at the UBC Campus, and subsequently video-conferenced to multiple
First Nations in BC a lecture on the Health History of Canada’s First peoples.
- FURTHER PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS -

î Organized, Administered, and Executed socio-politically sensitive evaluation studies on complex bio-social
service, educational and development initiatives internationally, e.g.. as a team member evaluated:
UNICEF’s Integrated Services Project which served over 900 villages in Thailand; and other projects at the
Asian Pacific Development Centre, Malaysia; Asian Institute of Mgt., and Woman for Woman
Foundation, Philippines; and Institute of Social and Administrative Studies, Univ. of the S. Pacific, Fiji;
î Spearheaded the first world-wide inter-sectoral review funded by a Western government on Culture Based
Knowledge Systems in Development. The study elicited the involvement of over 500 public and
CSO/NGO sector bio-social development, technical and research institutions in all world regions; and
entailed exploratory field missions to the Andean and Upper Amazon regions of South America, as well as
East Africa, South and Southeast Asia.
î Served as Advisor and Coordinator - in Norway and Canada – on the the initial development of Terms of
Reference for a comprehensive evaluation of the United Nations World Food Program (operant in 90
countries), under the trilateral sponsorship of Canada, Norway, and the Netherlands;
î Executed a wide ranging field study documenting the endogenous social and political development of the
Aboriginal peoples of Australia, and the Maori peoples of New Zealand;
î Spearheaded the establishment and Chaired Canada’s National Commission Inquiry on Indian Health
which served as a national - grass roots mandated -indigenous health policy development body;
î Presented in plenary session the paper From Selective to Indigenous Medicine: Repossessing the Ancient
Wisdom, at the International Development Research Centre and U.S. National Institutes of Health
sponsored International Workshop on Traditional Health Systems and Public Policy;

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î Presented the Keynote address: Re-discovering Our Roots: The Ancient Wisdom of Sustainable Societies at
the Community Sustainability Resource Institute’s 3rd Annual Conference, Washington D.C.;
î Conducted internal staff training on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development at the
Inter-American Development Bank Headquarters, Washington, D.C.;
î Prepared and Presented on behalf of the World Council of Indigenous Peoples a formal position paper on
Indigenous Rights, therein contributing to the successful establishment of the World's first international
Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Development;
î Served as Rapporteur on Traditional Economy Systems for Canada’s National Economic Development
Summit for Aboriginal Peoples;
î Managed Evaluation Assessments of the Canadian International Development Agency’s Non-
Governmental Organizations; Cooperative; and Management for Change Programs;
î Presented a plenary session paper on Indigenous Education at the first International Symposium on
Cross-Cultural Education, hosted at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks;
î Synthesized final data and findings for the Assembly of First Nations (community based, five-plus million
dollar) national educational policy review process;
î Experienced multi-cultural exposure and interchange in 46 countries on five continents, as well as
Australasia and Oceania; and
î Produced academically and professionally approximately 100 articles, reports, presentations, proposals and
publications.
- LEADERSHIP AND CONSULTATIVE EXPERIENCE -
î Chaired and Served on regional, national, and international committees holding bio-social, human and
community development related policy, management, and research mandates
î Advised senior decision-makers - in both the both public and CSO/NGO sectors - providing critical
analyses, policy recommendations and multi-year planning on developmental projects and programming
initiatives in agriculture, agro-forestry, education, health, and socio-environmental sustainability
î Established and Directed a consulting firm with specialization in applied social science research, executing
a range of public and CSO/NGO sector consulting assignments covering project implementation,
development programming, and human services. These assignments encompassed research, integrative
analyses, reviews, and qualititative evaluations in multi-sectoral fields
î Negotiated and Managed - in domestic and international contexts - multiple technical consultancy service
contracts (public and CSO/NGO sectors) including consultant selection, supervision, monitoring, and
research product quality review processes
- A D M I N I S T R A T I V E E X P E R I E N C E -
î Provided all phases of executive and institutional management - managing as many as 100 + staff - covering
a diverse range of developmental, social policy research, and human service programming
î Managed human resources, including the execution of staff hiring, training, orientation, supervision,
performance appraisal, counseling, and disciplinary action processes
î Drafted and/or Modified both governmental and NGO policies and procedures manuals
î Carried Out budget analyses, forecasting, controlling, and formal funding negotiation processes

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î Demonstrated innovative organizational leadership and successful management in response to operational
and fiscal crises, including internal re-structuring, and planning of institutional fundraising initiatives
î Engaged in the provision of inter-institutional liaison, public and human relations responsibilities
î Managed capital purchasing decisions and procedures
- E V A L U A T I O N A N D R E S E A R C H E X P E R I E N C E -
î Organized, Administered and Spearheaded a range of socio-politically sensitive domestic evaluations, and
international development assessment and evaluation studies
î Executed research, integrating both original and secondary methodologies, on complex bio-social issues,
services, and development programs, for domestic and international governmental and CSOs.
î Conducted secondary research, analyses, and synthesis on varied bio-social demonstration and research
projects occurring at the community level, leading to the production of a national annual research journal
- S E L E C T E D P R O F E S S I O N A L R E F E R E N C E S -
Marlane Christensen Mobile 604.414.3863
Vice President E-Mail marlane@buildabridge.ca
ICAB
Dr. Carrie Bourassa Mobile 306.535.6855
Associate Professor for Indigenous Health Studies E-Mail - cbourassa@fnuniv.ca
First Nations University of Canada
Dr. Dawn Marsden Mobile 604.832.3179
Past Adjunct Professor, Indigenous Health Studies E-Mail dawn.marsden@yahoo.com
First Nations University of Canada
Simon Brascoupe Mobile 613.882.7059
Recent Acting Chief Executive Officer E-Mail - simonbrascoupe@hotmail.com
National Aboriginal Health Organization
- S E L E C T E D R E F E R E N C E S T A T E M E N T S -
... as CUSO's Manager of Overseas Operations [Raymond Obomsawin]... was responsible for the overall
management of CUSO's programs in more than 30 countries around the world... he traveled extensively...
meeting with Regional Field Staff and cooperants, as well as examining a range of development projects...
The position which Mr. Obomsawin filled, required skills in planning, budgeting, reporting and managing a
wide variety of programs and people. He brought many assets to the position, including a high degree of
integrity, honesty and openness... During his period with CUSO I developed confidence in his judgment, his
objectivity and his devotion to the goals of international understanding and development.
Ian Smillie: Executive Director, CUSO

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In my opinion Mr. Obomsawin's background and motivation make him uniquely qualified...the research that he
has undertaken...has resulted in documents and reports, the quality of which is outstanding. There is no
question...of Mr. Obomsawin's ability - intellectual and organizational - ... I am pleased to recommend Mr.
Obomsawin most highly.
Anne-Marie Mawhiney: Assistant Professor, Laurentian University
Dr. Obomsawin’s greatest strength is his knowledge, understanding and appreciation of a wide range of
international development issues. In the area of Indigenous knowledge.… he can be considered to be one of the
leading authorities in this field in the world as a whole… He can also be considered to be an international
expert on issues related to Aboriginal/Indigenous people, and in related local ownership issues as well. …Dr.
Obomsawin…is a unique person who can serve as an incredible asset to CIDA, to the degree CIDA is truly
committed to…poverty alleviation and sustainable development in the world. If the personal suitability of a
CIDA officer is to be judged by the commitment, knowledge and the personal and interpersonal skills of a
person to make a significant contribution to…sustainable development, Dr. Obomsawin is a person who is
eminently suitable…
Dr. R. Perera – Assoc. Director General: Human Development Div., Cdn Intl Dev. Agency (CIDA)
Dr. Obomsawin’s extensive and diverse professional experience, in cross-cultural and international
contexts, has afforded him with solid capabilities in the areas of sustainable human socio-economic and
institutional development. He is gifted with the capacity to see things broadly and to think holistically.
It’s rare to find a professional… with such an outstanding capacity to comfortably cross the disciplines, and
concurrently achieve meaningful synthesis and integration. He also possesses intrinsic creative capacities and
skills as a conceptualist planner and visionary. He is [also] recognized as a world figure and leader in the field
of local knowledge systems…. It is with full confidence you can know that in whatever capacity he may be
invited to serve, Raymond Obomsawin will prove himself to be a true asset, viz. a person who is extremely
intelligent, fully reliable, genuinely committed, and of impeccable integrity.
Robin Mclay – Director: Democratic Institutions and Conflict Division CIDA
I have worked closely with Mr. Obomsawin on several occasions... I have been impressed time and again by
Mr. Obomsawin's high professional competence as an administrator, organizer, group facilitator and research
analyst... He has demonstrated rare excellence in assimilating a great deal of highly complex technical data...
and translating these data into understandable items for effective action. In short, Ray Obomsawin is one of the
most gifted professionals I have met... He is also a considerate and generous human being in his personal life.
Dr. Ted Jackson - Director, N. American Programs: Participatory Research Group
- The International Council for Adult Education
This is to acknowledge that Raymond Obomsawin is well known to us as a person dedicated to his work... We
most sincerely recommend this gentleman to your services, being thoroughly aware of his capabilities,
dedication, sense of responsibility, education and past experience in which he has proven himself to be an
exceptional asset, teacher, [and] diplomat...
M.L. McDonald: Director, Albert Schweitzer Friendship House, and
Former Coordinator - Massachusetts Bicentennial Commission
He is an individual of outstanding character and substantial capabilities... Without question Raymond possesses
excellent leadership qualities. I have observed him in operation at several negotiation and decision making
meetings, and his discernment, cognitive abilities, forbearance and judgment are of exceptional quality. I should
point out, however, that his outstanding characteristic is his keen sensitivity and accommodation of other
people's concerns and feelings.
Dr. Joseph F. Dietrich: Executive Director, The Rideauwood Institute

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Unsolicited Comments from Co-Chair and Members of the United Nations Environment Program –
Convention on Biodiversity Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Potential Impacts of Genetic Use
Restriction Technologies (GURTs alias “Terminator Seeds”) on Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous and
Local Communities, and Farmer’s Rights, Feb. 2003
For me it was real pleasure to have the opportunity of working together with you [in the capacity of Co-Chair],
sharing the responsibility of conducting the AHTEG-GURT’s in Montreal. I want to send you my appreciation
and recognition of your competence, seriousness, modesty and decency. I hope to have the opportunity of
working together again.
Modesto Fernandez – Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Cuba
This is to thank you so much for your great efforts and objective participation at the GURTs meeting just
ended. I enjoyed every moment of the opportunity of working with you. Permit me to tell you that you have
earned my respect. I look forward to an opportunity of meeting you again and working with you.
Chidi Oguamanam – Indigenous Peoples Biodiversity Network, Faculty of Law, Univ. of British Columbia
This is to express my deep appreciation for your ideas and solidarity to the work many of us are engaged in
with the farmers, indigenous and local communities. I felt privileged to meet you and hope that we can remain
in touch….I also admired your role as the Co-Chair in the meeting. You did a splendid job.
Farhad Mazhar – Managing Director UBINIG, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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