GlobalWE Student/Alumni Roundtable Series

“Honoring Indigenous Voices, Advancing Women’s Empowerment” 

Around the world, Indigenous peoples—particularly women—have endured systemic violence, erasure, and injustice. From missing and murdered Indigenous women to communities silenced in the face of colonization, these realities call us to urgent action.

This Student/Alumni Roundtable will create space for dialogue at the intersection of human rights, women’s empowerment, and global justice. Together, we will explore:

·        The crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples in the United States and Australia, with a focus on women and girls.

·        The resilience and leadership of Indigenous women as agents of empowerment, healing, and systemic change.

·        Strategies for global alumni networks to amplify advocacy, education, and partnerships that protect Indigenous rights and promote equity.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how empowerment and justice are inseparable, and how each of us—as leaders and alumni—can contribute to dismantling cycles of violence while uplifting voices that are too often silenced.
 

Speakers:

Louise McDonald

Within the sacred circles of the Kaniékehaka, Wakerakátste—lovingly known as Mommabear—radiates as the enduring pulse of Indigenous renewal. Her accomplishments glimmer like beads on a wampum belt—Distinguished Scholar in Indigenous Learning at McMaster University’s Institute for Innovation and Excellence in Teaching and Learning, honoured with a doctorate from NYS University at SUNY Canton.

In the global chambers of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peace Building, her voice ripples outward, sparking healing dialogues between Nations and rekindling hope where it glimmers faint.

Her influence spirals through the corridors of academia on Turtle Island. She animates the philosophies of Ratinonhsón:ni, nurturing courage and self-determination.

Jael Brothers

Jael Whitney Brothers (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) is the Assistant Director for the Honoring Nations program at the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development. Since 1999, the program has provided awards to more than 140 tribal programs for excellence in self-governance. Her background includes work at the intersection of technology and Indigenous affairs, including supporting tech-based Indigenous social entrepreneurs at MIT Solve and the Engagement Committee of the Native American Employee Resource Group at IBM. In her free time, Jael also writes plays and exhibits glitch art around the Greater Boston area.

Brenda L. Croft

Brenda L Croft is from the Gurindji/Malngin/Mudburra Peoples, Victoria River region of the Northern Territory of Australia, and has Anglo-Australian/Chinese/German/Irish/ Scottish heritage. Brenda is Nangari skin, and her totems are Ngarlu (‘sugarbag’ or native honey) and Tikirrija (red-backed kingfisher).

Brenda’s creative-led research encompasses Critical Indigenous Performative Collaborative Autoethnography and Storywork methodologies and theoretical frameworks. In 2024 Brenda was the Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Visiting Chair of Australian Studies, Harvard University. Brenda is Professor of Indigenous Art History & Curatorship at the Australian National University in Canberra, privileged to live and work on unceded sovereign Kamberri/Ngambri/Ngunawal/Walgalu homelands.

Therese Lautua, PhD

I am a proud daughter of Sāmoa and Aotearoa New Zealand with heritage from Lalomanu, Amaile, Samusu and Poutasi, and Ireland / Switzerland. Being a māmā and wife also impact my research area of indigenous Pacific Christianity and mental wellbeing for our communities. I received my PhD in Theology from Waipapa Taumata Rau – The University of Auckland which examined how diasporic indigenous Pacific women imaged or perceived God and how this impacted their mental wellbeing. My current research aims to reflect on what an indigenous Pacific and Catholic theology of mental wellbeing might look like. I consider the negative legacy of colonialism and the incorporation of pre-European contact spiritualities into the everyday lives of families and hope to focus research on Pacific spiritualities around motherhood and parenting in the near future. 

Event Date & Time:

October 23, 2025

3:00 - 4:30 PM ET

Location: 

At Phillips Brooks House Parlor and via Zoom
Register here:

Event Details

Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET

Location: Phillips Brooks House Parlor and via Zoom. 

Login details will be sent to registrants upon completion of the registration process. 

Cost: While this event is FREE we would appreciate any accompanying donation to help support us as we put on these and other events throughout the year!