CONTACT: [email protected] for consulting/facilitation workshops and public speaking engagements. We look forward to hearing from you! All my relations, Brander Raven
Brander McDonald is a Cree Indigenous elder, cross-cultural consultant, facilitator, performer and recording artist. He carries the names “Strong Raven” as being “one who stirs the fires to keep things going” and “Standing Bear” with the “the responsibility to stand for our First Nations people – to make things safe for all – to stand in pride”.
As an Indigenous elder, Brander has many years of experience working directly with Indigenous peoples and understanding of key issues and struggles Indigenous face in living in a dominantly non-Indigenous society. He has a keen interest in providing others with the basic cross cultural tools in understanding his own Indigenous people and bridging the cultural gaps.
Brander is gifted in facilitating Indigeneity Conversations concerning Indigenous cultures by the initiation of a presentation and discussion over core values, beliefs, and worldviews. His discussions extend beyond theory to looking at practical ways for building mutual understanding and reconciliation.
With years of experience and training in leadership and cultural development he is excited to assist individuals and businesses alike in understanding Indigenous philosophy that lead to protocol, language, and ways of being in the world.
This Indigeneity Conversation is a valuable and unique opportunity to understand the framework from which Indigenous view the world and the values they hold. It is a great resource. Having Indigenous knowledge keepers like Brander at your disposal, assists your team with the advantage of guiding your agency in understanding protocols and relational development that leads to reconciliation healing work.
Brander also holds a BA in psychology, Fine Arts and Music and has worked successfully for decades as an Indigenous social worker, counselor and therapist, coordinator for the survivors of Indian residential schools, youth coordinator and cultural liaison. He has Masters level training in spiritual counseling.
He is also a gifted First Nations singer-songwriter, recording artist and engineer and performing artist with university degrees and music education, recording arts and degrees, diplomas, and experience in the Los Angeles music industry as assistant producer and performing artist. He believes strongly that the cultural and the arts are a historical way Indigenous peoples can find healing.
Brander also loves laughter with family and friends, food, traveling, visiting his kids and grandchildren, pow wows, dogs, performing music, painting, watching old movies and sitting with a good cup of tea with friends and storytelling.
As an Indigenous elder, Brander has many years of experience working directly with Indigenous peoples and understanding of key issues and struggles Indigenous face in living in a dominantly non-Indigenous society. He has a keen interest in providing others with the basic cross cultural tools in understanding his own Indigenous people and bridging the cultural gaps.
Brander is gifted in facilitating Indigeneity Conversations concerning Indigenous cultures by the initiation of a presentation and discussion over core values, beliefs, and worldviews. His discussions extend beyond theory to looking at practical ways for building mutual understanding and reconciliation.
With years of experience and training in leadership and cultural development he is excited to assist individuals and businesses alike in understanding Indigenous philosophy that lead to protocol, language, and ways of being in the world.
This Indigeneity Conversation is a valuable and unique opportunity to understand the framework from which Indigenous view the world and the values they hold. It is a great resource. Having Indigenous knowledge keepers like Brander at your disposal, assists your team with the advantage of guiding your agency in understanding protocols and relational development that leads to reconciliation healing work.
Brander also holds a BA in psychology, Fine Arts and Music and has worked successfully for decades as an Indigenous social worker, counselor and therapist, coordinator for the survivors of Indian residential schools, youth coordinator and cultural liaison. He has Masters level training in spiritual counseling.
He is also a gifted First Nations singer-songwriter, recording artist and engineer and performing artist with university degrees and music education, recording arts and degrees, diplomas, and experience in the Los Angeles music industry as assistant producer and performing artist. He believes strongly that the cultural and the arts are a historical way Indigenous peoples can find healing.
Brander also loves laughter with family and friends, food, traveling, visiting his kids and grandchildren, pow wows, dogs, performing music, painting, watching old movies and sitting with a good cup of tea with friends and storytelling.