Bernard Dumas

Bernard is a nehiyaw from the Little Red River Cree Nation located in Northern Alberta which is on the Treaty 8 Territory. He has resided on Treaty 6 Territory, in Edmonton with his partner and their dog Arlo. Bernard is a father of 5 adult children, and a Moshum to 2 granddaughters.

Bernard has a Bachelor’s Degree in Indian Social Work through the University of Regina which he completed in 1999. He has been employed at Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society for 5 years. He has spent the last 2 years with the Practice as Ceremony Team as a Cultural Connector.

The majority of Bernard’s career has been focused on working with Indigenous people and the community. In the work that Bernard does today, he shares his cultural and spiritual knowledge with Indigenous children, youth and families. Bernard also works closely with the C5 community agency partners, and other community agencies in and around the city, for the common goal of assisting families and youth in understanding Indigenous history, culture and identity.

Bernard has obtained his cultural knowledge from various Elders in his life through ceremony and teachings. He does not classify himself as an Elder, but rather an oskâpêwis.