Header photo: coastline of the ancestral and treaty territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) peoples, the Songhees and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) First Nations. Photo by Robin Adams in 2018.
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Robin Adams (she/her/elle), Cultural Safety Consultant |
Personal Background
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I am a non-Indigenous Canadian with ancestry (according to a DNA test) from various parts of Western and Eastern Europe, including Irish, English, German, Ashkenazi Jewish, Swedish, and Norwegian ancestral communities. I grew up in the foster care system on what is now commonly called Vancouver Island. As I moved between different facilities throughout my childhood, I found comfort and companionship among many foster siblings who identified as First Nations and/or Métis.
At 14 years old, I went to live with my biological, maternal grandmother. At this time, I learned that her daughter and son (my aunt and uncle) had married Indigenous partners and started families. I developed relationships with my aunt, uncle, and seven cousins who identify as Cree or Métis. |
I lived with my grandmother until I became fully independent at 17 years old. During those years living with my grandmother, I was comforted particularly by Métis stories and perspectives from my aunt. I grew a deep and meaningful respect for Indigenous worldviews and methods. I was taught by my grandmother to be proud of my relation to Indigenous peoples who are special and important in this world. From these early experiences began my lifelong Indigenous Anti-Racism learning and allyship journey. Since then, I have used my personal, professional, and education experiences to advance my knowledge of Indigenous Anti-Racism.
Professional Experience
I worked in the public sector in British Columbia for a total of 14 years. 12 of those years were spent in various roles at the former College of Dental Hygienists of BC (the BC College of Oral Health Professionals since 2022). In my last 4 years serving in health profession regulation, I served as the Manager of Strategic Initiatives. Half of my portfolio involved Indigenous Anti-Racism initiatives in the regulation context. I became a leader in Indigenous Anti-Racism in BC health profession regulation and other health profession regulators began to ask for my guidance. I was appointed to the BC Health Regulators Cultural Safety Task Force in 2019. In January of 2021, I founded Exit 26 Consulting so I could support more organizations across what is now commonly called Canada to advance meaningful work in Indigenous Anti-Racism as well as gender diversity initiatives.
For highlights of my professional experience, please visit my CV & Testimonials page.
For highlights of my professional experience, please visit my CV & Testimonials page.
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Photo:
Left: Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation artist, Darlene Gait, Middle: Robin Adams, and Right: Marie Gait, One of the last surviving Elders of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nation. Standing in front of Darlene and Robin's art project for the CDHBC, entitled Mother Earth's Song. |
Education Journey
Robin Adams accepts the BC Lieutenant Governor's Silver Medal at Camosun College ceremony.
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From the Camosun College School of Business in Victoria, British Columbia, I have completed the following programs:
From Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, I also completed a baccalaureate degree of arts (BA) in Global Development Studies (2020). |
My degree from Queen's University included studies in Indigenous histories, decolonization strategies, Indigenous human rights, the first laws and legal perspectives (focus on Anishinaabe), as well as sex, gender, and sexuality studies.
I received a total of nine academic and humanitarian awards and scholarships during my time in post-secondary studies at Camosun College and Queen's University.
My educational development is also informed by Indigenous methods of learning and knowledge sharing. I have been privileged to participate in governance and health ceremonies respectively, as well as sit in meaningful knowledge sharing with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Carriers, language carriers, artists, ceremonialists, and other people with lived Indigenous experiences and ancestral knowledge.
I received a total of nine academic and humanitarian awards and scholarships during my time in post-secondary studies at Camosun College and Queen's University.
My educational development is also informed by Indigenous methods of learning and knowledge sharing. I have been privileged to participate in governance and health ceremonies respectively, as well as sit in meaningful knowledge sharing with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Carriers, language carriers, artists, ceremonialists, and other people with lived Indigenous experiences and ancestral knowledge.
Global Experiences
Intercultural relationships and cross cultural competency is an important part of my personal and professional learning and development journey as a global citizen and cultural safety professional. I have spent time in 21 countries and have volunteered as a teacher and care aide in orphanages in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Guatemala, Nepal, Ukraine, and Ecuador. I have experience working in Indigenous communities globally, and take every opportunity to educate people around the world about Indigenous peoples in what is now commonly called Canada.
Robin Adams accepts her certificate from the Preparing Global Leaders Forum at the American University in Bulgaria. On stage with representatives from Georgetown University, Oxford University, and the American Embassy in Bulgaria.
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In 2018, I was selected from over 400 applicants to represent Canada in a group of 30 international delegates at the Preparing Global Leaders Forum at the American University in Bulgaria. While attending this program, I attended a private forum with the former President of Bulgaria (2012-2017), Rosen Plevneliev. I used my platforms in this program to speak publicly in front of international delegates about Indigenous human rights issues in what is now commonly called Canada.
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Community Development Experiences in Canada
Robin Adams speaks about multiculturalism at a 2011 community event before introducing the former Mayor of Victoria.
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For many years I was an avid community volunteer in Victoria, British Columbia. I volunteered with and served on the Board of the African AIDS Angels Society and also the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society (VIRCS). I founded, produced, and directed one of VIRCS' largest gala fundraisers, Global Fashions on One World Stage, about which I met with the federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages (2010). This event ran for two years.
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I also served as a member of the Public Policy Committee of the BC Schizophrenia Society (BCSS). I founded and produced the BCSS anti-stigma campaign which reached over 100,000 people in British Columbia through radio, print, and social media engagement. I participated as an invited guest speaker at multicultural community gala events alongside the former Mayor of Victoria, and also the former BC Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development. I was an invited volunteer guest lecturer to the Camosun College School of Business for several years, on the topics of intercultural conflict resolution and emotional intelligence in the workplace.
Robin Adams (front, center) with the diverse cast of Global Fashions.
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Robin Adams (second from left) meets with James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages (far left).
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Indigenous Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety Consulting
Since 2021 I have been supporting organizations across what is now commonly called Canada with Indigenous Anti-Racism consulting services. My services always include a lens of gender diversity access and safety, particularly for Two Spirit and Indigiqueer peoples. I ensure Indigenous laws, voices, perspectives, worldviews, experiences, and knowledge are paramount in all of my meaningful and transformative Indigenous Anti-Racism projects. I create and maintain accessible, safe, culturally relevant, and inclusive spaces into which my clients can invite Indigenous, and gender diverse, peoples and communities for meaningful knowledge sharing and collaborative work that makes a difference.
Robin Adams sits in knowledge sharing and storytelling online with SȾÁ,UTW̱ (Tsawout) Nation Elder and ethnobotanist, XEṮXÁṮEN Earl Claxton Jr.