Taiaiake Alfred facts for kids
Gerald Taiaiake Alfred is an author, educator, and activist. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, in 1964 and grew up in the community of Kahnawake. Alfred is a well-known Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) professor.
Growing Up and Learning
Alfred spent his childhood in Kahnawake. He finished high school at Loyola High School in Montreal. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps and served for three years until 1984. Later, he went to Concordia University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He continued his studies at Cornell University, where he received a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. These advanced degrees helped him become an expert in his field.
His Work and Contributions
Alfred was the first director of the Indigenous Governance Program. This program helps teach about how Indigenous communities govern themselves. He led the program from 1999 to 2015. He also received a special award called a Canada Research Chair from 2003 to 2007. This award recognized his important research. He also won a National Aboriginal Achievement Award for his work in education.
In 2019, Alfred started working as a project manager for the Kahnawà:ke governance project. This project helps the Kahnawà:ke community manage its own affairs. In 2023, he released his fourth book. It is titled Its All About the Land: Collected Talks and Interviews on Indigenous Resurgence. The University of Toronto Press published this book.
External Links
- Personal web site of Taiaiake Alfred
