Rosa Walker
Indspire > Events > Indspire Awards > Laureates > Rosa WalkerRosa Walker
Business & Commerce (2021)
Peguis First Nation, MB
“It is critical to the future development of Indigenous people that we form the basis for our investment amongst ourselves and the broader global economy…We have an opportunity to shape the future for our children, let’s make their lives better.”
One of the many hallmarks of Rosa Walker’s thirty-year career as an Indigenous leader is her ability to empower others to become leaders themselves. Whether it was during her time as the Managing Director at the Manitoba Assembly of Chiefs or the Manager of Workforce Diversity at the Bank of Montreal, she advocated vigorously and continually for the rights of Indigenous workers – and, in doing so, changed the Canadian workforce. Her global perspective prompted her to start the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) to draw attention to Indigenous economic development. And she demonstrated her commitment to the next generations of Indigenous leaders by creating the Empowering Indigenous Youth in Governance and Leadership (EIYGL) charity to provide mentorship and skills development to Indigenous youth. Rosa has done everything possible to build leadership opportunities for Indigenous people; she continues to do so as President and CEO of the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute (ILDI), which she created to work closely with educational institutes, governments, and the private sector to continually empower Indigenous leaders.