Biographies

Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, is originally from South Indian Lake, Manitoba, she shines as a beacon of hope and determination. Currently serving as the Chair/President of the National Family and Survivors Circle in Canada, Hilda has devoted the past twenty years to a noble and passionate cause: eradicating the pervasive violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals based on gender and race.

Her path is more than a narrative of advocacy; it's a deep story of leadership and creative problem-solving. Hilda has skillfully intertwined community and resilience-driven strategies into effective solutions, awareness efforts, and actions that are deeply embedded in Indigenous knowledge and ways of life. Her influential roles, including leading the Families First Foundation and co-chairing the Manitoba MMIWG Coalition, underscore her unwavering commitment to fostering change and leading the charge towards justice and equality.

The impact of Hilda's endeavors is widely recognized. She has been honored with the 2019 RESOLVE Manitoba Community Award, the Manitoba Honour 150 Award in February 2021, and the 2022 Empower Women Award, acknowledging her relentless push to bring the issue of gender-based violence to the forefront of societal awareness.

Beyond national borders, Hilda advocates for solutions led by Indigenous people on a global scale. Her approach, focused on decolonizing efforts, leveraging Indigenous and human rights-based methods, and advocating for self-determination, serves as a powerful call for widespread systemic change. Hilda Anderson-Pyrz is a visionary leading the way to a future where equality, justice, and respect are guaranteed for everyone.

Diane Kilby is Northern Great Lakes and Drummond Island Métis; her mother was Cécile Labatte. Diane is currently the Senator for Grand River Métis Council and the Elder advisor of the Métis Nation of Ontario Interim 2S Council. 

Diane has been an activist for nearing six decades and was out and active in Edmonton, Peterborough, Ottawa and Kitchener. She was one of the founding members of the "Lesbian & Gay Support Group" in her union and was active with the Canadian Labour Congress. Diane was once president of ALGO - the Association of Lesbians and Gays of Ottawa and was one of the activists sitting at the kitchen table building what would become EGALE Canada.

She was also active in the nascent indigenous group in her union as well as the disability rights movements. 

Diane has been teaching Rainbow 101 to staff in retirement homes to build welcoming and inclusive communities. Diane is proudly 2S; her pronouns are "she" and "they".