Robert is an Assistant Professor at McGill University's Schulich School of Music and serves as Senior Indigenous Cultural Advisor at McGill University.In addition to designing our Indigenous Cultural Corridor, he will lead a FREE public Indigenous Cultural Workshop on August 11 at 7:00 PM at The Spire in Kingston, featuring Indigenous drumming, singing, dancing, and storytelling.A little bit about Rober Spade:Boozhoo! Keeshigoonininii ndishnikaz. Name nindodem. Namaygoosiszaagigan nindoonjii. I have introduced myself to you in Anishinabemowin. My Ojibwe/spirit name is 'Heaven Man'. I am from the sturgeon clan and I am from northern Anishinabe territory.I grew up out on the land. My earliest years were spent in a prospector tent with my parents, Beatrice and Richard. I remember moving around a lot...our home was everywhere.Despite the challenges that a person goes through having faced the most violent forms of colonialism, including residential school, my father was a kind and generous man. He had many gifts that he shared with me, including art and Anishinaabe teachings.

As an Anishinabeininii, I follow a traditional way of life with my partner, Celeste, an Anishinabekwe from Treaty 3. I am a pipe carrier, sun dancer, traditional dancer, and drum keeper. These roles and responsibilities are very important to my family and I.