Stephen Penner is an Assistant Professor in the department of Indigenous Studies. A Wêmistikôsiw (Eeyou Cree for Settler), Stephen understands the responsibility of walking and acting like a Skaabe, or helper, in Annishinaabemowin. He has learned from Elders, Indigenous scholars, and knowledge keepers that the role of a teacher is to share knowledge of having worked and conducted research, in “a good way”, when in Indigenous spaces.

Professor Penner is settler born in traditional St. Lawrence Iroquoians, Mohawk, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee Territory; within the Rotinonhsdn:ni Five Nations Confederacy. His career is the sum of many parts, with the latest role, instructing both the capstone introductory Indigenous Studies courses (the 1017 course- Introduction to Indigenous Politics and Governance and the 1016 course- Introduction to Indigenous Arts, Culture and History) along with suite of upper level courses. Stephen has lectured and presented on the mîciwim miyo pimatisiwin (good life of food) at conferences and institutions across Turtle Island. He has worked for several Indigenous governments, including being part of team that wrote two Cree Nation Government reports: one on creating a Cree led economy and the other one, entitled “The Cree Story” which sought to incorporate Cree Arts and Crafts into the Cree socio economy. Professor Penner holds a Doctorate from the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Planning; a Master’s of Development Practice (MDP): Indigenous Development from the University of Winnipeg and a Bachelor of Arts, from Mount Allison University (Sackville, New Brunswick). He is also a certified Indigenous Economic Developer (CANDO).

Much of his work is based in an Indigenous led understanding of what a healthy food system looks like—assisting communities with capacity development. Stephen has served in the Canadian Red Cross as a volunteer responder, assigned to support the Indigenous People’s team. This role has seen him deployed in emergencies from Ontario across to British Columbia.