Patrick is a proud Nehiyaw napew (Cree man) from the Sawridge First Nation near Slave Lake, Alberta (Treaty 8 Territory) where Patrick began his journey living in his community with his mother Catherine, father Walter, and 3 brothers – Cameron, Samuel & Isaac. Patrick and his family lost their father and husband – the late Chief Walter Patrick Twinn – at a young age which had a drastic impact on not only their life, but the community of Sawridge. Although the late-Chief WPT was undoubtedly impacted by his experience at the St. Bernard’s Indian Residential School, Patrick feels fortunate to have found memories of late-father smudging and praying with this pipe every morning, instead of succumbing to the trauma resulting from federal policies of assimilation. Patrick is mindful that this is not the lived experience of many Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island, and as such is passionate about advancing the social, cultural, political and economic well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Patrick spent the early stage of his career working in the hospitality sector for a variety of Indigenous-owned businesses, including the Sawridge Group of Companies and the River Cree Resort & Casino. Patrick completed a diploma in Hospitality Management from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), a bachelor’s degree in International Hotel Management from Royal Roads University and recently completed a Master of Business Administration in Indigenous Business & Leadership at Simon Fraser University. Patrick strongly believe in the power of mentorship and feels extremely fortunate to have many strong and positive mentors support his throughout my life – most importantly his mother Catherine. Patrick currently sit as a volunteer board member at the Inner-City High School in downtown Edmonton. This school provides marginalized urban Indigenous and other youth with the support and education necessary to break the cycle of poverty that dominates their lives, enabling them to reach an educational level and career choice that facilitates their becoming contributing members of society.