Speakers

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stems from a litany of successful legal actions. Mr. Kennedy was named one of Time magazine's "Heroes for the Planet" for his success helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 130 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe.

Mr. Kennedy serves as Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and President of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is also a Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney at Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic and is co-host of Ring of Fire on Air America Radio. Earlier in his career he served as Assistant District Attorney in New York City. He has worked on several political campaigns including the presidential campaigns of Edward M. Kennedy in 1980, Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.

He has worked on environmental issues across the Americas and has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands. He is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City's water supply. The New York City watershed agreement, which he negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and New York City watershed consumers, is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He helped lead the fight to turn back the anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress.

Among Mr. Kennedy's published books are the New York Times' bestseller Crimes Against Nature (2004), St. Francis of Assisi: A Life of Joy (2005), The Riverkeepers (1997), and Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr: A Biography (1977). His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, The Nation, Outside Magazine, The Village Voice, and many other publications. His award winning articles have been included in anthologies of America's Best Crime Writing, Best Political Writing and Best Science Writing.

Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University. He studied at the London School of Economics and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. Following graduation he attended Pace University School of Law, where he was awarded a Masters Degree in Environmental Law.

He is a licensed master falconer, and as often as possible he pursues a life-long enthusiasm for white-water paddling. He has organized and led several expeditions in Canada and Latin America, including first descents on three little known rivers in Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.

Grand Council Chief John Beaucage
Key Note address during lunch - October 9th

In October 2004, Grand Council Chief John Beaucage was elected to serve the 43 member First Nations of the Anishinabek Nation. He had served as the elected Chief of Wasauksing First Nation for eight years, and as the Lake Huron regional member of the Union of Ontario Indians’ board of directors.

Grand Council Chief Beaucage spent over 25 years with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and worked out of Ottawa, Toronto, Regina and Saint John, New Brunswick.

He currently sits on the Chief’s Committee that provides advice and direction to the Anishinabek Nation self-government negotiations with Canada. He also shares the national portfolio for housing with National Chief Phil Fontaine and has served as national co-chair of the First Minister’s Steering Committee on Housing and Relationships. Grand Council Chief Beaucage currently holds the Ontario region portfolio in Housing and Infrastructure and serves as Chair of the Ontario First Nation Steering Committee on Housing.

Beaucage is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with degrees in English and economics, and he has completed post-graduate work in First Nation planning from the University of British Columbia.

In addition to his role as Grand Council Chief, Beaucage is also the President of the Anishinabek Nation Management Group Inc., and the Anishinabek Nation Seventh Generation Charities.

John and wife Bonnie are the proud parents of three children, and grandparents to seven grandchildren.