Keynote Speaker
What it Takes to be A World Champion
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not a singular act, but a habit.” -Aristotle-
A motivational speech and story in achieving excellence!
Presented by: 3-time world champion hoop dancer Dallas Arcand
Time: 20 – 40 minutes
My Story…
When I was 14 years old I was sitting in a jail cell contemplating my life. Shortly after I was released I became a hoop dancer, even though I didn’t really know what hoop dancing was. I was adopted and lived a very broken life filled with broken promises and surrounded by addictions. I grew up poor and on welfare most of my childhood but didn’t know the full story of me being adopted until I was an adult and started to put it all together and figure it out.
Once I became a hoop dancer it changed the course of my life, because it gave me a sense of purpose I never really had before, as well it gave me something to be proud of and for the people around me too. Hoop dancing saved my life and brought me a lot closer to my Indigenous culture, leading to a journey of self-discovery and perseverance. Which eventually I became the best at it and won three world championship titles at the world championships in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
My story consists of three main parts: passion, persistence, and perseverance. It always starts with a passion in your life in order to give it your all. Persistence involves a lot of patience, consistent effort, commitment, rituals, and progressive development. In order to persevere one must have the passion, commitment and belief in oneself, to see the vision through to the end and beyond.
Themes:
- Finding your gifts
- Harnessing your talents
- Learning and training
- Committing to yourself
- Overcoming challenges in life
- Dream building and setting goals
It’s Never Too Late… NDN Time
“Where focus goes, energy flows.” -Tony Robbins-
A motivational speech and story in achieving excellence!
Presented by: Entrepreneur / Artist – Dallas Arcand
Time: 20 – 40 minutes
My Story…
When I was 14 years old sitting in a jail cell contemplating my life I thought about what to do with my freedom. Shortly after being released I moved to my rez and connected to my culture, through family, community cultural camps, sweatlodge ceremonies, and pow-wow. Prior to this I lived a very broken life, broken promises, addictions, and traumatic events. Thankfully I’ve been able to turn all of it around by investing my efforts, time, and focus into Indigenous culture, education, and the arts.
The elders in my community and at the ceremonies they always encouraged me to go to school to improve myself and learn about the world. I’ve learned to utilize my street smarts and survival skills in the world by thinking like our indigenous ancestors because they didn’t have many of the luxuries that we all have today. So I’ve broken it down to a simple formula of always going on the hunt like a warrior, to respect the land and always make proper offerings, observe your environment and surroundings, planning and preparation is key to successful survival, and balance of life process.
“When you know who you are; when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will; no cold can touch your heart; no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.”
-Chief Seattle-
Themes:
- Self-sufficiency and life balance
- Understanding time and energy
- Indigenous culture and education
- Empowerment and spiritual enlightenment
- Three concepts of ‘Indian’ time
Live Your Dream and Love Your Life
“All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” -Walt Disney-
A motivational speech and story in achieving excellence!
Presented by: Entrepreneur / Artist – Dallas Arcand
Time: 20 – 40 minutes
My Story…
When I was 14 years old I was sitting in a jail cell contemplating my life. Shortly after I was released I became more aware and connected to my life’s purpose, even though I didn’t really know what possibilities of the future could be. I was adopted and lived a very broken life filled with broken promises and surrounded by addictions and traumatic events. I grew up poor and on welfare most of my childhood but didn’t know the full story of me being adopted until I was an adult and started to put it all together and figure it out.
From an early age, I’ve always been curious and ambitious to learn and explore new things in the world. Such as taking risks, exploring business ventures, buying and selling, investing time and money, calculating efficient monetary values, and creating new content and products. Overall I’ve learned to utilize my survival skills in the world by thinking like our indigenous ancestors because they didn’t have many of the luxuries that we all have today. So I’ve broken it down to a simple formula of always going on the hunt like a hunter and making the kill for your sustenance food in an honourable way to survive and provide for others.
My story consists of three main parts: passion, persistence, and perseverance. It always starts with a passion in your life in order to give it your all. Persistence involves a lot of patience, consistent effort, commitment, rituals, and progressive development. In order to persevere one must have the passion, commitment and belief in oneself, to see the vision through to the end and beyond.
“Whether you think you can, or think you can’t – you’re right” -Henry Ford-
Themes:
- Harnessing your talents
- Committing to yourself
- Adapting to change
- Setting goals
