Cadmus Delorme
Cowessess First Nation
Leadership Keynote Speaker
Cadmus Delorme, a Cree and Saulteaux, is the former Chief of Cowessess First Nation in Southern Saskatchewan. Cadmus graduated from Cowessess Community Education Centre in 2000. He later moved to Regina to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Certificate in Hospitality, Tourism and Gaming Entertainment Management from the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), and a Master of Public Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy. He has also received an ICD.D. designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and its affiliate institution, Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business.
Under Cadmus's leadership, Cowessess First Nation prioritized economic self-sustainability and progressed renewable energy, agriculture, and land use efficiency initiatives to create current and future business opportunities.
Cadmus is the Chair of the Residential Schools Document Advisory Committee and the University of Regina Board of Directors, serves on the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Board of Directors and is a 2023 Banff Forum delegate.
Read More About Cadmus Delorme
Through his work as a volunteer and committed athlete, Cadmus has a number of achievements including a First Nation Sport Award (2009). He was a member of Team Saskatchewan's Golf team (2009-2012), Vice President of the FNUC (First Nations University of Canada) Student Association, Mid-Amateur Saskatchewan Golf Champion (2011), Champion at Waskesiu Lobstick Open and Match Play Golf (2011), President of the FNUC Student Association (2011), Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient (2012), and Neechie Gear Clothing Role Model (2013).
In 2012, Cadmus received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing his student leadership and the hospitality he showed to Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, when they visited FNUniv. He was also named one of CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40, which celebrates the province’s new generation of leaders, builders and change-makers under the age of 40.
In 2021, Cadmus faced one of his hardest moments as Chief when the Saulteaux and Cree First Nation made international headlines with the discovery of potentially 751 unmarked graves near the former Marieval Indian Residential School. Shortly after, Cowessess made headlines again as the first First Nations community to sign an agreement with Ottawa that returns jurisdiction over children in care to the community. Federal legislation overhauling Indigenous child welfare was passed in 2019 and came into force last year.
Speaking Topics
Shared Words at Judge Pelletier's Swearing In As Provincial Judge
Chief Cadmus Delorme, Chief, Cowessess First Nation was honoured to share and be apart of Judge Pelletier's swearing in as a new Provincial Judge in Saskatchewan in 2020.
There's No Reconciliation Without Truth
Chief Cadmus Delorme, Chief, Cowessess First Nation spoke at The Walrus Talks What’s Next? in May 2022 in Toronto.
What Have We Truly Inherited with Chief Cadmus Delorme
One of Canada’s most powerful voices for reconciliation will take centre stage in part three of the four-part Solstice Speaker Series sponsored by SGI. Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme speaks on the importance of leadership in his presentation entitled What have we truly inherited?
Owning my identity | Cadmus Delorme | TEDxRegina
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Cadmus introduces us to his culture, his community and life as a member of the Cowessess First Nation living off-reserve. With charm, insight and comedic timing, he warmly invites us in to know his experience and learn from his diverse perspective.