Biography
HEREDITARY CHIEF AND ELDER
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Grandfather T8aminik (this is how the name Dominique is written in Algonquin) was born in the forests of northern Abitibi, in a family that had managed so far to preserve the nomadic lifestyle of his ancestors. From the age of seven, he was appointed to take over from his father as hereditary chief.
According to tradition, the role of chief was necessarily accompanied by that of medicine man. From his earliest childhood, he was placed on a long path of learning and initiating with the elders of his community, but also with various guides recognized in the country, including the late William Commanda, which he was a close student for many years. In 2006, grandfather T8aminik also became a fully recognized elder by his peers. From his real name Kapiteotak ("He who is heard crying from afar"), he now devotes himself to the role of teacher and spiritual leader he was destined to become.
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RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS SURVIVOR
A survivor of the painful era of Indian Residential Schools, he gives a vibrant testimony about forgiveness and reconciliation in the book "On nous appelait les Sauvages", written by his partner, journalist and Sacred Pipe carrier Marie-Josée Tardif. (Now available in English under the title They called us Savages, with Vidacom Publishing.)
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A LIFE DEVOTED TO CULTURE
With Marie-Josée Tardif, he founded in 2013 the non-profit organization KINA8AT, and in 2020 the DOMINIQUE RANKIN FOUNDATION, both of which have the mission of fostering healing and cultural reconnection among First Peoples, as well as promoting reconciliation and sharing of indigenous cultures with all. This joint mission brings T8aminik and Marie-Josée to work both nationally and internationally.
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DISTINCTIONS AND HONORS
Member of the Order of Canada, Knight of the National Order of Quebec (the highest distinctions of Canada and Quebec), Grandfather T8aminik is also a recipient of the medals of the Lieutenant-Gouverneur du Quebec, the National Assembly of Quebec and the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
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COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
Chomis (Grandfather) T8aminik regularly participates in major events for world peace, environment and reconciliation. He sits on various national and international committees:
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Founding President of the Dominique Rankin Foundation
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Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kina8at Organization
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Co-chair of the Religions for Peace World Council
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Senator for the Native Friendship Centers of Canada
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Counselor and Trainer at the Canadian School of Public Service and member of the Knowledge Circle for Indigenous Inclusion (Heritage-Canada)
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Traditional Leaders and Actors comity to Prevent Atrocity Crimes, under the auspices of the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the
Religious and Traditional Peacemakers Network -
Advisor to the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, created at the initiative of Pope Francis to address growing inequality and climate change
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Ethics in Action Committee, created by the Vatican, the United Nations, Religions for Peace and Notre Dame University, to develop an inter-religious moral consensus on the major challenges of integral sustainable development
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Expert Committee for the ImpactIA Foundation in Switzerland, reflecting on the challenges posed by the arrival of artificial intelligence in the world
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SPOKEN LANGUAGES
Grandfather T8aminik is fluent in Algonquin, Cree and French. He also has an excellent knowledge of English. So, he can work in all these languages.