Indigenous Leader Speaker Series<\/a>, sharing her story of survival with more than 100 online attendees. The proud Red River M\u00e9tis, renowned speaker and writer, and passionate advocate for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People was honoured for her efforts at the June 19 event, which was held in advance of National Indigenous People\u2019s Day and designed to celebrate Indigenous excellence.<\/p>\nFarinacci\u2019s life changed forever at age nine when she lost her parents to a traumatic act of violence perpetrated by a man who had been stalking her mother. Farinacci and her younger brother were held hostage for hours after a 911 call failed to yield immediate action.<\/p>\n
The tragedy, and systemic inaction following it, left a deep impact on her family. She has since lost both of her brothers to suicide.<\/p>\n
Through an active online presence, Farinacci has cultivated a large online community and uses her platform to raise awareness, support Indigenous businesses with collaborations and create change.<\/p>\n
For Farinacci, being recognized as Brock\u2019s 2025 Indigenous Leader was incredibly meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI honestly believe that this is one of the greatest honours that I\u2019ve ever received,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m a student for life, but through my trauma, I always thought I\u2019m not successful because I didn\u2019t get a BA or a master\u2019s. So, to be acknowledged like this, it really means so much to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Indigenous Leader Speaker Series is a partnership between the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement and the Goodman School of Business.<\/p>\n
\u201cFallon is one of my favourite people in the whole world and someone I think embodies the whole spirit of this event,\u201d said Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois, who hosted the webinar. \u00a0\u201cThe intent of this event is to celebrate leadership in all forms, but also Indigenous excellence, and to me, Fallon is all of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farinacci says her success is rooted in collaboration, a principle her father modelled for her with his involvement as president of the local MMF.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing is done without people coming together,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s a healing element to community, you can get inspired yourself seeing others care. Our voices are louder together.\u201d<\/p>\n
When talking about the goals and potential outcomes of her advocacy work, she referenced the words of Anishinaabe writer and broadcaster Jesse Wente, who said Indigenous people \u201chave to start being instead of doing the work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the change that I want to see the most,\u201d Farinacci said. \u201cBecause if we can start being instead of doing the work of decolonizing and educating, that means that all of that is gone, and we can just start being.\u201d<\/p>\n
She spoke about what it would be like to switch the focus from Indigenous resilience to celebrating Indigenous joy. With events like Orange Shirt Day and Red Dress Day focusing on trauma that Indigenous people have endured, Farinacci was happy to participate in the lecture series that focuses on celebrating Indigenous excellence.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want people to lose sight of that story,\u201d she said. \u201cYou know, we\u2019re not just the trauma, we are also that brilliance and excellence.\u201d<\/p>\n
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