A graduate of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, and fellow at the Harvard Law School, Robert Watts has been involved in Indigenous issues for more than 30 years. He was an adjunct professor and Distinguished Fellow at Queens University in the School of Policy Studies. 

He was also the Vice President of Indigenous Relations at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization. Currently he is a principal at First People Group with a focus on Reconciliation. In addition, he advises corporations, civil society organizations and governments on reconciliation and Indigenous strategy. Previously, he was Chief of Staff and Chief Executive Officer for the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Interim Executive Director of the Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A former public servant he was an Assistant Deputy Minister with the federal government and senior executive with the province of Ontario. He has taught, debated and lectured at a number of universities in Canada and the United States and at the Canada School of Public Service. Robert is of Mohawk and Ojibway ancestry and resides at the Six Nations Reserve.



Bob is really driven by the opportunity to help build a bright future for our future generations as imagined in the Seven Generations teachings. Unity in diversity and reconciliation are twin themes which help guide his work.