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Trailblazer

Building culture bridges

Willy Bruce is dedicated to employment equity and diversity and fostering a better understanding of Aboriginal cultures and teachings at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). A member of the Anishinabe Nation, Willy has been instrumental in establishing the Aboriginal Employees Network (AEN) and the Circle of Nations Learning Centre.

World university of life

Willy was born May 9, 1947, in Welland, Ontario. When he was six, his family moved to Australia, where his experiences with the Aboriginal environment profoundly affected him.

Willy's dreams of becoming a helicopter pilot came true when he volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War. After an injury ended his service, Willy returned to Canada. He attended Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, where he obtained a degree with a double major in geology and geography. While completing a master's degree at McMaster University in Hamilton, he studied and taught remote sensing.

Over his lifetime, Willy has expanded his cultural horizons through his work in Asia, Africa, South America and eastern Europe.

"We have come a long way and we have been very patient."

In 1976, Willy began working at NRCan as a geologist. His work on various remote sensing projects earned him NRCan Merit Awards for international project management. In 1993, Willy was appointed Head of the Technology Transfer and Communications Section of NRCan's Earth Sciences Sector in Ottawa.

Throughout the early part of his career, Willy was private about his Aboriginal status. He was unsure of the benefits or disadvantages of "coming out" as an Aboriginal person in the working world. However, Willy was inspired to share his native culture with fellow employees when he heard the beating of a drum at a traditional native ceremony at NRCan.

In 1999, Willy helped to establish the Aboriginal Employees Network (AEN). Key factors in its creation were his longing for a sense of community and the value he placed on positive role models. It started off as small and informal. Willy and several other Aboriginal employees would meet a couple of times a month at nearby restaurants. The network has now grown to include some 40 members.

The AEN had three original goals: to create a comfortable sense of community for Aboriginal employees and provide them access to elders; to promote awareness of Aboriginal peoples' culture; and to offer the department advice on issues and policies that have implications for Aboriginal peoples.

To achieve these goals, Willy worked diligently to found the Circle of Nations Learning Centre, which opened March 21, 2001. The Centre is a welcoming place of peace, understanding, respect and trust where all NRCan employees can learn and share Aboriginal teachings and culture.

Rewards and recognition

In 2000, Willy was awarded the Canadian Aboriginal War Veterans Millennium Medal. He was also honoured in 2002 with the Head of Public Service Award for Valuing and Supporting People. He continues to promote the Centre, the AEN and the contributions of Aboriginal people in the government.

Life achievements

• 1976 — Joined NRCan as staff geologist
• 1982, 1986, 1996, 1999 — Received NRCan Merit Awards for international project management
• 1999 — Helped establish the Aboriginal Employees Network
• 2000 — Received Merit Award for domestic technology transfer
• 2000 — Awarded the Canadian Aboriginal War Veterans Millennium Medal
• 2001 — Helped establish the Circle of Nations Learning Centre in Ottawa
• 2002 — Received Head of Public Service Award for Valuing and Supporting People

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