Over 8 years in the federal government where Hillary has:
- Worked with the National Indigenous Economic Development Board Secretariat and provided advice and guidance to government and a Board of Indigenous leadership and businesses
- Was the Chair of the Cultural Competency subgroup for Lands and Economic Development Sector’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and held a budget of up to $50,000 to organize and provide Indigenous cultural competency workshops in the workplace
- Advised and drafted policy relating to the recruitment, retention and advancement of Indigenous talent within the sector and across the department
- Leading a national research project on the Impact of the Indigenous Arts Economy on the Canadian Economy
- Working with other government departments such as Innovation, Science and Economic Development on establishing Intellectual Property rights and policies for Indigenous knowledge systems
- Worked with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and their office to swiftly and properly coordinate and address COVID-19 in Indigenous communities
- Drafted policy and policy analysis relating to Canada’s National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, ensuring Indigenous perspectives were included, especially in the response from all levels of government
- Ensure Indigenous rights that are upheld by nationally embedded International human rights instruments such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Lead on Canada’s bilateral relationships with likeminded countries on Indigenous issues such as New Zealand, Australia, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Greenland
She has 4 years of experience in understanding International human rights instruments and bodies. She has attended the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues since 2022 where she has been actively involved in the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus. She has provided policy advice relating to Indigenous and youth inclusion and enhanced participation throughout all UN bodies where Indigenous rights are implicated. She has a strong relationship with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, and advocates for Indigenous food security and sovereignty.
Hillary is also an educator. She works with the Anishinabek Education Institute where she teaches courses within the Native Community Wellness Worker program specifically an Introduction to Indigenous Studies Course as well as the Community Development Course. She brings an ample amount of knowledge from all of the spaces she has been in and perspectives driven from her work within community on a paid and volunteer basis to round out the curriculum for the course.
Finally, Hillary has years of experience in public speaking which includes speaking (but is not limited to):
- In various communities about her experience within the child welfare system and her healing journey
- Facilitated a workshop on Indigenous student experiences at the 2019 Canadian Association of College and University Student Services Forum
- On various panels at the 2023 Global Indigenous Youth Forum on Indigenous food sovereignty from her community perspective
- at the United Nations General Assembly about enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples across all UN bodies
- at the Bharat Tribes Festival where she spoke about her personal journey in the Powwow circle.