Conrad Prince Keynote Sparks Reflection at Cultivating Talent Mentorship Event

On Friday, May 29, 2026, Conrad Prince delivered a powerful keynote at the Cultivating Talent Mentorship Collective at the University of Waterloo (EC5 1111). As Executive Director of Indigenous Youth Roots, Prince drew on his work in youth employment and advocacy as well as his lived experience as a Sixties Scoop survivor, to offer a deeply personal and systems-focused perspective. 

Prince spoke about navigating institutions that were not built with Indigenous and marginalized communities in mind, while emphasizing the opportunity to transform those systems. Identifying as Afro-Indigenous, he highlighted the importance of recognizing identity within predominantly white spaces and bringing together the tensions between different histories, worldviews, and systems. 

A central theme of his talk was the need for a decolonizing mindset—an ongoing, reflective process that requires time, space, and the ability to move between perspectives. He described “tending to the inner child” as a driving force behind his work, shaped by recognizing his own experiences reflected in the youth he supports. 

Encouraging attendees to think beyond quick solutions, Prince challenged the audience to reconsider what it means to meet social justice needs, emphasizing continuous reflection rather than fixed answers. 

One of his most resonant statements— “It’s hard to do the work when you are the work”—captured the emotional and intellectual labor involved in equity and inclusion efforts. This insight encouraged attendees to consider not only the external impact of their work but also the internal journeys that accompany it. 

Prince’s keynote ultimately spoke to those navigating marginalization within existing systems, encouraging them to reflect on mentorship, identity, and their place in shaping more inclusive and equitable spaces.