The narrative of Dr. Don G. McIntyre’s life view began like most children’s, initially shaped by the bedtime stories told by his parents. As an Anishinaabe child, his were Indigenous stories of Raven and Coyote, Nanabush, Napi and Che Jean, and they did not fit into the Western literary pattens of “once upon a time” and “happily ever after.”
McIntyre will bring those stories to life when he presents, Indigenous Childhood Stories Transform Worlds — Want Some?, at the University of Lethbridge’s PUBlic Professor Series event on Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge.
“I would like to spend just a little bit of time with people, understanding their stories and giving them an opportunity to understand my stories so that we can see what we can take away from Indigenous storytelling,” says McInture.
Indigenous stories involve Tricksters — beings with a hand in the creation of the world and responsibility to keep our world in balance. Indigenous Peoples tell these stories to their babies to both nourish and carry them to sleep. As the children grow, they ask more difficult questions, and the stories develop to continue nourishing their capacity and desire to navigate the new complexities in their world.
“They were very, very simple stories that engaged me, that wanted me to be a part of them and that I wanted to be a part of,” he says. “Then, as I grew up and asked the right questions, asked why the system was, why the story was the way it was, those stories became bigger and more complex.”
McIntyre says those stories can serve the world well today, and the lessons they teach are timeless.
“Join me as I introduce you to the stories of my childhood and demonstrate how the lessons of my Indigenous systems can help answer the complex questions we are all facing today. Spend some time with me storytelling at Tricksters’ knee.”
McIntyre is a Status Indian from the Timiskaming Nation, of Scottish and Algonquin ancestry. An educator and scholar committed to advancing reconciliation and re-centring Indigenous knowledge systems in contemporary contexts, he currently teaches at the Dhillon School of Business and serves as faculty in the Indigenous Leadership Program at the Banff Centre. His research explores economic systems and structures, the meta-crisis, Traditional Indigenous Knowledge, and Indigenous trans-systemic approaches to leadership and change.
The 2025 PUBlic Professor Series has been generously supported by the University of Lethbridge Senate, Knud Petersen, Dr. Dennis Connolly (LLD ’17), Dave and Kathy Greenwood, Dr. Michelle Helstein, Dr. Digvir and Manju Jayas, Deborah Lucas, and Dr. Dena McMartin.
The annual PUBlic Professor Series lectures spark thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day, bringing together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge. For a look at the full series, visit ulethbridge.ca/research/public-professor.
2025-26 PUBlic Professor Series (remaining schedule)
Indigenous Childhood Stories Transform Worlds – Want Some? — Dr. Don McIntyre, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge
Legalized Gambling in Canada: Winners and Losers — Dr. Robert Williams — Thursday, March 26, 2026 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge