Bazile Panek, a Native American student leader enrolled at Norther
Michigan University, will address and engage UIS students and members of
the wider public on Indigenous traditions of leadership and
environmental stewardship, with timely and inspiring lessons for young
people and engaged citizens of all backgrounds. Leadership and the
exercise of power come with clear and relevant moral obligations in Mr.
Panek’s Anishinaabe cultural traditions, which carry important and
empowering implications for today’s social and environmental challenges.
Bazile Panek is a proud member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior
Chippewa, and he was born and raised on the Red Cliff reservation.
Bazile is heavily involved with his culture, regularly attending
ceremonies and cultural events. In recent years, he has become a leader
in his community by teaching others how to play Moccasin Game.
Currently, Bazile is a senior studying Native American Studies with
minors in Sustainability and Entrepreneurship at Northern Michigan
University (NMU). He has had the honor to serve and participate in
various committees and organizations. At NMU, Bazile is the current
President of the Native American Student Association, he serves as the
Student Representative on the President’s Committee on Diversity, as
well as on the Center for Native American Studies’ Curriculum Committee.
At home, Bazile is a board member on the Red Cliff Business Development
Corporation. Bazile has also served on various ad hoc committees, and
he has educated many people about Native American culture, language, and
history. Recently, Bazile was instrumental in advocating for the
official recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day by Northern Michigan
University.