Joe Solanto challenges us to examine policies and practices which often result in social harm rather than an enhanced cultural dialogue. Solanto reminds us that acknowledging diversity in culture and circumstance in Canadian aboriginal communities is not enough; we must thoroughly examine the assessment tools and models we use when we approach aboriginal communities. At a deeper level, he notes, our widely accepted understanding of rights and personhood is a backdrop against which aboriginal people and their cultural values are often misunderstood and oppressed. Solanto confronts us to abandon flawed and inadequate practices and models in favour of community building through a deeper cultural dialogue and exchange.

Joe Solanto completed a doctorate in psychology, and for seven years was the Director of a multi-disciplinary outpatient treatment centre for addictions and trauma. He has served as a consultant for the Federal Department of Justice as well as for Correctional Services of Canada. In 2009 Joe was the recipient of the Instructor of the Year Award at the Justice Institute of BC. In 2010, he was adopted into the Healing Lodge of Eagle Sisters and was bestowed with the name Hailikinixw. Over the past three years Joe has been working with the Inuit Government of Labrador.

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