DEREK ARONHIE:NENS MONTOUR joined the armed services after high school-first the Canadian Royal Montreal Regiment and later the United States Marine Corps. After leaving the services, he moved back to Kahnawà:ke to work with the Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia'takehnhas Community Services, and today he is the organization's executive director. He also serves on the board of directors for the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission and has assisted at the national level on the Child and Family Services Reform National Advisory Committee. He also served on the Minister of National Defence's Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination, which submitted their final report in December 2021. Derek grew up in Kahnawà:ke and has two children and a grandchild.