Biography

Bob Goulais, M’zhaakwat, migizi n’dodemun (eagle clan), is a member of the Nbisiing Anishinaabeg Nation (Nipissing First Nation).

Bob is the son of Dwyla Goulais and The Late Dennis Goulais, and the grandson of The Late Fred and Leda McLeod Sr., and the Late Andrew and Alice Goulais. He is the brother of Phyllis Anderson, Andrew and Dennis Jr. Goulais. 

Bob has three beautiful children, Waabgwanii kwenz (Katherine Faith), Zoon Gaabow (Griffin) and Miigwans.

From October 2004 until June 2009, Goulais has served as the Executive Assistant to Grand Council Chief John Beaucage, and Chief-of-Staff of the Anishinabek Nation Political Office.  The Union of Ontario Indians is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario and is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

In early 2009, John Beaucage announced his candidacy for the office of National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Bob Goulais was appointed as Campaign Manager of his national campaign that garnered the support of 15 per cent of the elected First Nations leadership in Canada.

A professional communicator, Goulais also worked as the Communications Officer for the Union of Ontario Indians. As such, he was responsible for media relations for the Grand Council Chief's office and was a designated spokesperson for the Anishinabek Nation.

A practicing journalist, Goulais is a regular contributor to the Anishinabek News and the North Bay Nugget and has been featured in a number of aboriginal and mainstream newspapers across the country.

Bob is a proud member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Lodge, a traditional society of the Anishinabe (Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatami) people. He is a warrior and a strong advocate for the retention and proliferation of the Anishinabek language and culture. He has held the portfolio for Language and Culture for Nipissing First Nation and has worked tirelessly on the Nipissing Pow-Wow committee for over 12 years.  He is an accomplished pow-wow emcee and avid pow-wow singer.

He has served on the Board of Directors of the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF). In November 2002, as a part of the OCF’s restructuring effort, Goulais was elected as Chairperson by the Lake Huron regional Chiefs. He has led the OCFs effort in the implementation of a business plan, maximizing the business opportunities in tourism, as well as the capital fundraising and refinancing of the OCF’s new building in M’Chigeeng (West Bay) First Nation.

In November 2005, Goulais was recognized with an Appreciation Award by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for his efforts in increasing awareness of diabetes, his dedication of corporate recruitment and effective fundraising.  Goulais, a type-2 diabetic has served as the Corporate Chair for JDRF Nipissing District for an unprecedented three years during which time they raised over $250,000.00.

Goulais also sits on the Executive for the Nipissing-Temiscaming Federal Liberal Association and is strong organizer for the Liberal Party of Canada and the LPC's Aboriginal Peoples Commission.

Bob Goulais lives a healthy lifestyle and does not drink, smoke or do drugs.