Bazile (buzz-eel) Panek (pawn-ek)

Bazile Panek is a proud member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, born and raised on the Red Cliff reservation. With a deep connection to his culture, Bazile regularly attends ceremonies and cultural events to honor his ancestors and community. Bazile recently graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Native American Studies. During his time at NMU, he served as President of the Native American Student Association and Student Representative on the President’s Committee on Diversity. Bazile also played a key role in advocating for the official recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day by the university. Today, Bazile is an Indigenous Consultant for the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). In his role with ITEP, Bazile provides technical and facilitation support for Tribes and Climate Change Program (TCCP), and is responsible for the facilitation of the second iteration of the Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) report which will be focused on honoring Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Bazile's passion for sharing Indigenous knowledge has led him to consult and speak with numerous organizations, governmental agencies, colleges & universities, and companies across the nation. He is a sought-after speaker on topics such as decolonization, Indigenous knowledge, and cultural revitalization. Bazile's guiding philosophy in life is to "honor my ancestors and those who came before me, honor my people here today, and become an honorable ancestor for future generations." With his deep roots in his culture and his commitment to making a positive impact, Bazile is a true leader and advocate for his community.