John R. Sylliboy
John R. Sylliboy is a Mi’kmaw leader from Millbrook First Nation whose work bridges community advocacy, health research, and post-secondary education. As a co-founder of the Wabanaki Two-Spirit Alliance, Sylliboy has advanced support and visibility for Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQIA+ communities across Atlantic Canada. In 2025, Sylliboy was appointed Dalhousie University’s first Vice-Provost, Indigenous Relations. Sylliboy also serves as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee co-chair at the Chronic Pain Network (CPN-KMIS). Sylliboy has also worked with the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Secretariat (APCFNC) as coordinator of Aboriginal Health Human Resources Initiative (AHHRI).
In the media, Sylliboy was featured on the podcast A Day To Listen (A Conversation with John R Sylliboy) and interviewed by Scott Neigh on Talking Radical Radio. Sylliboy was cast as Mother Mary in the film Wildhood (2021), and also served as cultural and language consultant.
At the 2021 Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) Summit, Sylliboy was a panelist for Elders and Knowledge Keepers. Additionally, was a panelist for the discussion on Initiatives to Address Violence Against Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People, part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Education
John Sylliboy received a Bachelors Degree in International Relations from Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica and a Master of Education in Educational Foundations from Mount Saint Vincent University. At Mount Saint Vincent University, Sylliboy was the first student to defend a thesis in Mi’kmaq and English and the first Indigenous representative to hold the dedicated Senate seat at the university. In 2021, Sylliboy received the Kausattumi Grants Program Graduate Scholarship Award at McGill University.
Published works
Sylliboy's research has been featured in the Canadian Journal of Indigenous Studies, Paediatr Neonatal Pain, PAIN Reports, International Journal of Circumpolar Health, Global Public Health, the Canadian Journal of Native Studies, the Canadian Medical Association Journal and more.