Lead by Example
Being the teammate and leader others can count on. Suited to: team performance, leadership, accountability.
Indigenous Motivational & Keynote Speaker
Carlin Nordstrom
Former Professional Hockey Player
Founder of Kisik Youth Wellness and Kisik Pathways to Success
Professional Hockey
10 Years Youth Wellness & Land-Based Camps
Presentations Across 5 Provinces
Pathways to Success: Year 5
Carlin's Story
Transforming Struggle to Success
I speak from life experience and from the heart. I have a great passion for inspiring others with my story of overcoming adversity and achieving success.
I'm a member of the Poundmaker First Nation. I grew up in Warman, Saskatchewan playing in their minor hockey system, battling through racism as the only First Nations player on my team.
From the Saskatchewan Junior hockey league to a scholarship to Western Michigan University and NCAA Division 1 Hockey, I was promoted to assistant captain followed by a 4 year professional hockey career, the highlight being 2 games with the Ottawa Senators.
Leadership & Corporate Keynotes
Practical belief, resilience, and leadership
Carlin brings the lessons of professional hockey, leadership, perseverance and community leadership into practical keynote presentations for today's teams and organizations.
Build Belief
Setting goals, building confidence and taking responsibility for your own path. Suited to: personal responsibility, workplace culture.
Persevere & Adapt
Learning from setbacks, responding to change and continuing forward when things don't go as planned. Suited to: resilience, change.
Help Others Succeed
"Your success is not my failure." Suited to: collaboration, supporting others, building high-performing teams.
Who Carlin Speaks To
Audiences ready to move forward
Carlin speaks to Indigenous and community audiences and to corporate and professional audiences.
- Corporate organizations
- Leadership teams
- Conferences
- Industry associations
- Government organizations
- First Nations organizations
- Schools and school divisions
- Universities and colleges
- Youth organizations
- Community organizations
- Sports organizations
- Employee and professional development events
Why Choose Carlin
Experience, personalization, and accountability
Experience & Expertise
Four years of professional hockey, including two games with the Ottawa Senators, after an NCAA Division 1 career at Western Michigan where he was an assistant captain. Carlin has led youth wellness and land-based camps, founded Kisik Pathways to Success, and presented across five provinces.
Personalized Approach
No two audiences are the same. Before every event, Carlin talks with you about your goals, theme, audience and requirements so the message fits your group.
Support & Accountability
Carlin has been the teammate and the captain, and he talks about both. He works with you through preparation and promotion.
Founder
Kisik Youth Wellness
Carlin founded Kisik Youth Wellness, which has run youth wellness and land-based camps for 10 years. The work centres on mentorship, leadership, confidence, healthy living and community.
10
Years Youth Wellness & Land-Based Camps
Land-based wellness camps in northern Saskatchewan combining wilderness training, cultural healing, fishing, archery, and community building for Indigenous and at-risk youth.
Founder
Kisik Pathways to Success
Carlin founded Kisik Pathways to Success, now in its fifth year. It focuses on career and leadership development and connects youth with opportunity through industry leaders.
Kisik Pathways to Success works with SaskPower, K+S, Nutrien and Cameco.
Speaking Across Canada
Five provinces. One message of belief.
Keynote Topics
Bring a message that moves people forward
Overcoming Adversity: Turning Setbacks Into Strength
Carlin shares his journey from facing racism in minor hockey to earning an NCAA Division I scholarship and playing professional hockey, showing audiences how to respond to setbacks and keep moving toward their goals.
Explore keynotes →Lead Like a Teammate: Leadership, Accountability & Team Culture
Carlin brings lessons from professional hockey and community leadership into a practical message about trust, accountability, and helping others succeed — built for teams that want stronger culture, collaboration, and performance.
Explore keynotes →Build Belief: Goal-Setting, Confidence & Taking Ownership
Carlin helps audiences move from uncertainty to action, connecting goal-setting, self-belief, and personal responsibility to real steps people can take toward education, career, athletics, or community leadership.
Explore keynotes →Your Next Shift
Coming soon
Carlin is writing a book, Your Next Shift. Details coming soon.
How to Book Carlin
A clear path from first conversation to event day
01
Submit an Inquiry
Tell us about your organization, event and audience.
02
Discuss Your Event
Carlin will discuss the event goals, audience, theme, date and requirements.
03
Customize the Presentation
The keynote or presentation is aligned with your organization's goals and audience.
04
Confirm & Prepare
Finalize the engagement and prepare for the event.
Book Carlin to Speak
Bring Carlin to your event
Tell us about your organization, event and audience.
Prefer to call? (306) 716-5761
Companies that have sponsored Carlin's Keynotes and Initiatives