4th Annual Truth and Reconciliation Gathering
TĀNITA ĀSĀY Ē-ITĀHĀK | WHERE ARE WE NOW?
March 3 & 4, 2020
THOMPSON REGIONAL COMMUNITY CENTRE
The University College of the North is pleased to host the 4th Annual Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Gathering – “Where Are We Now” on March 3 & 4, 2020 at the Thompson Regional Community Centre. The TRC Gathering will host regional dialogues to discuss and build student and educators capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.
Since 2015, the Canadian Government, educational institutions, community organizations and Canadians have worked to repair the harm caused by residential schools, but unfortunately work is still needing to be done. The TRC Gathering will focus on the current state of the five categories of the calls to action; child welfare, education, language and culture, health and justice as they pertain to the work within UCN, the communities, Manitoba and Canada. Attendees of the Gathering will gain an understanding of the current state and the actions needed to move forward in a positive direction.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Secondary and post-secondary students
Teachers, instructors, faculty, administrators
Business community
Community organizations
Residential school survivors
General public
UCN staff and students
Registration
Registration information is required for each attendee. If you require assistance registering, please contact Sheri Domenico at 204-257-5205 or sheri@plannersplus.ca. A printed form is available for download below.
UCN TRC Conference
c/o Planners Plus Inc.
106 – 475 Provencher Blvd
Winnipeg, MB R2J 4A7
Telephone: 204 257 5205
Fax: 204 255 2523
Email: sheri@plannersplus.ca
Program
DAY ONE: MARCH 3, 2020
7:30 AM
Pipe Ceremony
Elder Marie Ballantyne
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Registration & Light Breakfast
8:45 – 9:30 AM
Grand Entry & Opening Remarks
Elder Jimmy Hunter-Spence
Emcee: Ken Bighetty
9:30 – 10:30 AM
Keynote Address
IF IT’S EASY, IT’S NOT RECONCILIATION: SUBSTANTIVE RECONCILIATION IN UNIVERSITIES
Pam Palmater, Mi’kmag Lawyer
10:30 – 10:45 AM
Health Break
10:45 – 11:15 AM
Keynote Q & A
Pam Palmater, Mi’kmaq Lawyer
Moderator: Ken Bighetty
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Session #1
CAN WE GET RECONCILIATION WITHOUT THE TRUTH?
Kevin Lamoureux
12:15 – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM
Session #2
MISSING AND MURDER INDIGNEOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS FINAL REPORT ACTIONS
Hilda Anderson-Pryz, MKO
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Session #3
ELDERS ROUND CIRCLE – TRUTH OF DAY SCHOOL EXPERIENCES
Elder Jimmy Hunter-Spence
Elder Marie Ballantyne
Elder Adam Nagle
Moderator:
Dr. Jennie Wastesicoot
3:00 – 3:15 PM
Health Break
3:15 – 3:55 PM
Session #4
USING INDIGENOUS STORYTELLING FOR ACHIEVING RECONCILIATION
Elder Stella Neff
3:55 – 4:00 PM
Day One Closing
Elder Nick Halcrow
DAY TWO: MARCH 4, 2020
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Light Breakfast
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Opening Prayer
Elder Nick Halcrow
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Session #5
NORTHERN AUTHORITY CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
Ron Ranville, Executive Director
10:30 – 10:45 PM
Health Break
10:45 – 12:15 PM
Session #6
EDUCATION PANEL – OUR TRC PROGRAMS
Lorie Henderson, Mystery Lake
Don McCaskill, Frontier
Moderator: Niigaan Sinclair
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 PM
Closing Address
Niigaan Sinclair, Assistant Professor, Native Studies, U of M
2:15 – 3:00 PM
Closing Prayer
Elder Martha Spence
Speakers
BIO
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and an Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba.
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He is an award-winning writer, editor and activist who was named one of Monocle Magazine‘s “Canada’s Top 20 Most Influential People” and he won the 2018 Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press. In 2019 he won Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He has written national curriculums for Indspire and the Assembly of First Nations and is a former secondary school teacher who has trained educators and students across Canada.
BIO
Dr. Pam Palmater is a Mi’kmaw lawyer, professor, author, and social justice activist from Eel River Bar First Nation in New Brunswick.
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She has four university degrees, including a BA from St. Thomas in Native Studies; an LLB from University of New Brunswick, and her Masters and Doctorate in Law from Dalhousie University specializing in Indigenous law. She currently holds the position of Professor and Chair in Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University.
A practicing lawyer for 20 years, Pam has been volunteering and working in First Nation issues for over 25 years on a wide range of issues like socio-economic conditions, Aboriginal and treaty rights, and legislation impacting First Nations.
Pam is a well-known public speaker and media commentator – considered one of Canada’s Top 25 Influential Movers and Shakers by the Financial Post and the Top 5 Most Influential Lawyer in Human Rights by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. She has been recognized with many awards for her social justice advocacy on behalf of First Nations generally, and Indigenous women and children specifically, including the 2012 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Social Justice, 2012 Women’s Courage Award in Social Justice, and the Margaret Mead Award in Social Justice 2016, to name a few.
BIO
Don McCaskill, B.A, B.Ed., M.Ed. has be an educator for over 25 years with Frontier School Division.
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He has taught music, language arts, French and social studies. He has coordinated Frontier’s Work Education Program, Home Placement Program and the PENT Teacher Education Program. As Assistant Superintendent of Career Studies and High School programs, he over saw the development of the Northern Regional Gardening Program, Technical Vocational Program, Expanded Options Program, Career X and Engaged Learners Program in Egg Lake. For the last 7 years he has served as the Area 1 Superintendent supporting schools in Gillam, Lynn Lake, Brochet, Leaf Rapids, South Indian Lake, Cross Lake, Wabowden, Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage and Ilford. He has sat on a number of boards including the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, Manitoba Red Cross Advisory Committee, and the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling. He enjoys spending time with partner and two dogs and travelling the world in is free time.
BIO
Lorie has been a student, teacher, vice-principal, principal, and assistant superintendent in the district.
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Academic and social success is a priority for Lorie and she has been involved in a cultural proficiency journey with the district for the last nine years. Lorie’s interests lies in people’s stories, corrective history and creating equity for all people. Indigenous education has been a focus of the district with a strong commitment from staff, students and community. The district philosophy on Indigenous education is it is inclusive, corrective, respectful and benefits all students.
BIO
Stella Neff is a Cree Elder from the Misipawistik Cree Nation, Grand Rapids, MB.
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She has had two careers, one as a practical nurse at Winnipeg General Hospital and the Manitoba Rehabilitation Hospital. She attended Brandon University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Education in Educational Administration. Stella received a Principal’s Certificate from the Department of Education.
Stella is currently retired having worked in many areas of education that included English Language Enrichment Consultant (Swan Valley School Division), Principal, Cree Language Coordinator, and classroom teacher at most levels (Easterville). Stella also worked at the Brandon University as Student Coordinator for the PENT program. She has served on many committees and boards including the Swan River Indian and Métis Friendship Center, Association for Community Living, Chair of the Fetal Alcohol/Fetal Effects Steering Committee, Parkland Mental Health Council, and the Manitoba Teacher’s Society for Equality in Education. Currently, Stella is a member of the Premier’s Advisory Council on Poverty, Education, and Citizenship. Stella is also the current Chair for the UCN Council of Elders. She continues to work at Grand Rapids as an Elder Advisor.
BIO
Kevin Lamoureux is a Faculty member at the University of Winnipeg and a well-known public speaker.
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He has served as Associate Vice President for the University of Winnipeg, Education Lead for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and as Scholar in Residence for several school divisions. Lamoureux is an award winning scholar with an impressive publication and research grant record, and has consulted for governments, organizations and institutions across Canada. His most recent book contribution, for Ensouling Our Schools with Dr. Jennifer Katz, is being used by educators across Canada working to create inclusive spaces for all students. He has been seen on TV, in documentaries, in print, and in the media. More than anything, Lamoureux is committed to reconciliation and contributing to an even better Canada for all children to grow up in.
BIO
Ken Bighetty comes from Pukatawagan and serves as a Cultural Facilitator for Jordan’s Principal at Keewatin Tribal Council. He has previously worked as a Community Wellness Worker.
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In the early 1990’s, Ken opened a drop-in centre in Pukatawagan. This idea was born when Ken was 12 and walked into -28 weather with nowhere to go. He told himself, “When I grow up I’m opening a drop in, but I have to graduate first.”
After high school, Ken opened with a program for youth called Jr Chief and Council. They had 140 junior councilors and the crime rate dropped from 77 young offenders to only 19 the next year. He presented the program at a National Youth Conference after beating out seven aboriginal groups across Canada.
In 2004, Ken finished his BA from the University of Winnipeg. He has volunteered and worked in many capacities both locally on and off his reserve. He worked for Mathias Colomb Cree Nation, UCN, Uof W, youth at risk, and emceed many events. He is an avid collector of legends and stories from many elders across Canada and follows the Red Road.
BIO
Jimmy was born at Nisichawayasihk, one of 8 children. As a young boy, he chopped wood and carried water, always making sure there was enough for the next day.
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After attending Birtle Residential School and a General Electrical course at Red River College, Jimmy went to work for Manitoba Telephone System He retired after 27 years. Now he enjoys spending time outdoors, doing his part to help carry on the traditions and language of his people. He is a member of the Elders’ Council at University College of the North.
BIO
Nick was born at Pimicikamak and has lived there most of his life. As a young boy, Nick lived a nomadic trapping and fishing lifestyle with his parents.
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In 1945, he was sent to residential school and left after Grade 9 to go back to trapping with his father. He was a trapper until he was 65 years old and has been a cultural teacher since. He sits on the Elders’ Council at University College of the North. He has always made sure his life reflected the teachings of his parents; to live by the Seven Sacred Teachings and to respect the land.
BIO
Ron Ranville is a member of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, where he was raised until the age of 18. He currently works for the First Nations of Northern Manitoba Child and Family Services Authority as the Associate Chief Executive Officer.
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Ron started working in the child welfare system in 2000, a field that was not his first choice, but after two years it stuck with him. Ron holds a university degree, with a major in Indigenous Learning, from Lakehead University. Ron started his career as a youth counselor where he worked in Group Homes in Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. In the early 1990’s, he worked for Dilico Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center located on the Fort William Reserve, Ontario. Prior to becoming the Associate CEO of the Norther Authority, he spent 9.5 years as the Executive Director of Opaskwayak Cree Nation Child and Family Services (OCNCFS). He is most proud in building capacity and developing employment opportunities for the community, in addition, training and retaining employees in the North. Ron’s passion is working with youth and adults struggling with addictions.