Its been a week since the conference has completed itself. As everyone journeyed and left the day of, I wanted to make sure to touch base and say thank you to each and everyone who attended. The sharing of knowledge was rich and many new and old ways were shared. I kept hearing how we need to do more of this. This seems to be common in the professional development that I have offered is the need to do more. As hugs were given, pictures taken, moments documented with iphones. Presentations shared. The much work that goes into events, sort of reminds me of the amount of time when preparing a feast. You want to bring your personal best. Then as the presentation happens, and the digest occurs of knowledge, it is soon done. So what than do we capture? How then do we proceed? I took videos of the Regional Chief’s speech which I will share here on my page, and I did take other photos which I did share to Instagram, and some to Twitter. I will be taking some time to go back in and gather up the main themes so that they can be built on. From each speaker I am going to compile one main idea that I remember from their presentation and speech;
Hal EagleTail: Opening & Closing, is important as it grounds and offers the prayers and spiritual guidance.
Chief Lee Crowchild: One theme on kinship and how important this is as well as acceptance and in building relationships, especially in thinking about the far reaching relationships that our children and grand children will have. The importance of recognizing relationality.
Chief RoseAnne Archibald: Speaking to many themes, what did stand out is the importance of Diversity in leadership and in valuing all the ways leaderships is expressed. Also that bringing the spirit of heart centred leadership allows for an open exchange.
Noella (Little Mustache) Wells spoke the importance of Elder respect, and protocols when asking for their expertise, and in this case, with post secondary institutes. Much clarity around the significance of Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the work to support learners, and in building good spaces in institutions to foster and support reconciliation, leadership and respect.
Gerald Ratt Ai’ssoo spoke on leadership and how youth are lacking and that youth are needing this care, attention and support. Gerald’s multi tiered presentation spoke to this succinctly which included youth he has worked with across the country whom he included in on his presentation.
Elections Canada was interactive and shared historical narratives of the vote, and also included interactive activities, which got us all moving and experiencing what this process feels like. As well they drew up a mock vote, where we all voted upon priorities: ours included- including the TRC in curriculum, housing.. for example.
Crystal Manyfingers & Darmondy Mumford delivered their presentation on how culturally relevant teaching has impacted their learners in a positive way sharing how they use space and Land within the City of Calgary, in this case, Fort Calgary, and in teaching Math to learners and using the theme of building a tipi. Inspiring to hear!
Christina Fox Iixsisaanoowa shared from her story and book which she is writing and talked about her experiences growing up and the impacts of the IRS on her life. She shared her life experience so honestly and kindly, as well as beautiful art which she designed. So much detail and expressions.
I shared how she draws from Indigenous Methodologies to build her work and what this looks like on an entrepreneur side of things.
Russelle Burns shared on her perspectives from the Awotaan Healing Lodge and how they provide programming for youth that is rooted in cultural knowledge.
This brief overview is a simple acknowledgement of the hard work. I will be compiling a report, as well as asking for copies of presentations to be shared.
Thank you!
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