Friday, August 15
7 - 8 am: Pipe Ceremony, MacEwan Hall, ground floor
8 - 9 am: Breakfast, MacEwan Hall, ground floor
9 - 10 am: Plenary Talk, MacEwan Hall, ground floor
Re-centering children as the heart of our communities: Drawing on the past, balancing the present, looking toward the future
Children have a central role within Indigenous societies. As sacred beings they are at the heart of families and communities. Colonial powers deliberately targeted children to destroy Indigenous Peoples, often employing social workers to implement policies that disrupted families. While these actions damaged our heart, Indigenous teachings offer guidance for how to honor and wrap our children in circles of care to restore our balance. This presentation will share reflections on the past including traditional understandings of children in Indigenous families and the on-going impact of colonial disruptions on Indigenous families and communities. The presentation will conclude with thoughts on how we can move forward in a positive way, insuring the wellbeing of children and the future of Indigenous Peoples, with particular attention to roles for social workers.
10 - 10:30 am: Break, MacEwan Hall, ground floor
10:30 am - 12 pm: Report Back & Closing Remarks, MacEwan Hall, ground floor
12 - 1 pm: Snack, MacEwan Hall, ground floor
Supported by
