Presenter:  Mary-Anne Kechego ‘All My Relations’ is a reminder of who we are with both our family and relatives, and the extended relationship we share with all human beings. Indigenous relationships go further than that - the web of kinship...

In this session, Social Injustice in the Court System, Tina Stevens will explore how settler colonialism began the long-standing legacy of racism and discrimination toward Indigenous peoples, discuss the --connections between the imposition of European culture and how Indigenous laws were overlooked, and explore how the removal of Indigenous people from their home territories continues to have long-lasting impacts today.  The session will also look at steps towards reconciliation that could help to correct or re-shape the injustices in the justice system.

In this session, The Impact of Residential Schools, Tracey Whiteye shares her story as an Indigenous woman and second-generation residential school Survivor who fought to regain her culture and language through the healing of Indigenous ways of knowing.

This session is full.
If you wish to be informed if this topic is offered again, please email cumana@kairoscanada.org.

The Doctrine of Discovery was a Papal decree in 1493 used as a legal and moral way to justify the colonial dispossession of Indigenous Nations of their lands and waterways, and to promote Christian domination and superiority. In this session, Tina Stevens will present how the Doctrine of Discovery has shaped Canadian laws and the treatment of Indigenous Peoples.

This session –The Importance of Indigenous Land-based Healing- is open to Indigenous registrants only. Tracey Whiteye will talk about meaningful ways to heal from the land and promote well-being within ourselves and our communities.

Throughout the 1960s, Indigenous children were forcibly removed or ‘scooped’ from their homes, communities, and families to be adopted into mostly non-Indigenous, middle-class families. Many of the Survivors were left with deep emotional and physical scars as well as loss of family and culture. In this session - The 60s Scoop -- Tracey Whiteye will describe the systemic discrimination at the heart of this government policy as well as how Survivors are regaining their cultures, languages, and identity as Indigenous peoples.

There is a fundamental difference between the principles of Eurocentric worldview colonial structures of child welfare practice and standards versus Indigenous practice of caring for Indigenous children and families. In this session, Child Welfare & Practice Standards, Tina Stevens and Tracey Whiteye will share the importance of Indigenous worldview guiding principles and values that are based on the best interest of the community – a community that includes children, families, and all the other people around the child.

In this session, Métis Teachings, Gloria Thomson will present the evolvement of the Métis as a distinct People and share the impact of that history as it affected her and her family.

For years, Indigenous people have experienced systemic racism, violence, and discrimination.  The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls brought attention to the disturbing numbers of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada. At the same time, research into violence experienced by Indigenous men shows disturbingly high numbers.  In this session, Missing & Murdered Indigenous People, Tracey Whiteye will discuss the violence faced by Indigenous people and some of the concrete ways that we can all help to stop it.

In this session, Shannen's Dream and Jordan's Principle, Tracey Whiteye will discuss the rights of Indigenous children to receive a proper education and equitable access to all government funded public services. "School is a time for dreams and every kid deserves this" were the words of Shannen Koostachin who emphasized the need to ensure that all First Nations children have the same educational opportunities as other children. This session will share the stories of Shannen and Jordan and how their lives helped to foster positive change for Indigenous children and youth.

 In this session, The Importance of Growing Gardens, Mary-Anne Kechego will talk about the importance of growing gardens as a way to remind us that all the plants that we grow can help to "sustain us in life".  The presentation will explain the relationship between sowing seeds and the cycles of the moon and will help us all to "touch the earth, plant a seed, sing nurturing songs to it... and give healing to our spirit".