Nearly 500 people gather at a conference in Saskatoon to improve Aboriginal engagement in their communities. Photo by Joel Willick.
Leaders from all sectors gathered in Saskatoon this week looking at ways to improve Aboriginal engagement and inclusion in their communities.
The Wicihitowin Aboriginal Engagement Conference is designed to bring together experts and leaders to take action on Improving Aboriginal engagment and inclusion.
The conference has nearly doubled in size since it first began three years ago. The first conference saw 275 registrants while this year over 500 people are in attendance.
This year’s conference has adopted the theme ‘Reconcili-ACTION’ and is focusing on how individuals and organizations can respond to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations for the City of Saskatoon, says organizers looked to the Calls to Action as their playbook when designing the conference.
“How do we implement these Calls to Action and what can I do as an individual to play that role,” said Dorval.
For some survivors of Indian Residential schools in attendance looking to the TRC Calls to Action is vital for change.
“Wîcihitowin is a safe place for people to come together to discuss reconciliation, the TRC’s Calls to Action, and for people to better understand the dark chapter of our history, “says Judy Pelly, Elder and residential school survivor. “We must work together as a community to discuss these sensitive issues, and find new solutions and ways of promoting true reconciliation.”
The two-day conference will feature keynote addresses along with panel sessions on how youth, faith groups and businesses can answer the TRC Calls to Action.
One session will be a special Mayor’s Panel on Reconciliation featuring mayors from Saskatoon, Regina, Elbow and Warman.
“I am pleased to participate in the Mayor’s Panel on Reconcilaiton, which provides the opportunity ti bridge the community work being done in Regina to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commision’s Calls to Action, with work being done in communities across Saskatchewan,” said Regina Mayor Michael Fougere.
For Gilles Dorval, the conference is about changing the status quo.
“We have to ensure a better quality of life for all people and we want to make the changes to make sure the Aboriginal community has a better quality of life,” said Dorval.
Wîcihitowin is a Cree/Saulteaux word for “helping each other” or “working together.”
The conference will wrap-up on Thursday.