Workshops

Cultivating Safe Spaces

Facilitated by Elaine Alec

The framework includes 3 areas of understanding to support cultivating safe spaces: the four necessary conditions for cultivating safe spaces, the four protocols for cultivating safe spaces, and understanding the four perspectives for cultivating safe spaces.

Cultivating Safe Spaces is a worldview shifting framework that was developed to empower individuals who may be struggling to understand what decolonization and reconciliation looks like.  

This training takes participants from a place of insecurity and overwhelm to a state of focus and empowerment and enhances their ability to communicate effectively and make valuable contributions to the ongoing transformation of systems.

Elaine Alec is from the Syilx (Okanagan) Nation and Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation and is a member of the Penticton Indian Band in the Interior of British Columbia. She has been a political advisor, Chief of Staff for the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, Community Planner for her own First Nation, employee for the Province of BC and Federal Government and Entrepreneur. Elaine has spent over 20 years in over 100 communities across Canada to promote healing and wellness. She is the CEO and Founder of Naqsmist Storytellers Inc. Elaine is a first-time author of “Calling My Spirit Back” a memoir about growing up as an Indigenous girl in Canada and the impacts of colonization. It also provides Indigenous knowledge, teachings on how to cultivate safe spaces for diversity and inclusion.

Indigenous Trauma & Equity Informed Practice

Facilitated by Len Pierre

The course aims at expanding our social perceptions on the missing context not usually covered in other ‘trauma-informed’ workshops. It centers Indigenous perspectives on the change required to go beyond being “informed” and to move towards culturally safer and equity-oriented organizations and services. 

Main learning outcomes: 

• Explore the relationship between colonialism, state violence against Indigenous peoples, and Indigenous-specific trauma today 
• Identifying common trauma-responses in the workplace environment 
• Assembling list of strategies to respond to trauma in a culturally safe way 
• Embedding equity-oriented approaches to working with Indigenous peoples

Len Pierre is Coast Salish from Katzie (kate-zee) First Nation. Len is an award winning entrepreneur, professor, consultant, TEDx Speaker, social activist, change agent, & traditional knowledge sharer. He specializes in the development of educational programs and services with decolonization and reconciliation as its core values. Len holds a Masters degree in Education from Simon Fraser University focusing on Indigenous curriculum and instructional design. His experience includes Indigenous education and program leadership from various organizations across colonial Canada. He comes to us with an open heart and open mind, and hopes to be received in the same way. 

An Introduction to Non-Violent Communication

Facilitated by Rachelle Lamb

Nonviolent Communication is a communication process that has been used worldwide to effectively resolve conflict. Developed by international peacemaker Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, the 4 step process provides concrete linguistic tools that support honest and compassionate communication founded on astute observations into human nature and relating. Put into practice, NVC helps people avoid falling into destructive cycles of blame and criticism by directing their attention to the essential needs that govern people’s words and actions. In both personal and professional relationships, NVC provides a reliable map to support optimal human relating that ultimately strengthens and nourishes relationships. 

Rachelle Lamb is a recognized speaker, relationship coach and Nonviolent Communication℠ trainer. She brings an earthy, practical yet innovative wisdom to her work curated over decades of study drawing from cultural anthropology, psychology, history, mythology, poetry, storytelling and deep ecology. Her synthesis of these disciplines provides a rich and fertile scaffolding for transformational dialogue and consistently produces powerful learning experiences for individuals and audiences who cite the learning as profound and life-changing.  

Kizhe Ininwag: Being a Kind Man

Facilitated by Bob Goulais

 This engaging session will explore Anishinaabe worldview related to men’s teachings invoking the Sun, fire, the four directions and men’s roles emphasizing kindness, gentleness and a life’s work dedicated to family, community, and Creation around us. 

Meeting the Moment We’re In As Men

Facilitated by Jeff Perera