What to Expect at OMSSA's Defining Pathways to Reconciliation Forum
Members attending OMSSA's Defining Pathways to Reconciliation Forum should keep the following in mind as you participate in the Forum next week:
- You will receive invitations to one or both days that includes session and program information. Please refer to your invitation(s) to access Forum sessions.
- The Forum will open with a reflection from Elder Shirley Horn, former Chancellor of Algoma University and residential school survivor.
- During our opening and closing sessions, Indigenous leaders will assess the current state of Reconciliation and pinpoint what steps municipal social services leaders and staff can take to contribute to systemic change that will markedly benefit Indigenous Peoples and communities within ten years.
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If you have any technical difficulties accessing a session, audio and/or video issues, please refer to our Troubleshooting Guide.
It's not too late to register for the Forum! Click on the buttons to the right to register for the Forum and see our program. Scroll down to see speaker and program highlights.
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October 20-21
Virtual Forum
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OMSSA is pleased to offer members an outstanding lineup of speakers for our Defining Pathways to Reconciliation Forum on October 20th and 21st. To learn more about each speaker, please visit our Speakers webpage.
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Photo courtesy of Algoma University |
Shirley co-founded the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association in 1981, an organization that has been a leader on the national level about the issue of residential schools. Horn was Chief of her own community, the Missanabie Cree First Nation for 10 years, and has also been a member of the Missanabie Cree Elders’ Council.
When Shirley was five years old, she was taken from her home and sent to St. John’s Indian Residential School. Two years later, she was transferred to Shingwauk Indian Residential School where she remained for six years, once attempting an escape when she was 11 years old.
In 2005, she returned to the site of Shingwauk – now home to Algoma University – on her own terms to enrol in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program. Six years after graduating with honours, Shirley returned once again to the site of Shingwauk Indian Residential School, this time as the first ever chancellor of Algoma University.
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Jessica Anderson
Executive Director, North Hastings Children's Services
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Chantelle Bryson
Municipal and Indigenous Lawyer
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Chief Laurie Carr
Hiawatha First Nations
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Isadore Day
Chief Executive Officer, Bimaadzwin
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Jennifer Dockstader
Executive Director, Fort Erie Friendship Centre & OFIFC President
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Ken Doherty
Principal Consultant, Our Heritage Consulting
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Shelly Hill, MA Lead
Six Nations, Ontario, Manager, Indigenous Relations, City of Hamilton
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Justin Marchand
Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services
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Micheal Miller
Executive Director, Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario
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Benjamin Murray
Co-Founder, Earthling Art Collective
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Trish Nadjiwon Meekins, MSW RSW CYW CCH
Cross-cultural Educator, Human Resources Consultant, Social Worker
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Suzanne Obiorah
Director, Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development, City of Ottawa
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Ada Tinney
Elder, North Hastings Children's Services
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Henry Wall
OMSSA Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Kenora District Services Board
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Additional Forum speakers not pictured above include:
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Joanne Isaac, Manager, Community and Labour Market, Toronto Employment and Social Services, City of Toronto
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Keith McCrady, Executive Director, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations
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Gertie Mai Muise, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
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Tim Ominika, Community Based Researcher, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
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Sarah Stevenson, Director, Integrated Social Services, Kenora District Services Board
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Staci Williams, Training Associate Manager, Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association
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Trauma informed care requires an understanding of an individual‘s past, and present conditions, their environment, and appropriate supports available when collaborating a care plan with an individual.
Attendees can expect conversations connecting Canada‘s history of colonialism and racism to the trauma symptoms Indigenous communities, families and individuals experience today. Best practices and culturally appropriate resources and supports will be shared for those who wish to incorporate inclusive programming that is reflective of Indigenous needs, values and realities.
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OMSSA and the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) have partnered to offer the OFIFC’s new training specifically designed for municipalities on October 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Register soon because space is limited to 20 members.
Please note: no attendee substitutions can be made after October 5.
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