This series is about creating hope for advancing reconciliation. “In moments when we stagger and begin to doubt the worthiness of our mission, hope pulls us through. Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way out.” (Dr. Judith Rich) Hope Is Greater than Optimism. While an optimist is a person who is generally hopeful even the most pessimistic person can still be hopeful about something. Hope is a process. Hope links your past and present to the future. Hope is very specific and focused, “To be hopeful involves motivation, planning, and determination to get what one hopes.” Hope puts YOU in control. (Dr. Valerie Maholmes)
Session 1: [May 17, 3:30-4:30 pm] Kevin John: Truth, Hope, and Trust – The Foundations of Reconciliation...This presentation will highlight the challenges and importance of Truth on our paths to Reconciliation and cast a wide net of safety over our vulnerabilities, while offering listeners a renewed sense of Hope, and Trust, regardless of where you are on your Reconciliation Journey.
Session 2:[May 18, 3:30-4:30 pm] Dr. Kevin Lewis: Reconciliation Through the Power of Language and Land Based Camps. The call of the wild seems to have increased in these times of isolation and COVID measures. In this session, Dr. Lewis will go through ideas, programs and land based activities that could possibly motivate people to venture out into our forests, to the rivers, lakes and streams. There are so many beautiful places in Canada. These activities will be braiding reconciliation, Indigenous Languages and Land Based programming.
Session 3: [May 19, 3:30-4:30 pm] Jenny Thomson & Clifford Cardinal: Open Source Students - Open Hearts, Open Eyes, and Open Minds. This is the story of a student lead journey towards understanding Reconciliation. It is a journey that has been facilitated by a non-Indigenous teacher and administration who didn't have all the answers the students were asking. How does one n teach reconciliation in a truly meaningful and impactful way when coming from a small rural community that is primarily non-Indigenous? Our guiding question has always been, “What does it mean when we say that we are all Treaty people”, and this question, along with allowing the students to lead their learning is what has led us on a very unique and fulfilling school experience in understanding that Reconciliation is possible and that the students hold the key to positive change.
Session 4: [May 20, 3:30-4:30 pm] Rhett Sangster: The Heart of Treaty Six Reconciliation Committee: Nurturing Hope by Forging Local Community Partnerships. Based on the Saskatchewan Office of the Treaty Commissioner’s Visionary framework for Truth and Reconciliation, the Heart of Treaty 6 Reconciliation Committee began when a group of individuals, community-based organizations, governments, and businesses from Onion Lake Cree Nation, Lloydminster, Frog Lake First Nation, and Poundmaker Cree Nation came together, discussing Reconciliation and what the Calls to Action can look like in the North West of Saskatchewan. Since December 2016 this diverse group has grown to over 50 individual and organizational members offering a powerful model for expanding community-based reconciliation engagement.