Photos by Rick Magnell: Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society Art Camp, Riske Creek/ Williams Lake Summer 2016. See: LINK

From President’s Dream Colloquium on Returning to the Teachings: Justice, Identity and Belonging:

“Justice, identity and belonging are central indicators of health and well-being. Founded on the ideal of a pluralistic society, Canada faces significant equity challenges in upholding the health and well-being of a diverse range of social groups.

This is particularly true for First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, who face disproportionate challenges within Canada’s education, health, economic, environmental and justice systems. These institutional pillars tragically have failed to serve the Indigenous Peoples of this land, for by holding up the State, the strength of these institutional pillars has weakened the cultural and relational roots of ancient worldviews, wisdoms and traditional societies.

Through ceremony, public lectures and dialogue, this President’s Dream Colloquium will cultivate an ecology for “a new way forward.” The intention is to create a rich experience of knowledge mobilization, diverse community engagement and capacity building for a new vision. The colloquium is born out of our right to dream for the rights of future generations, and for us to reimagine and enact a new reality for them.

Confirmed Speakers

• Chief Robert Joseph, OBC, Hereditary Chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation, Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada, and Special Advisor to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Chief Robert Joseph will be delivering the opening address on Thursday September 8, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Award-winning visual contemporary Haida artist, author, and professional speaker. Thursday, September 22, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• Wab Kinew, MLA for Fort Rouge in Manitoba, author, musician, broadcaster, Aboriginal leader. Thursday, September 29, 7–9 pm in downtown Vancouver.Reservations will open soon.
• Manulani Aluli-Meyer, EdD, Professor of Education at the University of Hawaii, Indigenous Epistemologist. Thursday October 13, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• Stephen Reicher, PhD, Wardlaw Professor, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews. Thursday, October 27, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• Rupert Ross, QC, retired assistant Crown Attorney for the District of Kenora, Ontario, author, recipient of a National Prosecution Award for Humanitarianism. Thursday November 3, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• Jennifer Llewellyn, Professor of Law; Viscount Bennett Professor of Law, Dalhousie University. Thursday November 10, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• John Borrows, PhD, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law; Nexen Chair in Indigenous Leadership, University of Victoria. Thursday November 17, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.
• Wade Davis, PhD, Professor of Anthropology and the BC Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia. Thursday, November 24, 2016, 3:30–5:30 pm. Please reserve your seats online.

Check out Vancouver Sun:

Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, O.B.C. is a hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation near Alert Bay and a co-founder of Reconciliation Canada. HANDOUT/ PNG

“As a young man, Robert Joseph, one of the hereditary chiefs of the Gwawaenuk First Nation near Alert Bay, found himself in the depths of despair — until an epiphany changed his life. Today, he is a noted First Nations leader who co-founded Reconciliation Canada…” Read more: VANCOUVER SUN