2016 National Mental Health Conference

Transcription

1 2016 National Conference 6 th Annual National Conference Promoting the Journey to Healing: In Aboriginal Communities In the Criminal Justice System & Within Society Today VICTORIA INN & CONVENTION CENTRE WINNIPEG, MANITOBA MARCH 16 18, 2016 PROUD INITIATIVE OF:

2 Conference Management Information Conference Website: W. Zarchikoff & Associates Contact Bill Zarchikoff, President W. Zarchikoff & Associates Co-Conference Manager Address #112, A Ave Langley, BC V3A 0C4 Phone (604) Toll-free: Fax (604) Rebecca Marinos, Stratcom Consulting Contact Rebecca Marinos President, Stratcom Consulting Co-Conference Manager Certified Leadership Coach & Communications Consultant Address 2781 Ridgeway Ave San Bruno, CA Phone (650) Fax (650) Charity Information Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba MOOD DISORDERS ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA Is a not for profit organization dedicated towards the education, support and advocacy of people affected by a mood disorders. The charitable registration number is RR0001. Contact Tara Brousseau Snider Executive Director TaraS@mooddisordersmanitoba.ca Address 4 Fort St., Suite 100 Winnipeg, MB R3C 1C4 Phone (204) or Toll-Free 1(800) Fax (204) Due to circumstances beyond our control the conference program may have changed without notice. Everything possible has been done to provide equivalent speakers and workshops if a cancellation occurred. The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Inc assumes no responsibility for such changes. National Conference

3 Conference Initiated By Conference Managed By W. Zarchikoff & Associates Stratcom Consulting National Conference

4 Conference Notes My conference goals/desired take-aways: I really must go to these sessions: Would love to go to these if possible: People I met during the conference: To follow-up on after the conference: Other thoughts: National Conference

5 Food & Refreshments Your conference registration includes all training materials, conference plenary sessions and conference break-out sessions. It also includes morning pastries & refreshments each day, coffee breaks in the mornings and afternoons, plus a hosted reception and one hosted lunch. Ask About Special Needs Have special requirements for yourself or someone on your team? Come to Bill Zarchikoff, Rebecca Marinos or Diane Zarchikoff for assistance. If you require special hotel accommodations, please advise the hotel directly. Tell Us How We Did We want to hear from you so we can do better! Please take a few minutes to complete your conference evaluations. Evaluations are included in your conference packet. Share your feedback and suggestions directly as well or you can us at rebecca@rebeccamarinos.com. National Conference

6 6 TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROMOTING THE JOURNEY TO HEALING: IN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM & WITHIN SOCIETY TODAY PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS MARCH 16, 2016 CONFERENCE MARCH 17 18, 2016 WEDNESDAY, MARCH PRE-CONFERENCE & CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Location: Main Hotel Lobby PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS Pre-conference Workshop #1: Mobilizing the Community Visioning a Suicide-Free Aboriginal Community The Community is the cure! Despite the strength within them, many communities feel helpless in the face of suicide. Like suicide itself, this is the result of colonization. In communities that have mobilized, the suicide rate is less than in the mainstream. Specifically, two target activities have been identified that promote the community resiliency and reduce suicide risk resulting from colonization. These are: Direct crisis services suicide prevention (with a focus upon high risk behaviour, self-harm, and suicide itself) Social, cultural, and economic community development (such as revitalizing cultural and spiritual traditions, strengthening families and supporting children and youth, and promoting community change) The Mobilizing the Community workshop is designed to assist the community to recognize its capacity to enhance its resilience to redevelop its inter-connection, to regain its empowerment, to shift its identity from victim to that of a healthy community rooted in cultural vision and wellness. It offers a simple but effective tool for a community to strengthen its support network and collective confidence as it reduces the suicide of its members. The following subjects are covered in the workshop: the problem in context: suicide and colonization the solution in context: traditional values and community strengths the cure for suicide the community is the medicine: the model visioning the future and planning the journey Facilitator: Dr. Darien Thira, PhD, Reg. Psych. President Darien Thira Consulting Incorporated Vancouver, British Columbia Location: Embassy A National Conference

7 Weds, Mar 16 (cont) Pre-conference Workshop #2: Self-Help Methods to Supporting Those With Issues Let s look at some practical self-help methods to support those with mental health issues. It is hard to know what will actually work and how to make those methods work in your life. This workshop looks at various methods through the eyes and mind of someone with lived experience. Tina has worked in the field of mental health for over 10 years, assisting people in reaching their potential. In addition she has successfully dealt with Bipolar Disorder and putting it In Order for most of her life. Join Tina for this one day workshop and discover the possibilities. Recovery understanding this is your journey What about your brain Dealing with anxiety How to get enough sleep Worry does it really help? Recognizing depressive destructive thinking Self-esteem Rewarding positive activities Relationships good one or bad Financial/ budgeting Establishing a BEACON OR PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE Step by step problem solving Smaller bits and pieces Daily gratitude technique Facilitator: Ms. Tina Holland, Director of Education Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Location: Embassy B Pre-conference Workshop #3: Changing old Patterns to New Connections: Trauma, Substance use, and Rebirth Consequences of Trauma on Addiction and : A) Peeling the onion: - Trauma, Substance Use, mental health - How does trauma affect the Mind () - Post-Traumatic Stress B) Creating the best conditions for Change - Substance Abuse - Stages of Change Model FAMILY SYSTEMS RECOVERY IN FIRST NATIONS A) Role, responsibilities and expectations - Family system roles - B) Family Intervention Demonstration - First Step in breaking the ice - Role Play or Show me How. Facilitator: Mr. Joseph Beltempo, Ph.D. Psychologist, OPQ, APQ National Conference

8 Lecturer, Concordia University & McGill University Montreal, Quebec Location: Embassy C Pre-conference Workshop #4: Consciousness: Mindfulness and the Medicine Wheel Mindfulness was important in our Aboriginal communities and was a rite of passage for young people emerging into adulthood. Today, people are hooked into modern technology: television, computers, and cell phones, and have fast forwarded into the space age. This fast pace has become normal and addictive for many. This workshop will introduce the concept of slowing the mind down and realizing the power of our consciousness. Traditional teachings and ceremonial practices supporting this mindfulness skills practice will be presented including spiritual laws and traditional teachings relating to violence in all forms, thus restoring the teaching of the elders for the younger generation. Facilitator: Mr. Don Robinson Educator, Trainer + Traditional Healer Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. Location: Embassy D THURSDAY, MARCH NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & REFRESHMENTS Location: Lobby - Wellington Ballroom INTRODUCTIONS, PRAYER & OPENING REMARKS Ms. Tara Brousseau Snider Executive Director Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Ms. Rebecca Marinos Conference Manager Certified Leadership Coach and Communications Consultant San Bruno, California Location: Wellington Ballroom National Conference

9 Special Opening Presentation: "Let's Dance!" Have you heard the saying live, love, laugh & dance like no one s watching? Here's a reminder that life's a dance and you make it up as you flow with your go. Dancing allows the music of life to flow out with our joy for and with life. Dance continues to be a dynamic storytelling element in all communities. Let's honour the ancestors and one another as we dance to the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Facilitator: Mr. Travis Dugas Bellerose Knighthawk Traditional Dancer, Story Teller,Motivational Speaker, Actor, Master of Ceremonies, Dynamic Facilitator Edmonton, Alberta KEYNOTE ADDRESS 1: How a Suicide Attempt Can Be a Turning Point to Recovery Natasha Tracy graduated from university with a bachelor s of computer science; she travelled the world training clients on software; she even found herself living in Seattle and working for Microsoft. Unfortunately, Natasha also began suffering from bipolar disorder at the age of 20. During treatment, she experienced being rejected by doctors, undergoing what some would consider experimental surgery to treat crippling depression and submitting to electroconvulsive therapy. When external factors compounded the pain of her illness, she finally cracked. But was this breaking point really the beginning of her recovery? Facilitator: Ms. Natasha Tracy Award-winning writer and speaker Victoria, British Columbia HEALTH & NUTRITION BREAK KEYNOTE ADDRESS 1: Criminal Justice Track, Topic To be Announced Ms. Lisa LaBossiere MYERS WEINBERG LLP *Chief Judge and psychologist invited KEYNOTE ADDRESS 2: Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention in People With Mental Illness Presenter: Dr. James Bolton, MD, B.Sc, FRPC Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology University of Manitoba Manitoba Winnipeg NO-HOST LUNCH KEYNOTE ADDRESS 3: The Thrill is Gone: Understanding Depression Beyond the Darkness. Free From Your Spell: Psychotherapy and Fertile Ground for Growth The thrill is gone: Understanding depression beyond the Darkness. Free from your Spell: Psychotherapy: who is it for? When is the best time to go? How long do you need to go? National Conference

10 Pitfalls, dependence, transference anyone? Fertile Ground for growth. As a clinical psychologist working in a Native Community I have chosen this topic based On past experience and relevance to the needs of today. Culturally appropriate methods will be explored and related to practical APPLICATIONS, that can be integrated into actual Case Work. This presentation will focus on: 1. Behavioral Manifestation of Mood disorders; 2. The latest available tools for objective ASSESSMENT of Mood disorders; and 3. The latest suggested intervention strategies, using a CASE study for demonstration purposes Presenter: Mr. Joseph Beltempo, Ph.D. Psychologist, OPQ, APQ Lecturer, Concordia University & McGill University Montreal, Quebec KEYNOTE ADDRESS 4: From Risk Identification to Clinical Risk Management: The SNAP Approach This session will highlight the SNAP (Stop Now And Plan) program, which is receiving international recognition as an exemplary model and is being replicated world-wide. It was selected in 2008 by the National Crime Prevention Centre as an evidence-based model. The model focuses on three key areas: reliable mechanisms for police to make referrals to community agencies; structured professional judgment including gender-sensitive risk assessment of the child; and clinical risk management strategies. The session also will include a presentation on the EARL-20B andearl-21g risk assessment tools used to assess potential antisocial behaviour in young boys and girls respectively. Facilitator: Ms. Leena Augimeri, Director Centre for Children Committing Offences and Program Development Child Development Institute Toronto, Ontario HEALTH & NUTRITION BREAK CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (Choose 1 of 4 to attend) TRACK 1: Challenges In the Criminal Justice System WORKSHOP 1: The SNAP Approach A Detailed Discussion With Q&A This session will highlight the SNAP (Stop Now And Plan) program, which is receiving international recognition as an exemplary model and is being replicated world-wide. It was selected in 2008 by the National Crime Prevention Centre as an evidence-based model. The model focuses on three key areas: reliable mechanisms for police to make referrals to community agencies; structured professional judgment including gender-sensitive risk assessment of the child; and clinical risk management strategies. This session will highlight the program in more detail and allow for conversation around it. Facilitator: Ms. Leena Augimeri, Director Centre for Children Committing Offences and National Conference

11 Program Development Child Development Institute Toronto, Ontario Location: Embassy A TRACK 2: Challenges In Aboriginal Communities WORKSHOP 2: Healing Work with the Whole Family The focus of this workshop will be to present a holistic model for doing healing work with Aboriginal families blending Aboriginal healing methodologies with mainstream approaches. Utilizing traditional teachings and understandings of the good life (Mino Pima Ti Si Win) and incorporating Western healing techniques, provides a foundation for understanding how Aboriginal families and communities have been negatively affected and in some instances, devastated. The model developed becomes the basis for value-based and relationship focused work including as many of the family group as possible. Facilitator: Mr. Don Robinson Educator, Trainer + Traditional Healer Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. Location: Embassy B Track 3: Understanding Issues Today WORKSHOP 3: Using Self-Help Tools to Support Those With Issues This session teaches the use of self-help tools, along with ways of talking to people with mental health issues through the eyes and mind of someone with lived experience. Tina has worked in the field of mental health for over 10 years, assisting people in reaching their potential. In addition, she has successfully dealt with Bipolar Disorder and putting it In Order for most of her life. Loin her to discover the possibilities. Facilitator: Ms. Tina Holland Director of Education Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Location: Embassy C Track 3: Understanding Issues Today WORKSHOP 4: S.O.S Sharing Our Stories Please join us for this presentation of hope and healing, with a number of guest speakers as they share their inspirational stories of recovery from various mental illnesses. Facilitators: Ms. Judy Dunn (Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba), Ms. Elsa Sydorko (Anxiety Disorders of Manitoba) and Ms. Kim Heidinger (Manitoba Schizophrenia Society) Location: Embassy D National Conference

12 Hosted Reception Please join us for some delicious Hors d oeuvres plus a chance to mingle and relax with other conference delegates. This is a perfect chance for small group interaction and relaxing fun. A cash bar will be available. Location: Carlton Room FRIDAY, MARCH CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (Choose 1 of 4 to attend) TRACK 1: Challenges In the Criminal Justice System Workshop 5: Criminal Justice Track, Topic to be Announced Location: Embassy A TRACK 2: Challenges In Aboriginal Communities WORKSHOP 6: Managing Bullying, Harassment, and Lateral Violence in the Workplace This workshop delves into the following topics, particularly looking at the Aboriginal workforce: Defining lateral violence and recognizing it in your workplace What are your legal requirements in responding to lateral violence Strategies for minimizing lateral violence Accommodating victims of lateral violence How to move forward Facilitator: Ms. Delores D. Daniels Manager of Human Resources Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre Inc. Location: Embassy B Track 3: Understanding Issues Today WORKSHOP 7: The Perfect Storm: When Trauma & Addictions Collide, Part I The person who is suffering from a Trauma/PTSD or Addiction Disorder is caught in a storm which produces pain, isolation and a disconnection from the world and themselves. However, when both of these disorders coexist there is a biological, physical, emotional and psychological tempest which often leads to a poor prognosis. The connection between Trauma and Addiction is highly correlated and this workshop will explore the current research of each disorder, the complications that arise when they are comorbid and what current best practice, emerging practice and innovative practice is being used as intervention models,strategies and tools. Objectives: To learn about most current research/conceptual frameworks related to Trauma and Addiction, to understand the biology of Trauma and Addiction and how they interconnect, to understand the challenges the comorbidity of the two disorders presents, to become aware of the current interventions being used to work with the two disorders when they are National Conference

13 comorbid and to be aware of the key concepts to build into interventions being used with this population. Facilitator: Mr. Greg Lubimiv Executive Director, Phoenix Centre for Children and Families Pembroke, Ontario Location: Embassy C Track 3: Understanding Issues Today WORKSHOP 8: Crisis Response Centre (CRC) Overcoming the Challenges of Establishing a Crisis Centre Facilitator: Mr. Ken MacKenzie Executive Director WRHA Crisis and Forensic Services Dr. James Bolton. MD, B.Sc, FRPC Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology University of Manitoba Location: Embassy D HEALTH & NUTRITION BREAK CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (Choose 1 of 4 to attend) TRACK 1: Challenges the Criminal Justice System WORKHOP 9: Criminal Justice Track, Topic to be Announced Location: Embassy B TRACK 2: Challenges In Aboriginal Communities Workshop 10: "Dance Offerings" In the circle of life we are born, known to creation, as the human being. Being human meant respecting the spirit within all of creation. As we make good pace to retrace the steps of life, we celebrate life's delicate balances, reconnecting to the universal synchronicity within our hearts and minds. To bring good thoughts and actions to life is bringing the first balance from within ourselves into the world of the human being. Being human happily going along in life - now that's a beautiful song and dance, not by chance, but by choice. This presentation utilizes storytelling, sharing of family & community dynamics, music, humour and dance. Facilitator: Mr. Travis Dugas Bellerose KNIGHTHAWK Traditional Dancer, Story Teller,Motivational Speaker, Actor, Master of Ceremonies, Dynamic Facilitator Edmonton, Alberta Location: Embassy A National Conference

14 Track 3: Understanding Issues Today WORKSHOP 11: The Perfect Storm Part II This workshop continues to delve into the sessions as outlined part I. The workshop objectives are: To learn about most current research/conceptual frameworks related to Trauma and Addiction, to understand the biology of Trauma and Addiction and how they interconnect, to understand the challenges the comorbidity of the two disorders presents, to become aware of the current interventions being used to work with the two disorders when they are comorbid and to be aware of the key concepts to build into interventions being used with this population. Facilitator: Mr. Greg Lubimiv Executive Director, Phoenix Centre for Children and Families Pembroke, Ontario Location: Embassy C Track 3: Understanding Issues Today WORKSHOP 12: Topic to be Announced Facilitator: Location: Embassy D HOSTED LUNCH Please join us for a hosted lunch where you can relax, mingle, and get to know your colleagues. Location: Wellington Ballroom KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Sheldon Kennedy - A Road map to Recovery Sheldon Kennedy has skated for three teams in his eight year NHL career but is best known for his courageous decision to charge his Major Junior Hockey League Coach with sexual for the abuse he suffered over a five year period while a teenager under his care. Sheldon has become an inspiration to millions of abuse survivors around the world and a committed, outspoken child advocate. His life story was a made into an award winning movie, he has appeared on Oprah, ABC s Nightline, W-5 and the Fifth Estate. He has received several awards for his tireless work including the Scotiabank Humanitarian Award, an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of the Fraser Valley, 2012 Calgary Citizen of the Year, the 2014 David Foster Foundation Humanitarian Award and in 2015, Sheldon was named Member of the Oder of Canada. He has influenced change in Canadian Law and has taken his message to the International Olympic Committee and the US Senate. Shelden Serves on the Board of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, the first of its kind in Canada, offering full wrap-around services for victims of child abuse, Sheldon continues to influence social change through Respect Group, the company he co-founded that provides empowering National Conference

15 on-line education for the prevention of abuse, bullying, and harassment in youth serving organizations, schools and the workplace. Location: Wellington Ballroom HEALTH & NUTRITION BREAK Talking Circles: Where Do We Go From Here? Conference delegates will divide into Talking Circles to discuss common themes found during the Conference, plus shared learnings and most pressing action items. A facilitator from each Circle will present their top ideas and action items to the larger group. Talking Circle #1: Next Steps For Wellness in the Criminal Justice System Talking Circle #2: Next Steps for Wellness in Aboriginal Communities Talking Circle #3: Next Steps for Wellness in Society Today Location: Wellington Ballroom SHARED LEARNING: Turning Thoughts Into Action: Implementing Your Conference Ideas Moderator: Ms. Tara Brousseau Snider Executive Director, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Vital to initiating change is taking action. When we leave this Conference, we need to determine what we will do to make a difference in the area of mental illness. In this session, one facilitator from each Talking Circle will present on the things each group learned during the Conference and share with the Conference delegation their Top 3 Ideas & Action Items." Closing Remarks & Conference Evaluations Your comments and suggestion are very important to us. Please take a moment to complete the evaluation form located in your conference folder. Thank you! National Conference

16 Keynote Speaker Bios Ms. Natasha Tracy, Award-winning writer and speaker, Victoria, British Columbia Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer, speaker and social media consultant from the Pacific Northwest. She works to bring quality, insightful and trusted information on bipolar disorder and related illnesses to the public while engaging with the mental health community. Natasha is considered a subject matter expert in bipolar disorder and her thoughts on it have been sought by the media and academics. In 2015, Natasha coauthored her first formal paper, Results From an Online Survey of Patient and Caregiver Perspectives on Unmet Needs in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder, published in the Primary Care Companion CNS Disorders journal. Natasha was the proud recipient of the Beatrice Stern Media Award, an #ErasingtheStigma Leadership Award, presented by Didi Hirsch of Los Angeles in Her Bipolar Burble has been named a top 10 health blog by Healthista, Health.com, Healthline and others. Natasha has also been named one of the top four online influencers in mental health by Sharecare.com. Natasha has made appearances at the National Council s Behavioral Health Conference, on HuffPost Live, on HealthiNation and others. Her writing has been featured on the Daily Mail of the United Kingdom, Huffington Post, HealthyPlace, HealthLine, PsychCentral and elsewhere. Facilitator Bios Dr. Joseph Beltempo, Ph.D. Psychologist, OPQ Dr. Beltempo s clinical training was in Gestalt, Humanistic and Cognitive psychology at the University of Montreal. His approach takes into account the holistic (Systemic) ways reflecting Native cultural perspectives together with contemporary clinical psychology. Since 1982, Dr. Beltempo, senior clinical psychologist worked for Kahnawake Shakotiia takenhas Community Services. His clinical work lately has focused on addiction, mental health, dual diagnosis, Critical Incident Stress Debriefing, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and various methods of clinical intervention. He is also a Clinical psychologist consultant and an expert witness in Youth Protection mandated psychological assessments of children, adolescents and adults. Short-term and cognitive-behavioral therapeutic approaches are the basis of psychological therapy that I Practice. Mr. Travis Dugas Belerose Knighthawk, Actor & Motivational Speaker Travis guides audiences through inspirational dialogue, awakening their inner visionto perceive their life-path in a new light. Elders shared many life teachings along his quest towards for self-awareness and reconnecting him to the culture. In an honouring ceremony, Travis was presented an eagle feather and, in time, given his spirit name "Knighthawk." With this, the way of the traditional dancer became a part of his journey. Storytelling and performing within the cultural arts spectrum at various international venues raised his consciousness of the value of sharing stories. Becoming and being an actor on stage, TV, commercials, feature films, and the IMAX big screen adventure, has enhanced his abilities to entertain, enlighten, and empower his audiences. Ms. Judy Dunn, Outreach Manager, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba & Co-Founder, Andrew Dunn Organization Judy Dunn is currently working as an Outreach Manager for the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba in the Eastman Region. She has spent the majority of her adult life in the role of a wife and the mother of her 2 boys, Andrew and Robert. Due to a great love of animals, she chose to remain at home rather than heading out to a regular career but instead to manage a small hobby farm with a wide range of critters from feathery to furry which then lead to starting a small business raising Labrador Retrievers and Miniature Horses. After her life circumstances changed due to the termination of her marriage, Judy took on a job at North Eastman Health Association as a Support Worker. Family and life were her qualifications on a very sparse resume for National Conference

17 this field of work. It was shortly after this that she was forced into her most challenging role, one of a grieving Mother of a child that died by suicide on December 12, Andrew had struggled with depression for some 9 years starting around the age of 15 until his death at 23 years old. Through her work with MDAM, as well as on a personal level, she has chosen to help raise awareness and educate people about Issues, such as Depression, as well as to help reduce the stigma that surrounds both depression and suicide. Working alongside some very dedicated individuals, Judy has put her efforts into helping create and then hosting the Annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk/Run in Oakbank, which was first hosted in Life has taken a very nasty twist, but she is truly trying to make something good come from a real life tragedy, so that no other parent should ever know the pain of losing a child unnecessarily to suicide. Ms. Tina Holland, Director of Education, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Tina Holland is the Director of Education for the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. Tina is an entertaining and informative speaker, who loves to share her story. Tina has lived with bipolar illness all of her life yet she has had a successful career in real estate, as an international artist, and now as an educator. Her story of empowerment and recovery is one of hope. She has spoken to large groups about depression, bipolar Illness, suicide prevention, borderline personality and post-traumatic stress disorder, always from a self-help and lived-with-it point a view. Tina s aim is not only to educate the public about these treatable illnesses but also to help eliminate the stigma of mental illness in our society. Tina has written and delivers a cognitive behaviour course for people living with depression. As well, she has spoken at over 500 schools, businesses and organizations. Ms. Lisa LaBossiere, Myers Weinberg LLP Lisa LaBossiere was called to the bar in She has practiced criminal defence law at Myers Weinberg LLP her entire career. Much of her practice is spent defending clients with mental health issues. Lisa is a new member of the Board of Directors for the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba. Mr. Greg Lubimiv, Executive Director, Phoenix Centre for Children and Families Greg Lubimiv is the Executive Director of the Phoenix Centre for Children and Families, a children s mental health centre in southeastern Ontario. Greg has over 30 years of experience in children s mental health and child welfare where he has been involved as a clinician, trainer and administrator. Greg has specialized in the field of play therapy and family therapy and has authored a number of books and articles on this and other topics. Over the last 6 years, the military clinical team under the direction of Greg has been working with Base Petawawa Military families and become a leader in working with issues related to military experiences and life, such as trauma, grief and loss and re-unification. Greg graduated with his Bachelor of Social Work from Laurentian University and later with his Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto. He is a certified play therapist and supervisor with the Canadian Association of Child and Play Therapy and was presented with the Monica Hebert Award for contributions to the field of Play Therapy and in 2007 was identified as one of the top 5 Play Therapists in Canada. In 2006, he was recipient of the Liz Manson Award for contributions to the field of children s mental health. In 2007, he received the Base Commander s Commendation for services to military families. Mr. Ken MacKenzie, MSW, BSW, BA Ken MacKenzie has been practicing Social Work in the Province of Manitoba for the past 18 years. Ken s Social Work practice has spanned across multiple departments including 3 Manitoba Justice; Manitoba Family Services and Housing designing and implementing the Provincial Special Needs Program, and; the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority s Community Forensic Program as a Community Forensic Specialist and for the past 3 years as Manager of WRHA Forensic Program. This program oversees all services and supports related to the provision for mental health consumers and their families involved with the criminal justice system in Manitoba. In addition Ken continues to practice Social Work in Child Protection at All Nations National Conference

18 Coordinated Response Network. Ken completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Winnipeg and his Bachelor of Social Work and Masters of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. Ken s areas of expertise include Service Coordination and Service Integration in Human Service Organizations; Management in Human Service Organizations, Working with Indigenous Communities, Groups and Individuals using Decolonizing Methodologies; Clinical Services, Forensic Services; Clinical Risk Assessment and; Clinical Therapy with Families and Individuals. Ken is committed to delivering a Social Work Practice through an Anti-oppressive and Structural frameworks. Mr. Don Robinson Don Robinson, a Cree man originally from the Oxford House First Nation, is a graduate of the Bachelor of Social Work Program in 1991 and the Master of Social Work Program, University of Manitoba in Don has also worked with children, utilizing play therapy approaches, individual and family counseling and group work. He was employed with All Nations Child and Family Coordinated Response Network and now works for Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. Since 1996, he has been an Educator & Trainer in the human development field, traveling extensively to reserve communities delivering training workshops and teaching courses for the University of Manitoba. Don is involved in the traditional way and is a member of the Wolf Clan. As a member of the Wolf Clan, he is interested in learning traditional teachings about the journey of life. Mr. Darien Thira, PhD., Reg. Psych. Darien Thira, PhD., is a Registered Psychologist who serves as a community development/mental health consultant for many Aboriginal communities across Canada and offers training workshops and clinical consultation related to post-colonial community mobilization/development, trauma, addiction, and suicide. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. His doctoral dissertation related to Aboriginal suicide resilience and social activism and he has been involved in further resilience research at the University of British Columbia. He has previously served as a clinician with suicidal youth at Child and Youth and as the Director of Community Education and Professional Development at the Vancouver Crisis Centre. In relation to suicide prevention, Through the Pain, a culturally driven community-based program has been used in over 40 Aboriginal communities across the country and as a national program in Australia. His program called Opening the Circle is designed to assist communities to develop their own crisis response team. Choices, his youth suicide awareness education video & seminar was used by more than 250 suicide prevention programs world-wide and he has collaborated on the production of a new version called Reaching Out. Darien has presented workshops at many local, provincial, national conferences, and international conferences in: Canada, the United States, and Australia. Conference Management Bios Ms. Rebecca Marinos, Certified Leadership Coach and Communications Consultant Rebecca Marinos has been a certified leadership coach and communications consultant for the past 15 years. Her experience includes work with government organizations, non-profits, Aboriginal organizations, corporations, private-sector companies, and individuals. Rebecca holds a Bachelor s degree in Writing from the University of Victoria, a Master s degree in Communications & Information Studies from Rutgers University, and a Certification in Leadership Coaching from New Ventures West, San Francisco. She specializes in leadership development, effective communication strategies, work/life balance, and coaching to attain long-term personal excellence. While a Canadian citizen, Rebecca currently lives in San Mateo, California, with her husband and two sons. Rebecca is also the Conference Manager for this National Conference. Mr. Bill Zarchikoff, President, W. Zarchikoff & Associates Bill Zarchikoff has held the positions of Social Geographer, (Instructor) Social Worker (Instructor and Field Practice), Criminologist (Chairman, Department of Criminology), Executive Director of non-profit agencies, and National Conference

19 College Administrator, Director of Continuing Education and Director of Contract Services. He is currently president of W. Zarchikoff & Associates. Bill has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours - First Class) and Master of Arts Degree from Simon Fraser University. Bill has taught college and university level courses at Simon Fraser University, Douglas College, Kwantlan College and Fraser Valley College in the social services and criminal justice system. Bill has over 28 years experience in working with First Nation, Inuit and Metis organizations in Canada, (14 years in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut) and has been retained as a consultant to First Nation, Inuit and Metis organizations, Governments, Crown Corporations and Non-Profit Organizations. Bill has been involved in many major drug and alcohol projects. For example, Evaluation of the Treatment Centres and Inhalant Abuse Programs in the NWT; Site visits and review of Solvent Abuse Programs in the United States; Community Strategies; Strategic Plan for the Delivery of Alcohol and Drug Services in the NWT; Canada s Drug Strategy Baseline and Alcohol and Drug Problems for At-Risk Populations. Bill has also offered a number of workshops on Aboriginal proposal writing and fund-raising strategies, strategic planning, capacity building, the menace of meth, inhalant abuse, crack cocaine, new drug trends, threat assessment - violence and bullying in Aboriginal schools, Aboriginal gangs and violence in communities and schools. Bill is also the Conference Manager for this National Conference. National Conference