AGENDA Day One: March 25 th, 2014 Theme Sharing what we know on connecting land, culture and community to heal 7:00-9:00 am Breakfast & Registration 9:00-10:00 am Opening Prayer & Lighting of the Sacred Fire Phil Gatensby, Jackson Lake Wellness Team 10:00-10:30 am Opening Remarks Chief, Kwanlin Dün First Nation Cathy Praamsma, Regional Director General, Northern Region Yukon Government Speaker TBA 10:30-11:00 am Networking Break 11:00-12:00 pm Sharing Our Learning from Jackson Lake Jeanie Dendys, Director of Justice, Kwanlin Dün First Nation 12:00-1:30 pm Lunch (provided) 1:30-3:00 pm Panel Mental Wellness Team Experience in Canada Speakers representing Mental Wellness Teams in New Brunswick, Quebec and Saskatchewan and others 3:00-3:15 pm Refreshment Break 1
3:15 5:00pm Concurrent Sessions (A) Lessons Learned: An engaging session to share stories Veronica Moonstream WolfEagle, Mental Wellness Team Project Coordinator, Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, Suzie Kuerschner, Fetal Spectrum Disorder Consultant and Gaye Hanson, Consultant to KDFN Justice A presentation from Veronica will focus on the successes and the Mental Wellness Team she leads and advice from her experience. Suzie will speak on the development of a Collaborative Circle of Care from her experience in a number of Canadian and American First Nation communities. Small group discussion will focus on what have we learned so far and what is, needed to support the development of wellness teams and programs. (B) Trauma Effects on Our Brain and Body David Rattray, Taltan Nation David will share his experience of trauma gathered through many years of experience in working with First Nation people and their communities. This interactive session explores how the brain and body systems store pain from the past. This pain from the past shapes how we experience life today. Together, David and the participants will look at the traumatized brain and body and explore ways to let pain go to live a healthier life. (D) Elders Circle: An engaging session with elders to share stories and knowledge on traditional law. Facilitator: Phil Gatensby, Jackson Lake Wellness Team, Kwanlin Dun First Nation and Mary Jane Jim, Duu Chuu Management Consulting. Reserved for Elders and their helpers. (E) Youth Circle: Experiential learning opportunities on how youth can get involved in developing land-based and cultural programs and options for the future. Facilitators: Sean Smith, KDFN; Selena Pye, First Nation Programs and Partnerships, Yukon Education, Amy Smith, Yukon Alcohol and Drug Services and Jenn Redvers, Dene Nation, Northwest Territories. Reserved for youth 12-25 years. 2
(F) Jackson Lake Tour: A scenic tour 30 minutes from the Cultural Centre into the mountains to tour the Jackson Lake Wellness camp used for land-based healing and learn more about the 4 week residential program. Maximum 20 people. Day Two: March 26 th, 2014 Theme Working sessions on weaving relationships, culture and community programs 8:00-9:00 am Breakfast & Registration 9:00-10:00 am Design and Implementation of Land-based Healing Programs Gaye Hanson, President, Hanson and Associates and Consultant to KDFN Justice Paddy Meade, Deputy Minister, Yukon Health and Social Services The experience of KDFN in the implementation of land-based programs over the last 20 years will be brought together and shared. The talk will include plans for next stages in design and delivery of programs in communities and on the land with funding support by Health Canada and the Yukon Government. 10:00-10: 30 am Networking Break 10:30-12:00 pm Sharing Community Experience (World Café) An opportunity to come together to share ideas, talk about challenges and success stories to help build future programs. Facilitators: Jennifer Ellis and Gaye Hanson 12:00 1:00 pm Lunch will be provided 1:00 1:45 pm Healing in the Wilderness Andy Nieman, Yukon Child and Youth Advocate 3
1:45 3:00 pm Panel Discussion Jackson Lake Wellness Team Panel Moderator: Andy Niemen Speakers: Colleen Geddes, Coordinator; Phil Gatensby, Cultural Counsellor; Johnny Brass, Community Outreach Worker; Erika Smarch, Community Outreach Worker and Gina Nagano, Corrections Reintegration Worker 3:00 3:15 pm Refreshment Break 3:15-5:00 pm Concurrent Sessions (A) Moving Forward in Implementation: Discussion Forum Suzie Kuerschner, Fetal Spectrum Disorder Consultant, Oregon, U.S. Veronica Moonstream WolfEagle, Mental Wellness Team Project Coordinator, Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, and Gaye Hanson, President, and Consultant to KDFN Justice Suzie will focus her presentation on a holistic model that she has developed to help understand how First Nation values can be translated into program design and delivery that serve communities though the stages of life. Veronica will focus on specific implementation initiatives by the Maliseet Nations in New Brunswick. Small group discussion will focus on specific strengths that support implementation and challenges to be overcome. (B) Tools for Healing, David Rattray, Taltan Nation David will lead the participants through a series of experiences with meditation and tapping using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Meditation in a powerful tool for dissolving stress in the mind and body. The techniques introduced will include Aboriginal ways of engaging meditation such as shifting the mind from being part of the river to being the river; singing / breathing with the land; waterfall breathing; storing snap-shots of good memories and exploring methods to bring peace within. EFT is one of the most effective, simple to use and learn techniques that David has learned in his more than 30 years of experience in counselling. Basic techniques introduced will remove pain from memories; brings calm to angry or stress related emotional states and relieves physical pain. 4
(C) Elders Circle: An engaging session with elders to further share stories and knowledge on traditional law. Facilitator: Phil Gatensby, Jackson Lake Wellness Team, KDFN and Mary Jane Jim, Duu Chuu Management Consulting. Reserved for Elders and their helpers. (D) Youth Circle: Experiential learning opportunities on land-based and cultural program options for youth. Facilitators: Sean Smith, KDFN; Selena Pye, First Nation Programs and Partnerships, Yukon Education, KDFN, Amy Smith, Yukon Alcohol and Drug Services and Jenn Redvers, Dene Nation, Northwest Territories. Reserved for youth 12-25 years. (E) Jackson Lake Tour: A scenic tour 30 minutes from the Cultural Centre into the mountains to tour the Jackson Lake Wellness camp used for land-based healing and learn more about the 4 week residential program. Maximum 20 people. 6:00 9:00 pm Gala Celebration & Feast An evening to celebrate featuring special entertainment by Yukon s finest performers: Gramma Susie and Grandpa Charlie, All Nation/ Kwanlin Dün Dancers, Kaska Dena Drummers, The Dakhká Khwáan Dancers and more. 5
Day Three: March 27, 2014 Theme Building future programs through working together 8:00-9:00 am Breakfast 9:00-10:00 am Gathering Highlights Moving into the Future Gaye Hanson, President, Hanson and Associates and Consultant to KDFN Justice Gaye will bring together and share highlights from the discussions held in the first two days of the gathering and offer ideas about next steps in designing and developing community programs grounded in culture and land. 10:30-10:45 am Refreshment Break 10:45-11:15 am Nourishing Our Spirit, David Rattray, Tahltan Nation In his closing keynote address, David will share his insights gathered throughout the event and extend his thoughts on elements needed for land-based healing. He will speak about how the land has sustained us and how it can support us in a gentle healing process. He will describe how to use healthy Aboriginal values, beliefs and culture to heal and nourish our spirits. Finding beauty in self and others; singing and breathing with the land; healing at a pre-verbal level; cultivating our spirituality and depending on cultural activities for healing are topics that will also be woven into his talk. Values and beliefs that will ground his wonderful contribution include personal responsibility, generosity, unity, peace, humour and sacredness. 11:15-11:30 am Closing Remarks 11:30-12:00 pm Closing of the Sacred Fire Ceremony and Honouring the Fire Keepers 12:00 pm Closing Prayer and Closing of the Gathering 12:00 pm 1:00 pm Lunch (will be provided) 6