Presenters:   JoAnn Restoule & David Somerville  Location: Turtle Council House    –>Turtle Council House 1238 Barr Drive (directions to come) Late start 11:15 – 3pm   Max: 20 Note: wear comfortable clothing – bring warm clothes if cold, bring water. An experiential lodge “teaching” – Sitting in the lodge and learning about the origin story of Read more

Presenter:  Kaya Leslie Time:  11:00 – 12:15 Location:  Vanier TBD  Max:  29   Educators are encouraged to participate in this workshop to get a hands-on experience in integrating circle practices into classroom settings. The session will explore how incorporating circle can foster classroom community, strengthen belonging, and support assessment of learning through discussion and shared assignments. Read more

Presenter: Dr. Jesse Morin Time:  11:00 – 12:15  Location:  Vanier TBD Max: 80 Cultural Topography – This presentation provides details of a range of Indigenous cultural practices and values across familiar places across the Comox Valley. Jesse Morin is an archaeologist and ethnohistorian who works for Tsleil-Waututh Nation, K’ómoks First Nation, and Takla Nation, and Read more

Presenter: Alex Jules- Tatuuc Time: 11:00 – 12:15 Location:  Vanier TBD Max: 30 Lahal is a traditional bone game that First Nations communities across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, particularly on Vancouver Island and along the Salish Sea that teaches culture, teamwork, and strategy through drumming, song, and play. For the past eight years, Read more

Presenter: Trevor Hardy Time: 11:00-12:15 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 15  This workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn about traditional and modern carving practices and their cultural significance. Trevor will bring traditional carving tools and completed carvings to share with participants. He will discuss the cultural and practical importance of canoes, hunting, harvesting practices, and Read more

Presenter: Melissa Quocksister Time: 11:00-12:15 Location: Vanier TBD Target: all audiences Max: 25 K’ómoks First Nation has been negotiating a treaty for almost 3 decades and they are coming close to finalizing negotiations and preparing to vote on a treaty. The journey to self-government is exciting and a significant amount of work in order to Read more

Presenters: April & Kelly Shopland (daughter – Director of Indigenous Education at NIC) with grandson Raynor Franklin Time: 11:00-12:15 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 25 To learn more about the K’ómoks people and their territory. April, Kelly and Raynor are K’ómoks members who have grown up in the community. April has a Master’s degree in Indigenous Read more

Presenter: Kat (Katherine) Frank Time: 11:00-12:15 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 15 This session is meant to be a relaxed and welcoming introduction to the Ayajuthem language and the communities it comes from. I am a learner of the language, not an expert, and I will be sharing my own journey and experiences with Ayajuthem. Participants Read more

Presenter: Raini Bevilacqua  Time: 11:00-12:15 Location: KFN Archaeology Lab Note: Park at KFN and walk over to the Archaeology Lab located in the trailer just south of the admin building. Max 8 Join us to tour the new KFN Archaeology Lab and participate in hands on learning to identify different animal bones that were excavated Read more

Presenter: Jessie Recalma Time: 11:00-12:15 Location:  Vanier TBD Max: 25 There are a lot of towns, cities, places of interest in BC and on Vancouver island that have their names rooted in Indigenous languages. This workshop looks at the importance these words have to their places in order for people to get a better understanding Read more

Presenter:   Dr. Evelyn Voyageur Time:  11:00 – 12:15 Location:  Vanier TBD Max: 25  Session Explanation:  Dr. Evelyn Voyageur invites participants to learn about the History of Indian Residential Schools. Dr Voyageur will speak to lived experience spent at residential school and how it has affected her and others.  Bio for Dr. Evelyn Voyageur:  “Despite going Read more

Presenter:  Daryle Mills Time: 1:30-2:45  Max: 20 Location: Camp Gilwell:  5200 Duncan Bay Main Line Road (see directions below) Daryle will guide participants through an afternoon of land‑based teaching and healing rooted in the teachings of the Sweat Lodge. This session offers an opportunity to step outside of the classroom and into relationship with the Read more

Presenters: Dr. Jesse Morin and Guardians Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Mack Laing Park    Walking tour at Mack Laing in Comox (beside the Filberg) Note: Dress for the appropriate weather for 1.5 h outside that afternoon  Max: 25 Walking tour of archaeological site at Mack Laing Park. Walking Tour – This tour discusses the archaeological record of Read more

Presenter: Melissa Quocksister Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Target: all audiences Max: 25 K’ómoks First Nation has been negotiating a treaty for almost 3 decades and they are coming close to finalizing negotiations and preparing to vote on a treaty. The journey to self-government is exciting and a significant amount of work in order to Read more

Presenter: Bryce Mercredi Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 20 Bryce will share stories about his family history. You will learn about the history of the Metis as fur traders and their place in the history of this country. This session will be held in a circle and questions are very welcome. Bryce will share Read more

Presenters: April & Kelly Shopland (daughter – Director of Indigenous Education at NIC) with grandson Raynor Franklin Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 25 To learn more about the K’ómoks people and their territory. April, Kelly and Raynor are K’ómoks members who have grown up in the community. April has a Master’s degree in Indigenous Read more

Presenter: Wedlidi Speck, Hereditary Chief of the E’ikʷsən Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Point Holmes Max: 30 *(Please dress for any weather, and meet Wedlidi at the Boat Ramp in Point Holmes)  This session will offer teachings about the E’ikʷsən People, territory, origin story, harvesting and relationship to the land. Participants will meet at  SAUSMAN, (translated in Ayajuethem to “along the beach”, Read more

Presenter: Trevor Hardy Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 15  This workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn about traditional and modern carving practices and their cultural significance. Trevor will bring traditional carving tools and completed carvings to share with participants. He will discuss the cultural and practical importance of canoes, hunting, harvesting practices, and Read more

Presenter: Alex Jules- Tatuuc Time: 1:30-2:45 Location:  Vanier TBD Max: 30 Lahal is a traditional bone game that First Nations communities across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest, particularly on Vancouver Island and along the Salish Sea that teaches culture, teamwork, and strategy through drumming, song, and play. For the past eight years, Alex Jules Read more

Presenter: Kat (Katherine) Frank Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 15 This session is meant to be a relaxed and welcoming introduction to the Ayajuthem language and the communities it comes from. I am a learner of the language, not an expert, and I will be sharing my own journey and experiences with Ayajuthem. Participants Read more

Presenter: Kookum Sheila (Buchanan) Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 15  I want people to know and understand Metis culture and how it came about. The culture it portrays stories, language, music, dance and the territory I came from. Life as a Metis. I am from Alberta (Lac La Biche) I was raised by my Read more

Presenter: Raini Bevilacqua  Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: KFN Archaeology Lab Note: Park at KFN and walk over to the Archaeology Lab located in the trailer just south of the admin building. Max 8 Join us to tour the new KFN Archaeology Lab and participate in hands on learning to identify different animal bones that were excavated Read more

Presenter: Jessie Recalma Time: 1:30-2:45 Location:  Vanier TBD Max: 25 There are a lot of towns, cities, places of interest in BC and on Vancouver island that have their names rooted in Indigenous languages. This workshop looks at the importance these words have to their places in order for people to get a better understanding Read more

Presenter: Chrys Sample Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 30  If you are wanting a better understanding of Metis history, identity, culture, our worldview, Metis celebrations and our Metis community today this workshop is for you. I will bring items for a display table and I’ll come dressed in my ribbon skirt, Mabel Kelly moccasins Read more

Presenter: Amanda Crocker Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 30  In this session, the presenter shares her personal journey of being a Coast Salish woman discovering her voice through language learning, cultural reconnection, and community relationships. Through storytelling, she explores how learning language can deepen understanding of culture, identity, family, and self. Penelakut First Nation Read more

AM – How did we get here?” Do you have questions about the Indian Act, Rights and Title, Equity?  with Rob Everson Time: 1:30-2:45 Location: Vanier TBD Max: 30  Rob Everson brings his experience as a hereditary leader and elected Indigenous leader to the Indigenous Brilliance gathering. As the Hereditary Chief of the Gigal’ga̱m ‘Walas Kwagu’ł, Read more