Defining Pathways to Reconciliation Program 2021

During this opening panel, former Regional Chief of Ontario, Isadore Day, will lead panelists and audience members through a conversation about where we want to be in the Reconciliation process ten years from now. Relying on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to guide the discussion, the panelists and audience will begin the process of identifying destination points on the road to Reconciliation that CMSMs and DSSABs can use to track their progress toward the achievement of this vision.  

Moderator: 

• Isadore Day, Chief Executive Officer, Bimaadzwin

Panelists:

• Justin Marchand, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services

• Micheal Miller, Executive Director, Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario

• Gertie Mai Muise, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres

• Henry Wall, Chief Executive Officer, Kenora District Services Board

• Staci Williams, Training Associate Manager, Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association

Trauma informed care requires an understanding of an individual’s past, and present conditions, their environment, and appropriate supports available when collaborating a care plan with an individual. Participants can expect conversations connecting Canada’s history of colonialism and racism to the trauma symptoms Indigenous communities, families and individuals experience today. Best practices and culturally appropriate resources and supports will be shared for those who wish to incorporate inclusive programming that is reflective of Indigenous needs, values and realities.

Speakers: 

• Benjamin Murray, Co-Founder, Earthling Art Collective
• Tim Ominika, Community Based Researcher, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation
• Staci Williams, Training Associate Manager, Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association

Building trusting relationships with Indigenous organizations and communities takes time because Canadian society has failed and disrespected Indigenous people in so many fundamental ways for so long. Knowing this, non-Indigenous people are often so afraid to do the wrong thing that they don’t take the first steps or they give up when their calls go unreturned. Once a relationship is established, unconscious bias, paternalism, inflexibility, budget constraints, hurt feelings and a fear of speaking openly on both sides can cause these relationships to break down over time. In this session, experienced relationship-builders will provide advice and guidance about how to start this essential work, and how to persevere through difficult periods in order to forge a mature relationship based on mutual understanding, honest communication, humility, respect and genuine commitment. 

Moderator: 

• Chantelle Bryson, Municipal and Indigenous Lawyer

Speakers: 

• Chief Laurie Carr, Hiawatha First Nation
• Ken Doherty, Principal Consultant, Our Heritage Consulting
• Shelly Hill, Manager, Indigenous Relations, City of Hamilton
• Tobie Mathew, Program Manager, Toronto Early Learning and Childcare Services, City of Toronto

It’s essential to understand that a one-size fits all approach to partnering with Indigenous communities does not work. Each community is so different. For this reason, panelists in this session will provide brief overviews of innovative service delivery partnerships that are effectively meeting unique needs in their local areas and then the facilitator will tease out general principles and brainstorm with the speakers and audience about how to overcome barriers to implementing similar (or better) solutions. 

Moderator: 

• Suzanne Obiorah, Director, Gender and Race Equity, Inclusion, Indigenous Relations and Social Development, City of Ottawa

Panelists: 

• Jessica Anderson, Executive Director, North Hastings Children’s Services

• Jennifer Dockstader, Executive Director, Fort Erie Native Friendship Centre & OFIFC President

• Joanne Isaac, Manager, Community and Labour Market, Toronto Employment and Social Services, City of Toronto

• Keith McCrady, Executive Director, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations

• Sarah Stevenson, Director, Integrated Social Services, Kenora District Services Board

• Elder Ada Tinney, Elder, North Hastings Children’s Services

How does your organization ensure inclusivity toward First Nation, Metis, and Inuit employees? In this session, cross-cultural educator and human resources consultant Trish Nadjiwon Meekins will address the following topics: 

• Indigenous worldview as compared to western society 
• Micro-aggressions 
• Policy review and change
• Stereotypes and identity 
• Tokenism or overgeneralizations 
• Contributions of First Nations to Canada since contact 

Trish will engage with the audience to explore the impacts of genocide on the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island, and how we can begin to progress toward Reconciliation. Through circle teachings, she will guide the audience through self-reflection about moving toward a more inclusive workplace. 

Speakers: 

• Trish Nadjiwon Meekins, MSW RSW CYW CCH, Cross-cultural Educator, Human Resources Consultant, Social Worker

At the conclusion of the forum, the audience will regroup with Isadore Day and session facilitators to continue the process of creating a roadmap to Reconciliation in the context of within municipal social services in Ontario. Audience members at all levels will also have the opportunity to provide input into this discussion which will inform OMSSA’s next strategic plan.  

Moderator: 

• Isadore Day, Chief Executive Officer, Bimaadzwin

Panelists:

• Justin Marchand, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services

• Micheal Miller, Executive Director, Association of Native Child and Family Services Agencies of Ontario

• Staci Williams, Training Associate Manager, Ontario Native Welfare Administrators Association