Save The Date: MWASW Annual Conference October 18, 19, 20, 2023
MWASW Conference 2023
OCTOBE 19, 2023
OCTOBE 19, 2023
OCTOBE 19, 2023
Kathy Absolon
(Minogiizhigokwe – Shining Day Woman)
Is Anishinaabe kwe who is a community helper, knowledge seeker, knowledge carrier, educator, re-searcher and writer. Kathy is a member of Flying Post First Nation Treaty 9. At the age of 62, Kathy carries truth stories about both a rich cultural history and Canada’s colonial history. Her
Kathy Absolon
(Minogiizhigokwe – Shining Day Woman)
Is Anishinaabe kwe who is a community helper, knowledge seeker, knowledge carrier, educator, re-searcher and writer. Kathy is a member of Flying Post First Nation Treaty 9. At the age of 62, Kathy carries truth stories about both a rich cultural history and Canada’s colonial history. Her lifetime of work in decolonial stories and Indigenous education has been informed by her land-based philosophy. Currently, Kathy is a Professor in the Indigenous Field of Study, Masters of Social Work Program in the Faculty of Social Work and the Director of the Centre for Indigegogy at Wilfrid Laurier University. She spent the first 20 years of her life living in the bush in a place called Cranberry Lake. The land, she says, is a library of knowledge and taught her so much about life and she continues to reflect and draw on her land based teachings. Her passion for wellness among her peoples and the restoration of Indigenous knowledge in Creation has been one of the driving forces in her life work as an Indigenous wholistic practitioner in child welfare, Native mental health, youth justice, education, and community work. Over the last 35 years, her academic and cultural work has been in restoring, reclaiming, re-righting Indigenous history, knowledge, cultural worldviews and making the invisible visible - decolonization. She promotes this through Indigenous research methodologies and published “Kaandossiwin, How we come to know” (2011) and in her recently published 2nd edition (Fernwood Publishing) of Kaandossiwin How We Come to Know (2022). Indigenous re-Search. Currently, Kathy is co-editing another book related to Decolonizing Journeys, forthcoming in 2025. She has authored book chapters, journal articles, multi-media projects and other works in wholistic practice, social inclusion, reconciliation, community healing and wellness and Indigenous knowledge.
October 19, 2023
OCTOBE 19, 2023
OCTOBE 19, 2023
Tuma Young, KC,
is an L’nu (Mi’kmaq) from Malagawatch reserve and his band is Eskasoni First Nation. Tuma was born into the Attu’wej (Squirrel) clan for the Aplikjumuj (Rabbit) clan. Tuma resides in Sydney River with his husband, Nicolaas Honig and he teaches L’nu (Mi’kmaq) Studies at Cape Breton University.
Tuma is the first L’nuwisit (flu
Tuma Young, KC,
is an L’nu (Mi’kmaq) from Malagawatch reserve and his band is Eskasoni First Nation. Tuma was born into the Attu’wej (Squirrel) clan for the Aplikjumuj (Rabbit) clan. Tuma resides in Sydney River with his husband, Nicolaas Honig and he teaches L’nu (Mi’kmaq) Studies at Cape Breton University.
Tuma is the first L’nuwisit (fluent Mi’kmaq speaking) lawyer called to the bar in Nova Scotia (2001) and was the President of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society for 2021-22. Tuma currently sits as the Nova Scotia board representative on Canadian Bar Association National Board of Directors.
Tuma’s legal focus is on the restoration of L’nuwey & Wabanaki Laws. Thus, much of his current legal work is on bringing Wabanaki Laws and worldviews to our clients’ needs in Child & Family Services, Health, Governance & Adjudication.
Tuma has significant experience in Aboriginal law, which is Canadian Law as it applies to Indigenous folks. Tuma Aboriginal legal work experience has been in Governance, Health, Education, Social, Fisheries, Aboriginal & Treaty Rights, Taxation, Justice, Regulatory bodies and in Adjudication.
October 20, 2023
OCTOBE 19, 2023
October 20, 2023
Kristen Basque
is a Mi’kmaq Social worker from Eskasoni First Nations, Nova Scotia. She was born and raised in Eskasoni. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and minored in psychology from University of Cape Breton. After graduation, Kristen took a year off to work in justice as a Youth Justice worker with Mi'kmaq Legal Suppo
Kristen Basque
is a Mi’kmaq Social worker from Eskasoni First Nations, Nova Scotia. She was born and raised in Eskasoni. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and minored in psychology from University of Cape Breton. After graduation, Kristen took a year off to work in justice as a Youth Justice worker with Mi'kmaq Legal Support Network. She returned to school after her year of employment to pursue a career in Social Work. Kristen graduated from Dalhousie Maritime School of Social Work. After graduation, Kristen was employed with Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services of Nova Scotia (MFCSNS) as a child protection social worker. While on maternity leave, she accepted a position as a youth customary law worker. During her employment, she facilitated Youth Justice Circles. In 2005, Kristen returned to work for MFCSNS as coordinator of Family Group Conferencing. Kristen was the Supervisor of the Wikɨmanej Kikmanaq Family Group Circle Program where she was worked passionately in promote building positive relationships, reconciliation, and healing while empowering families to make decisions for themselves. Currently Kristen is the Manager of Prevention Services at Mi’kmaq Family & Children’s Services where she continues working on advocating for families in development of preventative services that embody Mi’kmaw customs, traditions, and values. Kristen resides in Eskasoni with her partner Bertram and their 15-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. She is a fluent Mi’kmaq speaker and believes in the importance of preserving her language and culture through embracing culturally relevant practices with families in their own communities.
Kikehtahsuwey| Angweiatimgewiei| Taking care of each other
Spiritual Self-Care Gathering Agenda
St. Mary’s First Nation Maqiyahtimok Conference Center 247 Maliseet Drive
Wednesday April 19th 2023
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. MC Introduction, Drumming In Ceremony, Welcome Remarks-Chief Polchies, Gifting Ceremony
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Journal Writing (Validation and Acknowledgement)
3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nutrition Break
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Protocols for Ceremony/Sweat Lodge Preparation
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Supper on Your Own
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. OPTIONS: Sacred Fire/Naming Ceremony/Sweat Lodge
Thursday April 20th 2023
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony/Stretching/Relaxation Exercises
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Check In
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.Nutrition Break
10:30 to Noon Grandmother Teachings
12:00 Noon Traditional salmon and fruit salad Lunch Provided
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 7 Sacred Teachings
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Protocols for Ceremony/Sweat Lodge Preparation
3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Nutrition Break
3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Medicine Bag Bundle Making
4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Traditional Supper
Provided
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. OPTIONS: Sacred Fire/Naming Ceremony/Sweat Lodge
Friday April 21st, 2023
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony/Stretching/Relaxation Exercise
9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Check In
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Nutrition Break
10:15 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. Healing with Elders
12:00 Evaluation/Closing
Elders will be available throughout the Gathering. Elders: Glenda Wysote-Labillois, Miigam’agan, Jeannie Bartibogue, Ramona Nicholas Elder Helper: Rosalee Labillois
Sweat Lodge Keepers: Chris Brooks, Evan Sacobie Fire Keepers: Ed Perley, Norman Bernard, Aaron Nicholas, Marty Bear
Smudging Stations will be set up throughout the Gathering
Mi'kmaq / Maliseet Bachelor of Social Work 2023
