Building Reconciliation Forum 2023
Building Reconciliation Forum 2023
“Education for Reconciliation: Rebuilding Stronger and with Intentionality”
Office of Indigenous Initiatives at Western University
Boozhoo, Shekoli, Koolamalsihmwa, and Hello.
Welcome to Universities Canada’s Building Reconciliation Forum 2023!
The Office of Indigenous Initiatives at Western University is honoured to have been selected by Universities Canada as the host of its eighth annual Building Reconciliation Forum. The theme for this year’s forum is “ Education for Reconciliation: Rebuilding Stronger and with Intentionality.”
We look forward to welcoming you to the Forum, which will take place on June 27th and 28th, with a pre-Forum day scheduled for June 26th.
Registration for the Forum is now open. We encourage you to register early to obtain in-person access, as attendance is limited. Please note that we will also be providing online access for those who wish to participate remotely.
Register now
Forum Overview
The Forum will take place at the Wampum Learning Lodge , located on the campus of Western University in London, Ontario. It will facilitate a sharing of knowledge and experience in a wide variety of formats: panel discussions, oral histories, workshops, lectures, and presentations from the visual and performing arts. In addition to addressing the Forum’s main theme, presenters will cover four related subthemes:
- Indigenous Knowledges as a framework for Reconciliation and education sovereignty
- Moving forward towards the next seven generations: innovations and resiliencies
- Indigenous initiatives & Equity, Diversity Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization
- Indigenous Knowledges and Sustainable Development
We will also be hosting a pre-Forum day on June 26 th that will celebrate initiatives led by local Indigenous organizations and communities, and that will include a visit to a Indigenous nation from the surrounding area.
Forum Schedule
June 26: Pre-Forum Community Day
| Time | Event | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 a.m. |
Sunrise Ceremony and reception of ceremonial items from previous Building Reconciliation Forums |
Elder from local Indigenous communities |
Ceremonial Arbour at the Wampum Learning Lodge (WLL) |
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. |
Breakfast and registration |
|
Ontario Hall |
| 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Welcome and introductions |
|
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Showcasing the work of Indigenous organizations and communities advancing Truth and Reconciliation: • Display booths for sharing, learning, and visiting organizations • Vendors Market |
|
• Wampum Learning Lodge • Gymnasium, Faculty of Education
|
| 12:00 p.m. |
Lunch and visiting to discuss showcasing presentations |
|
Ontario Hall |
| 1:00 p.m. |
Bus transportation to local Indigenous communities |
|
TBD |
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Visits to Indigenous organizations and communities |
|
|
| 4:00 p.m. |
Dinner, socializing, and vending opportunities in community |
|
|
| 6:00 p.m. |
Bus transportation back to Western University |
|
|
June 27: Forum Day 1
| Time | Event | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 a.m. |
Sunrise Ceremony |
Ceremonial Arbour at the Wampum Learning Lodge |
|
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. |
Breakfast and registration |
Ontario Hall |
|
| 9:00 a.m. |
Opening and Welcoming Address |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
|
| 9:30 a.m. |
Greetings from Western University |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
|
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:20 p.m. |
Keynote speakers for Theme 1: |
Dr. Brent Debassige, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, Western University Leslee White-Eye |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
| 10:20 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. |
Health/Nutrition Break & Visiting |
||
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. |
Theme 1 Indigenous Knowledge as a Framework for Reconciliation and Education Sovereignty: Presentations (Session A) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. |
Theme 1 Indigenous Knowledge as a Framework for Reconciliation and Education Sovereignty:: Presentations (Session B) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 12:35 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
Lunch and table discussions |
|
Ontario Hall |
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. |
Keynote speaker for Theme 2: |
Dr. Chantelle Richmond, Associate Professor, Geography & Indigenous Studies, and Canada Research Chair, Western University |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. |
Theme 2 Moving forward towards the next seven generations: Innovations and Resiliencies: Presentations (Session A) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. |
Theme 2 Moving forward towards the next seven generations: Innovations and Resiliencies: Presentations (Session B) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 4:20 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Health/Nutrition Break & Discussions |
||
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Reflection on the day |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
|
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
Dinner |
Ontario Hall |
|
| 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. |
Reception for Indigenous Music Concert |
|
Wampum Learning Lodge |
| 8:15 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Indigenous Music Concert |
Genevieve Fisher and Murray Porter |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
| 9:15 p.m. |
Health/Nutrition Break |
||
| 9:15 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
Indigenous Music Concert |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education | |
| 10:00 p.m. |
Closing |
June 28: Forum Day 2
| Time | Event | Speaker | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 a.m. |
Sunrise Ceremony |
Ceremonial Arbour at the Wampum Learning Lodge |
|
| 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. |
Breakfast and registration |
Ontario Hall |
|
| 9:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. |
Opening and Welcoming Address |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
|
| 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. |
Greetings from Western University |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
|
| 10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. |
Keynote speaker for Theme 3: |
Dr. Candace Brunette-Debassige, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, and Teaching Fellow, Western University |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
| 10:20 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. |
Health/Nutrition Break & Visiting |
||
| 10:45 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. |
Theme 3 Indigenous Initiatives & Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization: Presentations (Session A) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 11:45 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. |
Theme 3 Indigenous Initiatives & Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization: Presentations (Session B) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
Lunch and table discussions |
Ontario Hall |
|
| 2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. |
Keynote speaker for Theme 4: |
Dr. Lewis Williams, Associate Professor, Indigenous Studies & Geography, and Acting Director of Indigenous Studies, Western University |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. |
Theme 4 Indigenous Knowledges and Sustainable Developmen: Presentations (Session A) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. |
Theme 4 Indigenous Knowledges and Sustainable Developmen: Presentations (Session B) |
Multiple speakers/sessions |
WLL & Faculty of Education classrooms (TBD) |
| 4:20 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Health/Nutrition Break & Discussions |
||
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Closing out the forum and traveling song |
Auditorium, Faculty of Education |
|
| 5:00 p.m. |
Safe travels home |
If you have any questions about registration or the Forum, please contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at: indigenousinitiatives@uwo.ca
Western is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron (also known as Chonnonton or Neutral Nation), on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research and community service.
