Building Reconciliation Forum 2023

Flying Geese

Building Reconciliation Forum 2023  

“Education for Reconciliation: Rebuilding Stronger and with Intentionality” 

Office of Indigenous Initiatives at Western University 

London, Ontario 
June 26 – 28, 2023 

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: 

  1. Indigenous Knowledges as a framework for Reconciliation and education sovereignty 
  2. Moving forward towards the next seven generations: innovations and resiliencies 
  3. Indigenous initiatives & Equity, Diversity Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization
  4. 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

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

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: 
Indigenous Knowledge as a Framework for Reconciliation and Education Sovereignty: Presentations (Session A)

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:  
Moving forward towards the next seven generations: Innovations and Resiliencies

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

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:
Indigenous Initiatives & Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Decolonization, and Indigenization

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:
Indigenous Knowledges and Sustainable Development

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. 

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