The Nature of All Things Indigenous: Discussing the Changing Climate of Truth, Reconciliation and Nurturing Connections

The program is intended to show and convey the value and goodness of doing this important work through First Nations culture, ceremony, and spirituality. We will be using our traditional songs, prayer chants and cultural processes to welcome our Ancestors, and to anchor ourselves in a spirit of purpose, dignity and healing. We have been intensely mindful and respectful of the speakers who have graciously agreed to talk about and share their experiences and perspectives.

The program outlines the day’s sequence of proceedings, and is generally a customary practice in many BC First Nation communities during important cultural and ceremonial work. The program is not set to a standard western academic schedule. The event will begin at 9:00 AM and aim to conclude at 4:00 PM, and lunch will be provided at about 12:00 PM with refreshments provided throughout the day for all in attendance. There is no cost for this event, and the food will be provided for everyone because it is also important to nourish the body while nurturing our minds and hearts.

We kindly ask you to be mindful of how you are feeling throughout the event, and to approach the speakers and each other with respect and dignity. Listening and participating in these important conversations about the context of truth and reconciliation is both difficult and unfamiliar for many of us, and particularly for those in the audience who are Indigenous – First Nations, Inuit, Métis. Much like the virtual Indigenous Speakers Series sessions, there will no Q&A period.

9:00 AM – Begin

Open the Event in a Good Way

The day will begin with a traditional opening prayer chant to welcome and seat our Ancestors, and for them to dignify us with their presence and to dignify the important work of the day.

Derek will introduce Jack Thompson Jr. and Bobby Durocher.

Jack will introduce Dr. Shane Pointe | Ti-te-in to welcome us to Musqueam territory.

Musqueam | xʷməθkʷəy̓əm – A Living Culture

Ti-te-in | Sound of Thunder – Dr. Shane Pointe will offer a warm welcome to the majestic and rightful territories of the Musqueam people. Dr. Pointe is a Musqueam Knowledge Keeper, and his motto is Nutsamaht! – We are one.

Moderators & Warm Greetings

Derek Thompson and Maï Yasué will be facilitating the session and moving us along in a good way.

Jack will speak on behalf of Derek Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun and will welcome our esteemed speakers and audience.

Warm Greetings from Dr. Maï Yasué, Associate Director, Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Maï Yasué will provide a welcoming address to the speakers and to the audience.

She will introduce Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Shane Pointe.

Speaker Introductions

The esteemed speakers, Dr. David Suzuki and Dr. Shane Pointe, will have an opportunity to introduce themselves to the in-person and live-stream audience.

We Do This Work With Purpose

Derek will talk about the purpose of the event and speak to the importance of doing cultural work, and he will also speak about the courage and resiliency of the speakers who have agreed to come together to share their personal experiences and perspectives.

Bearing Witness to Important Work

We will call on four witnesses from the audience and explain what their roles are throughout the day. Bearing witness to important cultural work serves as our memory and to uphold our oral traditions.

Honouring Ceremony

The ceremony of acknowledging those in our presence who are grieving and hurting is intended to honour the balance between life and death, joy and grief and the fleeting moments of meaning and insignificance. Grief and grieving are as fundamental to living as life itself. Before we do anything of a serious matter we always surround those who are grieving with love, care, and attention.

This ceremony will also honour and acknowledge the great good work of Dr. Shane Pointe who is the inaugural recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Original Laws from the Native Education College.

We will be using our traditional ceremonial songs to honour Dr. Shane Pointe, and to welcome him and Dr. Suzuki into this space to share and to talk about their respective perspectives and experiences.

12:00 PM – Lunch

Lunch will be provided for everyone at no cost, as part of our effort to nourish both body and spirit.

1:00 PM – Meaningful Conversations with the Speakers

Derek and Maï will be supporting each other as moderators for this important conversation, and will be facilitating the session and moving us along in a good way.

A set of key questions has been developed and sent to the speakers ahead of today’s event. This is done so that the speakers, the people here today sharing their experiences and perspectives, feel safe and supported to participate in these meaningful conversations. There will be no unexpected questions, and the speakers are welcome to respond only to the questions they feel comfortable addressing.

3:30 PM – Conclusion

Derek will provide closing remarks and reflect on the day’s event.

Jack will call the four witnesses to reflect on the day’s event.

Maï will reflect on the session and thank the panel of speakers, and the in-person audience, and the live-stream viewers for joining us. She will thank the helpers behind the scenes, the invaluable support of UBC MedIT, and Mary Kostandy, Digital Content and Engagement Strategist, who was instrumental in creating the content for the webpage for the Indigenous Speakers Series. A special acknowledgment will be given to Brian Fukushima, Administrative Coordinator, who was tireless in his efforts to coordinate this important event.

Derek Thompson – Čaabať Bookwilla | Suhiltun, Jack and Bobby will sing a traditional song to bring the event to a close.