Reconciliation in Action, June 2017

This event created space for participants to reflect on what their own personal journeys of reconciliation could look like. It provided an opportunity to turn thought into action, to connect new ideas with work already underway in our families, communities, and organizations. Our intention was to create a space grounded in understanding as we considered different paths toward reconciliation. We once again hosted the KAIROS Blanket Exercise—an experiential way to think about the ongoing impacts of colonization and to consider each person’s responsibility in moving forward in reconciliation. Afterward, a series of Stories from the Community sessions invited leaders, activists, and community members to share stories about work that is inspiring, mobilizing, or supporting their local communities and participants “harvested” knowledge from the different stories that related to their own reconciliation journey—giving them ideas to take back to their organizations. You can view the Conference Program here.

Voices in Action: February 2017 Social Policy Forum

The 2017 Social Policy Forum continued the work that began the year before. This event focused on turning ideas into action. Grand Chief Ed John opened the event with a featured address about reconciliation, and his report to government: Indigenous Resilience, Connectedness, and Reunification – from Root Causes to Root Solutions. Seth Klein, B.C. Director of Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, gave a keynote presentation on Poverty and the Progressive Jobs Plan. The event also included a panel of journalists talking about modern media and engaging the public on social issues. With a provincial election looming, each day also offered participants two opportunities to meet with BC’s political leaders and inform and educate them about community social care issues in BC Members of the BC Liberal party were invited to join forum attendees for lunch on Thursday. On Friday morning, we welcomed BC’s NDP, Green, and Independent politicians to join attendees for breakfast. You can view the Conference Program here.

Reconciliation as a Continuous Way of Being, October 2016

This conference created space for participants to explore what their own personal journeys of reconciliation could look like and how they might connect with other processes of reconciliation within their families, communities, and organizations. Two days of Dialogue Workshops were hosted by Reconciliation Canada on either side of a day-long conference focused on inspiring action, informing learning, and supporting those already engaged in this important work. The event had an exciting and packed agenda. After a keynote by Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, participants engaged with a series of great presenters: Monique Gray Smith, Kairos Canada, Sherry Small, Wedlidi Speck, Jennifer Charlesworth, the 4Rs Youth Movement, the Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks, and PeerNetBC. An address by Leslie Varley from the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres closed the conference. You can review a copy of the Conference Program here.

The Social Labs Experience, June 2016

On Thursday, June 23rd Federation members, community partners and representatives from government spent a day diving deep into a powerful tool for social innovation—the Social Lab! Facilitator Brenna Atnikov of Reos Partners led members and participants through the experience of using social lab methodology as a new way to address some of the most complex issues facing our communities. Read the Social Labs Experience Slide Deck to review what was covered at the conference. For more information on Social Labs check out the social labs page on the Reos Partners website! You can review the Conference Program here.

FCSSBC Social Policy Forum, February 2016

The Federation’s Social Policy Forum was an opportunity for people to come together and tackle the most complex issues facing our communities today. First, a day-long open space event empowered participants to collaborate on important, necessary changes within our broad sector. The second day organized participants into action groups devoted to addressing issues identified in day one. These teams have since been supported by The Federation to carry on their work. This document is the proceedings from the first day. It’s a collection of raw reports documenting highlights and detailed points raised in discussions. You can also view the graphic recordings of the two-day event as well as the ten social change initiatives that were launched at the Social Policy Forum. Review the Conference Program here.

Being Trauma-Informed in the Social Service Sector, October 2015

This conference was co-hosted by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and The Federation. It brought together staff and leaders from across the sector to learn together, ask questions, and consider how working in trauma-informed ways can impact the people we serve, the people we work alongside, and the organizations and communities we work within. You can view the conference program here. Presentations looked at various ways work is happening at the client, staff, organization, and system levels can be based on principles of safety, choice, collaboration, and trust. Dr. Jim Anglin and Jody Al-Molky both spoke on trauma-informed care. The Ministry’s Model of Care for Children and Youth with Complex Care Needs was overviewed by Dr. Warren Helfrich. Judith Wright and Chris De Boer spoke about weaving together spirit and health and Nancy Poole discussed ways of developing trauma-informed practice guidelines.