Conference Objectives

Many thanks to all of the presenters and participants for attending the conference.

Conference Objectives:

This interdisciplinary conference brings together a range of communities—Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, scholarly, activist, artistic, policy and service-oriented—to advance a series of critical and constructive conversations about the possibilities of truth and reconciliation. 

The conference aims to address the following questions and themes:

  • What do truth and reconciliation mean in light of the broader history of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations, and what might truth and reconciliation require?
  • Will "truth" only serve to re-open painful wounds? Is healing possible, and if so, how? What about justice?
  • Why was the truth commission forum selected, and what are its limits and advantages? (including from a comparative perspective) 
  • What expectations have been placed on the TRC, and how should the TRC manage these expectations?
  • What are the possible policy and cultural implications of concretely acknowledging the intergenerational effects of the residential schools?
  • How are colonization and residential schools currently taught or represented, and what needs to change?

The goal of the conference is to engage not just scholars but also students and the broader community on these profound and pressing issues.  The conference seeks the involvement of Aboriginal communities, especially those with whom Nipissing University shares its name, and it strives to foster dialogue on truth, justice and reconciliation that is meaningful and legitimate to people whose lives are directly affected by residential schools.  Furthermore, it aims to engender research that is responsive to and led by Aboriginal communities, noting the ongoing need to build trust and reciprocity between researchers and First Nations.  There is no registration fee for residential school survivors and their families. Registration fees are also waived for Nipissing University students.

These are some of the plans in place to meet these objectives:

1)   We seek to have a panel discussion on “Community Perspectives on Education Today” and to conclude the conference with a panel discussion on “Community Perspectives on Research Challenges.”  These two panels in particular aim to highlight practitioner and community views, and to set the overall tone of responsiveness for the conference.

2)   The second day of the conference will start with an event hosted by Nipissing First Nation at the Nbisiing High School in support of the conference.  Chief Marianna Couchie will welcome conference delegates to the territory, and Carol Clarke, from the Aboriginal Policing Unit of the OPP, will speak about the intergenerational effects of residential schools.  One objective of this session is to assemble conference delegates to acknowledge Nipissing First Nation from within that community’s worldview.   It is also a free, accessible event for the community to attend, and breakfast will be served. 

Persons wishing to attend this event alone are asked to RSVP at TRCconference@nipissingu.ca or (705) 474-3450 ext. 4373.

The Nbisiing Secondary School is at 469-B Couchie Memorial Drive, North Bay. For a map and directions, please see http://www.nipissingu.ca/TRCconference/accommodation_travel.asp  (scroll down to "travelling in North Bay").  A shuttle bus will also be picking up conference delegates (or others needing a ride) at the Hampton Inn, the Comfort Inn (on O'Brien) and lower residence at 8:30 a.m.

3)   Mike DeGagné, Executive Direction of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, will provide a keynote address, “Truth, Reconciliation and Healing: A Challenge to all Canadians." This will be Friday evening at 7:30 pm in Room F213.  This event is open to the public.

4)   Researchers and practitioners will present papers on panels that cover topics such as “Trauma, Health and Healing,” “Culture and Language,” “Institutionalizing Truth: Comparative Perspectives,” “Justice,” and “Apology and Reconciliation.”  For the full program of presenters and panels, see http://www.nipissingu.ca/TRCconference/program.asp. 

5)  Elder and counselling support will be available to conference attendees.

6)  In recognition of Nipissing First Nation's support of the conference, we have a commitment to provide it with copies of conference papers.  We ask presenters to provide an electronic copy of their papers or talks by March 5.  We also have a commitment as organizers to disseminate any publication resulting from the conference (i.e. an edited book or special issue of a journal) to the First Nations communities and Aboriginal organizations in the area. 

 

Please direct any questions regarding the conference to TRCconference@nipissingu.ca or to Rosemary Nagy at (705) 474-3450 ext. 4156 or Robinder Sehdev at (705) 474-3450 ext. 4025.