Lunch and Learns — Webinars for Truth and Reconciliation

Next week, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba is hosting a series of lunch and learns. These webinars are aimed to help viewers and attendees unlearn the myths surrounding the history of colonialism in Canada. These immersive sessions will be offered in both English and French, and will also support ASL interpretation. Each session will be 40-50 mins long with time for Q&A afterwards. With the 150th Anniversary of Treaty 4 this coming Sunday, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we encourage you to attend some of these sessions and learn more about our history with Indigenous Peoples and how we may continue the path of reconciliation. 

The sessions being offered during this lunch and learn include:

Monday, Sept. 23th

Health related impacts of the residential school system.

English with French and ASL interpretation.

Speakers Kathy Pompana and Dr. Maureen Lux will discuss the harms caused by the residential school system and the segregated health care system known as Indian Hospitals and their modern-day impacts for Indigenous health. Audience members will come away with an understanding of the link between these colonial systems and how they contributed to mistrust of the health care system. Moderated by Lauren Pelley.

Tuesday, Sept. 24th

Allyship and confronting unconscious bias.

English with French and ASL interpretation.

Dr. Cary Miller and Residential School Survivor Lila Bruyere will take a hard look at how unconscious bias is still present in societal systems and attitudes today and what can be done to confront and change it. Audience members will come away with knowledge on how to dismantle our biases and support true allyship. Moderated by Andrea Ménard.

Wednesday, Sept. 25th

Impacts and addressing Indigenous identity fraud.

English with French and ASL interpretation.

Speakers Michelle Cyca and Residential School Survivor Dickie Yuzicapi will examine the issue of Indigenous identity fraud and unpack the practice of “pretendianism” and its harmful impacts. Audience members will come away with an understanding of the reach and impact of identity fraud and what can be done to address it. Moderated by Michelle Good.

Thursday, Sept. 26th

A community perspective of United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

English with French and ASL interpretation.

Speakers Chief Ovide Mercredi and Megan Lewis will discuss the journey of Canada’s endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the significance of this milestone, and its potential to reshape the Crown-Indigenous relationship. Audience members will come away with knowledge of the progress made and information on how to overcome resistance to the Declaration. Moderated by Sherri Helgason.

Friday, Sept. 27th

How do we address the barriers to reconciliation?

English with French and ASL interpretation.

Dr. Eva Jewell and Residential School Survivor Levinia Brown will shed light on the biggest barriers to Reconciliation, the lack of progress made on the TRC’s Calls to Action, and what Canadians need to do to keep moving forward and enact change. Audience members will come away with an understanding of what is preventing progress and how as individuals we can take responsibility for Reconciliation. Moderated by Cole Kippenhuck.

For more information on the program, the individual webinars, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, or the sponsors and partners that made this possible, please visit their website.

For further information please contact us:

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