Tri-Territorial Health & Social Professionals Conference: Full Schedule

Please note: Agenda Subject to Change

Disclosure of financial support: This conference has no external financial or in-kind supports
This conference has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 16.5 Mainpro+ Certified Activity credits.

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7:30am PDT

Registration Opens

Wednesday April 16, 2025 7:30am - 8:45am PDT

Break and Registration

8:45am PDT

Welcome Remarks

Wednesday April 16, 2025 8:45am - 9:00am PDT

Gathering & Reflections

9:00am PDT

Evidence-Based Approaches to Advancing Quality Care for Indigenous Peoples

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am PDT

“I want to provide culturally relevant care to Indigenous peoples – what should I do?”

In this interactive presentation, Dr. Smylie and Elder Alita Sauve will engage the audience in a practical conversation regarding key pathways and pitfalls on the journey to advance Indigenous cultural safety in health services. This will include a discussion of demonstrated tools and strategies at the health-care provider-patient; institutional; and systems levels.

Key Takeaways:

The roots of anti-Indigenous racism in health care are non-Indigenous and multi-pronged, requiring multi-pronged, multi-level responses customized to the non-Indigenous sources;
Critical, explicitly anti-racist, and quality-assurance focused approaches have been demonstrated to be effective;
Anticipate resistance and a bumpy trail forward at all levels;
Traditional Indigenous approaches are a powerful guide and protector as we do this work and will be commonly missed, misunderstood and/or distorted in translation.

Speakers

Dr. Janet Smylie

Director, Well Living House

Dr. Smylie is the Director of the Well Living House Action Research Centre for Indigenous Infant, Child, and Family Health and Wellbeing, Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Advancing Generative Health Services for Indigenous Populations in Canada, and Professor at the Dalla Lana School... Read More →

Elder Alita Sauve

Alita is a member of the Tahltan Nation in British Columbia, through her mother. She is also Cree from Saskatchewan through her father. Being a long-time resident of Toronto for fifty years, Alita has worked to serve the Toronto urban Indigenous community for twenty nine years. During... Read More →

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am PDT

Plenary Session

10:15am PDT

Nutrition Break

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT

Break and Registration

10:45am PDT

The Ceremony of Image Making: Piecing Together Meaningful Research/Clinical Relationships

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm PDT

The Ceremony of Image Making: Piecing Together Meaningful research/clinical Relationships Dr. Lisa Boivin utilizes the Indigenous tradition of image making to reimagine meaningful research/clinical relationships. Lisa will open by sharing her Indigenous experience and perspectives; often asking herself critical questions where she can enhance and improve her practice as a research/clinical educator. In this talk attendees will explore cultural safety through her pedagogical practice. Lisa shares her story of healing through cultural
reclamation in images she has painted, collaged and photo-voiced.

Learning Outcomes - Key takeaways.
1. Attendees will understand how colonialism impacts the health outcomes of Indigenous people andpopulations.
2. Attendees will learn how healing is enhanced by reclamation of culture.
3. Attendees will learn how image-based storytelling honors, personal and collective needs for wellbeing.

Speakers

Dr. Lisa Boivin, PhD

Indigenous Educator, Research Strategy & Development, University Health Network

Dr. Lisa Boivin is a member of the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation in Denendeh (Northwest Territories). She is the Indigenous Educator at University Health Network and The Center for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health’s (Ganawishkadawe) at Women’s College Hospital in Tkaronto (Toronto... Read More →

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm PDT

Plenary Session

12:00pm PDT

Break for Lunch

Wednesday April 16, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Break and Registration

1:00pm PDT

Culture as Medicine: Indigenous-Led Approaches to Health and Wellness

Wednesday April 16, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT

Indigenous knowledge has long recognized that culture itself is a form of healing. This panel will highlight initiatives across Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut that center Indigenous culture in health and wellness, ensuring Indigenous voices lead the development and delivery of these programs.

Discussion Points:

Indigenous-led health initiatives and their impact
Embedding cultural safety into healthcare systems
Challenges and supports in implementing strategies
How cultural knowledge is shaping the future of healthcare in the North

Speakers

Karen Blondin Hall

Director of Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism, Government of Northwest Territories' Department of Health and Social Services

Karen Blondin Hall (she/her/hers) is Sahtúgot’ine and a Délın̨ę beneficiary, born and raised in Yellowknife, NWT. As the Director of Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism at the GNWT’s Department of Health and Social Services, she draws upon over a decade of experience to lead... Read More →

Desiree Blackjack

Visionary, Thay K'i Anint'i (Fly Like an Eagle)

Desiree Blackjack is Northern Tutchone from Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation from the Crow Clan. She is the Visionary and Founder of Thay K'i Anint'i. After beginning her own healing journey in recovery, she started TKA to fill the gaps in the aftercare sector to offer culture... Read More →

Harry Maksagak

Family Resource Worker, Department of Family Services, Government of Nunavut

A well-respected Elder and dedicated community leader with extensive experience in counseling, publicspeaking, and social advocacy. His deep commitment to integrating Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)Principles and Inuit Societal Values (ISV) into his work has significantly impacted the... Read More →

Candace Parsons

Director of HR for Education, Yukon Government

Arijana Haramincic

Territorial Executive Director, Child and Family Services, Department of Health and Social Services ,GNWT

Arijana is a Territorial Executive Director, Child and Family Services, Department of Health and Social Services with GNWT. She has worked in the public sector for over 25 years, ranging from front line service delivery to senior and executive positions with significant experience... Read More →

Laura Salmon

Director, First Nations Health Programs

Laura Salmon started her professional career in nutrition when she moved to the Yukon over 25 years ago. She is the Director of First Nations Health Programs (FNHP), and oversees a wide variety of Yukon Hospitals programs and services for Indigenous patients. She works with partners... Read More →

Duy Dat Nguyen

Family Resource Specialist, Department of Family Services Government of Nunavut

Nguyen’s work emphasizes child welfare through a culturally grounded, prevention-focused approach rooted in Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) Principles. He has been instrumental in the development of the Family Resource Program, designed to strengthen Inuit-specific wellness initiatives... Read More →

Dana Francey

Manager, Indigenous Child and Family Wellbeing, Health and Social Services, Government of NWT

Dana Francey (she/her) is Inuvialuk from Inuvik. She is the granddaughter of Mary Kaglik and daughter of Judy Kaglik (Francey) and Peter Francey. Dana was born in Inuvik and was raised both in Inuvik and various parts of southern Canada. She has two boys, ages 12 and 17 who are now... Read More →

Wednesday April 16, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm PDT

Moderated Panel

2:15pm PDT

Nutrition Break

Wednesday April 16, 2025 2:15pm - 2:30pm PDT

Break and Registration

2:30pm PDT

Understanding the Healing Power in Culture

Wednesday April 16, 2025 2:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Join Dennis Shorty and Jenny, the dynamic duo known as Jennis, for an interactive and uplifting session blending culture, storytelling, and music. Dennis, a Master Carver, singer-songwriter, knowledge keeper, and residential school survivor from the Kaska First Nation, grew up immersed in art and tradition. Jenny, originally from East Germany, embraced Yukon life when she moved to Ross River to support Dennis’s artistic journey. Together, they have built a life of creativity, resilience, and connection. Their workshop invites you to experience healing through drumming, singing, and dance—so bring a drum if you have one and prepare to be inspired.

Souga Sin La!

Speakers

Jenny & Dennis Shorty

Dennis Shorty Fine Art

A creative couple from Ross River, Yukon, Dennis and Jenny—also known as Jennis—have fused together knowledge, culture, and humour. Jenny hails from East Germany. Eighteen years ago, she took a leap of faith, followed her heart, and moved to the most remote community in the... Read More →

Wednesday April 16, 2025 2:30pm - 4:30pm PDT

Plenary Session

Tri-Territorial Health & Social Professionals Conference

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