Aboriginal Education Research Forum 2015

Greetings and Welcome

On behalf of all the staff at the Aboriginal Education Directorate and the Aboriginal Education Research Forum Planning Committee, Welcome. Aniin. Tansi. Boozhoo kakina awiya, Elders, presenters, delegates and volunteers to the 11th annual Aboriginal Education Research Forum, Shawane Dagosiwin. Our theme of this tenth anniversary year is "Enacting Engaging Research methods for Capacity Building: Community Indigenous Environmental Wellness for Individual Strengths” which will guide the 2015 agenda.

We anticipate you will enjoy your stay in Manitoba, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Dakota, Dene, Ininew (Cree), Métis and Oji-Cree, and renew kinships and acquaintances with friends, colleagues and family from near and afar.

It is Manitoba’s privilege to host this conference, which is rich in the knowledge and wisdom that our Elders from Manitoba and other Nations share with us every year. We are honoured to receive as our keynote speakers Dr. Myra Laramee and Henry Jesus Villasante Floras.

Shawane Dagosiwin would not be possible without the financial and in-kind support of our esteemed sponsors. University College of the North; Red River College; University of Manitoba; United Way of Winnipeg; Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Center; Seven Oaks School Division; Brandon University; University of Winnipeg; Manitoba Education and Advanced Learning; Aboriginal and Northern Affairs; Manitoba Jobs and the Economy.

Thank you to all our sponsors who contributed in so many ways!

This conference is possible because of the collaborative work of the Planning Committee, whose members work diligently throughout the year to bring you this eventful gathering. Their efforts are truly appreciated. Also, we would like to acknowledge the special contribution of our conference volunteers and elders; Carmen Neufeld of Planners Plus, Inc. for all her tremendous hard work; and to the wonderful staff at the Victoria Inn.

To the Creator, thank you for gathering us here safely. Thank you for bringing us together and giving us the self-determination and liberty to join our voices together for the goodness and growth of our communities. Thank you for opening our minds and giving us the ability to think individually and as a collective and ask that our thoughts are pure so we are able to create new meaning, purpose and growth for ourselves, our families our communities and nations.

Helen Robinson-Settee and Staff at the Aboriginal Education Directorate