National Gathering on Unmarked Burials: Addressing Trauma in the Search and Recovery of Missing Children

Agenda at a Glance

November 28-30, 2022
RBC Convention Centre
Winnipeg, MB

Monday, November 28, 2022

Registration for statement gathering will be in the NCTR Archives Room (Executive Conference Centre) and will open at 12:00PM until the dinner on Monday, and then for Nov 29 and 30 it will open at 8:00AM and close at 5:00PM. 

Lunch and Dinner Provided at Conference Venue

7:00 am

  • Lighting of Sacred Fire

12:00 pm

  • Registration Opens
  • “Grab and go” lunch provided

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

  • Opening and Sons of the Drum
  • Empty Chair, Bentwood Box and Memorial Cloth Ceremonies
  • Welcome Gathering & Dinner
  • Welcome Remarks by Leadership
  • Keynote Address by The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair
  • Artistic Performance – Rhonda Head, Mezzo-Soprano Vocalist
  • Closing Prayer

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Breakfast and Lunch Provided at Conference Venue

6:30 am

  • Sunrise Ceremony: Pipe Ceremony and Water Ceremony

8:30 am – 5:00 pm

  • Open with Hand Drum
  • Voices of Survivors: Trauma Associated with the Search and Recovery of Missing Children
  • Opening Comments by Kimberly Murray, Independent Special Interlocutor and Stephanie Scott, Executive Director, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
  • Keynote Address by: Dr. Cornelia (Nel) Wieman – “Practising Trauma-Informed Mental Health and Wellness”
  • Participant Dialogue and Sharing
  • Red River Métis Cultural Performance
  • Voices of Community – “Ensuring Community Well-Being in the Search and Recovery of Missing Children”

Interactive and Facilitated Breakout Sessions

Interactive Breakout Sessions led by Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor

  • Session 1- Recognizing the Different Types of Trauma
  • Session 2 Responding to Trauma and Grief Through Arts and Commemoration

Interactive Breakout Sessions led by National Advisory Committee on Missing Children and    Unmarked Burials

  • Session 3 – Panel Discussion – Trauma-Informed Communication
  • Session 4 – Knowledge Sharing Circle: Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Caring for Survivors and Families Throughout the Search Process
  • Session 5 – Knowledge Sharing Circle: Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Caring for our Communities throughout the Search process
  • Session 6 – Knowledge Sharing Circle: Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Caring for the Frontline Workers who Lead and Carry out Searches
  • Breakout Session Highlights
  • Closing Prayer

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Breakfast and Lunch Provided at Conference Venue

6:30am

  • Pipe Ceremony and Water Ceremony in Meeting Plenary

8:30 am to 5:00 pm

  • Open with Hand Drum
  • Voices of Survivor Families – Youth “Health and Wellness Supports Needed for Youth in the Search and Recovery for Missing Children”
  • Voices of Community – “Perpetuating Trauma and How to Address Trauma”
  • Participant Dialogue and Sharing
  • Inuit Cultural Sharing
  • Indigenous Physicians Panel: “Health and Healing in the Search and Recovery for Missing Children”
  • Participant Dialogue and Sharing

Interactive and Facilitated Breakout Sessions

Interactive Breakout Sessions led by Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor

  • Session 1 – Understanding Ambiguous Loss
  • Session 2 – Responding to Trauma and Grief: The Importance of Ceremonies
  • Session 3 – Osborne Family Presentation: “Pimicikamak: Sharing a Journey of Healing”

Interactive Breakout Sessions led by National Advisory Committee on Missing Children and    Unmarked Burials

  • Session 4 – Panel Discussion – How to Talk about the Search Process with our Children
  • Session 5 – Knowledge Sharing Circle: Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Caring for Survivors and Families Throughout the Search Process
  • Session 6 – Knowledge Sharing Circle: Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Caring for Our Communities Throughout the Search Process

Session 7 – Knowledge Sharing Circle: Good Practices and Lessons Learned in Caring for the Frontline Workers Who Lead and Carry Out Searches.

  • Breakout Session Highlights
  • Closing Remarks
  • Closing Prayer and Travel Song

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