CIEM: Building Relationships - Treaty Education for All
Register here: https://memberlink.mbteach.org/Event.axd?e=2979
CIEM - Council for Indigenous Education in Manitoba
Conference Title: Building Relationships: Treaty Education for All
Location: Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: October 23, 2025
- Program -
09:00 am - 09:30 am - Arrival, Optional Smudge, Registration, and Resource Fair
09:30 am - 09:45 am - Welcome and Opening Prayer
09:45 am - 11:45 am - Keynote Presentation
11:45 am - 12:00 pm - Break
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm - Lunch and AGM
01:00 pm - 01:30 pm - Networking Time and Resource Fair
01:30 pm - 02:30 pm - Afternoon Sessions
02:30 pm - 03:00 pm - Closing and Door Prize Draws
- Conference and Membership Fees -
CIEM Conference Fee ..................................... $100
CIEM Conference & Membership Fee ......... $100 / .... $120 as of Oct 1
CIEM Membership Fee .................................. $20
Walks-ins are welcome, until we reach our maximum allowed capacity of 300 people. Thank you for understanding.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations with refunds will be issued until October 1, 2025.
If you require any additional information about this conference, please contact ciemwpg@gmail.com.
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Sessions - 9:45 AM-11:45 AM
Keynote
Loretta Ross is the Treaty Commissioner for the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM). She was appointed in 2017. Her role involves strengthening, rebuilding, and enhancing the Treaty relationship between First Nations and Manitobans. The TRCM is a neutral body, and its work is supported by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC). Ross's background includes a law degree from Queen's University. She has worked extensively in Indigenous legal and social services, including roles with the AMC, Fox Lake Cree Nation, and her own Hollow Water First Nation. Her appointment as Treaty Commissioner was supported by the AMC. Ross's immediate priorities include public education on treaty issues and fostering positive change in treaty relationships. She has increased her efforts to engage the public through community meetings, informational sessions, and initiatives like co-editing a magazine issue on treaties and hosting a radio program called "Let's Talk Treaty".
Presenter: Loretta Ross, Treaty Commissioner, Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Sessions - 1:30 PM-2:30 PM
A1: Land-Based Education
Knowledge Keeper Sheldon Orvis carries a wealth of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and experience on the land. He has extensive knowledge in hunting, trapping, harvesting, orienteering and plant identification. Sheldon is First Nation and comes from the east shores of lake Winnipeg from the small village of Grand Marais. He graduated with a diploma in Natural Resource Management from Keewatin Community College in 2003 and is currently employed by the province of Manitoba as a conservation officer for over 20 years. He has a passion for our ecosystems and sustainability for our future generations.
Presenter: Sheldon Orvis, Knowledge Keeper
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Royal AB Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 40
A2: Dog Sledding
Unique Adventures is a Metis-run outdoor adventure business located just 40 minutes south of Winnipeg in beautiful St. Malo, Manitoba. Founded by Metis musher Matthew Legal, who has over 10 years of experience working with world champion mushers, the business started after COVID-19 halted sled dog races. To keep his sled dogs active, Matthew began offering rides for friends and family, eventually turning his passion into a business. Joined by his partner, Shanna, who also became a musher and business owner, they now offer a variety of mushing excursions, from guided sled rides to self-driving experiences. Unique Adventures also travels to winter festivals and remote communities, providing sled rides for hundreds of guests. Future plans include expanding to summer dune buggy excursions and offering kennel tours, with hopes to add a warm-up hut, fire pits, and a puppy petting area.
Presenters: Unique Adventures Shanna and Matt
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Royal C Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 40
A3: Tipi Teachings
Students from Winnipeg School Division will present on the tipi and Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. This session will incorporate the use of tipis for learning and cultural events, including how to take care of the tipi and tipi teachings.
Presenter: Spring Maytwayashing
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Viscount A Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 40
A4: Spirit North
Description
Presenter: Spirit North
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Viscount B Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 40
A5: Water is Life
My name is Ashley Wolfe, and my traditional name is White Thunderbird Woman. I am the acting Co-ordinator for KisKinHaMaKiWin. My focus with the program is working to decolonize education through Land-based learning, working with Youth and Elders, and bringing awareness of the importance of water through an Indigenous Knowledges perspective. Through the KisKinHaMaKiWin program, I am able to work with communities showing them how accessible water testing within the community is, and to encourage our next generation of land and water protectors through hands on experience.
Presenter: Ashley Wolfe
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Regal Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 30
A6: Mama Bear Clan
Mama Bear Clan is a community safety initiative that was created by NPDWC's Women's Warrior Circle. In 2016 a group of mothers, grandmothers, sisters and aunts decided that safety is something that is fostered through relationship: within ourselves, our home, and in the community. Sometimes all people need to feel safe is knowing someone cares about them. By connecting with our neighbours and our friends living on the street we hope to build friendship and trust within our community while incorporating the Seven Sacred Teachings: love, truth, honesty, respect, courage, humility and wisdom.
Presenter: Bernadette Folster
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Hanover Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 35
A7: Clan Mothers
Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre is committed to restoring our sacredness as Indigenous Women and 2Spirit* relatives, reclaiming our rightful roles by returning to our original matriarchal centered governance systems. We provide a trauma informed, land-based healing space by utilizing Indigenous worldviews, methodologies, and economies. While encouraging empowerment through training and employment opportunities.
Presenter: Elder Mae Louise Campbell
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Kensington Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 35
A8: Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers
Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers are three siblings from Winnipeg, Manitoba who share a passion for dance, not just any dance it's all about the Red River Jig! Michael, Jacob and Cieanna perform traditional dances of the Red River Jig mixed with modern dancing known as the hip hop jig.
Presenters: Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Windsor Room, Viscount Gort Hotel, 1670 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Participant Max: 40