In the month of April, Coming Home Society is offering a speakers’ series featuring First Nations presenters. In the spirit of reconciliation, they will help us understand the trauma of the past, the challenging realities of the present, and their hopes for the future.
In Session #1 – “The Spirit has no Colour” (Thursday, April 14th), former Vancouver Police Board member, Jerry Adams (Nisga’a), and Native Police Liaison Constable Rick Lavallee (Cree), will present a film produced for use in sensitivity training with new police recruits, and help us toward a compassionate understanding of intergenerational trauma.
In Session #2 – “First Nations 101 – tons of stuff you need to know about First Nations People” (Thursday, April 21st), Tsimshian author Lynda Gray introduces her book. You will come away with a better understanding of our shared history and of the many issues that affect the daily lives of First Nations peoples. (her book will be for sale at the event)
Session #3 – “We are the future” (Thursday, April 28th), will feature two of several young First Nations women (Nisga’a) who recently obtained Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Amy Parent and Melissa Adams (with Melanie Delva) will bring Aboriginal perspectives to the areas of Education and Archives.
This series is a fundraiser for the Coming Home Society’s new “Wisdom of Elders” program. Suggested donation is $10 at the door. All sessions begin at 7pm in the Trendell Lounge, St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church, 1410 Nanton Avenue, Vancouver.
Coffee and dessert will follow the presentations.
Images:
- Jerry Adams
- RickLavallee
- Lynda Gray
- Melissa Adams
- Amy Parent