The You Empowered Strong team is hosting a virtual speaker series to build strength by having these speakers share their expertise to increase community members capacity and empower Syilx Nation members’ in their healing journey.

Click Here to for the Zoom Link (same link for all speakers)

Virtual Speakers:

March 20 – kisakihikawin (You are Loved) with Charlotte Whitehead

“I am a Cree woman, mother, auntie, cousin, friend, co-worker and a helper. My goal in life is to learn about my culture; to practice and share the teachings through my work and as a mother, auntie. I like to compare mainstream methods of healing and helping to our own ways, our First Nation way. I find there is a huge similarity; what we need to know for guidance and coping is in our teachings and ceremonies. I believe by learning and practicing our teachings, ceremonies, our life stages and the 7 teachings – we will find the guidance we seek.”

March 21 – Trauma Informed Care with Monica Bhatara

Monica has over 25 years of experience working in the community-based social services field as a Therapist and Community Educator. She is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and Focusing-Oriented Therapist.

March 22 – niʕáy̓p kʷu aláʔ (We have always been here): Creating space in the circle for Syilx, Suknqinx, Sqilxw 2SLGBTQQIA+ relatives and kin with Dr. Percy Lezard

Dr. Percy Lezard whose pronouns are They, Them, Theirs, is a sqilxw registered with Penticton Indian Band in unceded B.C., their parents are IRS & Day School Survivors; Val Baptiste, Moses Baptiste, Pierre Kruger and grandparents are Ernie Lezard/Elizabeth Manual, Annie George/Jacob Kruger, & Katherine Manual/George Baptiste. They are an assistant professor and chair of Indigenous Studies at Laurier University. They are a national and global leader as their work centers Indigenous knowledge, Two spirit pedagogies, community Indigenous health, missing and murdered women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+, and gender-based violence in 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities.

March 23 – Responding to Sexual Violence with You Empowered Strong 

The cycle of sexual violence continues to occur in Indigenous communities due to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, the 60’s scoop, Day Schools, and the Indian Act. This training will look at some of the immediate ways to support sexual violence disclosures while incorporating our traditional Syilx values.

*Due to concerns about one of our speakers, they have been removed from the Speaker Series. The Speaker Series will now run from March 20 – 23, 2023. If you have any further questions, please contact Jennifer Lewis at Wellness.Manager@syilx.org