ILEA Explores - Land Acknowledgements: putting words into action

Presented by ILEA Calgary and ILEA Edmonton, this workshop will offer participants fundamental knowledge about the history and purpose of land and territorial acknowledgements. Participants will also reflect on the meaning behind the words that we use and the importance of choosing words with intention, authenticity, and respect.

Resources will be provided to help participants begin developing their own personal land acknowledgement framework as they reflect on their individual and collective identities and sense of place. Co-delivered by Indigenous and Settler trainers whose experiences bring the content to life, this interactive course offers tangible outcomes for participants looking to deepen their understanding and practice of reconciliation.

Your facilitators:

Steven Francis is the President of 3S Consulting Services, a Calgary based Indigenous consulting company. A member of Nekaneet First Nation in southwest Saskatchewan and a law school graduate, Steve provides strategic guidance and workshops focused on Aboriginal consultation and Indigenous participation in energy development. He is passionate about educating organizations and their personnel about Indigenous interests and proposing policy solutions that benefit Indigenous people and the federal or provincial Crown respectively.

Anne Harding is the Owner of Forum Community Relations Inc., a Calgary based consulting company dedicated to catalyzing better communities through Indigenous relations and community engagement. In her 18+ years of experience as a community and Indigenous engagement professional, she has engaged with over 85 Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada on economic development, community engagement, education, reconciliation, training, and resource consultation initiatives.

Anne has developed several courses, workshops, and learning experiences to help Canadians build awareness and understanding about the history and experiences of Indigenous Peoples. She has delivered training to more than 2000 people over the last ten years, and prides herself on “connecting the dots” to help Canadians know better, so that they can do better with respect to Indigenous relations. Anne holds a Master of Arts in Corporate-Aboriginal Relations and a CP3 (Certified Public Participation Professional) designation through the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2 Canada). She also volunteers as Vice Chair on the board of the Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary and is a director on the board of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce where she co-chairs the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Sub-Committee.