Thanks to all who attended, volunteered, and presented with us for continuing to make the Gathering a true community event!
Ten years ago, our Gathering theme focused on the inspiring way in which people came together to shape their world and tackle threats to people, the planet, and our economies in the wake of the great recession. Once again, we find ourselves and our communities on shifting ground. A host of issues like the urgency of climate change, resources and people that are stretched too thin, tensions between governments and communities, discrimination, global migration and poverty have created a sense of unease and uncertainty. As the sustainability of our work, movements, and leadership become increasingly challenging, we are finding that we may not be as resilient as we thought.
But once again, in the face of adversity, we see powerful and transformative actions happening and people coming together to fight for a better world. From the global #metoo and March For Our Lives actions, to local movements seeking justice in an age of reconciliation, pushing for community to be placed at the centre of decision making, and creating innovative solutions with diverse people and ideas, civil society is responding and demanding that our voices and priorities be heard. We are on the edge of change, and finding our way through the uncertainty will take innovation and audacity. But with the determination, passion and commitment we see around us, we believe that change will translate into stronger, sustainable, inclusive, and equitable communities.
Connect. Learn. Celebrate
Click here to view more photos from The 2018 Gathering
Schedule | Plenary | Workshops | Sponsors | 2017 Highlights
Schedule
| 8:00-8:45am | Registration and Networking with Coffee and Refreshments |
| 8:45-10:00am | Opening Plenary Discussion on "The Edge of Change" |
| 10:00-10:30am | Networking Break |
| 10:30-12:00pm | Session One |
| 12:00-1:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30-2:45pm | Session Two |
| 2:45-3:00pm | Networking Break |
| 3:00-4:15pm | Session Three |
| 4:15-4:30pm | Closing Remarks with the Gathering Planning Team |
Other Details:
- 30 workshop sessions to choose from.
- Catered lunch by local cooperatives and social enterprises.
- To reduce our waste at the conference please bring a travel mug with you.
- This is a scent free event! Please try to refrain from wearing any scents at the conference.
Plenary Discussion
Our opening plenary session featured a multi-generational panel discussion on "The Edge of Change." We are pleased to introduce our speakers:
ELDER MAE LOUISE CAMPBELL
Mae Louise Campbell is from the Ojibwa-Saulteaux Metis Nation. She has birthed five children
and is a Grandmother to many. She grew up in the small Metis northern community of Kississing Lake-Cold Lake, Manitoba. Mae Louise’s commitment to the healing of Aboriginal Women has led her to create Grandmother Moon Lodge; A Healing Lodge dedicated to our growth through our Ancient Knowledge and Ceremonies.
She is the Elder in Residence at Red River College and University of Manitoba, Faculty of Social Work (Selkirk campus). She sits on Mayor Bowman's Indigenous Advisory Circle. She is a Wisdom Keeper on the Grandmother Council of Manitoba known as Kookum Kaa Na Da Maa Waad Abinoojiiak Council: Grandmothers Protecting our Children. Additionally, she has sat on the First Nations Advisory Committee Board to Canada’s Prenatal Nutritional Program of Manitoba as well as works as Elder advisor for the Canadian Women's Foundation in matters concerning the sexual exploitation and human trafficking of our women and girls and most recently was a Recipient of 2016 Inspire National Aboriginal Achievement award under the Spiritual -Cultural category. Currently she is Elder and co-founder on a project “Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre” a contemporary sustainable innovative holistic model of healing, education and training that will support Indigenous women and girls who have been victims of sexual exploitation and sex trafficking.
ABDIKHEIR AHMED
Abdikheir Ahmed is the Director of the Immigration Partnership Winnipeg (IPW). He has previously served as the Executive Director of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) Inc. Abdi has extensive experience working with immigrant and refugee communities in Winnipeg’s inner city and is a passionate advocate for immigrants and refugees in Canada.
Abdi has received numerous awards for his work creating life-changing opportunities for new Canadians. He was a CBC Manitoba Future 40 Finalist in 2014 and is the recipient of the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, one of the province of Manitoba’s highest honors for his work advocating for refugees and building bridges with Canadian communities.Abdi has a Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia where he studied on a Rotary Peace Fellowship.
UZOMA ASAGWARA
Uzoma Asagwara is an entrepreneur, public speaker, psychiatric nurse, activist and former member of the Canadian Women’s National basketball team. They sat on the Premiers Advisory Council of Education, Poverty and Citizenship and they are the creator of QPOC Winnipeg, an initiative that creates safer spaces for and positive visibility and representation of queer and trans Black/Indigenous/People of Colour.
Uzoma currently sits on the University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Social Accountability Committee, The board of directors of the Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art and The board of directors of the Women’s Health Clinic
Workshops
The Gathering offers a full day of professional development, with over 30 workshops, at an accessible pay-what-you-can rate. To view our full workshop schedule, click the link below. Keep checking back as additional workshops become available. Workshops are subject to change without notice.
View Workshop Schedule Online
2018 Gathering Sponsors
Thank you to this year's partners and sponsors!
Event Partners:
Learning Sponsors:
Connecting Sponsors:
Thanks to all our other sponsors and supporters! Interested in supporting? Check out our Sponsorship Opportunities or Contact Sarah Leeson-Klym at 204-943-0547 or sleesonklym@ccednet-rcdec.ca
2017 Gathering Highlights
Click here to download the 2017 Gathering Final Report
Previous Gatherings:
2017 |2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007
For more information on this year's Gathering, how to sponsor or get involved, contact gathering at ccednet-rcdec.ca
The Gathering is an annual pay-what-you-can event where Manitoba’s community builders connect, learn, and celebrate success. It is open to all from staff of community organizations, to civil servants, funders, students, academics, or anyone interested in community development and community economic development.
