Looking Out For Each Other (LOFEO) May Virtual Symposium: MMIWG2S+ Supporting Better Outcomes

Welcome to the Looking Out For Each Other (LOFEO) May Virtual Symposium: MMIWG2S+ Supporting Better Outcomes. This virtual event will include presentations, workshops and discussions from the LOFEO project network and others doing work in the same MMIWG2S+ field. This platform provides LOFEO the opportunity to raise awareness of the project and how we are collectively working to develop and support the creation of Indigenous-led responses that will lead to better outcomes for Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons in the future. 

Over the last 4 years, LOFEO has been able to work across the Eastern region to support families and communities of missing and murdered Indigenous people. As a community-driven project, LOFEO has brought together Indigenous organizations, councils, community members, elders, scholars, students, police, lawyers, journalists and government to dialogue on and work towards building improved approaches and services that lead to better outcomes in all areas that impact MMIWG2S+. We are so grateful for all those that have contributed their time, expertise, and voices to this project.

This Symposium will offer both presentations and virtual workshops for participants to actively engage in. Participants will learn about the work of the project and have opportunities to ask questions of the presenters. There are 5 workshop options in the afternoon, from 1:15-3:15pm (ADT). There is limited space available in each of the 5 workshops due to facilitation and material requirements. We encourage everyone to register for their workshop choice as soon as possible to secure their place.

See all the presentations and workshops offered.

10:00-10:20am

Opening Prayer (Miigam’agan, Elder in Residence, St. Thomas University)

Instructions (Moderator: Barb Martin, Han Martin Associates)

Welcome (Barry LaBillois, New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council President and Chief)

Welcome (David Coon, MLA Fredericton South, Leader of the New Brunswick Green Party)

Opening Remarks: How We Are Looking Out for Each Other (Michelle Perley, LOFEO Project Manager)

10:25-10:55am 

Keynote Address “The Voices Not Here”

(Amanda Myran, Piluwitahasuwin (Assistant Vice-President Indigenous Engagement), University of New Brunswick)

10:55-11:05am

Questions

11:08-11:38pm

Missing People – Missing Legislation (Dr. Jula Hughes, Dean, Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, Lake Head University; Dr. Karen Pearlston, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of New Brunswick; Dr. Elizabeth Blaney, MMIWG Senior Advisor, Congress of Aboriginal People; Danica Jorgenson, Articled Clerk and Katie Power, Articled Clerk)

11:38-11:48pm

Questions

11:50-12:10pm

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Tiohtia:ke/Montreal: Towards a Meaningful Collaboration between the SPVM and Indigenous Communities (Dr. Mirja Trilsch, Professor, Department of Legal Sciences, University of Montreal in Quebec; Dr. Doris Farget, Professor, Department of Legal Sciences, University of Montreal in Quebec; and Dr. Dominique Bernier, Professor, Department of Legal Sciences, University of Montreal in Quebec)

12:10-12:20pm

Questions

12:20-1:00pm

LUNCH

1:00-1:10pm

Welcome Back and Introduction to Workshops

1:15-3:15pm

WORKSHOPS: 

1) Bapiiwin: Surviving and Overcoming on the Multiple Loss Journey (Albert McLeod, Indigenous Cultural Facilitator) 

2) Indigenous Genealogy: An Introduction (Margie Roxborough, Genealogist)

3) Nu’gmijinagig Glusuwa’nuwal/ Our Ancestral Grandmothers/Clanmothers Teachings: Rematriation of Indigenous Languages and women’s Leadership Traditions (Miigam’agan, Elder in Residence, St. Thomas University)

4) Cultural Safe Lawyering: Training Law Students to Assist Indigenous Clients (Dr. LA Henry, Lawyer at LA Henry Law and Benson Barnaby, Articled Clerk)

5) Kindness Dolls (Rose Moses, Artist, Native Women’s Association of Canada)

3:15-3:25pm

HEALTH BREAK

3:25-3:40pm

1-833-MMI-FIND Helpline Development, Pilot and Expansion (Michelle Perley, LOFEO Project Manager)

3:40-3:50pm

Questions

3:55-4:25pm

LOFEO Guidelines for Reporting on Missing Indigenous People (Terra Tailleur, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Journalism, University of Kings College; Erin Moore, Journalism Instructor, Nova Scotia Community College; Nic Meloney, Video Journalist, CBC Indigenous; and Trina Roache, Video Journalist, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network)

4:25-4:35pm

Questions

4:37-4:50pm

Supporting Indigenous Youth (Anthea Plummer, LOFEO Project Engagement Officer)

4:50-4:55pm

Questions

4:55pm 

Closing Remarks (Moderator: Barb Martin) and Closing Prayer (Miigam’agan, Elder in Residence, St. Thomas University)