Conference Background
The Event
The Love Conference will deal with the love that has been stripped away by traumatic events such as family violence, addictions and negative residential school experiences. Each letter in the word L.O.V.E signifies our aspirations for the conference participants. L: Love is universal and is something we all strive to give and receive. Understanding how love influences not only how we perceive of ourselves but our familial relationships as well, is key to healing from trauma. O: Opening our hearts and minds to understanding our correlation with love can also lead to a new path of rediscovery. V: Value in ourselves through self-love is essential to the self-esteem of our young people. E: Embracing and strengthening relationships is the outcome of the conference. Through positive, uplifting success stories, we invite Aboriginal community members to embark on an innovative endeavour with us in the hopes that we can rediscover who we are truly meant to be. With love in the center we move forward; working together to create a brighter future for our children.
Through comprehensive workshops the conference is designed to be interactive and the skills obtained from them can be utilized in everyday living. The Love Conference will raise awareness about forming healthy and compassionate communities by placing emphasis on the needs of our Aboriginal families. Understanding the role love plays is key when making positive changes in our relationships. We all have a relationship with not only our family members but with ourselves as well, and sometimes the relationship with the self is the one that needs the most work. “How do we love ourselves?” and “If we do not love ourselves first, how can we possibly love others to the best of our ability?” These are just a couple examples of the types of questions that will arise within our workshops. Healthy love is loving yourself first and learning to accept where life has brought you. Moreover, healthy love is learning to forgive not only those who have harmed you but learning to forgive yourself as well. These are just a few of the central factors that are essential in strengthening the bonds within our families.
Today, the needs of Aboriginal families can be most notably recognized in the fact that Aboriginal children represent the largest concentration of children within child welfare system and Aboriginal youth and adults also represent a large percentage of those involved in the criminal justice system. The trauma from the residential schooling system has no doubt left a lasting impression on Aboriginal families; however it need not determine the future of our families. We can be the change we want to see in our families. This conference will provide an opportunity for men and women from various backgrounds to get together to share the best practices in enhancing and empowering positive change in their own communities. By learning to build upon our existing skills around healthy relationships we will provide a solid foundation for our families to grow more resilient, which will usher a new wave of healthy and strong Aboriginal families.
The Event Presenter
The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women is the proud presenter of the 2012 Love Conference. The (IAAW) was established in 1995 as a non-profit society in the Province of Alberta to respond to the needs of Aboriginal Women in Alberta. Through four main streams of services, the IAAW strives to provide a springboard of after crisis supports that will lead Aboriginal women to a sustainable livelihood. Currently, the IAAW provides pre-employment, leadership and financial literacy skill development programs to increase independence through our 14 chapters. Building on the beauty and strength of Aboriginal Women in Alberta, the IAAW coordinates the annual Esquao Awards Gala to recognize significant accomplishments made in a community through an honoring ceremony. Since its inception over 340 women from 76 communities have been honored.
The Format
Before each breakout session, facilitators will provide a five minute overview of their session to the conference delegates. Delegates can then choose which breakout session they would like to attend. This format allows for an overview of all sessions for all delegates. In each session facilitators will present for twenty minutes, then facilitate an interactive community planning session to find ways to integrate teachings into their lives.
The Audience
It is estimated that approximately 200 delegates from across Alberta and Canada will attend this interactive conference, including Aboriginal women, business leaders, innovators from the corporate sector, government, associations, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, and non-profit organizations. Emerging leaders and Aboriginal youth from Alberta will also be targeted to register, along with individuals and organizations that support the advancement of Aboriginal women.
The Venue
The Love Conference will be held February 21st–22nd 2012 at the Mayfield Inn & Suites, a well-known venue to host our event The Mayfield Inn & Suites is the place to meet, eat and sleep! This full service hotel promises a unique experience unlike any other Edmonton Hotel. The facility includes several features that one should expect from an outstanding hotel. With 327 smoke-free guest rooms and suites, five on-site dining and entertainment choices, spacious banquet space and meeting place, the unparalleled recreational amenities make this hotel one that truly provides its guests with comfort, relaxation and entertainment. The Mayfield Inn & Suites is also conveniently located in west Edmonton, just a few minutes from West Edmonton Mall.
Registration
The registration deadline is February 16th 2012. Please fill out the registration form by clicking here.
Payment will be accepted through paypal or in the form of a check or money order and can only be made out to the IAAW.
Refund Policy
Our refund policy is as follows: 100% refund prior to February 7th and no refund after February 8th 2012.
