About this Event
*THIS EVENT HAS BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE OPTIONS*
Welcome to The Western Canadian Mental Health & Education Summit: Integrating Indigenous Perspectives and Navigating AI, Digital Literacy & Resilience in a Connected World
On behalf of Jack Hirose & Associates, welcome and thank you for joining us in Calgary, Alberta, for the Western Canadian Mental Health & Education Summit. We are delighted to bring together educators, counsellors, therapists, administrators, healthcare providers, and helping professionals from across Canada for three days of practical, evidence-informed learning.
Calgary is a vibrant city known for its welcoming atmosphere, diverse dining and entertainment options, and proximity to the Canadian Rockies. We encourage you to take advantage of your time here by exploring the city and experiencing everything Calgary has to offer.
Throughout the summit, participants will explore timely issues shaping mental health, education, and professional practice. Through practical strategies, current research, and engaging discussions, the conference is designed to provide new perspectives and tools that can be applied across schools, clinical settings, healthcare environments, and community programs.
We hope you enjoy both the conference and your time in Calgary, and leave feeling inspired, connected, and equipped with practical ideas to support the individuals, families, schools, and communities you serve.
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Education and Clinical Professionals: All education and mental health or healthcare professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers • All other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers and Community Police Officers.
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Day One – November 4, 2026
1. AI in Action: Transforming Education and Therapy for Every Learner
Presented by DCP, CCC, CCS
8:30am - 4:00pm November 4, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how educators, therapists, and mental health professionals support learning, wellbeing, communication, and intervention. This practical and thought-provoking workshop brings together professionals from education, counselling, psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and related fields to explore how AI can be used responsibly, effectively, and ethically in professional practice.
Moving beyond headlines and hype, participants will examine real-world applications of AI that can be implemented immediately to enhance learning, improve accessibility, support individualized interventions, streamline administrative tasks, and foster creativity and engagement. Through demonstrations, case examples, and hands-on discussion, attendees will gain practical strategies for integrating AI into their work while maintaining professional standards and human-centred care.
The workshop will also engage participants in some of the most pressing ethical and societal debates surrounding AI. Topics may include the growing use of AI as a source of companionship for young people, the environmental implications of large-scale AI technologies, concerns about privacy and data security, and the evolving role of AI in educational settings. Rather than focusing solely on detecting AI use by students, participants will explore approaches that acknowledge AI as an emerging reality and learn strategies for incorporating it into teaching, learning, and assessment in meaningful and constructive ways.
For mental health professionals, the workshop will include demonstrations of ethical AI-assisted case conceptualization and treatment planning, highlighting both the potential benefits and the important limitations of these tools. Throughout the day, participants will critically examine how AI can support professional judgment without replacing the relational, ethical, and human dimensions that remain central to education and therapy.
Participants will leave with practical tools, concrete examples, and a balanced understanding of both the opportunities and challenges AI presents, equipping them to navigate this rapidly evolving landscape with confidence, curiosity, and professional integrity.
2. Walking the Medicine Wheel to Holistic Wellness, Personal Growth & Healing
Presented by Ph.D.
8:30am - 4:00pm November 4, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
The Medicine Wheel offers a holistic framework for understanding wellness, healing, and our connection to ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. Rooted in Indigenous teachings, the Medicine Wheel reminds us that healing is not simply the absence of illness but the ongoing process of nurturing balance among the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of our lives.
This interactive six-hour workshop invites participants to explore the Medicine Wheel as a guide for personal reflection, healing, and growth. Through discussion, storytelling, experiential activities, and self-reflection, participants will examine the impact of life experiences, relationships, and intergenerational influences on well-being. The workshop emphasizes practical ways to reconnect with traditional teachings, strengthen resilience, and cultivate a deeper understanding of holistic wellness.
Participants will leave with a renewed appreciation for Indigenous perspectives on healing and practical strategies for fostering balance, connection, and personal growth.
Day One
🕑: 08:30 AM - 04:00 PM
1. AI in Action: Transforming Education and Therapy for Every Learner
Host: Lisa Porter, DCP, CCC, CCS
Info: Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how educators, therapists, and mental health professionals support learning, wellbeing, communication, and intervention. This practical workshop explores how AI can be used responsibly, effectively, and ethically across education, counselling, psychology, and allied health settings.
Moving beyond headlines and hype, participants will examine real-world applications of AI to enhance learning, improve accessibility, support individualized interventions, streamline administrative tasks, and foster creativity and engagement. Through demonstrations, case examples, and discussion, participants will explore key ethical issues including privacy, data security, AI companionship, environmental impacts, and the evolving role of AI in teaching and assessment.
Participants will leave with practical tools, concrete examples, and a balanced understanding of AI’s opportunities, limitations, and ethical considerations in professional practice.
Learning Objectives
Info: • Explain the capabilities, limitations, and current applications of artificial intelligence within education and clinical practice.
• Apply AI tools to enhance learning, accessibility, intervention planning, administrative efficiency, and professional practice.
• Critically evaluate AI-generated content to support sound professional judgment and evidence-informed decision-making.
• Analyze ethical, legal, and professional considerations associated with the responsible use of AI in educational and therapeutic settings.
• Develop practical strategies for integrating AI into professional practice while maintaining ethical standards, human connection, and professional integrity.
🕑: 08:30 AM - 04:00 PM
2. Walking the Medicine Wheel to Holistic Wellness, Personal Growth & Healing
Host: Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D.
Info: The Medicine Wheel offers a holistic framework for understanding wellness, healing, and our connection to ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. Rooted in Indigenous teachings, the Medicine Wheel reminds us that healing is not simply the absence of illness but the ongoing process of nurturing balance among the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of our lives.
This interactive six-hour workshop invites participants to explore the Medicine Wheel as a guide for personal reflection, healing, and growth. Through discussion, storytelling, experiential activities, and self-reflection, participants will examine the impact of life experiences, relationships, and intergenerational influences on well-being. The workshop emphasizes practical ways to reconnect with traditional teachings, strengthen resilience, and cultivate a deeper understanding of holistic wellness.
Learning Objectives
Info: Explore the role of physical activity, nutrition, traditional foods, and herbs in supporting health and healing.
Examine the impacts of excessive sugar, alcohol, and other harmful substances on overall well-being.
Recognize the value of lifelong learning through listening, reading, dialogue, and engagement with Elders, family, colleagues, and mentors.
Deepen understanding of emotions, how they function, and how internal experiences and external stressors affect emotional well-being.
Explore healthy forms of emotional expression that support healing of the heart, mind, and spirit.
Examine the ongoing impacts of Indian Residential Schools, intergenerational trauma, emotional repression, and discrimination.
Identify pathways toward healing, resilience, cultural connection, and holistic well-being.
Event venue & nearby stays
Grand Hotel Calgary Airport & Convention Center, 2828 23 Street Northeast, Calgary, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.