About this Event
Healing begins with awareness. Change begins together.
Join Shining Mountains Living Community Services for our annual Kipihciwin Macayowen – Family Violence Prevention & Awareness Conference. This year’s theme, “From Surviving to Thriving,” reflects a journey of resilience, healing, and hope.
Rooted in culture, connection, and community, this one-day gathering will bring together powerful voices to explore family violence, intergenerational trauma, prevention, healing, and pathways forward. Through shared knowledge and culturally grounded perspectives, we will honour resilience, strengthen awareness, and work together toward safer families and communities.
Come to listen, learn, connect, and be part of the change. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for all registered attendees.
Keynote
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Sharon Bourque, Director of Justice, Otipemisiwak Metis Gov
Info: Drawing on Sharon’s leadership in Métis justice, public safety, policing, education, governance, and community service, this keynote will explore what it takes to move beyond crisis response toward lasting safety, healing, and wellbeing. Reflecting current momentum toward Indigenous-led justice, survivor- and family-centred services, culturally grounded prevention, and stronger collaboration across systems, Sharon will examine how relationships, accountability, and community strengths can help address family violence and systemic barriers. Her message will invite participants to turn hope into action by building pathways that support dignity, self-determination, resilience, and the ability of Indigenous individuals, families, and communities to thrive.
Understanding Indigenous
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Brenda Desjarlais, Counsellor, Red Deer Polytechnic
Info: Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in Indigenous mental health, counselling, addictions, education, and community-based practice, Brenda will explore how culture, identity, spirituality, mindfulness, and supportive relationships can strengthen healing and resilience. Reflecting current movement toward Indigenous-led, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and wholistic care, the presentation will consider the impacts of family violence, intergenerational trauma, substance use, and systemic barriers while emphasizing strengths, self-determination, and connection. Participants will gain practical insight into pathways that support safety, restore balance, and help individuals, families, and communities move from surviving to thriving.
Culture as a Pathway to G
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Lindsay Hawrylak, Indigenous Studies Instructor, Red Deer Polytechic
Info: Drawing on Lindsay’s expertise in Indigenous education, counselling psychology, cultural learning, and community empowerment—as well as her lived experience as a Cree-Métis woman and daughter of a Sixties Scoop survivor—this presentation explores culture as a foundation for good living. Reflecting current emphasis on Indigenous-led wellness, cultural continuity, culturally safe care, and land-, family-, and community-based connection, Lindsay will consider how reclaiming identity, teachings, language, stories, and relationships can strengthen belonging, mental wellness, and resilience. The session will highlight culture not only as a protective factor, but as a living pathway for intergenerational healing, self-determination, and individual, family, and community wellbeing.
Tech, AI and Mental
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Brett Chernow, IT Security Professional, CDN Controls
Info: Drawing on Brett’s expertise in cybersecurity, AI security, threat detection, and organizational risk, this presentation examines how everyday technologies can be misused within domestic violence to monitor, impersonate, harass, and control. Brett will highlight current trends—including location tracking, compromised accounts, smart and connected devices, AI-enabled impersonation, and automated harassment—and consider their effects on safety, privacy, trust, and mental health. The session will offer practical, trauma-informed guidance to help survivors, service providers, and organizations recognize warning signs, reduce digital risk, respond without increasing danger, and build safer, more resilient technology practices.
Panel Discussion
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:30 AM
Panel Discussion
Info: 1. From your perspective, what does “thriving” look like for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities affected by family violence?
2. What culturally grounded, trauma-informed approaches are currently working well to support healing, safety, and resilience?
3. Where are the most significant gaps in services, systems, or supports, and who is most affected by those gaps?
4. How can communities, service providers, justice partners, and governments shift from reacting to family violence toward earlier prevention?
5. What changes in policy, practice, funding, or collaboration would make the greatest difference for survivors and families?
6. What is one concrete action each of us can take tomorrow to help move Indigenous individuals, families, and communities from surviving to thriving?
Event venue & nearby stays
iHotel & Conference Centre, 6500 67 Street, Red Deer, Canada
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