2020 Keynote Speaker: Monique Gray Smith

Keynote Address: 
​Weaving Love and Joy into the Journey of Truth and Reconciliation 

​In this dynamic and inspiring keynote, Monique will share her personal journey of Truth and Reconciliation and how that journey has transformed her and her family. She will share stories and offer readings from her various books. Through our time together, we will explore the importance of story and the integral role love and joy have in the education of the hearts and minds of our young citizens.  

​Profile: Monique Gray Smith

​Monique Gray Smith is a proud Mom of teenage twins and an award-winning, best-selling author. Her first published novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience won the 2014 Canadian Burt Award for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Literature. Since then, Monique has had 6 books come out, including My Heart Fills with Happiness, which has won numerous awards, as well as Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation which as a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award.  In the fall of 2019, every child in Canada entering grade one received a copy of the dual language, English/French and Cree edition of My Heart Fills with Happiness. Monique’s latest release, Tilly and the Crazy Eights is a novel about an epic road trip that Tilly and eight Indigenous Elders take. The story reminds the reader of the power of the human spirit and that love is medicine. In November 2019, Tilly and the Crazy Eights won the First Nations Reads in the Young Adult/Adult Category. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish and has been sober and involved in her healing journey for over 28 years. She is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience.

Workshop Session I - 10:00-11:00

Fostering Resiliency with Indigenous Children and Families

​This workshop is an extension to the Keynote Address and will begin with an overview on how stress & trauma impact a child’s wellness and why we may see various behavioural disruptions and challenges in attachment. We will delve further into the 4 Blankets of Resiliency, with opportunity to explore how each blanket might be used to strengthen your programming and services.