Lighting the Fire 2022 was an overwhelming success! We want to thank everyone who came out to the conference—the delegates, Chiefs, Elders, special guests, presenters, and staff. It’s been three years since our last in-person Lighting the Fire Conference, and we were so happy to see everyone again!
This year’s theme was Every Child Has a Gift. These words reflect First Nations values, beliefs, and traditions. We spent three days learning how we can strengthen our classrooms and finding new tools to provide children with every opportunity to flourish.
The conference opened in a good way with a Grand Entry hosted by the Spirit Sands Singers. Greetings were shared by MFNERC Executive Director, Charles Cochrane; MFNERC Chairperson; Clarence Easter; Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, former-Grand Chief Dennis Whitebird; Southern Chiefs’ Organization, Grand Chief Jerry Daniels; Assembly of First Nations, Manitoba Regional Chief Cindy Woodhouse; Treaty Commissioner of Manitoba, Loretta Ross; and Deputy Minister, Manitoba Education, Dana Rudy. We thank everyone for their welcoming remarks and good words.
We were grateful for having Simon Bird as our Master of Ceremonies and first keynote speaker. Simon believes that if we study the language, we will realize its significance and the roots it has in our culture and society. We enjoyed a powwow dancer demonstration and hoop dance from the Powwow Club and Ray ‘Coco’ Stevenson’s drum group, Walking Wolf Ray.
On day two, we opened with wise and inspiring words from keynote speaker Tasha Spillett-Sumner, who gave a moving talk about motherhood, family, language, and the importance of education. She shared her inspiring story of how she became a New York Times best-selling author and how she makes way for others to follow her path.
A big congratulations to the high school Science Fair participants and winners. We were delighted to give the stage to these students as they accepted their recognition awards. The students displayed their winning projects at the conference for all of us to see. We wish the best to Dylan Bercier and Deanna Traverse, who will attend the virtual Canada-Wide Science Fair this year. We are proud of their presentations and accomplishment!
Before lunch on day two, we were gifted with impromptu jigging lessons from acclaimed dancer Ryan Richard and his dancing partner Felicia Morrisseau. He had many leaders and delegates get up to dance along and learn the steps. We then heard uplifting stories and songs from the talented Leonard Sumner from Little Saskatchewan and guitarist Mark Foster. This conference was packed full of fun and inspiration between and during all our workshops!
“Attending Lighting the Fire 2022 was so good for the spirit.” Says Tasha Spillett-Sumner, “Seeing people together again; learning and laughing was so beautiful. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to come share the importance of honouring the gifts that each child carries with them, including the children that still live inside each of us. I look forward to next year!”
