Bringing Our Successes to Light
The 2015 Lighting the Fire Education Conference, in partnership with the Western Canada First Nations Administrators Education Conference May 6-8 was a resounding success.
Close to one thousand delegates from across Canada came together in Winnipeg to learn and share about First Nations education and leadership. Throughout the three days, over forty workshops, two plenary sessions, the LTF tradeshow, and Gala Evening banquet made for an exciting event for everyone.
Joseph Boyden
The theme of the conference, Where Eagles Gather, was fitting for day one when several Chiefs from Manitoba took part in a panel discussion on First Nations education. On day two, during the plenary, award winning author Joseph Boyden spoke and shared some of his writings. He brought the audience to tears as he detailed his own personal story, life challenges and successes. “[As First Nations people] there will always be failures and successes. They are like two hands on the same body, and we need to make successes our dominant hand.”
Also on day two, winners of the 2015 Lighting the Fire Student Essay Contest, Sparrow Kennedy, Junior Winner, from Miskooseepi School, Bloodvein First Nation and Tori Krista- Lynn Ross, Senior Winner, from Otter- Nelson River School, Cross Lake First Nation, both presented their essays. They focused on the topic of how the eagle is a symbol of leadership for First Nations people.
The MFNERC event planning committee would like to extend thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated and presented at the conference. We are now busy getting ready for the the First Nations Circle of Knowledge & Practices Conference. It will take place October 8 & 9 at the Victoria Inn in Winnipeg. For further information, watch the MFNERC website at www.mfnerc.org or our social media pages, @mfnerc (Twitter), Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (Facebook).
