About
The First Peoples Policy Forum brings together Indigenous Peoples, academics, policy-makers, and urban Indigenous leaders to explore some of the most pressing issues facing Indigenous communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Overall objectives include raising public awareness about the issues that matter to Indigenous people and providing advice to government based on community-driven policy solutions.
Winter 2022
In partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, Office of the Regional Chief for Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, First Voice is holding its inaugural First Peoples Policy Forum on Monday, December 12, and Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Taking place at Signal Hill Campus in St. John’s, the theme of the Forum is Mobilizing Indigenous Sovereignty through UNDRIP.
The Forum will explore possibilities for mobilizing the international declaration to support and extend the sovereignty of First Nations and Inuit territories in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as opportunities for supporting and advancing the sovereignty of diverse Indigenous Peoples living in urban communities in the province.
The program for the multi-day event will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas on the implementation of UNDRIP at the municipal, provincial, regional, and federal levels. These discussions will help to inform First Voice’s strategy for achieving the objectives in our forthcoming Community Action Plan and will also help to shape the federal government’s own UNDRIP implementation Action Plan.
Speakers
The First Peoples Policy Forum will feature speakers from Newfoundland and Labrador and others from across Canada, including:
- Sheilagh O’Leary, Deputy Mayor, City of St. John’s
- Lisa Smith, Senior Director of Governance, International and Parliamentary Affairs, Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC)
- Shylo Elmayan, Former Senior Project Manager, City of Hamilton
- Ravina Morgan, Indigenous Social Innovation Coordinator, Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC)
- Damon Johnston, President, Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg
- Kamala Todd, Professor of Urban Studies, Simon Fraser University
- Matthew Norris, President, Urban Native Youth Association
- Gabriel Maracle, Policy Analyst, National Association of Friendship Centres
- Jennie Williams, Inuk Photographer and Filmmaker
- Sarah Hannon, Mi’kmaw Artist and PhD Student, University of Toronto
- Amanda Gear, Creative Writer and Journalist
Forum Agenda
The complete program agenda is now available here.
Registration
Advance registration is now open and is required to attend. To help cover the costs of organizing the event, a donation of $30 per participant is suggested.