ELDERS’ WISDOM GATHERING

Calling on Elders to Share Traditional Knowledge for Community Healing and Mental Wellness

THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF OVERDOSE, SUICIDE, SELF-HARM, MENTAL HEALTH, AND LOSS WITHIN COMMUNITIES IS URGENT.

We invite all Elders in the region to join together at the gathering.

The knowledge shared by the Elders will guide the direction of the work being done in our communities to build a strong foundation of resilience and a brilliant future.

  • 3-Day Gathering of Elders

    The Elders’ Wisdom Gathering seeks to draw upon our Elders’ wisdom, knowledge, traditions, and culture to help guide a process of hope and healing. We invite all Elders in the region to join together at the gathering.

    3-Day Gathering June 26-28,2023
    Arrival Day, Sunday, June 25.

    Quality Inn & Conference Centre
    Transportation and accommodation support is provided.

    Book Now!

  • Gathering Overview

    Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Daily.

    Sunday, June 25: Arrival day, Hotel check-in, Welcome Feast and Bingo.

    Monday, June 26: Pipe Ceremony, Sharing Circles, Youth Performance, and Arts & Crafts.

    Tuesday & Wednesday, June 27-28: Opening Prayer & Smudge, Sharing Circles, Youth Performance, and Arts & Crafts.

    Thursday, June 29: Departure Day.

    View Full Program

  • Questions?

    Have questions about the gathering? Learn more about attending, hotels, food, wheelchair access, and transportation by clicking the button below.

    FAQs

Agenda overview

Use the + and — signs to open the agenda for each day.

  • Flights arrive.

    Shuttle pick up Elders from the airport.

    3:00 PM | Hotel check-in

    5:00 PM | Welcome Feast and Bingo

  • 5:30 AM  |  Hot breakfast buffet available from 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    9:30 AM  |  Doors open

    10:00 AM  |  Pipe Ceremony

    12:00 PM  |  Lunch with Youth Performance

    1:00 PM  |  Welcoming Remarks

    1:30 PM  |  Sharing Circles

    3:15 PM  |  Coffee & Tea Break

    3:30 PM  |  Closing Remarks & Prayer

    4:00 PM  |  BREAK for Elders

    5:30 PM  |  Dinner

    6:30 PM  |  Arts & Crafts

  • 5:30 AM  |  Hot breakfast buffet available from 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    9:30 AM  |  Doors open

    10:00 AM  |  Opening Prayer & Smudge

    10:15 AM  |  Welcoming Remarks

    10:30 AM  |  Sharing Circles

    12:00 PM  |  Lunch with Youth Performance

    1:00 PM  |  Sharing Circles

    3:00 PM  |  Coffee & Tea Break

    3:30 PM  |  Closing Remarks & Prayer

    4:00 PM  |  BREAK for Elders

    5:30 PM  |  Dinner

    6:30 PM  |  Arts & Crafts

  • 5:30 AM  |  Hot breakfast buffet available from 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    9:30 AM  |  Doors open

    10:00 AM  |  Opening Prayer & Smudge

    10:15 AM  |  Welcoming Remarks

    10:30 AM  |  Sharing Circles

    12:00 PM  |  Lunch with Youth Performance

    1:00 PM  |  Sharing Circles

    3:00 PM  |  Coffee & Tea Break

    3:30 PM  |  Closing Remarks & Prayer

    4:00 PM  |  BREAK for Elders

    5:30 PM  |  Dinner

    6:30 PM  |  Arts & Crafts

  • 5:30 AM  |  Hot breakfast buffet available from 5:30 AM - 10:00 AM

    Shuttle to the airport.

    Flights depart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the + and — signs to see the answer.

  • Yes. This gathering is for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Elders who live in the Wood Buffalo region.

  • Elder refers to someone recognized by their community as having life experience and understanding of First Nations, Métis or Inuit history, spirituality, traditional language, cultural teachings, ceremonies or healing practices.

  • Yes. Athabasca Tribal Council Elders and all Elders living in the Wood Buffalo region are welcome at the Wisdom Gathering.

  • Yes, meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner. Coffee and tea breaks are also provided, along with snacks.

  • Yes, transportation support will be provided. Once you register online or by phone, Stephanie Myrick will contact you to organize transportation. This may include booking transportation for you or reimbursement of transportation costs, like mileage. Transportation needs are assisted on a case-by-case basis.

  • In lieu of an honorarium, travel, accommodations, and meals are provided to all Elders.

  • The Quality Inn & Conference Centre is wheelchair accessible. When registering, in the accessibility section, please indicate that you require wheelchair access.

  • Nursing Station
    First Aid & Prescription Support from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Resource Centre
    Elder Resources & Support Booths Open 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

    Healing Spaces
    Smudging, Cedar Brushing, Beading Circle Open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Elder Resources & Support Booths are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

    24/7 on-call support is available for any questions you may have.

  • You can Register Online by clicking here.

    Or contact between 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

    Stephanie Myrick
    587-645-0771