Elements of truth: BEFORE RECONCILIATION

An experiential workshop series of 4 x 2.5 hour workshops guided by Indigenous values: reciprocity, inclusion, curiosity, and humility.

1. Earth: Impacts of Colonization

2. Air: Expanding Perspectives

3. Fire: Awareness of Power and Privilege

4. Water: Shared Responsibilities

SHARED HISTORY means knowing where we come from.

COLLECTIVE PURPOSE is coming together to make the change we want – to restore healthy places for all.

You are highly encouraged to attend all four workshops (Earth, Air , Fire, Water) but they are designed in a way that you can learn, participate, and contribute in each workshop if you can’t attend them all.

1. Earth: Impacts of Colonization

Reconciliation requires an understanding of Canada’s colonial history and an acknowledgement of the enduring strength and resiliency of Indigenous peoples. This workshop provides an overview of our shared history of colonization and explores how Indigenous worldviews must inform our journey towards a better future for all.

We thrive by being together in a good way on the land.

Choose from the following dates: September 9: 3:00-5:30PM, October 8: 9:30-Noon, January 10: 5:00-7:30PM, February 4: 9:30-Noon.

“I thought that I was already somewhat aware and compassionate. Now I realize, like an iceberg, there is so much more history we need to know,” – Participant

“I left the workshop with a deepened awareness of the impacts of intergenerational trauma, and their origins. Participating in such an authentic and effective experience of reconciliation was a big positive for me,” – Participant

2. Air: Expanding Perspectives

Reconciliation requires an awareness of how our views of Indigenous peoples have been shaped and a commitment to coming together with more consideration and curiosity. This workshop introduces the connection between implicit bias and injustice and look at how embracing diversity is necessary for collective survival.

We breathe life into new ways by opening our hearts and minds

Choose from the following dates: September 16: 3:00-5:30PM, October 15: 9:30-Noon, January 17: 5:00-7:30PM, February 11: 9:30-Noon.

“I am a beginner in the area of Indigenous issues, with little knowledge about the history of Canada. I am very grateful for the leadership, openness and authenticity from the facilitators.” – Participant

“I loved how we were given to ground and process how we were feeling. I also love how kind and open the facilitators were.” – Participant

3. Fire: Awareness of Power and Privilege

Reconciliation requires considering our individual roles within systems of power and recognizing the benefits of striving for harmony. This workshop allows for reflection on social positioning and ignites our potential to make the necessary change towards reconciliation.

Fire can help but must be tended carefully or it can also harm.

Choose from the following dates: September 23: 3:00-5:30PM, October 22: 9:30-Noon, January 24: 5:00-7:30PM, February 18: 9:30-Noon.

“kinSHIFT is a ‘living’ example of Indigenous approaches to learning.” – Participant

4. Water: Shared Responsibilities

Reconciliation requires an understanding of how words and actions contribute to the marginalization of others and recognition of the urgency of taking collective responsibility for change. This workshop raises consciousness of the impacts of micro-aggressions in anti-Indigenous racism and supports our motion towards transformative learning and communication.

Our ripples for positive change flow through time and place.

Choose from the following dates: September 30: 3:00-5:30PM, October 29: 9:30-Noon, January 31: 5:00-7:30PM, February 25: 9:30-Noon.

“Powerful & Transformative”, “Eye-Opening”, “Authentic & Incredibly Thought Provoking” – Participants

We help settlers cultivate relationships with Indigenous peoples and place.

kinSHIFT is an Indigenous-led initiative supporting settlers in building respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples and places. Our experiential, arts-based workshops allow participants to learn, practice, ask questions, and make mistakes in a safe environment, all while building a foundation for engaging meaningfully with Indigenous peoples.

kinSHIFT is a project of IndigenEYEZ, a community-based initiative that has been empowering emerging Indigenous leaders since 2013.

Facilitated by Kelly Terbasket, Program Director

A proud Syilx Okanagan woman of mixed European heritage, Kelly combines a wealth of experience in Indigenous community development with a passion for social change and an abiding gift for creating fun spaces for others. Kelly brings 30+ years of work in regional and provincial positions along with diverse skills that include being an in-demand facilitator, certified coach, curriculum developer, filmmaker, and holding a degree in social work. Coming from strong families in both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous worlds, she has spent her life bridging these divides and is supportive of others navigating this important process.

Facilitated by Denise Lecoy, Facilitator

Denise Lecoy is a Syilx-Okanagan woman, daughter, sister, auntie, wife, mother of 6 adult sons, and grandmother. She feels blessed to live in her home community on the Penticton Indian Reserve. Her professional experience and educational background spans 30 years, involved primarily within the health and social services areas, on reserve, off reserve, within Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and institutions, as a facilitator, instructor, program manager and elected leader. Her father, snpinktn Hereditary Chief, Adam Eneas, taught her about the importance of relationships, and her late mother, Verna Baker, of the Sḵwxwú7mesh people, taught her the importance of family. What brings her joy is being out on the land, RunWalking, with her family.

In partnership with Andrew Greer, Managing Director: Purppl

Andrew Greer is the Managing Director at Purppl (Purposeful People), a social enterprise accelerator. Purppl helps social enterprises and social purpose organizations build sustainable business models and sustainable impact models.

Here are a few words from Andrew on the challenge, the journey, and the workshops.

“Systemic challenges like climate change or reconciliation require a collaborative approach. The way forward is inclusive, equitable, and cross-cultural. Not acting is no longer an option.”

“Unsure of what to do or scared to take steps? Me too. I invite you to learn with and from others in these workshops. Collectively we improve Indigenous cultural inclusion and equity to make way for a different future.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should attend this training?

Non-Indigenous settlers interested in cultivating stronger relationships with Indigenous peoples and place.

What outcomes can I expect?

Earth – Overview of our shared history of colonization and explores how Indigenous worldviews inform our journey towards a better future for all.

Air – Introduces the connection between implicit bias and injustice and looks at how embracing diversity is necessary for collective survival.

Fire – Reflection on social positioning and our potential to make the necessary change towards reconciliation.

Water – Raises consciousness of the impacts of micro-aggressions in anti-Indigenous racism and supports our motion towards transformative learning and communication.

Do I have to participate in all four workshops?

No. We encourage you to attend all four workshops (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) but they are designed in a way that you can learn, participate, and contribute in each workshop if you can’t attend them all.

How should I prepare?

We’ll be in touch before the event with some light pre-reading & a short video (30-60 mins total pre-work).

I won’t be near a computer- can I call in?

kinSHIFT workshops are interactive and would be best attended using the Zoom app (mobile or desktop).

How much are tickets?

$100 Standard – includes 1 ticket to a workshop

Attending all four workshops? Email enquiries@kinshift.ca for a 25% off promo code.

Interested in attending the training and the ticket price is a barrier? Let’s talk! Email us at enquiries@kinshift.ca.

Do you offer a group rate?

Yes, we are pleased to offer a 10% discount on purchases of 5 or more tickets for a single workshop. There is a 35% discount if you are registering 5 or more people for all 4 Elements workshops. Please email enquiries@kinshift.ca for a promotional code.

Please note that the workshops are designed to be interactive and participatory so each member of your group will need their own device / screen. Participants will be split up into breakout groups several times through the workshops and this does not work if attendees are sharing a screen.