National Gathering
for Indigenous Education
November 20 – 22 | Sheraton Centre | Toronto, ON
The National Gathering for Indigenous Education brings together more than 500 educators interested in improving the educational outcomes of K-12 Indigenous Students.
2019 Theme: Transforming and Healing through Education
Network, Share Successful Practices, and Engage
The 2019 National Gathering for Indigenous Education offers one and a half days of workshops and presentations by educators from across Canada.
Take advantage of this opportunity to refresh and renew your passion for teaching by meeting other educators and learning about best practices in Indigenous education.
The Program
From our optional pre-gathering workshop to our professional presentations and our keynote lunch, you’ll learn from education experts and discover new research at NG2019.
NG 2019 is your opportunity to:
- Learn strategies for engaging students
- Share best practices in the classroom
- Examine emerging trends affecting Indigenous students today
- and more!
Who Should Attend?
The National Gathering attracts people from many areas, including:
- On-reserve Educators
- Principals and Vice-Principals
- Elementary and High School Teachers
- School Administrators
- Students
- Education Directors
- Guidance Counselors
- Teaching and Educational Assistants
- Superintendents
- Curriculum and Policy writers
- Mentors and Mentees
- Cultural Advisors
- and more!
Pre-Gathering Workshop
Sponsored by Shell
Truth and Reconciliation: An Educator’s Guide
Presented by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair
Associate Professor / Acting Head, Department of Native Studies, The University of Manitoba, MB
The 94 recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report (TRC) call to action Canadians from teachers to every sector and industry. In order to achieve true reconciliation, it is of fundamental importance that both private and public sectors receive information and interpretation of the TRC, as it relates to them.
This one-day workshop utilizes the final report of the TRC and its final 94 recommendations as the framework. The workshop and accompanying educator’s guide provides educators with competency on how to incorporate the final report of the TRC into classrooms, schools, and other educational settings. Participants will receive training on two key themes: Legacy and Reconciliation. The workshop will be participatory and experiential, while also assisting with education planning. The accompanying educator’s guide contains 22 education plans, which address each of the TRC’s educational recommendations, to use as a reference.
Guiding the Journey: Educator Awards
Sponsored by Suncor
Indigenous educators guide a students’ journey through leadership, innovative practice, and dedication to community. Guiding the Journey recognizes Indigenous educators who have made valuable contributions to community-based education and honour the principles of Indigenous knowledge. Award recipients receive a framed award, a $1,000 prize and an expense paid trip to the awards ceremony being held in Toronto, Ontario on November 21, 2019.
Nominations for Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Awards are now closed. Stay tuned for the list of our 2019 recipients! Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination.
2019 Agenda
Wednesday, November 20
| 7:30 am – 4:00 pm | Registration Open |
| 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Pre-Gathering* Workshop Truth and Reconciliation: An Educator’s Guide, Presented by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair |
| 10:15 – 10:30 am | AM Break |
| 12:15 – 1:00 pm | Buffet Lunch |
| 2:45 – 3:00 pm | PM Break |
| 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Welcome Reception |
Thursday, November 21
| 7:30 am – 5:00 pm | Registration, Sheraton Centre Hotel |
| 7:30 am – 5:00 pm | Tradeshow Floor Open |
| 8:30 – 9:45 am | Opening Ceremony moderated by Roberta Jamieson |
| 9:45 am – 10:45 pm | Workshop Session A |
| 10:45 – 11:05 am | AM Break |
| 11:05 am – 12:05 pm | Workshop Session B |
| 12:15 – 2:15 pm | Guiding the Journey Educator Awards Ceremony |
| 2:25 – 3:25 pm | Workshop Session C |
| 3:25 – 3:45 pm | PM Break |
| 3:45 – 4:45 pm | Workshop Session D |
| 7:00 – 10:00 pm | Film Screening |
Friday, November 22
| 8:00 am – 2:00 pm | Registration |
| 8:00 am – 2:30 pm | Tradeshow Open |
| 8:30 – 9:30 am | Guest Speaker Address, Presented by Dr. Niigaan Sinclair |
| 9:30 – 10:30 am | Workshop Session E |
| 10:30 – 10:50 am | AM Break |
| 10:50 – 11:50 am | Workshop Session F |
| 11:55 am – 12:55 pm | Workshop Session G |
| 12:55 – 2:00 pm | Networking Luncheon |
*The Pre-Gathering is an optional additional day that participants can choose to purchase tickets for. Learning in the pre-gathering workshop fosters more in-depth learning. Tradeshow hours are 7:30 am – 4:30 pm on November 21, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm on November 22.
Hotel and Travel
This year the Sheraton Centre is serving as both the venue and the designated hotel for the National Gathering. Rooms for delegates have been reserved at a special room rate of $229 +taxes per night for a standard room, and is only available until 5 p.m. on October 28, 2019 or until the room block is full. Book your room now!
We’re pleased to share that our long-standing partner, Air Canada, is extending a discount for airfare for National Gathering again this year! Use Code: C9A76UC1. Travel period begins Wednesday, November 13, 2019 and ends Friday, November 29, 2019
Testimonials
“I thought that the timing of everything worked really well. I loved the workshops offered, there was a huge variety. It was really helpful that it showed which ones were dedicated towards leadership. I enjoyed watching the teachers and organizations receive their awards, as well as the panel with past recipients. My favourite part though, was how inclusive it is to everyone!”
– Brigitte Benning, Indigenous Educator, Peace Wapiti School District
“While many may offer workshops to assist teachers in realizing the TRC Calls to Action, The National Gathering ensures that the voice of Indigenous people stays at the fore. Even more importantly, this conference fed my soul at the same time as it increased my knowledge and provoked reflection. I recommend this conference wherever I travel.”
– Diane Dewing, President, Ontario Teachers’ Federation
“The presenters were interesting and I found all of my sessions quite informative. I will incorporate some educational strategies in my classroom right away and my curricular planning in the upcoming month will be much more informed. I met other people who shared some of my interests so I’m sure I’ll develop these new connections in the near future.”
– Maxine Hildebrandt, Teacher, Mother Earth’s Children’s Charter School
Need Approval to Attend?
Attending the National Gathering is a great investment in not only your success, but the future success your students and organization. To help make it as easy as possible for you to attend, we’ve created a template you can use to persuade your leaders that attending will be an excellent professional development opportunity. Click the button below to download the sample letter.
Volunteer at the National Gathering
Indspire welcomes and values the support of volunteers! Without them, we wouldn’t be able to host events like the National Gathering. Together, we can ensure our events run smoothly!
To volunteer, email eventvolunteer@indspire.ca
Contact Us
Tradeshow
For information related to tradeshow and setup, please contact Michael Brown, Sales Associate, at mbrown@indspire.ca or (416) 987.0250 or 1.855.INDSPIRE (463.7747) x228
Sponsorship
For information related to sponsorship, please contact Julia O’Hara, Director, Corporate Partnerships, at johara@indspire.ca or (416) 987.0262
Thank you to our generous supporters!
Lead Partner
Presenting Corporate Sponsor
Major Sponsors
Major Sponsor – TD Bank Group Day:
Thursday November 21
Supporting Sponsor
Pre-Gathering Workshop Sponsor
Indspiration Sponsor
Welcome Reception Sponsor
Teachers’ Lounge Sponsor and Workshop Series Sponsor
Workshop Sponsor
Project Learning Tree Canada
Tradeshow Sponsors
AFOA
Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
Elections Canada
Esri Canada
Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund
Learning Bird
Louise Kool & Galt
MityBilt
McIntyre Media
Nelson Education
Pearson Canada
Retired Teachers of Ontario
Shared Services Canada
Portage & Main Press
