Kwayask-wastâsowin for Student Success
ᑿᔭᐢᑿᐢᑖᓱᐏᐣ
April 22 – 24, 2026
River Cree Resort, Enoch
Treaty 6 Territory
Online registration coming soon!
Our kêhtê-ayak, elders tell us that as indigenous people, we have no “concept” of reconciliation in our language. They teach that this is not without reason and when asked about it, the general response is that in our culture, we have deep teachings about never breaching the natural order so there should be no transgression so terrible to require reconciliation. With that in mind, the term kwayask-wastâsowin is used to refer to “making things right” when wrongs are done. We have many words for forgiveness or forgiving as we learn at an early age that learning to forgive is one of the hardest things to learn but once we learn to forgive, it frees our spirits and cleanses our minds to live in a good way. (Wapastim, White Horse, Jason J Bigcharles)
Book your stay at the group rate of $229 + taxes using this reservation link.
Cost: $625.00 + GST (Early Bird)
Early bird rate ends March 22, 2026
View Cancellation Policy
Goals for the First Nations Métis and Inuit Education Gathering include:
- an increase in understanding how to apply foundational knowledge about First Nations, Métis and Inuit for the benefit of all students;
- an increase in capacity building to meet the learning needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students;
- an increase in understanding how to engage and collaborate with First Nations, Métis and Inuit leaders, Elders, communities and organizations; and
- an increase in awareness and understanding of how to implement and lead practices that support reconciliation within our schools, school systems, and communities
These goals are in support of the Ministry of Education’s outcomes to:
- provide supports for First Nations, Métis and Inuit student success.
- ensure all Alberta students are knowledgeable, understanding and respectful of the rich diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures.
- engage and support First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in fulfilling their vision for a Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system that honours Indigenous history, cultures, languages and perspectives.
- build strong relationships with schools and school authorities, First Nations and Métis governments, and other Indigenous communities and organizations – to inform and foster policy, programs and promising practices that improve First Nations, Métis and Inuit student outcomes.
| RESOURCES |
CASS resources to support your learning in this area include:
- Understanding, Honouring and Learning Cultural Protocol in Relationship with Indigenous Peoples and Communities
- Establishing and Maintaining Respectful Relationships for Student Success: Education Service Agreements
- Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta
- Improving Success for Indigenous Students
- Learning Guides:
- Learning Guide – A Virtual Circle with Elders
- A Virtual Circle: Najuna Ats’ila-hi – Embodying the Spirit and Intent of Treaty for Student Success
- A Virtual Circle: Bridging Traditions – The Influential Role of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers in Provincial Education Systems
- A Virtual Circle: ᒥᔪᐃᐧᒉᐦᑐᐃᐧᐣMiyo Wicehtowin: Building Relationships through School-Community Voices.
Disclaimer: Any other non-CASS resources being shared at this Gathering are intended for consideration and informational purposes only. Delegates are encouraged to exercise judgment and discretion when utilizing these resources, and to respect the authority of their school authorities regarding resource selection.
| PRE-CONFERENCE SESSIONS (Four Options) |
Coming soon…
| KEYNOTE SPEAKERS / PERFORMERS |
Coming soon…
Coming soon…
Coming soon…
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Closing Keynote:
Dr. Marie Wilson
Closing Keynote
Dr. Marie Wilson (CM, ONWT, MSC) spent six years crisscrossing the country as a commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. She has spoken throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand on the potential of reconciliation. Born in Ontario, she has lived, studied, and worked as a journalist, teacher, professor, trainer, and executive in Canada, France, Burkina Faso, South Africa, and parts of South America. She lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
| OVERVIEW AND BREAKOUT GATHERINGS |
Coming soon…
Those who wish to have your flag represented, you MUST bring your flag with the flagpole and stand.
| THANK YOU TO OUR GATHERING PARTNERS |
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We continue to grow the vision of bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, education partners and members of our communities together to share our experiences and stories as we progress in our collective journey to reconciliation through education.
SILVER SPONSOR
Second Story Press, based in Toronto, has been publishing social justice themed, feminist-inspired books for almost 40 years. Our books aim to reflect the wonderful diversity of the world we live in, with a shared goal of highlighting Indigenous and authentic voices. For several years we have held an Indigenous Writing Contest which has led to the publication of a number of books from authors and illustrators across Canada. This fall we will be adding a twelfth book to our Indigenous Dual Language picture books collection, which features books in a variety of languages including Anishinaabemowin, Nishnaabemwin, Plains Cree (Y dialect), Mi’gmaq, and Blackfoot (Kainai Nation).
BRONZE SPONSOR
Professional Learning, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta
The Faculty of Education, through its Professional Learning programs and courses, provides high-quality educational experiences for Indigenous educators and school leaders in a wide variety of school settings. Our programs go beyond lectures, providing graduate students with opportunities to engage in authentic tasks and experiences directly linked to their professional needs. We support teachers and school leaders in all stages of their careers with part-time, flexible, online and blended learning options:
- The Master of Education in Educational Studies (MES) – Indigenous Education, supports Indigenous teachers and school leaders who have graduated from the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program (ATEP), and other Indigenous educators. You can be a change advocate, supporting robust learning communities at every level and in every community, enriching a culture of informed practice.
- The Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (GCES) is for teaching professionals and other educational specialists seeking advanced professional learning. These streams are offered on-campus in the summers:
Other focus areas are offered fully online, with some synchronous components.
- The Graduate Certificate in School Leadership (GCSL) provides opportunities to enhance your skills as a school leader, or aspiring leader, by observing and collaborating with a school leadership team of your choice. Courses fulfill the academic requirements for Alberta’s LQS and SLQS certification, and fully online with some synchronous components.
The GCES and GCSL can ladder into a variety of M.Ed. programs at the U of A, including the Master of Education in Educational Studies.
