Doig River First Nation hosting conference on impact of intergenerational trauma

A two-day conference will be held in Fort St. John in May, focusing on the impact of intergenerational trauma on Indigenous communities

Doig River First Nation (DRFN) is hosting the LoveBack Conference on May 8th and 9th.

Through the event, the First Nation aims to engage a broad spectrum of interested parties, including First Nations communities, service providers, industry representatives, and the general public.

Conference organizer and DRFN land governance officer Stephannie Attachie says they started planning the event in February.

Attachie feels offering the event to a diverse audience can foster dialogue on crucial issues affecting Indigenous people.

“Our goal is to inspire attendees to develop their own practices related to trauma,” said Attachie.

“The historical traumas inflicted upon Indigenous communities continue to have lasting effects, and we must work towards addressing these issues collaboratively.”

Topics covered at the conference will include how trauma affects Indigenous people in everyday life, such as in the workplace, in communities, and in communication patterns and behaviour.

“By equipping them with the necessary tools and understanding of trauma-informed approaches, we aim to promote healing, empowerment, and building stronger relationships with others,” said Attachie.

Myrna McCallum, a Metis lawyer from Green Lake, is the keynote speaker for the conference and will speak on recognizing and managing trauma.

McCallum has an extensive background in criminal law, including as a Crown attorney and arbitrator for Indigenous people seeking justice from the government due to abuse suffered under the residential school system.

Attachie says she was introduced to trauma-informed practices through McCallum’s podcast, The Trauma-Informed Lawyer.

She says attending McCallum’s Justice as Trauma conference in Vancouver from April 3rd to 5th solidified her decision to bring this conference to the community.

“Her work in this field, particularly her emphasis on ‘doing no more harm,’ deeply resonated with me,” said Attachie.

“Her approach has positively impacted various sectors, including the legal field, health services, and beyond.”

The LoveBack Conference will be held at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre on May 9th and 10th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For further information, contact Attachie at (250) 827-3776. The event is free and open to everyone.

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca