The NWTRPA Community Leaders Retreat is a highly interactive, informative, and idea provoking educational event. Both experienced and new community leaders will benefit from learning more about decolonization in the NWT.

The 2021 Community Leaders Retreat offered by the NWTR Recreation and Parks Association in collaboration with Dene Nahjo. The two days will explore Dene leadership values and decision making as a way to inform recreation practices within Northern communities.

Who should attend:

Staff and volunteers, with or without a formal title, who are currently or want to play a stronger role as a community leader. It is geared to those from a variety of sectors e.g. health, social services, recreation, economic development, education, justice, libraries, elected officials, tourism, arts, environment etc. who are committed to working with others to strengthen leadership and innovation, and ultimately, the capacity and resiliency in their communities.

Meals, accommodation, and transportation from Somba K'e/Yellowknife to Camp Connections and back are included.

There are 15 available spots. COVID-19 protocols will be followed during the retreat in accordance with the Chief Public Health Office.

You must be an NWTRPA Member for this event. You will have the option of becoming a Member as you register.

Tentative Agenda  

May 12, 2021 

5:00pm: Depart from Somba K’e/ Yellowknife to Camp Connections (Transportation will be provided.)

6:00pm: Dinner and over-night accommodations at Camp Connections.

May 13, 2021

8:00am: Breakfast 

9:30am - 10:30am: Fire Circle - Group Introductions

10:30 – 10:45am: Break and snack

10:45am - 12:00pm: Dene Leadership Values Panel Discussion: This panel will introduce listeners to Dene leadership principles that have guided major political decisions and the qualities and attributes that Dene cultures value in leaders. It will explore the importance of land and spirituality in decision-making processes.

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00pm - 2:30pm: Indigenous Leadership in Action Facilitated Discussion: Following the Dene Leadership Values Panel, participants will apply the leadership values to real life situations and problems as recreation leaders.

2:30pm - 3:00pm: Break and snack

3:00pm - 4:00pm: Outdoor Activity: Tea Boiling Competition, Spruce Salve Making.

4:00pm - 5:00pm: Closing Circle for the day

6:00pm: Dinner and overnight accommodations at Camp Connections

May 14, 2021

8:00am: Breakfast  

9:00am - 9:30am: Morning Circle and Check-in

9:30am - 10:30am: Presentation by Deneze Nakehk’o: “Understanding Colonialism Presentation.” This presentation through storytelling will introduce colonialism as a continuum that has both historical and contemporary impacts, as well as various frameworks to understand its impacts. It will connect the social ills that occur in Indigenous communities today with an ongoing history of colonialism and introduce concepts of lateral violence and state violence. Participants will be asked to reflect on how the historical and ongoing impacts of colonialism hinder the practice of Indigenous leadership values and the development of Indigenous governance.

10:30am - 11:00am: Break and snack

11:00am - 12:00pm: Understanding Colonialism Presentation cont.

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00pm - 2:30pm: Presentation by Amos Scott: The History of Denendeh: Treaties to Modern Politics. A simple walk through of a timeline of political development in the Denendeh from Treaties 8 and 11, the development of the Dene Nation and its fight for indigenous rights, and how its influenced political development today as a way to understand the relationship between Indigenous, territorial and community governments.

2:30pm - 3:00pm: Break and snack

3:00pm - 4:30pm: Facilitated Discussion: Participants have the space to share about their work in community and barriers they face. With the support and creativity of the group, we will work through the barriers to find ideas to overcome them.

4:30 - 5:00pm: Closing Circle and transportation back to Somba K’e/Yellowknife