After two years of meeting virtually the Wicihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference is back in person at TCU Place on November 28th and 29th. The City of Saskatoon is part of the organizing group that puts on these annual conferences.

The City’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Melissa Cote, says this has been an annual event since 2014 after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its Calls to Action. The speaker lie-up includes the TRC Commissioners, Chief Cadmus Delorme of the Cowessess First Nation, and residential school survivors. Cote says the theme this year is bearing witness. “In keeping with oral traditions of Indigenous people, witnesses are called upon to be keepers of history when an event of historic significance occurs. So, the attendees at this conference are asked to retain and care for the teachings they witness and experience and share it with those in their own networks, whether personal or professional.”

The in-person event is sold out but there may be some spots left online. Cote says that the two virtual conferences during the pandemic attracted people from around the world.

The Wicihitowin Indigenous Engagement Conference is made possible through contributions by the City of Saskatoon, United Way Saskatoon & Area, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and Saskatoon Public Library. The organizing committee thanks the investors including Nutrien, the Saskatoon Community Foundation, Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Discover Saskatoon, and others. Click here for more information.