Aboriginal Education Research Forum

Aboriginal Education Research Forum
Conference Agenda 2008

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Time	Event/Activities
4:00 pm	Registration Opens
5:30 to 9:30 pm	Banquet Evening

Thursday, May 8, 2008
Time	Event/Activities
7:00 am	Pipe Ceremony
8:00 am	Registration Opens Breakfast
9:00 - 10:30 am	Conference Opening Opening Ceremony Opening Prayer Welcoming Remarks - Planning Committee Chair, Leadership Keynote Speaker Dr. Marie Battiste, Professor, University of Saskatchewan Professor Battiste is one of Canada's most influential researchers in the field of Indigenous and First Nations education, and a technical expert to the United Nations on issues surrounding the education of Indigenous peoples. A Mi'kmaq educator originally from the Potlo'tek First Nations in Nova Scotia, Dr. Battiste is a full professor in the University of Saskatchewan College of Education and coordinator of the Indian and Northern Education Program within Educational Foundations. She is also the academic director of the new Aboriginal Education Research Centre and co-director of the Humanities Research Unit at the University of Saskatchewan.
10:30 - 10:45 am	Health Break
10:45 - 12:15 pm	Concurrent Sessions 1
12:15 - 1:30 pm	Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Concurrent Sessions 2
2:30 - 3:00 pm	Health Break
3:00 - 4:00 pm	Concurrent Sessions 3

Friday, May 9, 2008
Time	Event/Activities
7:00 am	Pipe Ceremony
9:00 - 10:00 am	Day Two Summary Program Committee Co-Chairs Opening Prayer Keynote Speaker Tom Porter (Sakokwenionkwas—“The One Who Wins”) – (Spokesman and Chief Spiritual Leader of the Mohawk Community of Kanatsiohareke (Ga na jó ha láy:gay) Tom Porter is member of the Bear Clan; he was raised as part of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation in upstate New York. Mr. Porter has been a nationally recognized figure in Indian Country since the 1960s when he co-founded the White Roots of Peace, a group of Iroquois Elders who toured the country sharing traditional teachings and encouraging Indians to embrace their respective Native traditions. Recognizing that Mohawk language and culture were dying out, he also co-founded the Akwesasne Freedom School for Grades K-8, with a curriculum entirely in Mohawk. He also began Partridge House, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Mr. Porter is recognized nationally as a compassionate and inspirational speaker about the destructive effects of substance abuse on Indian families, communities and nations.
10:00 - 10:30 am	Health Break
10:30 - 12:00	Concurrent Sessions 4
12:00 - 1:30 pm	Lunch Break
1:30 - 2:30 pm	Concurrent Sessions 5
2:30 - 2:45 pm	Health Break
2:45 - 4:00 pm	Concurrent Sessions 6
4:00 pm	Closing Ceremonies Closing Remarks Planning Committee Chair Program Committee Co-Chairs Closing Prayer