Get early access to the registration table and settle in to Sudbury with a casual evening surrounded by the region's wildlife and natural history exhibits.

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Begin the week together with a welcoming ceremony led by drumming, knowledge keepers and local leadership.

Draw winners only

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Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

Kathy is a storyteller and her knowledge is informed by her relationship to the Land. Creation was always here before humans, according to my Anishinaabe Creation story. Growing up close to the land, I received many teachings from the land about our relationship to Creation. In this talk, Kathy will share some of her experiences and knowledge about our relationship to the Tree Beings – Mitikinaabe and how we transform our thinking into being good relatives to those in Creation that support LIFE.

Pull up a chair and share a meal with your colleagues, friends, and peers.

This panel explores the legal and operational pathways Nations are using to assert inherent jurisdiction over lands and resources, moving past provincial consultation frameworks. Leaders and experts will share successful management models and strategies for translating rights into on-the-ground authority.

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Hosted by Wahkohtowin

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

Hosted by National Guardians Network

This panel showcases how Nations are leveraging Traditional Knowledge and geospatial technology to develop holistic conservation plans that define the future of their territories. Experts will share case studies on establishing conservation corridors, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs).

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Reflections on learnings of the day and preparations for tomorrow.

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

Break bread and forge new conversations with your peers and colleagues at this catered meal.

To honour our relationship with our Grandmother, the moon. All women, two-spirit and their guests are invited. Space in the tipi is limited, please sign-up for a preferred time slot at the registration desk

A hands on learning opportunity about Flint Knapping with Traditional Knowledge Keeper: Shawn Corbiere/Nadjiwan

Shawn was born out of his creativity and Indigenous heritage. A community member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation, Shawn brings Indigenous ancient ingenuity to life.

Flint Knapping is the shaping of flint, chert, or other conchoidal fracturing stone through the process of lithic reduction, or to produce stone tools such as arrow heads, drills, end scrapers and trade items.

Shawn will demonstrate the ancient art form with traditional tools and techniques.

Join Dean and Lorraine as they formally open the day's proceedings, offering wisdom and guidance to help delegates collectively focus their thoughts and set productive intentions for the sessions ahead.

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Hosted by National Guardians Network

This dynamic session begins with brief presentations from Nations showcasing successful land and resource projects, focusing on implementation challenges and solutions achieved on the ground. The floor will then open for an extended peer-to-peer discussion, inviting all attendees to share stories and lessons learned from their own community's initiatives and triumphs.

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

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This panel explores how Nations are re-establishing control over their traditional food systems, ensuring security and health through localized harvesting, hunting, storing, and growing initiatives. Discussions will highlight the essential link between land jurisdiction, ecological restoration, and the preservation of cultural knowledge necessary for true food sovereignty.

Hosted by Ontario Nature and FSC Canada

Pull up a chair and share a meal with your colleagues, friends, and peers.

Draw winners only

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This scheduled block is designed to facilitate peer-to-peer relationship building among all participants. Attendees are strongly encouraged to engage with our exhibitor booths, with an opportunity to participate in Booth Bingo for a chance to win prizes.

The RAD Network and the UINR Etuaptmumk (Two Eyed Seeing) Co Learning Hub, together with Elders and Knowledge Keepers welcome you to an interactive session and return to the centre. We will continue to listen to what is being called forward in your greater land visions - responsibilities as we navigate our current realities and needs. We will be gathered around the spirit and stories of our ceremonial ash basket that carries earth - visions from coast to coast to coast as we continue her everlasting snake dance through Turtle Island.

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Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

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Reflections on learnings of the day and preparations for tomorrow.

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

Break bread and forge new conversations with your peers and colleagues at this catered meal.

A trip to Science North is not complete without the IMAX experience. Join us in the lobby and head into the Theatre for a larger than life visual take over.

Join Lorraine and Dean as they formally open the day's proceedings, offering wisdom and guidance to help delegates collectively focus their thoughts and set productive intentions for the sessions ahead.

This panel examines strategies for restoring fire as an essential ecological process, shifting management practices toward integrated risk management. Discussions will highlight how traditional fire stewardship, including controlled burns and restoration post fire, is crucial for mitigating extreme wildfire risk and promoting long-term forest health.

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Hosted by MNR

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

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Draw winners only

This panel delves into innovative economic frameworks where conservation and ecological stewardship are the primary marketable assets, moving beyond reliance on resource extraction. Discussions will highlight Indigenous-led participation in carbon and ecosystem service markets, demonstrating how protecting territories generates measurable financial and climate value.

Pull up a chair and share a meal with your colleagues, friends, and peers.

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Hosted by National Circle for Indigenous Agriculture and Food (NCIAF)

This timely panel addresses the immense pressures and opportunities presented by the global demand for critical minerals, focusing on how Nations are leveraging their territorial rights to ensure self-determined development. Discussions will center on negotiating equitable benefits, mitigating environmental impacts, and the application of FPIC within the rapidly expanding mining sector.

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

Concluding our week in a good way, the Closing Ceremony will feature drumming and final remarks , offering a vital opportunity for collective reflection on the commitments and relationships forged at the Symposium.

Take a moment to refresh, enjoy a provided snack and beverage, and explore the event space.

Attendees are invited to join us for an upscale traditional dinner catered by Hiawatha, honoring our collective work for the land. We encourage everyone to dress their best (traditional jewelry and regalia welcomed) for this evening of reflection and celebration. Entertainment will include the premiere of Wahkohtowin’s 10-year anniversary video , a symposium wide gift exchange, professional photo set up and live music.

Participants are invited to join an exclusive tour of Dynamic Earth, providing an insightful look into Northern Ontario's geological history and the mining sector (underground portion optional). Convenient shuttle service to and from the site will be available.