PROGRAM AND SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Sue-Anne Hunter (Australia)
Sue-Anne Hunter is a proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of Australia’s first truth telling process – the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
She is an Adjunct Professor of Global and Engagement at Federation University and a member of the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice Advisory Board.
A child and family services practitioner by trade, Sue-Anne has over twenty years’ clinical experience responding to developmental, transgenerational and community trauma.
She is widely recognized for developing rights-based, transformative practice responses that empower Aboriginal people to heal from the continuing effects and processes of colonization.
Sue-Anne has extensive experience in the governance and the leadership of Aboriginal community-controlled organizations, and her expertise is regularly sought for government inquiries, parliamentary and ministerial advisory committees, academic research projects and media interviews.

Dr. Sheri-Ann Daniels (Hawaii)
Dr. Sheri-Ann Daniels is the Chief Executive Officer of Papa Ola Lokahi, the Native Hawaiian health board responsible for the federal act regarding health and well-being for Native Hawaiians in Hawai’i and within the US.
Born and raised on Maui, Dr. Sheri-Ann Daniels is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama campus. She holds degrees in the field of counseling psychology and has several license certifications. She has more than 25 years of experience in social services programs across Hawai’i in both the non-profit and government sectors.
She has been recognized with various awards over the years for her work within her communities. Beginning in early 2020, Sheri shared co-leadership for the Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Hawaii COVID-19 Response, Recovery & Resilience Team (NHPI 3R), for which Papa Ola Lōkahi served as the backbone organization. Committed to meeting the needs of our community through public policy and strategic partnerships, she was named among the Pacific Business News’ 2022 Women Who Mean Business.
Sheri continues to make Maui her home with her ‘ohana (husband, 4 children and extended family). She is also a cultural practitioner in Ho’oponopono.

Chelsey Luger and Anthony Thosh Collins (United States)
Chelsey Luger is Lakota and Anishinaabe, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Thosh Collins is Onk Akimel O’odham, Wahzhazhe, and Seneca-Cayuga, a citizen of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. They are trainers for the Native Wellness Institute and co-founders of Well For Culture, a grassroots initiative which focuses on reclaiming healthy, balanced lifestyles through ancestral knowledge and Indigenous ideologies. Their book, The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well (2022, HarperOne), is available everywhere books are sold. Chelsey & Thosh reside in O’odham territory (Arizona), and are the proud parents of Alo (5) and Westyn (2).

Riana Manuel (Aotearoa/New Zealand)
Riana is the Chief Executive, Te Aka Whai Ora, Māori Health Authority Ngāti Pukenga, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Kahungunu.
Riana is a skilled, strategic, and visionary leader within the Māori and health sectors and has extensive experience leading Kaupapa Māori organisations. Before joining Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority as its founding Chief Executive, Riana was Chief Executive of Hauraki Primary Health Organisation and Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki.
Riana is a registered nurse by profession and has enjoyed a career that has seen her work in many areas of the health sector.
Riana is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Māori and believes in doing so, will impact positively on the health and wellbeing of Aotearoa.

Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis (Canada)
Dr. James Makokis is a Nehiyô (Neh-hee-yo) Two-Spirit doctor from the Onihcikiskapowinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) in Treaty Number Six Territory. Anthony Johnson is a proud Two-Spirt warrior from Navajo Nation and an artist, poet, photographer, cultural documentarian, community leader and strategic analyst whose mission in life is to explore the beauty of the Earth and its inhabitants.
Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis shattered conventional norms as the first-ever Two-Spirit team on the Amazing Race Canada. Their inspiring journey brought critical issues of gender, sexuality and First Nations experiences to the national spotlight. Demonstrating tenacity, resilience and indomitable spirit, they triumphed in Season 7, setting a ground-breaking precedent for diverse representation in popular media.
While they may seem inseparable, each brings a unique perspective, a distinct skill set and a wealth of lived experiences that have shaped them into the advocates they are today. Their intertwined journeys as individuals, as a Two-Spirit couple, and as part of the rich tapestry of their peoples’ history, have fueled their work in service and in advocacy. Their focus lies in raising awareness about the challenges faced by First Nation and LGBTQ2S+ communities, and the need for equity and accessibility.
As they traverse Canada, sharing tales of their Amazing Race journey, their community endeavors, and their unique perspectives, they provide insightful recommendations on how to further their cause and challenge oppressive stereotypes. Their mission is to globally unite allies in the pursuit of equal access and fair treatment for the communities they represent.

Ed Connors (Canada)
Ed Connors is of Mohawk (from Kahnawake Mohawk Territory) and Irish ancestry. He is a psychologist who has worked with First Nations communities across Canada since 1982 in both urban and rural centres. His work over this time has included Clinical Director for an Infant Mental Health Centre in the city of Regina and Director for the Sacred Circle, a Suicide Prevention Program developed to serve First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario. Dr. Connors’ most recent work has involved development of Indigenous Life Promotion projects, including Feather Carriers Leadership for Life Promotion. While developing the above services, Dr. Connors has worked with Elders and apprenticed in traditional First Nations approaches to healing. Today his practice incorporates traditional knowledge about healing while also employing his training as a psychologist. His work has also included consultation and community training to assist First Nations in the development of Restorative Justice programs.

Lorna Williams (Canada)
Dr. Lorna Wánosts’a7 Williams is Professor Emerita of Indigenous Education, Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Victoria and Canada Research Chair in Education and Linguistics. She built her career on the principle that quality education for Indigenous children must be characterized by strong cultural teachings alongside a Euro-Western education.
She coedited with Gloria Snively a two book resource called Knowing Home: Braiding Indigenous Science with Western Science. (2016). She developed three degrees at UVic, a Bachelors degree and Masters in Indigenous Language Revitalization; and a Master is Counselling in Indigenous communities. She also designed and delivered a course called Learning and Teaching in an Indigenous world,.
She is Chair of First Peoples Cultural Foundation; Elder/member of the Ministers Advisory Council on Indigenous Women; Member of the Indigenous Circle for SSHRC and member of Canada UNESCO committee on the Decade of Indigenous Languages. She was inducted into the Order of BC in 1993; the Order of Canada, Officer in 2019; Indspire Award 2017, Honorary Doctorate of Laws SFU 2018 all for her work in Indigenous Education and languages.

Chase Campeau (Canada)
My English name is Chase Campeau and I am a 2sp ojicree nehiyawak raised in Maskwacis Cree Nation treaty 6, a current visitor of Treaty 7 Mohkintstis Blackfoot territory, and am traditionally by roots from Keeseekoose Treaty 4 Saulteaux Fn.
I am 29 winters old and throughout this physical existence I have experienced displacement from my traditional lands, effects from intergenerational trauma that bled into my own life which resulted in an uphill battle with addictions and alcoholism stemming from my early adolescent years. Growing up in a catholic school and raised within a family that didn’t embrace our culture or traditions, I never knew what cultural identity looked like, never knew what it meant to be connected to the land, or how deep the connection was to have the inherent birthright to know my spirituality or get acquainted with my indigeneity. It is from that journey of trauma and hurt I found a space of healing and community, a space of spirituality and reconnection to Creator, a place where I can connect with like minded indigenous people who are on that same road to becoming whole again which is of the plenty. I am currently a peer support worker at the Alex YHC in Mohkintstis otherwise known as Calgary and build relationships with indigenous youth and the 2sp alike who need a role model, a gentle beacon to help guide them to getting on that road to discovering who they are, and having fun along the way. My vision and goals in this life is to reconnect the circle through traditional ways of knowing, uncover and preserve the significance of 2sp people in culture, and to hold more spaces to heal together in a good way finding balance walking both paths in the western and spiritual holistic ways.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Healing Our Spirit Worldwide (HOSW) – The Ninth Gathering is being held in Vancouver and will bring together Indigenous people from around the world. The event will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre and we are expecting approximately 5000 people. The theme is “celebrating resiliency”, which honours our Indigenous teachings and explores wellness, governance, and self-determination.
Download the Conference Agenda here (last updated Sept. 7, 2023)
Sunday September 10
Time | Agenda Item | |
3:00 – 5:00 pm | Passing of the Canoe to FNHA Ceremony | Musqueam Cultural Centre 4000 Musqueam Ave Vancouver, BC |
5:00 pm | Refreshments | Musqueam Cultural Centre 4000 Musqueam Ave Vancouver, BC |
Monday September 11
Monday, September 11, 2023 |
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Time | Agenda Item | |
8:00 – 9:30 am | Pipe Ceremony | Jack Poole Plaza |
11:00 – 4:30 pm | Registration Open | |
12:15 – 1:30 pm |
Parade of Nations
All participants are welcome to attend and wear their regalia |
West Pacific Terrace |
1:30 – 2:30 pm |
Opening Ceremony
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2:30 – 2:50 pm |
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Ballroom A and B, Gathering Space or Overflow Room |
2:50 – 3:00 pm |
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3:00 – 3:15 pm |
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3:15 – 3:30 pm |
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*Note: Lunch is not provided on Monday | ||
6:30 – 9:00 pm |
Special Event Dinner (Ticketed Required) |
Ballroom A and B |
Tuesday September 12
Theme for the Day: Health Governance and Leadership |
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Time | Agenda Item | |
7:30 am – 3:00 pm | Registration Opens | Ballroom A and B, Gathering Space or Overflow Room |
8:00 – 9:00 am | Smoke Ceremony (Location TBD) | |
8:30 – 9:00 am | Welcoming – Cultural Welcome Vancouver Island and Australia | |
9:00 – 9:50 am | Health Governance and Leadership Keynote: Sue Ann Hunter (Australia) |
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9:50 – 10:20 am | Break | |
10:20 am – 12:00 pm |
UNDRIP and Healing Plenary Session – Moderator – Senator Patti Laboucane-Benson The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples describes selfdetermination as the ability for Indigenous people to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development. This session will highlight the healing journey that our Indigenous communities have started through self-determination in the areas of Indigenous land, language, legislation and health.
(Prayer for Lunch) |
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12:00 – 1:30 pm | Lunch | |
1:30 – 3:00 pm |
Afternoon Sessions #1:
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1:30 – 3:00 pm | FNHC Session #1 – Reclaiming Wellness through BC’s First Nations Health Governance Structure |
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3:00 – 3:30 pm | Break | |
3:30 – 5:00 pm |
Afternoon Sessions #2:
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3:30 – 5:00 pm | FNHC Session #2 – BC First Nations Health Council’s 10-Year Strategy on the Social Determinants of Health |
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6:30 – 8:30 pm | Weaving Night | West Level 2 – Ocean Foyer |
6:30 – 9:00 pm | Film Night: Smoke Signals with special guest Dr. Evan Adams | Ballroom A |
Wednesday September 13
Theme for the Day: Health Innovation and Transformation |
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Time | Agenda Item | |
8:00 – 10:00 am | Registration Opens |
Ballroom A |
8:30 – 9:00 am | Cultural Welcome (Northern Region and United States) | |
9:00 – 10:30 am | Health Innovation and Transformation Keynote Speakers Dr. Sheri-Ann Daniels (Hawaii) Chelsey Luger and Anthony Thosh Collins (United States) |
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10:30– 10:50 am | Break | |
10:50 am – 12:00 pm |
Overcoming the Toxic Drug Crisis Plenary Session – Moderator – Harold
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12:00 – 1:30 pm | Lunch | |
1:30 – 3:00 pm | Afternoon Sessions #1: • 11 Concurrent Sessions • 9 Workshops |
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1:30 – 3:00 pm | FNHA Session #1 – The Journey Towards Cultural Safety and Humility | |
1:30 – 5:00 pm | Poster Presentations • The presenters will be available to answer any questions about their poster presentations. |
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3:30 – 4:00 pm | Break | |
3:30 – 5:00 pm | Afternoon Sessions #2: • 9 Concurrent Sessions • 6 Workshops |
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3:30 – 5:00 pm | FNHA Session #2 – FNHA and Transformation | |
6:30 – 8:30 pm | Plant Medicine Making | West Level 2 – Ocean Foyer |
6:30 – 9:00pm | Film Night: Hunt for the Wilderpeople | Ballroom A |
Thursday September 14
Theme for the Day: Community Strength and Resilience |
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Time | Agenda Item | |
8:00 – 10:00am | Registration Opens | |
8:30 – 9:00 am | Cultural Welcome (Interior Region and Aotearoa/New Zealand) |
Ballroom A |
9:00 – 10:00 am | Community Strength and Resilience Keynote Speaker • Riana Manuel (Aotearoa/New Zealand) |
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10:00 – 10:30 am | Break | |
10:30 am – 12:00 pm |
Community Healing and Resiliency Plenary Session
(Prayer for Lunch) |
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12:00 – 1:30 pm | Lunch | |
1:30 – 3:00 pm | Afternoon Sessions #1: • 12 Concurrent Sessions • 5 Workshops |
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1:30 – 3:00 pm | FNHDA Session #1 – Our Story: First Nations Health Directors | |
3:00 – 3:30 pm | Break | |
3:30 – 5:00 pm | Afternoon Sessions #2: • 10 Concurrent Sessions • 5 Workshops |
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3:30 – 5:00 pm | FNHDA Session #1 – Decolonizing Healthcare: First Nations Health Directors Association |
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6:30 – 8:30 pm | 3 Host Nations Singing and Dancing Workshop | West Level 2 – Ocean Foyer |
6:30 – 9:00 pm | Two Spirit Night | Ballroom A |
Friday September 15
Theme for the Day: Indigenous Healing, Culture, Teachings and Wellness |
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Time | Agenda Item | |
8:00 – 9:00 am | Registration Opens | |
8:30 – 9:00 am | Cultural Welcome – Fraser Salish and Hawaii | Ballroom A and B, Gathering Space or Overflow Room |
9:00 – 10:15 am | Indigenous Healing, Culture, Teachings and Wellness Keynote Speakers: • Chase Campeau (Youth) • Dr. Ed Connors (Elder) and • Dr. Lorna Williams (Elder) |
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10:15– 10:45 am | Break | |
10:45 am – 12:00 pm |
Indigenous Science, Ceremony and Healing Our Relationship with Mother Earth Plenary Session As the world moves through a climate crisis, Indigenous people are looking towards culture and traditional ways to walk respectfully on Mother Earth. Elders and Youth come together from across Turtle Island to share their wisdom and perspectives on Indigenous Science, Ceremony, healing and nurturing our relationships with Mother Earth, with Water, and with the Great Spirit. The speakers discuss their perspectives on:
(Prayer for Lunch) |
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12:00 – 1:30 pm | Lunch | Ballroom A and B, Gathering Space or Overflow Room |
1:30 – 2:05 pm | Cultural Activity (TBC) | |
2:05 – 3:05 pm | Announcement and Acceptance of Next HOSW Host | |
3:05 – 3:17 pm | Closing Remarks | |
3:17 – 3:30 pm | Closing by Host Nations |
FNHA Information Session
The FNHA has had several requests to learn about the FNHA history and its journey in the creation of a BC First Nations health governance structure and the transfer of health service delivery from the federal and provincial governments. To meeting this demand, FNHA will be offering an information session on September 18 and 19, 2023. The session will be held close to the Convention Centre and the registration fee is $300 per person, which is to cover the room rental and catering. If you have already registered, you can add this session through your registration. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out at hosw@fnha.ca.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For General HOSW inquiries, please email us at
hosw@fnha.ca
For registration inquiries, please email us at hosw@pacegroup.com