Diverse program at Reconciliation Forum in Sudbury

Pictured are Martin Bayer, left, Laurentian’s native education council chair, and Dominic Beaudry, LU’s Indigenous Programs vice-president. (Alana Everson/CTV News)

Laurentian University in Sudbury is hosting a National Building Reconciliation Forum, being held until June 27 and featuring more than 300 staff and faculty from universities across the country.

The eighth annual conference is a Universities Canada initiative that stems from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

“Truth and Reconciliation isn’t just about Indigenous people -- it’s for all Canadians to learn about the history of residential schools,” said Dominic Beaudry, LU’s Indigenous Programs vice-president.

“But also to learn about the history of resiliency and the history of Indigenous contribution to the world that we live in.”

Organizers said learning about reconciliation is an ongoing journey and the forum is also an opportunity to learn about the challenges that need to be addressed across the country.

“There (are) a lot of good workshops and forums that can share ideas, hear from some really interesting Anishnaabe scholars and hear interesting presentations,” said Martin Bayer, Laurentian’s native education council chair.

“So I am hoping that people get good experiences out of that and come away with a broader understanding of what reconciliation means in Canada.”

Over the next two days, attendees will hear from a number of guest speakers and take part in sessions including Cultural Diversity - Celebrating Differences and Building Bridges.

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