Maternal Child Health Annual Conference: Healing One Tree at a Time (Service Providers): From the Roots of Our Ancestors to the Wellness of Our Children, Families and Communities.

The purpose and desired outcomes of this event are to bring people together who are doing the work in the MCH area, to strengthen their work and relationships with one another by understanding, sharing and honouring Indigenous knowledge, culture and practices.  Through connection, storytelling, learning and shared reflection, participants will be encouraged to consider how to work differently and more collaboratively to support healthier families and communities.  Another desired outcome is that participants will leave feeling uplifted spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally for all the work they continue to do as service providers, and to know their work does not go unnoticed. 

Keynote speaker will be Monique Gray Smith, Indigenous Author, Consultant & Speaker. She is well known for her storytelling of resilience, hope, knowledge and the important teaching that love is Medicine (this is the only Keynote speaker I have or do I include Shoneena Loss here too?)-thank you ladies for your help

My family and I will be sharing our personal FASD Family story in which my daughter Lakota will share their reflections on living with FASD and Sierrah will be sharing her personal story as a sibling. (not too sure if I add this here too?)

Key takeaways:

· Cultural knowledge sharing, teachings and ways of living through storytelling 

· FASD-Understanding & learning strategies for supporting Individuals with FASD through the four directions

· Strengthening Relationships & Community Connections

· Indigenous traditional ways of birthing and bringing back traditional roots of caring for our infants/children through the lens of our Ancestors

· Leaving with practical tools & commitments

Meals and Refreshments

Breakfast will be available each day from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. A nutrition break will be provided each morning and afternoon.   

Lunch will be served from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on February 23rd and 24^th. On February 25^th, participants will receive a bagged, takeaway lunch for the trip home. 

All other meals, including dinners, will be the responsibility of the participants. Eligible meal expenses will be reimbursed upon submission of a completed travel claim, in accordance with FNHA travel reimbursement guidelines. 

FNHA will cover accommodation and provide travel reimbursement only for participants who attend the full training and are present for all scheduled training sessions from February 23-25, 2027.

FNHA will cover accommodation for February 22, 23 & 24^th.  Any additional accommodation costs incurred before or after these dates will be the responsibility of the participant's AHSOR program. Please specify if you are bringing your spouse or children. Family members are welcome to join for breakfast and lunch. Travel costs for family members are the responsibility of the participant. This hotel has a NO PETS policy. 

*Accommodation will be booked by FNHA upon your approved registration. A confirmation email will be sent once your registration has been reviewed and approved.

To help reduce waste, we ask that participants bring their own reusable water bottle for refills throughout the training. Please note that this is a scent-free event. We kindly request that participants refrain from wearing scented body products: perfume, cologne, body spray and lotion, to ensure a comfortable environment for everyone throughout the conference.

Registration Deadline: September 17th, 2026

For questions or additional information, please contact Jackie Sinclair at jackie.sinclair@fnha.ca or Mary Hayes at mary.hayes@fnha.ca or HCYD@fnha.ca