Working with children, families and Indigenous communities coping with grief

Friday November 1st, 2024

Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver, BC

In partnership with the Lumara Society Indigenous Wellness Program.

Overview

This one-day workshop features experts in the field of supporting children, families and Indigenous communities coping with grief and loss. It is appropriate for child and family therapists, psychologists, school counsellors, mental health clinicians, social workers, members of school-based teams, youth and family workers and community service providers. It is designed to provide specific tools to professionals who work with Indigenous People.

About our speakers

Dr Heather Mohan, PhD, RCC, Co-founder and Executive Director, Lumara

Dr Heather Mohan is world-renowned for her expertise in grief counselling, palliative care, music therapy and arts education. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Accredited Music Therapist with more than 20 years of experience working with children, youth and families who are facing illness, grief and loss.

Vernon Williams – Elder in Residence

Sgaalaanglaay, Gaamdaamaay (Vernon Williams Jr.) belongs to Kuunlaanaas Raven Grizzly Bear of Yakin Point Haida Gwaii. Vernon is a Haida Nishga. His work involves traditional teachings that have been passed down from wonderful mentors. Vernon offers brushings with feather or cedar fan for water cleansing, he leads fire ceremonies and is an artist of drum making, flutes, rattles and protection necklaces.

Joshua Dahling – Director of Operations | Youth Counsellor

Adopted into the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation during adolescence, Josh has over 15 years of experience working as an Alcohol & Drug Counsellor practicing in the fields of Addictions, Mental Health, and Child & Youth Care. In 2009, Josh joined the team at BC’s family bereavement retreat program, Camp Kerry. This experience motivated Josh to create Lumara with Dr. Heather Mohan.

Sophie Arkell, Art Therapist at Lumara

Sophie is a professional art therapist that has been involved with Lumara since 2017. She facilitates art therapy sessions and workshops at Camp Kerry and throughout the year with Lumara for children and youth.

Event schedule

8:00 – 8:45am : Coffee, networking and registration

8:45 – 9:00am : Land acknowledgement and introduction of presenters.

9:00 – 9:45am : Dr Heather Mohan

Beyond the stages of grief: A hollistic model for working with children, families and Indigenous communities coping with grief.

9:45 – 10:15am : Sophie Arkell

When words are not enough: Expressive Arts-based tools, ideas and practices for working with bereaved children.

10:15 – 10:30am : Break

Beverages and snacks provided

10:30 – 12:00pm : Elder Vernon and Josh Dahling

Working with Indigenous children, youth, families and communities

12.00-1.00pm : Lunch

Lunch provided and Resource Village

1:00-2.00pm : Interactive drum circle

Interactive drum circle: The power of the drum circle in healing and community after loss with Educator and drum circle facilitator Ron Stelting

2:00pm-2.15pm : Stretch and refreshment break

2:15pm-3:15pm : Youth panel

Youth Panel: We stand shoulder to shoulder. The power of peer support for bereaved youth. A panel presentation and interactive conversation with youth peer mentor leaders

3:15pm-3:30pm : Closing ceremony

Closing ceremony with Elder Vernon