Wele'g Dwennimmen

Roots of Survivance Symposium

When: Friday, January 30th 2026

Time: 9.30am - 4.00pm

    with 12.00pm – 1.00pm Lunch and Networking.

This year’s one-day symposium is all about bringing together scholars, community leaders, and practitioners from many communities to collectively envision the institute’s role in advancing Black and Indigenous health, cultural revitalization and community wellbeing. Prepare for collaborative discussions, insightful keynote presentations, and valuable networking opportunities.

Where: 232 King St. N, Waterloo ON.

Room K214 (CCRLA, Laurier)

Please Register to Attend: Form

Agenda:

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Registration and Welcome Gathering
• Participant check-in and light refreshments

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Opening Ceremonies
• Territorial Ceremony
• Libation Ceremony
• Welcome address by Dr. Ann Marie Beals

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM - Break

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
World Café: Envisioning the Future of Wele’g Dwennimmen
• Three small-group discussions
• Groups rotate every 20 minutes

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Lunch and Networking

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Keynote, Workshop – Andrew Jolivétte


Dr. Andrew Jolivétte is Professor of Sociology and American Indian and Indigenous Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His acclaimed scholarship, writings, and presentations examine Native American, Indigenous, Creole, Black, Afro-Indigenous, Latinx, Queer, Mixed-Race, and Comparative Critical Ethnic Studies.

Keynote Presentation: Black, Indigenous, Afro-Indigenous Knowledge and Survivance
• Speaker: Virtual
• Exploring the role of storytelling, land-based knowledge, and thrivance in promoting Black, Indigenous, Afro-Indigenous wellbeing

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM - Break

2:45 PM – 3:15PM
Collaborative Discussion: Building Pathways for Action
• A moderated large-group discussion synthesizing insights from the World Café and keynote workshop

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Research Assistant Presentation and Knowledge Dissemination Plan
• Overview of how symposium outcomes will be documented and shared through community platforms, and reporting

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks
• Closing remarks by Dr. Ann Marie Beals
• Closing ceremony led by Knowledge Keep