Stop the Vicious Cycle: Indigenous Family Violence Prevention

Join us in person for an eye-opening event focused on breaking the cycle of family violence in Indigenous communities. This is your chance to learn, share, and connect with others dedicated to making a real difference. We are excited to be joined by Dr. James Makosis, our keynote speaker! Together, we’ll explore powerful strategies and support systems that can help create safer, stronger families. Don’t miss out on this important conversation — your voice matters!

Info: A group of Indigenous women at come together to share teachings through traditional songs.

Info: MMIR Justice and Wellness Plan, developed in partnership with kin and allies across Alberta, which offers community-driven strategies to prevent violence and foster safety to our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.

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Info: The Children's Circle of Safety presentation shares how ACSA supports children and youth impacted by family violence through culture, play and connection. Grounded in Indigenous teachings the program helps children build emotional awareness, understand healthy boundaries, and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging. Through ceremony, art, and storytelling the Circle offers a safe space for healing, resilience and reconnection to family and community.

Info: Come learn how to jig! The Métis jig is a combination of First Nations dancing, Scottish and French-Canadian step-dancing, and reel, jig, and quadrille steps. The "Red River Jig", or as it is known in Michif, "oayache mannin," is the most famous Métis dance. This jig is a special fiddle tune that is played at almost all Métis functions and is danced in two parts. In the first part, a traditional jig step is performed while the fiddle plays a high section, then the fiddle switches to a lower section, and the second fancy footwork part of the dance is performed.

Info: The vision for 211 Alberta is to have a comprehensive information and referral system that is accessible to all Albertans. What this means for individuals - or their family members, neighbours, friends and colleagues - who are looking for help is that 211 is a number they know and trust to provide effective, timely, and appropriate information and referrals to community resources.

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Info: Participants will be introduced to complexity levels and factors that contribute to Indigenous trauma. This workshop will explore how the trauma at birth and into childhood are linked to the colonial impacts of Indigenous gender roles, our relationships and parenting style that continues throughout an individuals lifespan.

Info: The Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe exists to expand the knowledge of Indigenous cultures and traditions within Red Deer and surrounding area. Our dancers learn Mens and Ladies Traditional, Grass, Jingle, Fancy, Hoop, Couples, and Round Dances. We also offer hand-held and gathering drumming, and we enhance the skills of performers by bringing in diverse presenters, teachers and elders from our community.

Info: Domestic violence is a growing pandemic in which Indigenous women are disproportionately impacted demanding innovative solutions beyond outdated processes. In response, the Shelter Link system of care was created, offering a collaborative framework anchored in innovation, trauma-informed practices, and systemic change. Shelter Link ensures individuals and families at imminent risk of harm receive access to safety, holistic care, and culturally relevant supports.

Info: The Women's Circle of Safety presentation highlights ACSA's trauma-informed, culturally grounded approach to supporting women impacted by family violence. Through ceremony, sharing circles, and creative expression the program helps participants rebuild safety, self-worth, and healthy relationships. The presentation explores key themes such as emotional regulation, boundaries, communication, and reconnecting to culture as pathways to healing. It also shares success stories, lessons learned, and the importance of community partnerships in creating lasting change for women and families.

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Info: Dr. James Makokis is one of Canada's leading experts related to Indigenous culture, traditions, values, and customs. Dr. Makokis also currently heads one of Canada's leading LGBTQ2 and Transgender focused medical practices and commits himself to save lives through his progressive empathetic approach to medicine. His approach to medicine incorporates First Nation healing practices to connect the mind, body, and spirit for his patients. Dr. Makokis will provide inspirational stories and practical insights on how his own experience in being excluded and segregated as a First Nation and Two-Spirit person. He offers practical insights for teaching others about the importance of culture, spirituality, health, self-confidence, community access, support, and policies to help improve the quality of life for Indigenous and LGBTQ2 peoples.

Info: Join us for Dinner and an evening of entertainment featuring Billy Joseph. There will be door prizes and vendors available to purchase Indigenous gifts.Billy Joseph is a singer and songwriter who enjoys playing rockabilly, country rock, bluegrass and traditional country. Billy grew up in a musical family. At an early age he was obsessed with music of all genres.

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