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The final session of this series will feature Mark Buchanan, a pastor, author, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University. Mark will be speaking specifically about his personal journey as a settler seeking reconciliation with indigenous people. This will be followed by 30-40 minutes of discussion and Q & A. 

 

Thursday, June 24, 7:30pm-8:30pm  

https://zoom.us/j/99201971764

 

May 20 - Dr. Patricia Vickers 

Dr Patricia Vickers belongs to the Eagle clan from the village of Gitxaala, British Columbia and carries two feast hall names from her village and from the Nuxalk in Bella Coola, British Columbia. With the help of neurofeedback, she teaches spiritual transformation, healing trauma, awakening, forgiveness and unearthing layers to find the authentic self.

She is an internationally respected leader in the field of trauma research and programming, specifically for indigenous peoples.  She is invited to present at international conferences, and partner with organizaqtions in many parts of the world to bring new thinking and knowledge through the wisdom in the spiritual aspects of indigenous ancestral law.  

Dr. Vickers' interdisciplinary doctorate included research into Ts'msyen language (Sm'algyax), and the transformative aspects of ancestral law, which hold many answers to queries about life, purpose, healing, and positive change.  Her Master's degree in Educational Pschology gave her the opportunity to study healing through Indigenous cultural teachings and ceremony, which she weaves into all aspects of her work.  Dr. Vickers enjoys passing on ancestral wisdom teachings as a teacher, trainer, consultant, instrutor, facilitator, program developer, and psychotherapist for indigenous communities along the coast of British Columbia.  

Patricia's Website

 

June 3 - Rev. Dr. Ray Aldred

Reverend Doctor Ray Aldred is a husband, father, and grandfather. He was ordained with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. He is status Cree from Swan River Band, Treaty 8. Born in Northern Alberta, he now resides with his wife in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Ray is the director of the Indigenous Studies Program at the Vancouver School of Theology whose mission is to partner with the Indigenous Church around theological education.

Formerly Ray served as the Assistant Professor of Theology at Ambrose Seminary in Calgary, Alberta. He is a former chairperson and board member for Indigenous Pathways. He is former Director for the First Nations Alliance Churches of Canada, now a committee member, where he works to encourage Indigenous churches. Ray also has had the privilege of addressing several college conferences and meetings. Ray’s passion is to help as many as possible hear the gospel in their heart language.

Ray and his wife, Elaine are also involved in ministry to help train people to facilitate support groups for people who have suffered abuse. Also, Elaine and Ray have coordinated Marriage Encounter. Ray and Elaine have four children: Jenny, who has graduated from the University of Regina and the Alliance University College, a school teacher is married and lives in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada; Raymond, who is pursuing a PhD in Philosophy at McGill University; Catherine, has earned an MA in Religions Studies at McGill University; and Rueben who works in the Oil Field in Northern Alberta.

VST Website

 

June 17 - Representatives of Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society

Vancouver Aboriginal Transformative Justice Services Society (VATJSS) was established in 1998 and saw its first client in 2000.  The creation of VATJSS was a result of the Department of Justice acknowledgment of how “the criminal justice system has failed Aboriginal People at every stage of the justice system.”  VATJSS was put into place as part of the Aboriginal Justice Strategy, now called the Indigenous Justice Programs (IJP), which is a National entity designed to support Indigenous People to reduce crime and incarceration, allow Indigenous people the opportunity to assume greater responsibility for the administration of justice within their community and foster improved responsiveness, fairness, inclusiveness of justice system with respect to justice and its administration.

VATJSS now has 9 full time staff members, 3 on call staff members, a team of 14 volunteers on their Community Council and 6 volunteer Board Members. The VATJSS has supported over 1200 Justice Clients and nearly 5000 Housing Clients over the many years of service. They are transforming lives to create stronger hearts, stronger minds and stronger community.

VATJSS Website

 

June 24 - Mark Buchanan

Mark Buchanan is a pastor, author, and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Ambrose University. His books include "God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul." He regularly contributes to the Leadership Journal and Christianity Today.

Mark says:  "I am a husband and father. A brother and friend. I was a son, but now I am an orphan (if one can be such a thing at my age). I am a writer, a professor, a speaker. I sometimes make noises on the guitar, sometimes even in front of people. I like nothing so much as to sit and read in front of a fire, or else nothing so much as walking deep in wild places. I love to scuba dive, and ride a motorcycle, and fish a slow bend of a fast river. My goal in life is to be a saint, but I often have to settle, simply, for not complaining while carrying out the trash or getting stuck in traffic. I take all the small victories I can get."  

Mark will be speaking specifically about his personal journey as a settler seeking reconciliation with indigenous people.  

Mark's Website

 

ZOOM Link