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Storytime Tapestry Newsletter
The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural
awareness throughout the world.
Special Treat – By Hartson Dowd
June
21, 2006
Aboriginals and the Canadian Military: past, present, future
21-22 June 2006 Kingston, Ontario
Royal Military College, Canadian
Forces Base Kingston
The Canadian Forces Leadership
Institute is pleased to celebrate National Aboriginal Day 2006 by hosting the first conference on Aboriginal
contributions to the Canadian
military experience. This event aims to celebrate, raise visibility and
increase awareness of Aboriginal contributions to the Canadian Forces. It also endeavours to
build bridges between these communities and develop ideas that will help
strengthen Aboriginal-military relations in the future.
The conference will incorporate traditional Native elements in the opening
ceremony, a feast for participants, displays of CF Aboriginal programs and
testimonials from past and serving Aboriginal members. The conference will also
have an academic component, providing a venue for presentations of research findings,
discussions and analysis. The military component of the conference will be
highlighted through the history of the conference site, the Royal Military College of Canada, and other martial traditions such as a Reviewing Parade.
Through this holistic approach, the conference aims to advance the
transformation of the CF's posture towards diversity - from accommodation
(through minimal compliance) to acceptance (that maximizes benefits) - by
fostering mutual understanding, respect and trust between Canada's military and
Aboriginal peoples.
It is hoped that this conference will not only advance the Canadian Forces' efforts to enhance
Aboriginal representation and retention, but also assist the Aboriginal, public
service, military and research communities to find common ground and ways to
promote future collaboration and discussion.
The conference is open to all, and there is no conference fee.
Hartson S. Dowd
hdowd@telus.net
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