Conference- Highlights

The Making a Life, Making a Living / Se faire une vie, gagner sa vie Conference will begin on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, with a pre-opening afternoon tour led by Lewis Cardinal at kihcihkaw askî – Sacred Land in Edmonton’s Whitemud Park. This ceremonial visit will honour Indigenous connections to the land and set a meaningful tone for the gathering. Later in the day, attendees will transition to the evening reception at The Matrix Hotel, where registration will take place alongside live music by Evan Westfal, creating a welcoming and warm environment.

 

The reception will feature a sequence of opening remarks and introductions. Elder Richard Jenkins will ceremonially open the conference. The event will be emceed by Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw and will include acknowledgments from Dr. Glynnis Lieb and Dr. Anne-José Villeneuve, along with government and CGLCC representatives and other team members. Live music by Emmet Michael will accompany the informal networking session. On Thursday, November 13, the full conference programming will commence at the University of Alberta. After breakfast at the hotel venues, Dr. André McDonald will serve as M.C. for the morning sessions, while Dr. Anne-José Villeneuve will be M.C. for the afternoon sessions. Attendees will participate in a full day of sessions, including keynotes and panels.

 

To reflect the wide-ranging expertise and perspectives represented in the Call for Proposals - which invited submissions from five domains: University, Community Member, Collective, Government, and Business—the conference will feature three concurrent thematic streams: 1. Academic and Research Stream; 2. Community-Led and Collective Initiatives Stream; and 3. Public Sector and Business Engagement Stream.

 

Although some details of the morning and afternoon speakers remain tentative, the day will offer a robust schedule, with coffee breaks and lunch provided. The evening will wrap up in a lively and social way with a trivia and drag event at Evolution Wonderlounge in downtown Edmonton.

 

Friday, November 14 will begin with a morning session at The Matrix Hotel, followed by a keynote by Ivan Coyote. Afternoon sessions will be held at both The Matrix Hotel and the University of Alberta, continuing the trend of knowledge-sharing and community-building across venues. The day will culminate in a ticketed gala at The Matrix, featuring dinner, dancing, and entertainment, with music helping to carry the energy and celebration of the evening.

 

The final half-day of the Making a Life, Making a Living / Se faire une vie, gagner sa vie Conference, Saturday, November 15, will begin with breakfast followed by a morning session including a keynote address and closing remarks. Elder Richard Jenkins will return to ceremonially close the conference. The event will conclude with light entertainment, offering a thoughtful and engaging end to the four-day gathering. Through its blend of academic insight, cultural celebration, and community connection - the Making a Life, Making a Living / Se faire une vie, gagner sa vie Conference will bring together diverse voices and experiences to engage in critical conversations, connection, and joyful moments.