PRE-CONFERENCETRAINING

What are Pre-Conference Trainings? 

Pre-Conference Trainings are an optional day or two of training for those who want to have a more in depth understanding about a particular topic. Select a number or title below to expand the training description, and click on the presenter's name to read their biography. All 5 of the trainings run at the same time, so participants will only be able to choose one.

You can register for a particular training while you register for the conference; the pre-conference training IS NOT INCLUDED in the cost of registration.

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PLEASE NOTE: There will be no translation services at this year's symposium.

2 Day Peacemaking Circle Training

DATES: November 16th and 17th TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm both days PRESENTER: Mandy Halabi CAPACITY: 22 seats COST: $350.00 Restorative justice (RJ) is a philosophy, a set of principles and practices that builds community, responds to harm, and holds space for re-integration. RJ is founded and depends on personal and community values, and commitment. The theory and practices of restorative justice emphasize the importance of engaging in dialogue among all those affected by harmful behaviour. A peacemaking circle is a community directed response that aims to address behaviour concerns and establish community safety through drawing on the wisdom, experience and capacity of the community. Derived from Indigenous teachings and traditions, peacemaking circles bring people together in a way that creates trust, respect, intimacy, good will, belonging, generosity, mutuality and equality. The process is never about changing others, but rather an invitation to change oneself and one’s relationship within the community. In two days of experiential-based training participants will learn that peacemaking circles can be used for many reasons; not only as a forum for conflict resolution, but as an alternative communication method that allows people to deal with extremely painful and difficult issues, manage their own healing process, make agreements that promote moving forward in a good way, celebrate successes, build community and make decisions, which can be applied in a variety of contexts and settings. Peacemaking circle training is intended and designed for anyone interested in learning an intentional and effective process for dialogue while also: - Learning how the peacemaking circle process and restorative justice overlap; - Recognizing that peacemaking circles promote authenticity, allowing participants to learn more about themselves, be wholly involved in the process and be supported while being supportive; - Understanding how the peacemaking circle approach allows participants to speak honestly, listen to each other respectfully and recognize the power in every voice as a means to create synergy; - Acquire the knowledge of this four-part process that links to Medicine Wheel teachings as a means to create balance and hold space to promote personal/spiritual connections while building relationships through storytelling. After completing the two-day training, participants will have the skills, confidence, knowledge and resources to run your own peacemaking circles as a Peacemaking Circle Keeper. What is included: - breakfast (both days) - lunch (both days) - coffee, refreshments and snacks (both days)



Recovering from Crime: Restorative Justice and the Journey Toward Healing

DATE: November 17th TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm PRESENTER: Aaron Lyons & Matthew Hartman CAPACITY: 30 seats COST: $250.00

Join us for a deep dive into the practice of working effectively with crime victims and survivors through restorative approaches to justice.

A central principle of restorative justice is to support the involvement and voice of crime victims and survivors. While restorative justice theory emphasizes the centrality of victims’ needs, in practice the field has been known to fall short of fulfilling this promise. Drawing on international experience and research, this is a hands-on one-day training event intended for Canada’s community of restorative justice practitioners and program administrators. Together we will explore how restorative justice providers can contribute to experiences of honor, equity, inclusion and meaning for victims and survivors. We will build on our existing skillsets to work toward trauma-informed and highly responsive practical techniques. We will grapple with the complex layers of historical and current systemic trauma and its’ effect on the lived experience and needs of many survivors. We will analyze our work through the lens of victim/survivor needs, from initial outreach through intervention and follow-up. Throughout this intensive learning experience, you will continue to build and deepen relationships within a diverse community of justice visionaries from across Canada.

Through a blend of presentation, group discussion, video materials and hands-on practice opportunities we will explore:

  • How do we think about or envision the role of victims/survivors in restorative justice?
  • How might we best design restorative justice processes to be responsive to victim/survivors’ needs?
  • What can leaders and administrators do to incorporate victims’ concerns in program design and development?
  • How can the movement as a whole build stronger bridges with victims, survivors and their advocates?

As trainers, we (Aaron Lyons and Matthew Hartman) have dedicated our professional lives toward the ethical practice of restorative justice. Along with partners across Canada and the United States, we have recently led several projects which inform the theme of this training, including: co-authoring ARJA’s guide “Serving Victims through Restorative Justice: A Resource Guide for Leaders and Practitioners;” conducting (with Justice Canada) a National Listening Project to better understand crime victims’ experiences of restorative justice; hosting a US-based Symposium to build bridges between victim assistance and restorative justice leaders, and more.

We look forward to meeting you in Banff!

What is included: - breakfast - lunch - coffee and refreshments



Building a Restorative Culture in your Classroom/School

DATE: November 17th TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm PRESENTER: Caroline Gosling & Sue Hopgood CAPACITY: 30 seats COST: $250.00

"No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship." (James Comer, 1995) How do we create positive relationships with and among students and adults? How do we encourage students to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do? How do we encourage students to take responsibility and be accountable for their words and actions? How do we create environments where conflicts, including bullying behaviours, are less likely to occur? What is it we want students to learn through our discipline practices when they've caused harm?

Creating a culture in your school or classroom based on the following restorative principles results in a environment that is welcoming, caring, respectful and safe, supports positive mental health leading to optimal engagement and learning for students.

1. Importance of relationships
2. Focus on harm done rather than rule broke
3. Encourage responsibility and accountability
4. Involve and engage all (students/staff/adults)
5. Teach and practice collaborative problem solving
6. Give voice to all

This is not a program but rather a philosophy and approach that can complement and enhance other initiatives in your school and district and support Alberta legislation as it pertains to schools as well as the recently revised Teacher and Leadership Quality Standard.

What is included: - breakfast - lunch - coffee and refreshments



Developing a Restorative Justice Program

DATE: November 17th TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm PRESENTER: Jan Moran & China Sieger CAPACITY: 30 seats COST: $250.00 This will be a hands-on training session. Participants will leave the session with an outline of a plan to start a restorative justice program designed for their community or how to enhance an existing program. To achieve this, it is highly recommended that more than one person from a community wishing to start a program attend, however should that not be possible even one person will find the knowledge gained to be a valuable resource to take back to their community. Welcome too, are those who attend to review their present program, not only will they benefit from the session, but their experience and sharing would be a valuable asset to the entire group.​ What is included: - breakfast - lunch - coffee and refreshments - Guide to developing a Restorative Justice Program



Police and Relationship Centered Focus on Community Justice Issues

DATE: November 17th TIME: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm PRESENTER: Lawrence Aimoe & Marco Lou CAPACITY: 30 seats COST: $250.00 As police officers, where do we begin to understand the referral process when it comes to Restorative Justice? How can we develop an understanding of opportunities and liabilities within the current criminal justice and policy framework within communities? This training will cover a wide range of topics including the RJ referral process, case and file management for Canadian police officers, community and program liaison roles and managing expectations and communication. We will move through an overview of RJ in the Canadian Law Enforcement environment, policy and risk issues and the elements required to effectively support the use of RJ by community organizations within the Criminal Justice system. This training will provide an opportunity to develop case management strategies within a scenario based context. Our expectation is that the knowledge and insights gained will in turn be shared with peers and co-workers. What is included: - breakfast - lunch - coffee and refreshments



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