The Western Canadian Mental Health & Education Summit: Integrating Indigenous Perspectives and Navigating AI, Digital Literacy & Resilience in a Connected World
Presented by Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D. and Lisa Porter, DCP, CCC, CCS and Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych and Varleisha D. Lyons, Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L and Samaria Nancy Cardinal, MSW, RSW
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Friday, November 6, 2026 | Calgary, ab
Date & Location
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 – Friday, November 6, 2026
8:30am – 4:00pm
Grand Hotel Calgary Airport & Convention Center
2828 23rd Street NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 8T4
phone: 888.388.3932
website: www.grandhotelcalgary.com
Who Should Attend
Education and Clinical Professionals: All education and mental health or healthcare professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers • All other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers and Community Police Officers.
Day One – November 4, 2026
1. Digital Wellness in the AI Era: Practical Strategies for Educators & Clinicians
Presented by
Lisa Porter, DCP, CCC, CCS
8:30am - 4:00pm November 4, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Children, adolescents, and adults are navigating a world increasingly shaped by social media, smartphones, artificial intelligence, and constant digital connectivity. These technologies are influencing how people learn, communicate, form relationships, seek support, and experience mental health challenges. Educators and clinicians are often left wondering how to respond effectively while supporting wellbeing in a rapidly changing environment.
This practical workshop provides evidence-informed strategies for promoting digital wellness in schools, counselling settings, healthcare environments, and community programs. Participants will explore the relationship between technology use and mental health, including concerns related to anxiety, depression, social comparison, sleep disruption, attention difficulties, cyberbullying, FoMO, emotional regulation, and social connection.
Drawing on current research and real-world examples, the workshop will examine how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are changing learning, help-seeking behaviours, and interpersonal relationships. Participants will learn practical approaches for supporting healthy technology habits, strengthening resilience, fostering critical thinking, and helping young people navigate online spaces safely and responsibly.
The workshop will also address emerging issues such as AI companionship, academic integrity in the age of generative AI, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in educational and clinical settings. Rather than focusing solely on restricting technology use, participants will explore ways to work with these tools constructively while maintaining the human connection that remains central to learning, development, and therapeutic change.
Through case studies, discussion, and practical applications, attendees will leave with concrete strategies that can be implemented immediately to support mental health, digital wellbeing, and healthy engagement with technology across a variety of educational and clinical contexts.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
2. Walking the Medicine Wheel to Holistic Wellness, Personal Growth & Healing
Presented by
Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D.
8:30am - 4:00pm November 4, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
The Medicine Wheel offers a holistic framework for understanding wellness, healing, and our connection to ourselves, our communities, and the world around us. Rooted in Indigenous teachings, the Medicine Wheel reminds us that healing is not simply the absence of illness but the ongoing process of nurturing balance among the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of our lives.
This interactive six-hour workshop invites participants to explore the Medicine Wheel as a guide for personal reflection, healing, and growth. Through discussion, storytelling, experiential activities, and self-reflection, participants will examine the impact of life experiences, relationships, and intergenerational influences on well-being. The workshop emphasizes practical ways to reconnect with traditional teachings, strengthen resilience, and cultivate a deeper understanding of holistic wellness.
Participants will leave with a renewed appreciation for Indigenous perspectives on healing and practical strategies for fostering balance, connection, and personal growth.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
- Appreciating the value and healing generated from physical activities, dietary changes and access to traditional foods, herbs, as well as why removing excessive sugars, alcohol, and other damaging substances is essential for a life well-lived.
- Re-membering positive experiences of learning, listening, seeking, probing, reading, and engaging in dialogue with elders, colleagues, family, and those who are trained to stimulate and lift our intellect and emotional health in a good way.
- Deepening our understanding of our emotions (what they are and how they work) and how our emotional states are affected by inner turmoil/voice and/or perceived external stressors. Laughing, crying, and allowing our feelings to have expression in ways that heal our hearts and our souls. Remembering seven generations went through atrocities in Indian Residential Schools, and subsequent generations have been tasked with beginning and sustaining the healing of chronic emotional repression and societal discrimination,
- Many of us have moved away from maintaining a spiritual practice – this doesn’t necessarily mean a formal or religious practice, it could mean appreciation of the wind on our faces, listening to the whispering of the trees, and when invited – smudging and attending ceremony, and sweat lodges to feed our spirit with good medicines, words, and actions. How do we reconstitute a daily practice in the face of continuing social injustice and unrelenting exclusion?
Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D. served as Vice Provost for Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years. Effective September 2016 she was appointed as the 1st Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for Lakehead University and continues to develop…
Day Two – November 5, 2026
3. Reclaiming Childhood and Adolescence in a Technology-Saturated World: Indigenous Perspectives on Development, Connection, Community, and Resilience
Presented by
Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Ph.D.
8:30am - 4:00pm November 5, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Children today are growing up in a rapidly changing world where technology, artificial intelligence, social media, and digital entertainment have become central parts of daily life. While these advancements offer many opportunities, they have also raised important questions about their impact on child development, social connection, emotional well-being, and overall health.
Many children now spend significantly less time outdoors, have fewer opportunities for face-to-face social interaction, and are increasingly exposed to online influences, violence, and digital content that may shape their perceptions of themselves and the world around them. Families, educators, and communities are witnessing growing concerns related to social isolation, emotional dysregulation, attention difficulties, anxiety, and challenges in developing empathy, compassion, and meaningful relationships.
This workshop will explore the influence of technology, artificial intelligence, social media, and violence on the healthy development of children and youth. Participants will examine whether modern technology contributes to impaired neurodevelopment and how increasing screen use may affect emotional, cognitive, social, and relational development.
Drawing upon Indigenous perspectives, participants will explore the importance of connection, compassion, empathy, community, culture, and relationships in supporting healthy development. The workshop will highlight the value of land-based learning and experiences in nature as important protective factors that promote resilience, belonging, identity, emotional well-being, and healthy growth.
Participants will be encouraged to critically examine the role technology plays in children’s lives while exploring practical ways to restore balance through relationships, community engagement, cultural connection, outdoor experiences, and opportunities for meaningful human interaction.
Through discussion, reflection, storytelling, and shared learning, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how Indigenous teachings and community-centered approaches can help support children and youth in an increasingly digital world.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Examine the impact of technology, artificial intelligence, social media, and violence on child and youth development.
- Explore current research and perspectives regarding technology and impaired neurodevelopment.
- Understand how technology and screen-based lifestyles may influence children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and relational development.
- Recognize the importance of empathy, compassion, connection, and community in fostering healthy development.
- Explore Indigenous perspectives on child development, relationships, belonging, and wellness.
- Understand the role of land-based learning and nature experiences in supporting resilience and well-being.
- Identify protective factors that promote healthy development in children and youth.
- Reflect on practical strategies for balancing technology use with opportunities for connection, culture, community, and outdoor experiences.
- Develop approaches for supporting healthy development in homes, schools, and communities.
4. Integrating Indigenous and Western Healing Strategies and Perspectives
Presented by
Samaria Nancy Cardinal, MSW, RSW
8:30am - 4:00pm November 5, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
This one-day, in-person workshop supports helpers and clinicians to integrate Indigenous-informed healing perspectives with selected Western approaches through a respectful, non-appropriative “both/and” lens. Participants will explore how Indigenous wellness is often heart-centred, relational, and grounded in story, land, and community, rather than primarily head-based or individually focused. We will introduce the Medicine Wheel as a non-diagnostic balance check-in (Physical, Emotional, Mental, Spiritual) to help participants notice “signals” instead of pathologizing “symptoms, and to guide collaborative, consent-based goal setting.
A core emphasis is relational accountability (“All My Relations”): understanding the person within a web of relationships: family, chosen kin, community, ancestors, and land. Participants will practise language and consent scripts that increase cultural safety, and learn how to hold a witnessing stance rather than an expert-fixer role. We will also build a practical stabilization toolkit that includes non-ceremonial land-informed grounding (natural elements as co-regulators) and seasonal awareness to normalize shifts in energy and capacity.
Important boundary: this workshop does not teach or replicate a ceremony. Instead, it supports ethical practice, clear scope, and relational referral pathways (e.g., Indigenous friendship centres, community programs, land-based walking groups, and appropriate cultural supports). Participants will leave with practical tools, worksheets, and an integration plan they can apply immediately, while staying accountable to humility, consent, and community connection.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Describe two-eyed seeing as a “both/and” integration stance and name key cultural safety principles.
- Use the Medicine Wheel as a non-diagnostic balance check-in to identify “signals” and strengths.
- Explain relational accountability (“All My Relations”) and apply co-regulation concepts beyond individual self-regulation.
- Demonstrate consent-based opening and repair language that reduces shame and increases safety.
- Practice non-ceremonial, land-informed grounding and seasonal awareness adaptations for stabilization.
- Create an ethical integration plan that avoids defaulting to CBT, clarifies boundaries, and strengthens community referral pathways.
Day Three – November 6, 2026
5. Navigating the Digital Ecosystem: Fostering Child & Youth Resilience in the Age of Screens, Social Media, and AI
Presented by
Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych
8:30am - 4:00pm November 6, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
The digital landscape has fundamentally changed child and adolescent development, shifting the clinical and educational focus from merely tracking screen time to understanding complex, immersive digital ecosystems. Engagement-based designs, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithms, compete for youth attention, often crowding out essential developmental activities like sleep, physical play, and face-to-face connection. Furthermore, the rapid integration of conversational AI chatbots as social companions introduces unique vulnerabilities, including emotional dependency, exposure to misinformation, and the displacement of real-world critical thinking.
This advanced workshop provides a deep dive into the neurobiological, psychological, and systemic mechanisms driving digital harms. Participants will move beyond simple fear-based restriction to embrace Digital Well-Being Literacy, equipping youth to engage with technology in thoughtful, self-regulated ways. Attendees will learn evidence-based clinical frameworks for screen dependency, how to set fair phone rules, and guide youth through healthy screen habits.
Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych, is a psychologist. Mother. Professor. International Speaker. Yoda of Anxiety. ADHD Superhero. And Changer of Lives. With nearly three decades of experience, she is a recognized expert in resilience and the social, emotional, and behavioural well-being…
6. Supporting Children and Youth Through an Indigenous Trauma-Informed Framework
Presented by
Varleisha D. Lyons, Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L
8:30am - 4:00pm November 6, 2026
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Join internationally respected occupational therapist and researcher Dr. Varleisha (Gibbs) Lyons for a transformative one-day workshop exploring how trauma-informed, culturally responsive, spiritually grounded, and strengths-based approaches can better support children, youth, families, and communities.
Drawing upon Indigenous knowledge, contemporary trauma research, neuroscience, and occupational therapy practice, Dr. Lyons will help participants move beyond deficit-based and pathologizing approaches toward a deeper understanding of how trauma influences behaviour, emotional regulation, relationships, learning, and well-being. Participants will examine the impact of experiences such as racism, poverty, sexism, discrimination, violence, and colonialism while recognizing the resilience and strengths children and youth bring to their healing journeys.
Participants will explore practical approaches that help children, youth, families, and communities better understand and respond to daily stressors and triggers while strengthening coping skills, emotional regulation, connection, healing, and resilience. Attendees will also learn how Indigenous perspectives on wellness, spirituality, relationships, and community can enhance trauma-informed practice across educational, clinical, and community settings.
Designed for educators, counsellors, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, youth workers, healthcare professionals, and community practitioners, this workshop offers practical tools for creating supportive environments that foster belonging, well-being, and positive outcomes for all children and youth.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Varleisha D. Lyons Ph.D, OTD, OTR/L is a renowned occupational therapist, author, and speaker who is deeply passionate about promoting culturally intelligent and spiritually centered mental health care. As a woman of African American and Native American heritage, with ancestral ties…
Registration & Fees
| Registration | Super Early Bird Fee | Early Bird Fee | Regular Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE DAY ENROLLMENT | -- | ||
| Individual 1 Day Enrollment | $279.00 | $299.00 | $319.00 |
| 1 Day Group 3-7 | $229.00 | $249.00 | $269.00 |
| 1 Day Group 8-14 | $209.00 | $229.00 | $249.00 |
| 1 Day Group 15+ | $189.00 | $209.00 | $229.00 |
| 1 Day Full-Time Student | $189.00 | $209.00 | $229.00 |
| -- | |||
| TWO DAY ENROLLMENT | -- | ||
| Individual 2 Day Enrollment | $499.00 | $519.00 | $539.00 |
| 2 Day Group 3-7 | $459.00 | $469.00 | $489.00 |
| 2 Day Group 8-14 | $429.00 | $449.00 | $469.00 |
| 2 Day Group 15+ | $399.00 | $419.00 | $439.00 |
| 2 Day Full-Time Student | $399.00 | $419.00 | $439.00 |
| -- | |||
| THREE DAY ENROLLMENT | -- | ||
| Individual 3 Day Enrollment | $669.00 | $689.00 | $699.00 |
| 3 Day Group 3-7 | $619.00 | $639.00 | $659.00 |
| 3 Day Group 8-14 | $599.00 | $619.00 | $629.00 |
| 3 Day Group 15+ | $469.00 | $489.00 | $509.00 |
| 3 Day Full-Time Student | $469.00 | $489.00 | $509.00 |
All fees are per person and in Canadian Dollars ($CAD)
Fees do not include applicable taxes (5% GST).
Super early bird cutoff date: September 4, 2026
To receive the super early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Friday, September 4, 2026.
Early bird cutoff date: November 4, 2026
To receive the early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Please review our Registration Terms and Conditions for information on our cancellation policy, payment policies, rebates, and more. You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to register for a workshop or conference.
Downloads
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Recommended Accommodation
Grand Hotel Calgary Airport & Convention Center
2828 23rd Street NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 8T4
phone: 888.388.3932
website: www.grandhotelcalgary.com
Our rates:
Please contact the hotel directly for the best available rates.
Continuing Education Credits
This workshop has been formally approved by the following associations:
- Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
Jack Hirose & Associates is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Jack Hirose & Associates maintains responsibility for the program.
† The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers (NLASW) accept CPA-approved CEUs.
* Participants will receive a certificate of completion after every workshop. Workshops are pre-approved for 5.5 or 6 credits per day unless otherwise specified.
Please check back closer to the conference date for more information.
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