FAQ’s Gathering 2015

Piigiiwewidoon Saagiidiwin – Bringing Home the Love

“This is a drug and alcohol free space. We are asking to create a safer space for everyone, including those who may be triggered by the presence of drugs or alcohol and the history of trauma that may be associated with substance use.

While we are asking for the space to be drug and alcohol free, we recognize the difficulties a policy like this might create. We are committed to making spaces to have open conversations about this as a group and/or one on one, as well as provide any other support necessary to reduce harm collectively and meet people where they are at.”

Safety/Support team can be identified with a purple ribbon tied around their armband.

Thanks to the Native Youth Sexual Health Network for the on-going work committed to creating safer spaces.

THINGS TO BRING TO BIAG 2015 ADOPTEE GATHERING

There are 10 cabins available with bunk beds in each and plenty of room to pitch your own tent or bring a trailer.

Tent, tarps, sleeping mats if you are not sleeping in the cabins
Sleeping bag or blanket & pillow
Blow up mattress/sleeping mat
An item for giveaway-items that are of personal value and significance e.g. picture frame, candles, bath salts, hand-made items or whatever speaks to you as an appropriate gift.
Loose tobacco/material (optional)
Hand drum and/or rattles, bundles, medicines
Flashlight & batteries
Water bottle
Medication/diabetic supplies (responsible to keep it safe from children)
Bug spray
Sun block
Sun hat
Rain boots
Warm clothing for cool nights
Towel, wash cloth
Soap
Swim suit/Towel ( pool with lifeguard on duty specified times)
Rain gear
Loose fitting clothing shorts, tank or skirt (not mandatory) Sweat Lodge Ceremonies
NO CANDLES IN CABINS PLEASE
Battery operated lanterns are okay
FYI …There is No electricity in cabins
Lawn chairs (s) for each member of your family

Participant Code of Conduct

We are a non-profit grassroots group of Indigenous adults who are adoptees or have been in foster care. We are committed to acknowledging and validating our lived experiences.

We agree to treat each other with the utmost respect, care and support by observing the suggested guidelines below while participating in the Indigenous Adoptee Gathering. When in doubt, ask for assistance from the Emotional Support team.

Boundaries – Establish healthy personal boundaries and respect the boundaries of others. Know your limits, trust your gut, be assertive but kind, practice self care.

Confidentiality – What is talked about in the Circle stays in the Circle. Do not identify others outside of the Circle without their permission.

Privacy – Respect each other’s right to privacy. Do not take cell phone pictures or videos without permission. Do not repeat details of others’ experiences.

Personal Space – Be aware of others’ personal space, ask consent for hugs.

Harm Reduction – While we are asking for the space to be drug and alcohol free, we recognize the difficulties a policy like this might create. We are committed to making spaces to have open conversations about this as a group and/or one on one, as well as provide any other support necessary to reduce harm collectively and meet people where they are at.

Sacred Items – Do not touch the medicines or items in bundles of Elders, pipe carriers or helpers without permission.

The Seven Grandfather Teachings

Indigenous Adoptee Gathering 2015

Statement of Values

To cherish knowledge is to know WISDOM.

We acknowledge and value our life experiences and gifts. We will seek the counsel of elders to help us to understand and honour our experiences collectively.

To know LOVE is to know peace.

We will meet each other with understanding wherever we are on our journeys towards healing and wholeness.

To honour all of the Creation is to have RESPECT.

The safety and confidentiality of all is a sacred trust. We will follow Sharing Circle protocols to allow each other to share our experiences in a non-threatening and private way. We affirm our full support to each other regardless of our Indigenous affiliation, sexual orientation or state of being.

BRAVERY is to face the foe with integrity.

We believe that by sharing our lived histories, we can create awareness and understanding of intergenerational and vicarious trauma amongst our families and communities so that we can build healthy relationships.

HONESTY in facing a situation is to be brave.

We have lost our family connections, languages, cultures and histories and we are seeking understanding, support, recognition and reconciliation now and for future generations.

HUMILITY is to know yourself as a sacred part of the Creation.

We will take responsibility for our own self-care with the support of each other and our helpers. In healing, we honour ourselves as a sacred part of the Creation.

TRUTH is to know all of these things

With the help of these teachings and each other, we will work towards physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health for ourselves and our communities.

National Indigenous Survivors of Child Welfare Network

Ottawa, Ontario