Gathering to Share
Conferences on health topics typically focus on the latest and greatest science breakthroughs and latest data showcasing disease rates presented by a parade of experts. What if we flipped this concept and focused on gathering to share knowledge and wisdom in relation to liver wellness instead of liver disease?
This was the vision for a one day event held in Calgary November 1, 2024 and livestreamed online to support attendance from Ontario. Organized by an Indigenous planning circle to highlight Indigenous speakers, community liver health initiatives and foundations of liver wellness the sold out event attracted attendance from across Canada.
The keynote session shared by wellness influencers Chelsea Luger and Tosh Collins took attendees on a journey exploring the Seven Circles of Wellness and how taking small steps toward balance supports overall wellness, joy and longevity. Speakers also shared community-directed models of care, connections to culture, strategies for awareness and screening and updates from National Microbiology lab and others on innovations supporting increased access.
The call to action wrapping up the day was to take something and carry in your heart, that would inspire your hands to engage in care and your feet to support forward action as we work together in supporting liver wellness.
Join us in Thunder Bay fall of 2025 for the next iteration of Gathering to Share!
A Gathering to Share, Welcoming by Elder Harley Crowshoe.
The following videos were recorded at the Gathering in Calgary on November 1, 2024. You are invited to share in the learnings from this day.
Plants as Medicine and Harm Reduction
- Plants as Harm reduction shared by Mohawk Nation woman Cathy Walker. Herbalism for supporting the liver, overall wellness and benefits for unhoused people seen at Giwaabamin their grassroots clinic in downtown Toronto. Instagram: Giwaabamin
Community Readiness Relevance
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Community Readiness Framework shared by Trevor Stratton, citizen of Mississauga’s of the Credit First Nation and connected to CAAN for over 20 years. CAAN (Communities, Alliances and Networks) is an Indigenous-led non-profit supporting resources on STBBI, TB, Harm Reduction, Mental Health and Aging. CAAN.ca
Following Community Lead - Cedar Project
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Cedar Project evaluation and the importance of relationality in hepatitis C approaches with and for Indigenous People in BC shared by Vicky Thomas member of Wuikinuxv Nation. Cedar Project is a community-driven cohort engagement in BC since 2003 focusing on HIV and hepatitis C as colonial impacts to wellness. FaceBook: Vancouver Cedar Project
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Balance & Liver Wellness Why & How - Chelsey Lugar & Tosh Collins
- The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well shared by Chelsey Luger who is Anishinaabe and Lakota, and Tosh Collins who is Onk Akimel O’odham. Focusing on the strength and healing power of ancestral teachings and their relevance in everyday routine and balance of mental, physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
- Visit Chelsey and Tosh, and access their teachings, at Wellforculture.com
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