Tuesday

September 24

Registration

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Check in, familiarize yourself with the space, and grab a cup of coffee or tea.

Welcome & Opening

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Lunch

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Mediterranean lunch buffet, coffee & tea

Sponsored by Monogram Communications.

Keynote

NEW TIME: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

The keynote will be provided by Jim Munroe, Maiyoo Keyoh Society.

IBPOC Network Meet and Greet

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Do you identify as Indigenous, Black, a Person of Colour, or racialized? Stop by the IBPOC Network table and meet Jazmin, Madison, and our network mentors for the conference. We’ll explain how you can find racialized support throughout the week, and introduce you to other members of the network. This is a casual, drop-by opportunity to say hello, meet folks, and ask questions about the conference Tea & Talks that will take place later in the week.

Dinner on Your Own

5:30 PM- 7:00 PM

Meet & Make: Evening Social 

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

At Two Rivers Gallery

We welcome all attendees to Two Rivers Gallery in downtown Prince George for Meet & Make: a casual night of socializing, crafts, light appetizers and drinks. Wander the beautiful gallery space, take in the current exhibition Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, and join your friends and colleagues to get creative with a hands-on art activity! Cash bar on site.

Evening Social activities sponsored by Northern Routes Cultural Experience.

Wednesday

September 25

Breakfast & Morning Coffee

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Join us for breakfast, coffee, and tea, and warm up for the day ahead.

Sponsored by Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society, Reflections on Belonging

Knowledge Exchange

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Attendees will form small groups for this collaborative learning workshop where everyone at the table will share experiences, ideas, and lessons around themes of common interest. Bring your skills, policy documents and examples to share with others!

This session is not about having years of experience to teach others, it’s about having an experience to share with others doing or aiming to do similar work. You are an expert on your own experiences! We all can learn from each other in the sector, and sharing information is a way to keep the sector vibrant and moving forward. 

Featuring tables with the following topics:

• Mentorship
• Tourism & Marketing
• Grant Writing & Storytelling
• Healthy Workplace Culture – Navigating & Preventing Burnout
• Communications
• Educational Programs & Delivery
• Community Relations
• What is AI?

This session is sponsored by Participatory Arts & Engagement Specialists.

Tradeshow, Artist Market & Lunch

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Back by popular demand! Have lunch at your leisure from the buffet, and browse a selection of service providers, funders, artists, and makers at the tradeshow and artist market. We invite you to interact with culture sector service providers from across the province and local artists from in and around Prince George.

Speaker Sessions 

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Select one session to attend

Option 1:

Professionalizing your Small Museum on a Budget

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

You’re a small museum or heritage place with lots of enthusiasm, but your operation feels disordered and inefficient? Join the staff of Huble Homestead Historic Site for a panel discussion on how they got organized and grew into a respected local institution whose small team makes an outsized impact on a budget.

The Huble Homestead staff will discuss the obstacles their Society has faced and how they took small steps on a shoestring budget to professionalize their operations through changes to administration, programming, gift shop sales, and the curatorial program. Participants will take away a list of free or low-cost tools that can help them on their own journey.

Panellists: Krystal Leason, Executive Director; Nicole Krizmanich, Program Manager; Christine Reid, Store Manager; Rebecca Campbell, Curator

Option 2:

A Carceral State of Mind: Colonial Justice and Freedom Struggles in Canada & the United States

At Two Rivers Gallery

Carceral systems are tools of oppression continuously weaponized by colonial states (New Zealand, Australia, the U.S., and Canada). Indigenous peoples have constantly been subjected to dehumanization and targeted for elimination by the state. 

The Marking Time project, curated by Dr. Nicole R. Fleetwood, powerfully illuminates the profound impact of the carceral state on American life through the transformative lens of art and visual culture. This innovative, multiplatform initiative includes an award-winning book, a traveling exhibition, and dynamic public programs that spotlight artists dedicated to confronting and dismantling mass incarceration and advocating for the rights of imprisoned individuals, their families, and communities.

Scholar Michaela McGuire will elaborate on colonial justice systems as tools of oppression with a specific focus on the ‘Canadian’ context, and Marking Time coordinator Steven G Fullwood will highlight specific artists in the show, share insights about his role with the Marking Time project, and archiving MT artists and organizations. 

Panellists: 

Steven G. Fullwood is the coordinator of Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration, a project inspired by the award-winning book by Dr. Nicole R. Fleetwood. Fullwood manages the traveling exhibition and serves as the lead archivist for the Archiving Marking Time initiative. In 2017, Fullwood co-founded the Nomadic Archivists Project (with Miranda Mims), an initiative to bridge the gap between archival practice and content creators. He is the former assistant curator of the Manuscripts, Archives & Rare Books Division at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Fullwood has consulted with several cultural institutions including the Black Theatre Commons, Creative Capital, the Joan Mitchell Foundation, and the National Black Theatre.

Michaela M. McGuire (MA) is a Ph.D. candidate at Simon Fraser University and an award-winning qualitative researcher, writer, and educator based out of HlGaagilda (Skidegate), Haida Gwaii. Having grown up in Burnaby, BC, Michaela brings diverse life experiences to her work. Michaela is of mixed ancestry (Haida/Irish/British/Ojibwe) and is a citizen of the Haida Nation. Michaela values culture, nature, sustainability, and interconnectedness. She works with scholars, individuals and organizations whose values and ethics align with hers. Her research and work is broadly focused on decolonization, racism, genocide, state crime, resurgence, Indigenous justice, and governance.

Movement Break

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Realign body and mind by joining one of several afternoon activities. 

Option 1:

Movement and Mindfulness

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Join Jaylene Pfeifer, Kinesiologist and Yoga teacher for a session of movement, breath and mindfulness to feel into the present moment and listen to your body and trust what it needs. This will invigorate and restore you during your time at the conference.  This is the type of session that is for every body!

Option 2:

Heritage Walking Tour of Prince George

Meeting outside Two Rivers Gallery.

Join Chad Hellenius, Assistant Curator at The Exploration Place, for a downtown Heritage Walking Tour of Prince George.

Option 3:

Choose your own PG Adventure

With lots of trails and local flair, choose your own PG Adventure. Go for a walk up Connaught Hill Park for a view of the city and surrounding landscapes, check out local shops and support local businesses, or settle quietly into a conversation with colleagues on a nearby city bench.

Sponsored by Jim Cullen Consulting Services.

IBPOC Network Tea & Talk

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

At Omineca Arts Centre

IBPOC folks are welcome to join us in this dedicated affinity space at the end of the day to take a breath, get to know each other, and discuss anything that’s on your mind. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be provided. This is an informal networking space, and you’re welcome to drop in at any time during the session. 

Dinner on Your Own

Thursday

September 26

Breakfast & Morning Coffee

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Join us for breakfast, coffee, and tea, and warm up for the day ahead.

Sponsored by SmartGrant.

Knowledge Exchange

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Attendees will form small groups for this collaborative learning workshop where everyone at the table will share experiences, ideas, and lessons around themes of common interest. Bring your skills, policy documents and examples to share with others!

This session is not about having years of experience to teach others, it’s about having an experience to share with others doing or aiming to do similar work. You are an expert on your own experiences! We all can learn from each other in the sector, and sharing information is a way to keep the sector vibrant and moving forward. 

Featuring tables with the following topics:

• Building Effective Boards
• Exhibit Development & Design
• Policy Exchange
• Outdoor Collection Maintenance
• Emergency Preparedness
• Developing Sustainable Exhibits
• Community Relations
• What is AI?

This session is sponsored by Lucidea.

Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

Mediterranean lunch buffet, coffee & tea

Sponsored by University of Victoria Continuing Studies, Cultural Management Program.

Closing Panel: Sustaining Change – Work, Self-Care, and Radical Joy

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

At Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors

To close our 2024 gathering, we want to start a discussion about how to sustain change in a time of crisis. Join this panel for a conversation about burnout, stress, finding ways to support yourself as a human being during a time of constant upheaval and uncertainty, and how we can all embrace radical joy. After another gruelling summer, it is important that we make space to recognize that many of us are not okay, offer a forum for people to discuss managing stress and self-care, and come together to share the passions that provide sources of joy.

Many of us are experiencing burnout. If we don’t take action to protect our mental health and create cultures of care within our organizations, we won’t be able to sustain the work needed to transform our sector. Let’s combat burnout with radical joy.

Moderated by: Tracy Calogheros. Panellists: Kate Cox, Barkerville Historic Town & Park; Shirley Hogan, Canadian Mental Health Association of Northern BC; Jazmin Hundal, BCMA Equity Initiatives Manager; Laura VanZant, Revelstoke Museum & Archives

IBPOC & 2SLGBTQIA+ Network Joint Tea & Talk

 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

At Omineca Arts Centre

The IBPOC Network and 2SLGBTQIA+ Network are excited to join together for a Tea & Talk session in Prince George at Omineca Arts Centre! This session is regarded as an accountable space for all folks who identify as IBPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ museum, heritage, gallery, and cultural professionals, volunteers or students. Hosting a joint network event is intended as a way to celebrate and hold space for intersectionalities of identity and fill gaps in this type of programming – all who identify as IBPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ are welcome!

IBPOC & Queer folks are welcome to join us in this dedicated affinity space at the end of the day to take a breath, get to know each other, and discuss anything that’s on your mind. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be provided. This is an informal networking space, and you’re welcome to drop in at any time during the session.

Dinner on Your Own

Night at the Museum: Evening Social

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

At The Exploration Place

Head to The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre for our Night at the Museum. Check out their new exhibit Spirit Bear and Children Make History, a partnership with Carrier Sekani Family Service and the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society. Spot the critters and creatures hiding throughout the Biome Natural History Gallery. Join your friends – old and new – to explore, experiment, and taste your way through a selection of dessert stations (and savoury nibbles). Cash bar on-site.

Evening Social activities sponsored by Northern Routes Cultural Experience.

Event Transportation:

Complimentary shuttle service will be provided for the Night at the Museum: Evening Social at Exploration Place on September 26.

Going to the event

2 busses (one long, one short) will drive a pickup loop starting at 6:30pm in the following order:

Pickup at Coast Prince George Hotel (770 Brunswick St)

Pickup at Hyatt Place Hotel (585 Dominion St)

Pickup at Ramada Plaza by Wyndham (444 George St)

Drop off at Exploration Place (333 Becott Place)

You may get on either bus to get to Exploration Place from downtown.

To go back to hotels

The larger bus will loop downtown to take attendees back starting at 8:20pm in the following order:

Pickup at Exploration Place (333 Becott Place)

Drop off at Ramada Plaza by Wyndham (444 George St)

Drop off at Hyatt Place Hotel (585 Dominion St)

Drop off at Coast Prince George Hotel (770 Brunswick St)

The shorter bus will provide rides to attendees’ preferred locations outside of the downtown core starting at 8pm. Please let the driver know the address you need to be delivered to when you get on the bus. This bus will loop back to Exploration Place as needed.

Friday

September 27

Early Bird Tea & Talk

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

At Omineca Arts Centre

IBPOC folks are welcome to join us in this dedicated affinity space and start the last day of the conference together over breakfast! Reaffirm your connections with others before leaving Prince George, in this informal networking space. Tea, coffee, and breakfast pastries will be provided.

Ancient Forest /Chun T’oh Whudujut Provincial Park 

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Nestled in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh, the Park protects a portion of the only inland temperate rainforest in the world. The Lheidli T’enneh would visit the stands from summer fishing camps along the upper Fraser River.

Hiking the Ancient Forest trail will bring you past thousand-year-old western red cedars and a rich biodiversity of plants, mosses, lichens and fungi.

Nearly 3km of boardwalk trail access leads you through the park. Attendees are asked to dress in layers appropriate for varied weather and with appropriate shoes for what could be slippery boardwalks.

Lunch provided.

— SOLD OUT —

Cottonwood Island Nature Park guided walk

10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Nestled in the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh and situated at the confluence of the Nechako and Fraser River, Cottonwood Island Nature Park offers tranquil nature and scenic views.

A network of well-maintained trails spans the park and invites visitors to relax and wander. A highlight of this park are unique tree bark carvings by local artist Elmer Gunderson.

If you are looking for something to do before you depart, join this guided nature walk to explore one of Prince George’s most beautiful parks.

No cost.
Up to 25 participants

Find out more and register here

We are grateful for the support of this year’s event sponsors:

Explore to learn more about our sponsors and stay tuned for more information about them in the lead up to the gathering!