The 2012 NDHR celebration in Edmonton on June 8th was co-sponsored this year by The African Centre and the Native Counselling Services of Alberta.

The event brought together members of the African and Aboriginal communities at a unique cultural celebration of drumming, dance, conversation and food.

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Peter Heyes, a retired high school teacher from northern Alberta, has participated as facilitator and mentor in 5 Action for Life programs in India and SE Asia. He is also on the Board of Directors of ICA Cambodia (the name of IofC in Cambodia) and made a number of visits to Cambodia over recent years. On 20 May Peter was invited to meet with a group of Cambodians who live in the Calgary area.

A two and a half day honest conversation and trustbuilding workshop for the South Sudanese people of Jonglei State took place 11-13 May. Using the tools and skills learned during the workshop some of the participants will travel to Jonglei State this summer to conduct grassroots community workshops.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recently held events over two days in Victoria BC that marked the culmination of four other public hearings in different areas of Vancouver Island. It offered a unique experience to all Canadians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, to 'bear witness' to the experiences of those who had attended residential schools.

Creators of Peace Circles being trialed by community services

This topic was answered creatively in the documentary by filmmakers Cynthia Cohen and Allison Lund, Acting Together 0n The World Stage, (www.actingtogether.org) which was screened on the evening of March 22nd to over 70 people at the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC). The film was a collaboration between Brandeis University and Theatre Without Borders and highlights the experience of artists, musicians, playwrights and community activists from nine countries, as they share how they have contributed to the creative transformation of conflict through performance. Project Director Dr. Cynthia Cohen introduced the film.

Theirs is not a rags-to-riches saga or even a tale of a steep ascent from obscurity to power and glory. Yet when Imam Mohammed Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye speak, Heads of State, Heads of Mission and other world leaders listen in respectful silence. Sometimes they even sign peace accords after hearing their words of wisdom. Canadians of many diverse backgrounds had a rare opportunity to meet them and hear them in person at a panel discussion on 1 November at St Paul University, Ottawa.

On October 24 Toronto IofC chapter hosted a session with Gunilla Hamne and Robert Ntabwoba to learn the Trauma Tapping Treatment that brought healing to victims of World hot spots.

'I think I will need to somehow remind myself daily of this workshop in order to faithfully apply it to my life and professional practice' was the response from one of the 23 people taking part in the Creating Social Change in Communities workshop, which took place at the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) on 15 September 2011.

The historic opening and celebration of the permanent photo exhibition of Walking Buffalo's 1959-60 World Journey took place at the Buffalo Nations Museum in Banff on Friday, 24 June, 2011. MC of the event was Roy Louis, a Cree from Hobbema and Chair of 'Buffalo Nations'. Close to 50 people came from throughout Alberta and British Columbia to participate in a pipe ceremony, to view photographs of the journey and to listen to stories from some of those who took part in the journey.