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.

IofC members attended the National Day of Healing and Reconciliation celebration in Edmonton on Friday, June 10th.
CBC RadioHost Sheilagh Rogers introduced Dr. Maggie Hodgson, initiator of NDHR, formerHead of Nechi Institute, and former Advisor to the government on residential schools.
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“There are no words to explain how important this experience is in my life transformation” was how one of the participants described her time during the CoPCircle facilitator training over the weekend of April 29/30/May 1st.
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