Here's the link to the conference venue

A pretty stunning spot

Kiana Lodge

Conferences days two, three and four

Apologies for the lack of entries over the last two days but they have been busy! The conference had some really interesting presentation particularly those related to health initiatives and services which where up and running to meet the needs of indigenous peoples. It was pleasing from an OT point of view to see that a number of these programes had a solid basis in occupation, gardening, traditional crafts, getting into nature etc. It would also be fair to say that a lot of presenters repeated information related to the study of the health issues facing various indigenous population. We also made a number of contact both in NZ and abroad.

We'd be happy to outline the presentation we attended for those who may have seen the linked program.

Khyla presented on the Tuesday of the conference and Justine, Kristi and myself presented on Thursday. Being the first international presentation for the younger ones it was a really positive experience. Justine received a number of questions an contact related to her diabetes presentation. Kristi and myself have been talking about how we could repackage our presentation for publication.

That's all for now as we're in transit now and heading home. Talk face to face with most of you soon.

Conference Day One Monday 24th May

Day one of conference consisted of pre-conference plenary sessions as well as
Opening Ceremonies and Welcome to Country/Land

Keynotes and Selected Country Designees Brought in by Tribal Canoes
Call and Song from Shore by Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman and Suquamish Canoe Family Drummers and Singers

Kiana Beach Clambake and Oyster Feast (Sponsored by Suquamish Nation)
Official Country Introductions

All participating nation were truly welcomed with open arms. I'll let the pictures do the talking. A change of plans meant the waka ride ended up being about one and a half hours. Khyla handled this with true grace and style.

Khyla on board Waka Landing Kia added to hot rocks for the clam bake Clam bake bedded down

Sunday May 23: Meeting with the NZ contingent

Tonight we meet and had kai with the other New Zealand presenters at the conference. This gave us a chance to talk through protocols around the opening ceremony as well as our groups contribution to events. Between this hui and breakfast at the hotel we have meet some great people who are doing excellent work to meet Maori health needs. Keen to hear some of their presentation.

Khyla has been invited on to one or the waka which will be brought a shore as an honored representative the NZ contingent (pictures will be taken).

Tomorrow morning will be spent refining presentations before the official ceremony starts at 3pm.

At the Ball Game Saturday evening

Here's a few pics and a movie from the ball game we just attended.



A stadium with a roof. I think Dunedin should get one of these!

Day Four Friday 21st Looking around Seattle

Will load up a few shots from our sightseeing soon. But for now check out the fish tossing at Pike Place Market.

Day Three Travel Thursday 20th

Today was spent getting from Vancouver to Seattle and then out to Bainbridge Island were we will be staying for the conference. Nothing to exciting other than that, looking forward to a couple of days rest and sight seeing. As well as a chance to refine presentations.

Day Two Tuesday 19th Visit to Stehiyaq Healing and Wellness Village.

Today was an amazing experience. We (Kristi and Myself) were very privileged to have Dr Lee take us to visit Stehiyaq Healing and Wellness Village. The village is in the mountains just outside of Chilliwack which is about 2 hours south of Vancouver. It should be said that on the way up and back the effects of jet lag were taking their toll. Lots of nodding off and struggling to stay awake.

The village is just about to open and is a place where the wisdom of Elders and traditional healing practices will join with modern approaches to help Aboriginal youth and families from across B.C. overcome histories of trauma, addiction and mental illness

We meet with the Executive Director of the service Richard Mayuk and Fran Douglas the Community Development worker who gave us a tour of the village, with its gardens, healing circles, craft and sports areas, and most importantly large communal dinning area. What struck me was how well the service matched OT values of healing through doing. We were very impressed by the friendly staff who made us feel very much at home. They are a connected group with a range of skills and a high amount of energy. They are all awaiting the first group of youth who will arrive in a couple of weeks.

We were offered the chance to take part in a traditional sweat lodge. I tentatively took up the offer borrowing a pair of trunks and taking off my wedding ring as apparently they can burn your skin (this bit of advice really put me at ease). I joined the third and fourth rounds of four. The third round was really intense but at the same time very calming. For a start we all crawled into the lodge (a canvas dome about the size of a large tent) we sat in a circle and then the hot rocks were shoveled in. The flap of the canvas was then closed so that we were in pitch black apart from the glow of the rocks. Sage and water where then added raising the heat. The third round was about praying to fathers and grandfathers, each person in a circle taking a turn. The ceremony was lead by Merv a local elder. I felt very calm but drained on emerging out of the tent. Kristi might tell you otherwise, as apparently I looked quite drained, uncoordinated and generally lost. I had to be guided around the fire to finish the ceremony before jumping into the cold river. Wow. I'll stop blogging about this now as it is an experience that is difficult to put into words.

After the sweat lodge we were then invited to dine with the staff where we spoke about our experience that day gave thanks and koha and sang waiata. This went down really well with the some of the staff drumming and chanting a song in response. We were also gifted some amazing prints by one of the staff.

As I already said this was a very special day we meet lots of good people, many of who talked about now visiting New Zealand. We were provided with a lots of written information about the service as well as contact details and will happily discuss more when we get back.

I'll finish by saying thanks to Dr Lee as well as Richard and his wonderful team.

The following photos are of the camp as well as the structure of a sweat house (not the one I went in though as this was not a place to take photos). We have more photos to add later, taken on Kristi's camera, as I was not quite with it and put mine back in the car.

The setting in the mountains
the Village
Kristi and Dr Lee
Sweat Lodge with out covering

Day one Dr Lee's presentation on Hastings Street

I accompanied Lee to a talk he was giving to drug and alcohol councilors and support workers on Hastings Street, Down Town Vancouver. Very mush an eye opening experience for a boy from Dunedin. I met some people who were doing some amazing work in very trying circumstances. They were really connected with the community they worked in. It was truly moving to hear Lee talk about his own experiences growing up around drug abuse and alcoholism and what changed his life. The group he talked to were called the Portland foundation but I could not find a link for them on the net (will keep trying). It was also heart warming to find a community garden amongst all the closed down business and boarded up shop fronts. On the way back to the hotel Lee informed me that we had been invited to participate in a sweat lodge during our visit to a youth center the next day. Stay tuned to find out about what happened........ The community garden I came across.

Street View of Hastings St

Day one tour of the Long house and Museum

Here's a few photos from the tour Khyla, Elenor, Justine, Kristi and Takiwai took around the long house and the museum of Anthropology. They were lucky to have Linc Kesler (long house director) guider them around and explain many of the carvings and images. Apparently the museum is a must see. With a few amused by some of the carvings.

Day One Vancouver Tuesday 18th

Straight into it today. With a short sleep under our belts we headed to the Nursing School at the University of British Colombia where we had arranged to present to health groups, first nations people and the Institute of Aboriginal Health on the Memorandum of understanding between Otago Polytechnic and the local Runaka. This was also our first face to face meeting with Dr Lee Brown (Institute of Aboriginal Health) and Dr Anette Browne (Nursing School), who we had been working with to set up meetings and presentations. Our abstract was as follows.

Presentation Title

Forming a Meaningful Partnership: Explaining the Memorandum of Understanding between The Otago Polytechnic and local Rūnaka

Presentation Abstract

A panel of Maori staff from Otago Polytechnic and the local Runaka (Maori of the area) will present on the history, aims, structure and application of the Memorandum of Understanding that exists between the Runaka and the learning institution. The aim of this understanding is to identify and meet the specific educational needs of Ngāi Tahu (the principle Maori tribe of the South Island of New Zealand/Aotearoa) and other Māori while also reflecting local Ngāi Tahu and Māori community’s needs. This is an active relationship which makes expectations explicit between the two parties, and in turn establishes protocol that gives effect to a Treaty of Waitangi based partnership. The panel will be lead by Dr Khyla Russell the Polytechnics Kaitohutohu who sits on the Polytechnic leadership team and is charged with overseeing the embedding of the Treaty of Waitangi across the organisation and enabling the Memorandum of Understanding. Examples of practical applications of the understanding will be provided from across different departments and schools within the institution, particularly occupational therapy.


The presentation was very successful with a good turn out and some very interesting questions and comments about the building and maintaining of relationships, recruitment of indigenous persons into health and tertiary study, as well as the similarities and differences that exists between Canada and New Zealand. After the talk we split up as a group with Khyla, Elenor, Justine,Takiwai and Kristi heading off with Linc Wesler director of the Long House (First Nations House of Learning) at the University and the Museum of Anthropology . James headed off with Dr Lee to a talk he gave to the Portland foundation on Hastings street in downtown Vancouver. Check out the posts to follow.

The Flight Over

Our trip over was very lengthy. Lots of stop overs and a few delays. After 30 odd hours we manged to get to Vancouver a little worse for wear. However the silver lining was some of us managed to have a quick look around San Francisco during our stop over. We trained into the city had a look around and found a nice taxi driver who gave us a whistle stop tour of some sights. San Fran on a good day (our visit wasn't on a good day The Big Bridge
Union Square
The Train to town (jet lag a few hours away)

The first few days.....Flat out!

Our first few days have been very busy, with presentations at the University of British Colombia, visits to a number of services and tours of Museums. Stay posted for a full account in the next few days when we get regular access to the internet as well as some more time! A wonderful learning and sharing experience so far. Making lots of connections.

Monday 17th May	Leave Dunedin 11:25am. Arrive Akld 3:00pm. Depart Akld 7:30pm. Arrive San Fran 12:45pm. Depart San Fran 6:50pm. Arrive Vancouver 9:04pm
Tuesday 18th May	Vancouver – University of British Colombia
Wednesday 19th May	Vancouver – Day Trip – Inuit Youth Service
Thursday 20th May	Leave Vancouver 12:30pm Arrive Seattle 1:20pm
Friday 21st May	Seattle
Saturday 22nd May	Seattle – Sight Seeing
Sunday 23rd May	Seattle – Sight Seeing
Monday 24th May	Seattle – Pre-conference workshops beginning 7:30am Opening Ceremonies 3:00 – 10:00pm Kiana Beach Clambake and Oyster feast
Tuesday 25th May	Seattle –Conference 8 – 6:00 Banquet Dinner
Wednesday 26th May	Seattle – Conference 8 – 5:30 Open Evening - Sweat Lodges/Swamp Tea Gathering
Thursday 27th May	Seattle – Conference 8- 5:45 Banquet Signature Salmon Dinner and DJ Dancing
Friday 28th May	Seattle – Conference Leave Seattle 2:10pm. Arrive San Francisco 4:17pm. Depart San Francisco 9:00pm
Saturday 29th May	Travel
Sunday 30th May	Arrive Auckland 5:15am. Depart Auckland 7:15am. Arrive Dunedin 9:10am