We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker: Monique Gray Smith!
Monique Gray Smith is a proud Mom of teenage twins and an award-winning, best-selling author. Her first published novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience won the 2014 Canadian Burt Award for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Literature. Since then, Monique has had 6 books come out that cover a broad spectrum of ages, topics and emotions. Woven into all of Monique’s writing, speaking engagements and online courses is the teaching that Love is Medicine. Monique’s novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was longlisted for Canada Reads 2021. Monique is well known for her contributions to the journey of Truth and Reconciliation, including being honoured with the 2019 City of Victoria Leadership Award for Reconciliation. She is an appointed member of the Board of Directors of Royal Roads University and the Minister’s Advisory Council for Indigenous Women for the Government of BC. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish and has been sober and involved in her healing journey for over 29 years. She is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience.
Keynote Address: The Power of One
In this dynamic and inspiring keynote, Monique will share her personal journey as an author and how it was the words of a stranger, “I look forward to reading your book one day,” that changed the trajectory of her life. She will share stories and offer readings from her books. We will delve into her Cultural Resilience model: The Four Blankets of Resilience and how this model can be used to strengthen relationships with the students you work with. Through our time together, we will explore the importance of story and the integral role YOU and your love and joy have in the education of the hearts and minds of our young citizens.