The 2025 GPPSD Employee Wellness Professional Learning Day will take place on Friday, February 28th. Registration will open Friday, January 31st at 8:30a.m. and will close Tuesday, February 11th at midnight. Requirements:
All Staff are required to attend the Morning Gathering at the Composite High School from 8:15-9:30, this will automatically be added to your schedule.
All Staff must register for and attend two breakout sessions between 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. You have the option of registering for a third session or using any one of the session times for a lunch break. *Please only register for sessions you will attend as space in each session is limited*
To Register:
Scroll down to view all session options. Select your sessions by clicking the circle next to the session title, then click “saved to my schedule” to view your schedule. (Note: You can view the details of each session by hovering over or clicking on the session title. These details include important information about the session including location, times, and supplies needed. Please read them carefully.)
From your my schedule page, you can print or email your schedule.
All sessions have limited capacities and registration is first come, first served. You are encouraged to register as soon as possible. Once a session is full, you will have the option to be added to a waitlist but must still register for 2 sessions.
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Kokum Scarves and Tea Workshop - Iskwesis Empowerment Project Elder and resource author Kelly Benning will join Pitone Youth Program Coordinator and Educator Lindsy Coney to present the history and intent behind the Iskwesis Empowerment Project and the Kokum Scarves and Tea Workshop. The workshop tells the curriculum-connected story of historical trade and relationships between various cultures, and the impact of colonization on Indigenous people. Indigenous ways of knowing are explored and honoured through teachings of local plant medicines, respect and reciprocity. The workshop will culminate in participants making a tea blend to give to someone and receiving the gift of a kokum scarf.
Time: 10:00-11:30 *We are grateful to have Lindsey Coney and Kelly Benning offering this session at three times during the Employee Wellness Day.
Location: Grande Prairie Composite High School, 10501 112 Ave, Grande Prairie
Information about the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre’s “Iskwesis Empowerment Project” Educational Resource The Iskwesis Empowerment Project aims to uplift Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit + people by nurturing healthy relationships and connected communities. The well-being and safety of Indigenous women and girls are deeply impacted by the society they live in, the level of acceptance and love within their communities, and the quality of their relationships with others. The accompanying documents and reports provide educators with foundational understanding of the policies and practices that profoundly impact the experiences of Indigenous women and girls. The workshops for classrooms, which are age appropriate and connected to curriculum, aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, offering the opportunity to learn about the sacred role of women, girls, and two-spirit persons (Iskwesis Empowerment Project, p. 2). Grande Prairie Friendship Centre invites our local teachers to partner in introducing the workshops from the Iskwesis Empowerment Project into your classrooms. The purpose of creating the Iskewisis Empowerment Project is to actively aid in ending violence towards Indigenous women and girls. The workshops are based on the concept that strength-based teaching, community building, and cultural awareness education are tools to aid in violence prevention. By participating in these workshops, we collectively contribute to creating safer spaces for all. Ultimately, this initiative aims to promote understanding, respect, and empowerment among all participants (Iskwesis Empowerment Project, pp.6-7).
Kokum Scarves and Tea Workshop - Iskwesis Empowerment Project Elder and resource author Kelly Benning will join Pitone Youth Program Coordinator and Educator Lindsy Coney to present the history and intent behind the Iskwesis Empowerment Project and the Kokum Scarves and Tea Workshop. The workshop tells the curriculum-connected story of historical trade and relationships between various cultures, and the impact of colonization on Indigenous people. Indigenous ways of knowing are explored and honoured through teachings of local plant medicines, respect and reciprocity. The workshop will culminate in participants making a tea blend to give to someone and receiving the gift of a kokum scarf.
Time: 12:00-1:30 *We are grateful to have Lindsey Coney and Kelly Benning offering this session at three times during the Employee Wellness Day.
Location: Grande Prairie Composite High School, 10501 112 Ave, Grande Prairie
Information about the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre’s “Iskwesis Empowerment Project” Educational Resource The Iskwesis Empowerment Project aims to uplift Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit + people by nurturing healthy relationships and connected communities. The well-being and safety of Indigenous women and girls are deeply impacted by the society they live in, the level of acceptance and love within their communities, and the quality of their relationships with others. The accompanying documents and reports provide educators with foundational understanding of the policies and practices that profoundly impact the experiences of Indigenous women and girls. The workshops for classrooms, which are age appropriate and connected to curriculum, aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, offering the opportunity to learn about the sacred role of women, girls, and two-spirit persons (Iskwesis Empowerment Project, p. 2). Grande Prairie Friendship Centre invites our local teachers to partner in introducing the workshops from the Iskwesis Empowerment Project into your classrooms. The purpose of creating the Iskewisis Empowerment Project is to actively aid in ending violence towards Indigenous women and girls. The workshops are based on the concept that strength-based teaching, community building, and cultural awareness education are tools to aid in violence prevention. By participating in these workshops, we collectively contribute to creating safer spaces for all. Ultimately, this initiative aims to promote understanding, respect, and empowerment among all participants (Iskwesis Empowerment Project, pp.6-7).
Kokum Scarves and Tea Workshop - Iskwesis Empowerment Project Elder and resource author Kelly Benning will join Pitone Youth Program Coordinator and Educator Lindsy Coney to present the history and intent behind the Iskwesis Empowerment Project and the Kokum Scarves and Tea Workshop. The workshop tells the curriculum-connected story of historical trade and relationships between various cultures, and the impact of colonization on Indigenous people. Indigenous ways of knowing are explored and honoured through teachings of local plant medicines, respect and reciprocity. The workshop will culminate in participants making a tea blend to give to someone and receiving the gift of a kokum scarf.
Time: 2:00-3:30 *We are grateful to have Lindsey Coney and Kelly Benning offering this session at three times during the Employee Wellness Day.
Location: Grande Prairie Composite High School, 10501 112 Ave, Grande Prairie
Information about the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre’s “Iskwesis Empowerment Project” Educational Resource The Iskwesis Empowerment Project aims to uplift Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit + people by nurturing healthy relationships and connected communities. The well-being and safety of Indigenous women and girls are deeply impacted by the society they live in, the level of acceptance and love within their communities, and the quality of their relationships with others. The accompanying documents and reports provide educators with foundational understanding of the policies and practices that profoundly impact the experiences of Indigenous women and girls. The workshops for classrooms, which are age appropriate and connected to curriculum, aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture, offering the opportunity to learn about the sacred role of women, girls, and two-spirit persons (Iskwesis Empowerment Project, p. 2). Grande Prairie Friendship Centre invites our local teachers to partner in introducing the workshops from the Iskwesis Empowerment Project into your classrooms. The purpose of creating the Iskewisis Empowerment Project is to actively aid in ending violence towards Indigenous women and girls. The workshops are based on the concept that strength-based teaching, community building, and cultural awareness education are tools to aid in violence prevention. By participating in these workshops, we collectively contribute to creating safer spaces for all. Ultimately, this initiative aims to promote understanding, respect, and empowerment among all participants (Iskwesis Empowerment Project, pp.6-7).
