Thank you to everyone who joined us for the C2C Professional Development Gathering on Friday, October 20!

This year’s event, “Connecting to Land through Indigenous Learning” happened virtually and welcomed over 500 educators and community members from across B.C. and North America. We were overwhelmed by the energy and passion from participants and presenters, and so grateful for all those who helped make the day so extraordinary.

We were honoured to host remarkable presenters including Ariana Roundpoint, Shelly Boyd, Dana Reaume, Christy Anderson, Jaclyn Dexter, Andrea Mann and Carman Mackay. We also want to give a special thanks to Jade Berrill, the organizing team, event sponsors and partners. Thank you to everyone involved and we look forward to seeing you in Vancouver for C2C 2024!

For those who attended the event, don’t forget to complete the Post-Gathering Feedback Survey (deadline extended to October 31st). Completed surveys will be entered into a draw for a $25 Gift Card to the Outdoor Learning Store.

Testimonials:

“The opening was a beautiful, heart-full way to start the day. Highlights were: hearing about Sila and the Land, learning more about the medicine wheel, and hearing about ways to make offerings when going out on the land. The latter I know I will take into my practice immediately.”

“It was very intimate despite the fact there were over 500 people on Zoom. Pretty darn amazing! Ariana Roundpoint was remarkable in her ability to distill such dense ideas.”

“Stories were thoughtfully presented and knowledge was generously shared.”

“The whole event was very accessible and I really enjoyed reading the chat at this event.”

“It was powerful for me to gain a little bit more insight into connecting with the land. Thank you to all participants who shared their stories.”

“The work of C2C is exceptional. I enjoy being part of the community and always learning.”

Revelstoke, B.C.

The 2022 conference, “Classrooms to Communities: Reconnecting Ourselves with Landscapes, Waterways and Each Other,” happened in-person and welcomed over 300 educators and community members from across B.C. and Canada to the banks of the Columbia River.

The energy from participants throughout the event was sensational and engaging face-to-face sparked a strong sense of connection, meaning and community. With feedback pouring in about feeling the 'land speak to them', 'reconnecting deeply' and 'having their cup filled', the caring and supportive atmosphere was felt by all.

We were so grateful to host remarkable morning presenters: Shelly Boyd, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes and three youth who shared their Indigenous language with us through the story of the Sinixt, the bull trout people, and the Land and Water's perspective. This opening was followed by two local youth leaders who shared their personal connections to place in a way that captured the hearts of all in the theatre.

After each day of engaging workshops and inspiring field trip activities, experienced in the delightfully dry and sunny outdoors, the spotlight shone through our evening social events where music from Heather Gemmell, Sweet Barry Wine and DJ Alex Berrill kept people dancing until the lights came on!

Special thanks to all our Planning Committee members, speakers, presenters, session hosts, sponsors and partners. It was another wonderfully rich and inspiring event as we continue to connect classrooms and communities across the province.

Victoria, B.C. and Online Everywhere

This year’s conference, “Listening to the Land, Giving Voice to the Sea: Stories to Nourish Hope and Resiliency,” happened virtually and welcomed over 600 educators and community members from across B.C. and Canada. The energy from participants throughout the event was sensational and, despite the unexpected technical difficulties, remained strong throughout the day.

We were so grateful to host remarkable morning presenters: Ren Louie, Dr. Gloria Snively, Dr. Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams, John Harris, and youth leaders Jessica Joseph and Frankie Taylor. After a day of over 60 engaging workshops, the spotlight also shone on the music from the Jellyfish Project - a unique environmental charity that uses art and music as key drivers of change.

Special thanks to all our Planning Committee members, speakers, presenters, session hosts, sponsors and partners. It was another wonderfully rich and inspiring event as we continue to connect classrooms and communities across the province.

Testimonials:

“I am so grateful to be witness to your beautiful presentation this morning and the work happening with youth there. Thank you for sharing your amazing and inspiring learning!”

“Thanks for putting the conference together! It was well organized and you all reacted to the tech problems with grace and proficiency, a high-class operation.”

“Thank you for working through the glitches and bringing so many amazing presenters together! Loved the day, so inspiring.

“What a day! I’m so thankful I stuck with it through the tech difficulties because the sessions were incredible! Thank you!”

“I am so thankful for this community! Thank you for inviting me to present today & share the day.”

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation

Our 2020 Provincial Conference took place on October 23rd – this year held from Prince George and online everywhere.

From the Welcome and Morning Panel featuring the Koh-Learning project, to our rich and varied program of sessions, and the closing with music by Kym Gouchie, this conference had participants gather in inspiration, sharing promising practices and strengthening connections to support their work.

Many thanks to all of the Organizing Committee members, speakers, presenters, sponsors, volunteers, and all other contributing partners. Deep gratitude to the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation upon whose land we were graciously welcomed to gather virtually.

Testimonials:

“Great to see student participation and gain inspiration from fellow educators on how to connect students to the real world outside the classroom, and to make curriculum connections in the process!”

“I loved the welcome and the plenary and really enjoyed the deep and authentic connection between outdoor learning and First Peoples Principles of Learning. I valued the presence of so many strong indigenous voices in the mix.”

“Wonderful to hear the stories about how people are incorporating place-based and land-based practices into their classrooms through integrated experiences. Very inspiring!”

“I really liked the passion and enthusiasm of the presenters and the attendees. The range of topics was amazing – from activity-centered workshops to developing environmental awareness and literacy.”

The University of British Columbia

Our 2019 Provincial Conference was held from October 25 – 26 at UBC Vancouver.

From the Longhouse, storytellers and program of sessions, to the Exhibitors Fair and Networking Social, and the extraordinary field experiences on Saturday, we trust all of our participants gathered inspiration, made precious memories and grew connections, both old and new.

Many thanks to all of our Planning Committee members, storytellers, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, Salishan Catering and all other contributing partners. Deep gratitude to the Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and other Coast Salish peoples upon whose land we were graciously welcomed to gather.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhclOpcv5OM

Testimonials:

“I loved the overall energy of so many passionate educators working towards making our world a more thoughtful, connected place for generations to come. I am so happy that gathering events like this exist; thank you for making it happen.”

“As someone who also runs conferences, I know the time and energy that goes into something like this, and you surpassed my expectations. Thanks so very much for a such a meaningful two days. It was absolutely awesome!”

“The best people, the best day, with professional-grade speakers and presenters. Such an amazing variety of experience levels of teachers involved and the willingness of all to support growth moving forward. Keep up the good work – gathering likeminded people together at a conference like this is valuable!”

“Congratulations to your team for a successful conference! It was an amazing conference – it provided me with a lot of reflections and totally re-energized me!”

Ktunaxa Nation’s St. Eugene Mission Resort

The BC Classrooms to Communities Network Society co-hosted the 2018 Canadian Environmental Education Conference at the Ktunaxa Nation’s St. Eugene Mission Resort, a former residential school turned resort and conference centre. With the success of the conference, we are now launching an annual provincial Classrooms to Communities Conference that will take place on the weekend over the provincial PSA professional development day in October each year.

The 2018 conference featured over 100 workshops, sessions, field studies, presentations and outdoor learning opportunities. Keynotes included Ktunaxa Hereditary Chief Sophie Pierre, ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin (Chief) Joe Pierre, Tewa Indigenous Scholar from New Mexico Dr. Gregory Cajete, BC Minister of Education Rob Fleming, Environmental Education Professor Dr. Rick Kool and Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair and BC Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council Member, Kathryn Teneese. The spotlight also shone on the music of mountain-inspired band Shred Kelly, and Canada’s premiere environmental education musician, Remy Rodden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLcNCMb-_yg

Testimonials:

“I can honestly say that I have never been to a conference that in any way stacks up against the incredible event that you pulled off – it was an incredibly powerful and inspiring few days”.

“I heard so many people say that this was one of the best conferences they had ever been to. It was the perfect mix of information, connection, and fun. When I think about what experiential, place-based learning should look like, talk about ‘walking the talk’ with this conference!”

“I struggle to describe to people how magical, transformative, challenging, beautiful, emotional and inspiring it was. Prior to the Classrooms to Communities Conference, I have never previously attended an event where indigenous people and culture were so interwoven. It was so much more than indigenous strands, content, speakers but so much more authentic. This feels foreign to me and I don’t know how to start but am willing to learn”.