Western Canada’s Largest In-Person Conference on Domestic, Sexual & Family Violence
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – AC Presentation
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Networking Social
Evening Event
The Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons…. A Novel Approach
Presenters & Panelists
Paul Brandt, Co-Chair, Governance Board, Alberta Centre (Video Presentation)
Carlene Donnelly, Co-CEO, Alberta Centre to End Trafficking in Persons
Jodie Bakker, Government of Alberta, Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services
Dave Elanik, City of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Police Service
Thursday, November 6, 2025
7:00 – 8:15 a.m.
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Registration
Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Opening Remarks
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Keynote #1 – Rebuilding the Nehiyô Health/Medical System: From the acahokosak (stars) to ka-namihtocihk (the northern lights)
Speaker: Dr. James Makokis
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – Noon
Concurrent Sessions 1
Speakers: Nneka MacGregor
Topic: Declarations of Truth Presentation: Creating A Survivor-Centred Alternative Model for Transformative Accountability & Justice
Stream: Legal Systems in Action, Transformative Prevention Approaches
Speakers: Jeff Anderson
Topic: Understanding Stalking Behaviour and Criminal Harassment
Stream: Legal Systems in Action
Speaker: Sara Kohtala
Topic: Where do You Run When there’s Nowhere to Go? How we can help survivors of domestic violence in isolated communities
Stream: Remote & Rural Realities
Speakers: Ebony Rempel
Topic: More Than a Safe Place: Invisible Barriers and Shared Wisdom in Second-Stage Shelters
Stream: Innovative Service Delivery
Speaker: Dr. James Makokis
Topic: Tastawiyiniwak: The In-between People. Creating Inclusive Rites of Passage for Two Spirit and Transgender Youth
Stream: Indigenous Teachings and Practices
Speaker: Samantha McLennan
Topic: Violent Extremism and Radicalization of Youth and AI, Sextortion, and Video Games: The Digital White Kidnapper Van (combined session)
Stream: Engaging Men & Boys
Speakers: Morag McLean & Pat Vargas
Topic: It Is Not a Game! A Resource for Children and Youth Exposed to Strangulation in Domestic Violence
Stream: Transformative Prevention Approaches, Innovative Service Delivery
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 – 1:15 p.m.
Welcome Back
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Keynote #2 – Invisible Chains
Speaker: Dr. Lisa Fontes
2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
Networking Break
2:45 – 4:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 2
Speaker: Dr. Lisa Fontes
Topic: Intimate Partner Coercive Control and Children
Stream: Legal Systems in Action
Speaker: Stephanie Ehret
Topic: Domestic Violence in Autistic Lives: Calls for a critical, intersectional approach
Stream: Legal Systems in Action
Speakers: Vanessa Anstey
Topic: Safe Spaces, Stronger Communities: Bridging Barriers with Technology
Stream: Remote & Rural Realities, Innovative Service Delivery
Speakers: Mayra Jarillo Alvarado (moderator)
Constable Joel Phillips (panelist)
Detective Sean Glydon (panelist)
Cassandra Rose (panelist)
Dr. Pauline Head (panelist)
Topic: Strangulation Signs, Harms and Consequences in Domestic Violence
Stream: Innovative Service Delivery, Legal Systems in Action
Speaker: Marlene Orr
Topic: The Road to Violence – Colonization and Intimate Partner Violence
Stream: Indigenous Teachings and Practices
Speakers: Dee Adekugbe
Topic: Engaging Men and Boys in the African Community: Education, Prevention, and Intervention to End Family Violence
Stream: Engaging Men & Boys
Speakers: Kristy Harcourt
Topic: Collaborating to deepen 2SLGBTQ+ service delivery
Stream: Transformative Prevention Approaches,
4:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Evening Mixer
Friday, November 7, 2025
7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast
8:30 – 8:40 a.m.
Welcome Back Greetings
8:40 – 9:40 a.m.
Keynote #3 – Lived Expertise Panel
9:40 – 10:00 a.m.
Networking Break
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions 3
Speaker: Dr. Amanda Nelund
Topic: Exploring Survivors’ Diverse Justice Needs: What the Post-Secondary Context Can Teach Us About Responding to Sexual Violence
Stream: Legal Systems in Action
Speakers: Jana Pruden
Topic: Narrative Tools
Stream: Transformative Prevention Approaches
Speakers: Jessie Heisler
Topic: From Memes to Misogyny: Media Literacy as a Tool for Preventing Gender-Based Violence
Stream: Transformative Prevention Approaches, Engaging Men and Boys
Speakers: Hannah Varto
Topic: Embracing’ and Creating Non-Acute Medical-Forensic Services
Stream: Innovative Service Delivery
Speaker: Frances Ross and Christian Bandayrel
Topic: Sex Talk! Working with an Intellectual Disability Population… Is It Deviant?
Stream: TBD
Speaker: April Tucker & Myrtle Beaulieu
Topic: “Strengthening Relationships” Honouring and Respecting the Differences
Stream: Indigenous Teachings and Practices
Speaker: Teresa Anne Fowler
Topic: Masculinity & Silence: Dismantling Dominator Culture
Stream: Engaging Men & Boys
11:30 – 12:15 p.m.
Lunch
12:15 – 12:40 p.m.
United Cultures of Canada Association- Peace in Families Awards Ceremony
12:40 – 12:45 p.m.
Break
12:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 4
Speakers: Dr. Lisa Fontes
Topic: Drugging an Intimate Partner as an Abuse Tactic
Stream: Legal Systems in Action
Speaker: Tiffany Efird
Topic: Igniting Change: Developing Communities of Practice in Rural Alberta
Stream: Remote & Rural Realities, Rural and Remote Realities
Speakers: Lubna Zaeem
Naheed Amjad Minhas
Nour Abdul Rahim
Topic: Filling Gaps in Service Delivery When Working with Immigrant Families Experiencing Family Violence
Stream: Transformative Prevention Approaches
Speakers: Amy Munroe
Topic: Walking through the Fire: The Power of Connection for Sex Workers impacted by Domestic Abuse
Stream: Innovative Service Delivery
Speaker: Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association
Topic: Coming Soon
Stream: Indigenous Teachings and Practices, Engaging Men and Boys
Speaker: Sidney Fraser & Ella Delarue
Topic: Safe at Home: Reimagining Safety and Healing for Families Experiencing Domestic Violence
Stream: Engaging Men & Boys, Rural and Remote Realities and Transformative Prevention Approaches
Speaker: Allonna Harker
Topic: The Resilience Scale: A Tool for Change
*Additional certificate issued
Stream: Innovative Service Delivery
2:15 – 2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Keynote #4 – In Her Defence: The Helen Naslund Story
Speaker: Jana Pruden
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks & Door Prizes