Friday, October 17
8:00AM - 4:00PM EDT
Conrad Grebel University College (University of Waterloo campus)
140 Westmount Rd N.
Waterloo ON N2L 3G6
Canada
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You're Invited
Every three years, service providers to Low German-speaking Mennonites gather for an inspiring day of learning and networking in Waterloo, Ontario. This year's provincial conference will be held on October 17th at Conrad Grebel University College with a line-up of experienced and engaging speakers presenting on topics relevant to your work. Attend in-person or online. (Please note that the selection of breakout sessions available virtually is limited.)
Early-bird in-person cost: $100/person. Price increases to $125 after July 31st.
Early-bird virtual cost: $115. Price increases to $140 after July 31st.
Students are invited to apply for a bursary to attend at no charge. Limited bursaries are available. Additionally, requests from charities for reduced registration fees (50%) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Limited spaces are available. Please email lindaruby@mcco.ca for details.
Participating organizations are also invited to bring a display table at an additional cost of $50. Please contact Linda Ruby for details.
Schedule
Times are approximate.
8:00am: Registration check-in
8:45am: Welcome
9:00am: Plenary Presentation: Building Relationships of Trust with Luann Good Gingerich
9:40am: Reading and Q&A
10:15am: Break and Networking
10:45am: Breakout session 1
12:00pm: Lunch and Networking
1:30pm: Breakout session 2
2:35pm: Panel Discussion with Listening Committee
3:05pm: Closing remarks and farewell
Plenary and breakout sessions
Dr. Luann Good Gingerich will expand on the principles of engaging with those whom we deem as different from ourselves (the "other"). In her plenary session, she will describe a systemic view that calls into question the institutions and social practices with which we are most comfortable, that we take for granted, and often consider inevitable and fixed. For whom do the systems not work? How do our official procedures and everyday practices function to assign value and exclude "difference" from an assumed standard? Using conversations with Low German-speaking people and experiences of being "out of place" in social institutions and services with which they are forced to engage, she will explore how those who are on the outside, those who are made lesser, have much to teach us. Together we will consider how these systems can work better for everyone.
This workshop will discuss practical ways of bridging the gap and facilitating stronger connections between the Low German-speaking community and the Canadian healthcare system through the establishment of trust and collaboration, supported by interpreters and culturally competent healthcare professionals at Woolwich Community Health Centre.
This workshop explores the concept of creating cultural safety within Low German-speaking communities focusing on strategies to build respectful and inclusive spaces where individuals can express their identities and experiences without fear of discrimination. It delves into the unique cultural dynamics of these communities highlighting the importance of understanding historical contexts, navigating language barriers, and addressing cultural sensitivities. The session offers practical guidance on fostering open dialogue, promoting empathy and implementing policies that support both cultural preservation and the safety of marginalized voices within these communities.
Jake Enns will provide an historical overview of the Anabaptist movement, migration patterns of the Mennonites, and the intermingling of culture, religion and tradition for this particular Mennonite group. Through this increased understanding and awareness, you'll be able to engage with Low German Mennonites more effectively. Jake will also share his personal journey of integration of moving from Mexico to Canada, Canada to Mexico and back to Canada. There will be time for Q&A as Jake helps to highlight how Low German Mennonites fit into Canadian culture today, while also exploring some examples of misunderstandings or cultural barriers in service provision.
The workshop presenter will present both employer and employee experiences and share their personal perspectives on employment issues within the Low German-speaking Mennonite community.
Using the art installations and archives at Conrad Grebel, Laureen Harder-Gissing will lead a walking tour through 500 years of themes in Mennonite history. You will also be introduced to the library collection with its resources on the history of Low German communities.
This workshop will be a retrospective on the historical trends in education from JK to Grade 12 in Low German communities and a look to the future. Where are we now? How did we get here? Where do we go from here?
In this workshop, participants will explore the complex factors to consider when working with the Low German Mennonite population who are experiencing domestic violence. Participants will be challenged to dissect their own biases, consider unique nuances, and building capacity and safety when working with individuals who are affected by domestic violence.
In this workshop we will look at the naming practices in this culture and how it interacts with Canadian policies. Low German families from Latin America traditionally name their children based on the names that already exist within the culture. These naming customs however are often different than legal requirements from civil registries in Latin America and are different from what Canadians are accustomed to seeing. Participants will gain a better understanding of why there is so much confusion around names, how to ensure proper records are kept while respecting personal preferences.