WITH
Darcy Belanger, Dr. Raven Sinclair, Elaine Berwald and Tanja Steinbach
This event has been developed to bring awareness and educate the audience on the depth of the trauma experienced by cross-cultural adoptions, and children in care. It will help to promote the research and the education of lived experience of Indigenous adoptees known as the Sixties Scoop.
Chief Stacey LaForme will introduce Moccasin Talks: The Sixties Scoop.
There will also be a Book Signing with Dr. Raven Sinclair in the Film House Lobby after the presentation.
Sponored by The YWCA and The City of St. Catharines
Darcy Belanger
Proud Anishinaabe from Black River First Nation Reserve, Manitoba. His story began long in the past before his adoption in 1977 at the age of two, like many Indigenous children he was taken from his family and community. The rise of the Sixties Scoop was in full effect against Indigenous children at this time, cross-cultural adoption led them far away from their home and communities. Growing up lost with no identity and culture, forced to assimilate. Faced with a life of unknown trauma, suppressed by addictions, incarcerations, suicide attempts and homelessness. Against all odds, he was able to rise up to his knees, with unlikely friendships, and determination. He stood up for his new found passion in compassion to help others, walked forward to find his Identity, culture and education. Now running for his dreams to achieve his goals.
We would like to thank the following for their support of The Sixties Scoop program at Celebration of Nations:
- Brock University Social Justice & Equity Studies
- YWCA
- Aboriginal Student Services, Brock University
- Brock University Human Resources
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotary Club
- City of St. Catharines
Raven Sinclair
BA, CISW, BISW, MSW, PhD.
Associate Professor Raven Sinclair is a member of Gordon First Nation of the Treaty #4 area of southern Saskatchewan. Raven has been with the faculty since July 2005. Raven was previously on faculty with the First Nations University of Canada and has taught at Masckwacis Cultural College and the access division of Calgary Faculty of Social Work. She is a founding editorial member of Indigenous Voices in Social Work (UHawaii), and a regional editor for AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. Raven’s academic and research interests include Indigenous knowledge and research methodologies, the synthesis of traditional and contemporary healing theories and modalities, aboriginal cultural identity issues, adoption, colonial and decolonization theories, and mental health and wellness. She particularly enjoys facilitating workshops in interpersonal communication based on an accountability model. Raven owns Resonance Counselling, Coaching, and Consulting in Saskatoon. Research Interests: Indigenous knowledge and research methodologies; synthesis of traditional and contemporary healing theories and modalities; aboriginal cultural identity issues; adoption; colonial and decolonization theories; mental health and wellness.