Webinar | Sixties Scoop Story
Les Vonkeman from Bridging Worlds Consulting will share his personal story of surviving the Sixties Scoop. He believes that as non-Indigenous people gain better understanding of the issues plaguing Indigenous society, they are more willing to become allies in the healing journey. Les strives to promote healing and empower Indigenous people, himself included, to gain understanding and appreciation for individuality and culture.
This course is offered as part of APEGA’s Ethnocultural Grant Program speaker series with funding from the Province of Alberta.
Session Learning Objectives
This session will increase awareness of the true history of Canada while advocating for Indigenous people still suffering from the long-term effects of residential schools. It will also build awareness of the extensive attempts to assimilate Indigenous people into Canadian society, which has left a path of destruction, addiction and brokenness often seen as trauma.
About the presenter
Les Vonkeman, owner of Bridging Worlds Consulting, is passionate about building community through relationships. A survivor of the Sixties Scoop, Les recently retired from the Lethbridge Police Service after 24 years, with 10 years as a diversity officer. During that time, Les learned how to thrive as an Indigenous person in the non-Indigenous world—and he connects both worlds through cultural competence programming such as three-day tipi camps, Campfire Conversations and a host of other programs. Les founded Bridging Worlds Consulting after realizing that many people from mainstream society have questions about Indigenous Peoples and culture—Bridging Worlds fills that gap. Les has received the Queens Jubilee Medal as well as the Community Builders Award for his passionate work alongside people making waves of change in our world.