Circle Alberta is a program of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights which works to bring together Albertans working to build a future where all belong. Initiated in 2008, Circle Alberta is about building relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. 

Mending the Circle will be an information-sharing, networking and strategic retreat. A great opportunity to get away from the buzz and think creatively with peers working to build stronger communities. We encourage you to bring a team or to come on your own - this will be the space to challenge yourself, consider the state of relationships among different cultures and backgrounds in our communities, and build strategies for advancing your work.

The retreat will be held in the beautiful Treaty Six territory at the Goldeye Retreat Centre in Nordegg Alberta. There is a limit of 60 participants.

Start: Friday, November 15th at 5:00 p.m.
End: Sunday, November 17th at 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $100
To Register:   Online: http://circlealbertaretreat.eventzilla.net 
  Phone to 780.453.2638
  Email to info@jhcentre.org

Thank you to the Community Initiatives Program funded by Alberta Gaming for their support in subsidizing the retreat.  If you would like to attend but cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 780.453.2638 or via email to info@jhcentre.org.

Background
In 2008, the John Humphrey Centre  presented Circle Alberta: Strengthening Relationships for Shared Prosperity. Inspired by former Assembly of First Nations Chief Ovide Mercredi, Circle Alberta became a dialogue process that engaged stakeholders on critical issues, incorporating relationship building as a guiding framework.

A critical need for continued and enhanced opportunities for dialogue and relationship building remains between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Peoples.  At the last Circle Alberta Gathering in 2010, there was agreement that our next step should be a smaller intimate retreat style Gathering to bring targeted individuals who are working to build stronger communities together from a broad range of perspectives.

This group would be tasked with two days of dialogue and relationship building in the aim that out of these conversations, we could put our minds together to reflect on strategies and possibilities for the advancement of the rights of Alberta’s Indigenous Peoples and breaking down the barriers of racism and discrimination in Alberta. Through bringing together a diverse range of minds and generations together from across Alberta in a removed, sacred and safe space, we could create cohesive and actionable plans. These plans would impact our daily work, our collaborative work, but also inform our public policy.

Our goal is to foster collaboration across the province and strengthen the resolve and energy around peacebuilding, healing and reconciliation.

This important gathering will be held from November 15 - 17, 2013 at the Goldeye Retreat Centre in Nordegg, Alberta. Participants at this retreat Gathering will be from all backgrounds, abilities and occupations with the goal of promoting shared learning and team building.

We will be working with the skilled team of facilitators at Alberta Culture to ensure the process of the event meets our goals of achieving outcomes and team building. Our goal will be to work with and support the commitments made at the retreat by all participants. We believe that this project will foster momentum and change in Alberta. Thank you to the support of the Alberta Community Initiatives Program for enabling us to make this program a reality!