Opening Ceremony: 8:40am-9:00am, Thursday, July 26

Closing Ceremony: 12:10pm-12:30pm, Sunday, July 29

Otsitsaken:ra‎ (Charles Patton) is a respected elder in the Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk) Community of Kahnawa:ke, which is on the south shore of the island of Tio’tia:ke (Montreal) which is the northern section of Kanien’keha:ka ancestral territory.

His name Otsitsaken:ra ‎means Speckled Flower, he is a Bear Clan Kanien’keha:ka (people of the flint), married to Niioie:ren for 44 years, he is father to 3 sons and grandfather of 6 grandchildren.

He is a “Faith Keeper” at the Mohawk Trail Longhouse in Kahnawa:ke.

FaithKeepers are people who have committed themselves (to the Creator) to ensuring the continuance of Kanien’keha:ka tradition, language and culture.

Otsi’tsaken:ra, in his youth, was the winner of the Tom Longboat Award, came 3rd in the 1965 Canada Midget Cross Country Games and travelled with the Quebec Team to France. As a result, he won a scholarship to the University of Michigan graduating with a degree in Language Arts and Physical Education.

He is a fluent Kanien’keha speaker and was the first teacher in our elementary school system to teach an Immersion Physical Education program in the Kanien’keha Language and one of the first volunteers to bring a Mohawk Culture class into the elementary school system in the early 80’s.

He has also been a past director of the Kahnawa:ke Youth Center, a Recreation Animator for the community.

He worked with the Haudenosaunee Council of Chiefs for over 20 years helping to maintain the original traditional government of the Five Nations/Iroquois people.

In his retirement, Otsi’tsaken:ra and his family now run Patton’s Glen Golf Club, a Par 3 Golf Course in Kahnawa:ke, that is open to people of all ages. His family started the club to give youth a chance to train in the sport at an early age and for families to play together because many golf courses do not allow children under 12 to learn or to play.

Otsi’tsaken:ra has opened conferences and been instrumental in ceremonies over the years in Montreal, Ottawa and provinces in Canada and the United States and at the United Nations. On 2018 March 1, he was acknowledged by McGill University IHPP /Indigenous Health Professions Program, for his contributions in the development of this concept and in helping to identify it: Eniathi’nikonraiéntho (plant a seed in their minds). This honor ceremony and an explanation of the importance of the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen (opening and closing intentions) can be viewed below.

Ohen:ton Karihwatehkwen means “the Words that Come Before All Else.”

It is also referred to as “The Thanksgiving Address,” “Giving Greetings to the Natural World,” or “The Opening Address.“

Traditionally, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) say these words to begin and end each day, important meetings, ceremonies, and socials.

Be mindfuller.

ACBS World Conference 16 Ambassador & Ambassadee Program

Montréal, Canada, July 24-29, 2018

This program is hosted and organised by the Women in ACBS SIG and has the endorsement of the ACBS Committee on Diversity. The aim of this initiative is to foster community, connection, and inclusivity at the ACBS conference. We want to support delegates to feel welcomed at the conference by providing opportunities for support and connection so delegates want to come again and again, and also want to get involved in ACBS more widely.

This program will allow ACBS conference attendees (“Ambassadees”) to be matched with leaders in ACBS and/or seasoned ACBS conference attendees (“Ambassadors”) to aid in networking and provide a better overall conference experience for all.

An Ambassadee is:

• A first time ACBS conference attendee or those new to CBS
• Someone who has previously attended the conference but would like to expand their network or who still doesn’t feel part of the wider ACBS community
• Someone who is motivated to make the most of their conference experience, committed to communicating and meeting with their Ambassador, and appreciative of the time that their Ambassador devotes to them.

An Ambassador is:

• Current and past leaders of ACBS (both in official positions, or those considered leaders in academia or practice, including peer reviewed trainers and those on their journey to becoming peer reviewed trainers).
• ACBS professional members interested in helping other ACBS conference attendees make the most out of their experience.
• ACBS professional members who have been to the conference at least once before and who are knowledgeable in CBS and keen to expand their networks.
• Someone who can explain how to get more involved in ACBS (e.g. joining committees; volunteering; participating in social events, etc.).

Participation as an Ambassador involves only minimal effort, including the following:

• Connect with the Ambassadee (you may have up to 5) at least once prior to the annual conference via e-mail or phone.
• Meet with the Ambassadee at least once onsite at the conference (coffee, a drink, whatever you prefer). There will be a pre-plenary, morning gathering on Thursday, July 26 at 8:00am in Av. Duluth for participants who wish to connect in a group setting.
• Help the Ambassadee network at the conference by introducing him or her to some of your colleagues where possible.

Why Should You Volunteer to be an Ambassador?

• It is a great privilege to represent ACBS and facilitate connection, inclusiveness and community.
• The Conference Ambassador Program is flexible and you and your Ambassadee can work out the particulars so it works with (not against) your schedules.
• You may have just the right professional interests that make you a perfect match for another conference attendee. We need individuals with varying backgrounds to allow for ‘best fit’.
• The Ambassador Program also allows you to share your expertise with an Ambassadee and to foster new professional (and personal) relationships.

How it will work:

• Ambassadors will be contacted one to two weeks prior to the start of the conference with the names and contact details of their Ambassadees.
• The Ambassadors are then invited to contact their Ambassadees to arrange when and where to meet at the conference.
• To support opportunities for wider networking, we will publish a list of Ambassadors, so Ambassadors can get together with each other and with their Ambassadees. We recommend meeting as early as possible during the conference.  

How to sign up:

In order to sign up as an Ambassador or an Ambassadee please complete the short survey using the link below by Friday, July 6, 2018. The survey will take 3-5 minutes to complete. https://kingston.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0TiTfzdP6ly5LmZ