hi:yay̓əs (pronounced: “HEE-yah-ehs”) is a word from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ orthography, which is the language of the Musqueam people. It means “working as a group”. As our new identities as Canadians, First Nations, Newcomers, and Aboriginal peoples are being formed, so too are the bridges which carry us forward and enable us to work collaboratively together as a group.

In response to a growing need to address issues of misunderstanding, stereotyping, systems of privilege and power, and the defining of our roles in our shared future, we offer this unique forum for collaboration, allying Vancouver’s diverse communities so that we may move forward together in concert with our values as new people in this modern context. This summit aims to bring our communities to a shared place of creation - to foster dialogue built on action.

We as a people have never had the ability to communicate as broadly, as effectively, and as quickly as we have now. This means that we are the generation with the highest capacity to understand each other’s many diverse perspectives and experiences - if we are open to it. These values of understanding, demystifying stereotypes, and bridging divides are key to creating a more inclusive Vancouver. Building increased understanding and strengthened relations between First Nations, Urban Aboriginal and immigrant and non-Aboriginal communities, and developing real strategies for moving forward are both instrumental to and dependent on your energy, your ideas, and your participation.

We hope to build on the skills of our communities by offering contemporary approaches to problem solving from experienced youth and youth allies focused on real world issues that affect us at home. Join us for some of these unique workshops and classes:

• What is Culture?
• The Staircase of Oppression
• Reclaiming Cultural Esteem Through Creative Expression
• Decolonizasian 101 – Fostering and Celebrating Horizontal Allyship between Indigenous and Immigrant Communities
• Hosting Grassroots Events
  

In addition to featuring workshops and classes facilitated by youth and other community leaders focused on anti-oppression, celebrating cultural diversity, and identifying the shared interests of our communities, this summit will expose participants to a variety of rich perspectives offered by panel speakers such as Alden Habercon, Kai Nagata, Jeska Slater, and Carmen Contreras-Alvarado. Youth artists in the Vancouver community will also have the opportunity to share their views and experiences on their art as tools of resistance to issues such as colonialism and systemic oppression.

• Registration for this summit is free. However, seating is limited, so registration is required for all participants and will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• The registration deadline is June 11^th, 2012 at 4:00pm PT.
• Refreshments and lunch will be provided at the summit.

The summit will take place at the following times and venues:

• Friday, June 15th (Vancouver City Hall, Town Hall Room) - 4pm - 8pm
• Saturday, June 16th (SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue) - 9am - 6pm
• Sunday, June 17th (SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue) - 930am - 4pm

Video is one of the best methods of knowledge translation. Throughout the summit, ReelYouth will be documenting our process, as well asking key questions of our participants, such as why this is important work, how can this work be made easier and more accessible, and where do we see this work taking us from here.