2022 Event Proceedings
Thank you for joining us for the Magnetic North 2022 Conference!
Our first in-person conference in over 2 years was a great success! So many important topics were covered and eye-opening perspectives were uncovered to help push the needle of our Growth the North Forum. Our Magnetic North conference was fully hybrid as we allowed guests to join in-person or to join online as we streamed our entire conference through Zoom.
Magnetic North Event Gallery
Magnetic North 2022 was our third annual Population Growth Forum. Attendees had the option to join in-person in Sault Ste. Marie, or virtual from across our regions. The discussions included topics such as reconciliation, anti-racism, attraction, settlement of domestic and international migrants, and retention of the existing populations.
Mark your calendars! Next year’s conference is scheduled for June 14-15 in Sudbury.
(Miigwech, Barbara, for delivering a very heartfelt traditional welcome and closing for the conference and providing in-person attendees with an opportunity to smudge in preparation for the two-day event.)
(Miigwech, Chief Andy Rickard delivering opening remarks).
(Miigwech, Mary Wabano-McKay delivering opening remarks)
(Our first panel discussing Cross-Cultural Perspectives and Learning resources. Jane Omollo (center left), Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Algoma University, describing cultural sensitively as intentional ‘lifelong learning’ alongside her fellow panelists, Audrey Gilbeau (left) and Gajith Jinadasa (right) and moderator, Vanessa Gould (center right). Thank Jane, Audrey, and Gajith for sharing your insight with us!)
(Panel #2 discussing Case Studies in Indigenous driven innovation. Kevin Eshkawkogan, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario, reminded us that consultation must include meaningful discussions, and be respectful and inclusive, and mutually beneficial, rather than simply a checkbox exercise. Miigwech, Kevin and Dwayne, for sharing your perspective and participating in the conference.) (No photo of Dwayne Nashkawa (virtual panelist)
(Mercedes Labelle giving our first presentation on Immigration Attitudes and Experiences with Racism in Northern Ontario)
(One of our hybrid breakout rooms)
(Panel #3: Supporting Diverse Group Involvement in Decision Making. Thank you, Adolphine, Ali, and Mariette for sharing some very personal stories and experiences with us around your journey in getting to and obtaining leadership roles.)
(Charles Cirtwill, Founding President and CEO, Northern Policy Institute)
(Sault Ste. Marie acting mayor Donna Hillsinger delivering opening remarks for Day 2!)
(Terry Guertin delivery our second presentation: Service Canada Supports to Build Welcoming Communities)
(Panel #4: Building Welcoming Communities: Research Perspective. panelists shared their research findings around welcoming communities as a learning opportunity for conference attendees. Thank you, Natalya, Victoria, and Karly, for sharing your expertise and participating in this year’s conference!)
(Group discussion during one of our breaks)
(Panel #5: Building Welcoming Communities: An Applied Perspective,Thank you, Anna, Stacey, and Moïse for your dedication and passion for making communities in Ontario’s northern regions more welcoming to all – and of course, for participating in this year’s conference!)
(Panel #5: Building Welcoming Communities: An Applied Perspective,Thank you, Anna, Stacey, and Moïse for your dedication and passion for making communities in Ontario’s northern regions more welcoming to all – and of course, for participating in this year’s conference!)
(Lara Dyer giving our third presentation: A New Solution to the Global Talent Crisis)
(One of our hybrid breakout room discussions)
(Panel #6: Magnetic North Progress Update. Panelists from Reseau, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, and Northern Policy Institute provided attendees with a progress update on initiatives led by their organization to implement 2021/2022 Magnetic North action items, and man! Have they been busy! Thank you, Thomas, Shannon, and Holly, for participating in this year’s conference.)