Speakers

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Dr. Brenda Morrison PhD, Presents:

From Bullying to Belonging: Centering Relationships, Rights and Responsibilities

 

Workshop Description:

 

Join us for a reflective and experiential workshop designed to empower community members to flip the script from passive bystanders to empowered upstanders, shifting the focus from equity to liberty.  Participants will learn from stories of transformation and change that sustains and generates new ideas to uphold dignity and worth for all members of the community.  This workshop offers opportunity to re-imagine the culture of safe communities.  

 

Building on her extensive research and practical experience, Dr. Brenda Morrison will explore the transformative impacts of restorative practices on addressing bullying and supporting youth well-being and mental health. Drawing from her book, Restoring Safe School Communities, and her current research with Lower Mainland school districts, she will share insights and strategies for fostering inclusive, supportive, and resilient school communities.

 

 

Speaker Bio:

 

Brenda Morrison (she/her) is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and the Director of the Centre for Restorative Justice at Simon Fraser University.  For many years, she worked in outdoor education in Australia, learning from the land, the rivers and the participants.  She became fascinated in group dynamics and went on to become a social psychologist.  Her work focuses on restorative justice, institutional reform, and fostering safe, inclusive environments for youth. Dr. Morrison's research emphasizes the transformative potential of restorative practices in education and community settings, with a particular interest in supporting youth development, addressing bullying, and building resilient school communities.

 

With a PhD from the Australian National University, she has led youth justice projects internationally, including at the University of Pennsylvania, and has presented her research to global audiences such as UNESCO and the House of Lords. Dr. Morrison’s work bridges psychology, criminology, and education, offering innovative, trauma-informed approaches to empowering young people and strengthening their connections to community and civil society.

 

 

'From Bullying to Belonging: Centering Relationships, Rights and Responsibilities' Key Learning Outcomes:

 

 Foster relational understanding of the complexity of bullying behavior and dynamics

 Explore relational understanding of the complexity of belonging

 Deepen the relational understanding of rights and responsibilities

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tyler redskye, presents:

Bridging the Divide: Transformational and Restorative Justice

 

Workshop Description:

 

 In this workshop will begin with the value that oppression is the root of all harm. We will learn about the lineages of Restorative Justice, Transformation Justice, Healing Justice and Liberatory Harm Reduction. Foucings on participants being abe to define what is Restorative and Transformational Justice are and where they diverge? RJ and TJ are either conflated as the same or worse pitted against one another. In our workshop we will look at the ways that both can inform and challenge each other. We will use TJ to offer a systems lens and challenge RJ to evolve and hold more than an individualized response to harm. We will discuss if RJ organizations can hold the tension of working within institutions while holding Transformational Justice values at their center.

 

Speaker Bio:

 

tyler redskye (they/them) is a queer trans non-binary settler whose ancestors come from Sicily, Ireland, the Maghreb, the Aegean islands, Malta and the Levant. They see their work in this world as building up communities of care by listening, remembering and imagining new ways of being. They hold a Masters in Community Participatory Planning from Pratt. They are a Transformational Justice facilitator, anti-violence advocate and somatic abolitionist. They are the Executive Director of Restorative Justice Victoria. They were formerly the Programs and Training Lead at Youth Led Justice where they developed and led training for youth-led Restorative Justice processes. They were the first practitioner to hold RJ processes for Title IX cases within the Portland public school system. They come to the work of Restorative and Transformative Justice with a deep understanding of trauma and systemic oppression. They also come to this work as someone who has both caused and experienced harm and violence. They are committed to the work of reorienting our culture away from the false binary of guilty + innocence, turning towards Transformational Justice to support us in learning how to hold harm differently. 

 

 

'Bridging the Divide: Transformational and Restorative Justice' Key Learning Outcomes

Learn about the lineages of Restorative Justice, Transformation Justice, Healing 

Justice and Liberatory Harm Reduction
Define where Restorative and Transformational Justice diverge 
Explore how Transformative Justice offers a systems lens and challenges Restorative Justice to evolve

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Kate Nash from Circle Education, Presents:

Empowering Facilitators to Develop Deeper Connections in Circle

 

Workshop Description:

 

Join us for a transformative workshop designed to equip facilitators with practical skills for meaningful circle engagement. Participants will learn innovative techniques, including circle processes, to build trust, facilitate authentic connections, and create supportive learning environments. This workshop offers a hands-on, interactive approach that transforms facilitators from program managers into impactful mentors, helping them foster restorative circles that through connection develop self worth and work towards building communities free of violence and abuse.

 

 

Speaker Bio:

 

Kate Nash (she/her) has been working with The Circle since 2010, serving as a facilitator and contributor to program development. Her extensive experience in developing and implementing curricula has supported the organization's ability to address youth needs effectively. Kate's unique approach combines her background in theatre, play building, and improv with a deep understanding of youth development. This blend of skills allows her to create engaging, interactive experiences that resonate with young people across various age groups. Students consistently praise Kate for her compassion, attentiveness, and ability to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. ‘

 

 

'Empowering Facilitators to Develop Deeper Connections in Circle'

Key Learning Outcomes:

 

   Build Authentic Connections: Develop communication strategies that help facilitators become trusted, compassionate mentors who can truly listen and support.

   Identify Teachable Moments: Gain the ability to recognize and leverage social-emotional teachable moments within group settings, enhancing support for development.

   Enhance Communication Skills: Improve active listening and dialogue with facilitation skills to engage participants effectively and encourage self-expression. 

 

 

Organization Bio:

 

 The Circle Salt Spring Education Society The Circle Salt Spring Education Society (CSSES) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering healthy relationships to promote communities free of violence, bullying, discrimination, assault, and abuse. They achieve this mission by delivering innovative, evidence-based social-emotional educational programs for children, youth, and adults, while also inspiring and training others to implement our proven models. Their core initiatives include The Empathy Project for grades 2-5 The Respect Project for grades 5-8 and our Pass It On afterschool program. These carefully designed learning experiences develop social and emotional skills, creating safe and respectful learning environments for young people. Complementing their direct program delivery,  they offer training that empowers educators and community leaders with comprehensive facilitation skills, practical learning experiences, and ongoing coaching. They provide resources to support educators in bringing meaningful approaches into their own contexts. As a key organization in the Southern Gulf Islands, they collaborate across sectors to advocate for youth well-being, bridging gaps in local community support and creating lasting positive change.