Convergence24 is an online professional development conference for presenters happening November 26-27, 2024.
About Convergence
Convergence24 is a new knowledge-sharing opportunity from the Atlantic Presenters’ Association. For its inaugural iteration on November 26 and 27, 2024, Convergence will offer two days of useful and thought-provoking professional development opportunities in a virtual space, giving presenters and arts workers from all over Atlantic Canada and beyond a chance to attend. Formerly known as ShiftChange, the learning offered at Convergence seeks to show us new ways of thinking, knowing, and doing, as well as putting contemporary twists on what presenters do every day.
For further inquiries about Convergence, please contact lisa@atlanticpresenters.ca.
Members and staff of the Atlantic Presenters Association live and work on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Mi’kmaq, Wəlastəkwiyik, Passamaquoddy, Beothuk, Inuit of Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut and the Innu of Nitassinan.
CONVERGENCE 2024 Virtual Conference Schedule
DAY 1
Tuesday, November 26
9:30am - 9:45am AST
Opening Activity
WITH MICHAEL R. DENNY
Michael R Denny will welcome us to Convergence24 in a good way with story and song.
Michael R. Denny
Convergence24 Presenter
Michael R. Denny
Convergence24 Presenter
Michael R. Denny is regarded as an esteemed cultural ambassador of Mi’kmaw language, knowledge and culture. Since he began performing traditional Mi’kmaw music in 2006, he has brought a new light to this genre through engaging the audience with his powerful vocals and unique style.
As a singer, song-writer and producer, Michael R. has contributed to the cultural fabric of Mi’kma’ki and the world though his notable accomplishments. Most recently, the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG 2023) took place in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, NS) and he produced and sang for the opening ceremonies for NAIG 2023. Elevating and bringing visibility to the Ko’jua, a song and dance style distinct to the region. In 2022, Michael R. traveled to Rome, Italy along with a delegation of performers to sing and uplift our people who have just met the Pope to ask for an apology for Residential Schools in Canada.
Michael R. is often sought after for his guidance and expertise and has worked with the JUNO’s Traditional Indigenous Music Advisory Committee since 2021. He was an Artist-in-Residence at Memorial University’s School of Music and the Museum of Canadian History has acquired Ji’kmaqnn (a traditional instrument) made by Michael R. for their collection. In 2010, Michael R. got to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Kjipuktuk during the royal visit to Canada.
In the Spring 2016, Michael R. released his celebrated debut album “Traditionally Yours: Mi’kmaq Drums Young and Old”, which was a first of its kind! It is a combination of traditional songs and contemporary Mi’kmaw powwow songs. Michael R. is currently working on a new album, set to be released sometime in 2024!
Michael R. received the Platinum Jubilee Medal for his work in Reconciliation and Culture as one of Nova Scotia’s inaugural recipients, in 2022. In the spring of 2023, he received the Performing Arts Alliance (IPAA) Member Recognition Award for the outstanding contribution to Mi’kmaw songs and dances.
In 2020, Michael R. graduated from Cape Breton University with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree.
Michael R. is proud to call Eskasoni Mi’kmaw Nation home. But more importantly, his life mission is not only to continue Mi’kmaw songs and dances, but to teach his three daughters, Averie, Cedar and Sage, along with his wife, Koran, all that he knows so they can continue on this important tradition.
Tuesday, November 26
9:45am - 11:00am AST
Keynote: The Four Day Work Week
WITH LYDIA PHILLIP AND ALEXANDRA THEROUX OF IMPACT ORGANIZATIONS OF NOVA SCOTIA
We’ve watched the workforce go through many changes in the past few years with greater calls for flexibility and people increasingly choosing workplaces based on values-alignment and work-life balance. Though these labour trends aren’t new, they require creative strategies and emergent ways of viewing work and working. In this conversation, Lydia Phillip and Alexandra Theroux of Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) discuss the implementation of a ‘four day work week’, including how four nonprofits began this pilot together, shifting mindsets around labour and time, equity and accessibility, challenges, and successes. Join us for an exploration of what’s possible in the Community Impact Sector.
Lydia Phillip
Convergence24 Presenter
Lydia Phillip
Convergence24 Presenter
At heart, Lydia (she/they) is a creative and caring disrupter, a thought-provoker, and a big believer in the power of reimagining. She is passionate about transformative change and has been recognized nationally for her work, publications, and leadership. A gifted storyteller, writer and researcher, Lydia uses their voice to inspire new ways of being together and to shape a more just, equitable future. Finding joy in their current work with Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS), Lydia is able to affect change and advance people-centered practices through strategic communications, campaigns, resource sharing, collaboration, and community-building. She has the privilege of living near the many lakes and water in Mi'kmaki (Nova Scotia), the unceded territory of the Mi'kmaw People.
Alexandra Theroux
Convergence24 Presenter
Alexandra Theroux
Convergence24 Presenter
Having worked in healthcare, nonprofit, and administrative roles for over a decade, Alexandra (she/her) is now the Director of Operations at Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia. With over six years at IONS, she has led process development, digital transformation, and project management initiatives to improve operational efficiency. Alexandra is deeply committed to human rights advocacy, gender and race equity, and advancing the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Disability communities. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Saint Vincent University and enjoys reading, drawing, and writing stories in her free time.
Tuesday, November 26
1:30pm - 3:00pm AST
Reconciliation Statements, Revisited
WITH TOSH SOUTHWICK AND DAVIDA WOOD OF IRPOTENTIAL
In this session Tosh and Davida will revisit Reconciliation Statements, what they are, how to create one, and why they should be an important part of the forward facing identity of your presenting organization, as well as what has changed over the past 2 years, and what are some new considerations.
After over twenty years of living and working in the North and doing reconciliation work across sectors, Davida and Tosh are eager to share what they have learned and use this knowledge to support other organizations in responding to the TRC’s 94 calls to action and supporting Indigenous self-determination.
Tosh and Davida are from the Yukon and are strong First Nations women who have a track record of creating the systemic change in organizations needed for reconciliation to actually occur. They have an extensive network across the Yukon, and nationally across Canada. They have built a distinct reputation for working with organizations and Indigenous communities to design and implement projects that move the bar on reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization forward.
Davida Wood
Convergence24 Presenter
Davida Wood
Convergence24 Presenter
Davida Wood is a born and raised Yukoner from the Teslin Tlingit Council of Southern Yukon, a member of the crow moiety and Kùkhhittàn clan. Her formal education was completed through the University of Regina via Yukon College with an Education degree. Her informal education is on-going through her various roles in life; business owner, consultant, director, facilitator, mother, wife, teacher, First Nation member, committee member and traveler.
It is with great and excitement and passion that she co-founded IRP consulting. Working to not only further self-determination for Indigenous people, but also to work closely with other entities who are embarking on or furthering their learning and journeys on how we are all able to thrive together on this land. Uniting her passions, interests and past experience, Davida is looking forward to working thoughtfully on projects at IRP consulting.
Davida Wood is a born and raised Yukoner from the Teslin Tlingit Council of Southern Yukon, a member of the crow moiety and Kùkhhittàn clan.
Her formal education was completed through the University of Regina via Yukon College with an Education degree. Her informal education is on-going through her various roles in life; business owner, consultant, director, facilitator, mother, wife, teacher, First Nation member, committee member and traveler.
It is with great and excitement and passion that she co-founded IRP consulting. Working to not only further self-determination for Indigenous people, but also to work closely with other entities who are embarking on or furthering their learning and journeys on how we are all able to thrive together on this land.
Tosh Southwick
Convergence24 Presenter
Tosh Southwick
Convergence24 Presenter
Tosh Southwick, belongs to the wolf moiety and is a Citizen of Kluane First Nation. She grew up in a small northern community and is the mother to three children and the auntie to many more.
Tosh has worked with Yukon First Nations most of her career and in many different capacities. Most recently in her previous role as the Associate Vice President of Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation at Yukon University where she oversaw the integration of First Nation ways of knowing and doing throughout the institution. During her 12 years there she worked with her team to ensure that Yukon University was meeting the education and training needs of the 14 Yukon First Nations.
Tosh is a trained facilitator and knowledge sharer. She has worked with organizations across sectors to build and deliver relevant and culturally appropriate workshops and create safe spaces to explore complex topics. Tosh has worked in Governance, Education, Human Resources and Health for various First Nation Governments and organizations. She has also served as youth councilor and Deputy Chief for her First Nation
Tosh acquired her B.A. with honors in Psychology from the University of Victoria and completed a Master’s in Education with the University of British Columbia.
DAY 2
Wednesday, November 27
10:00am - 12:00pm AST
Social Media and Cultural Proficiency
WITH AJA JOSHI AND VICTORIA CASTLE OF NOVA SCOTIA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES, CULTURE, TOURISM, AND HERITAGE
This session will be hosted by Victoria Castle and Aja Joshi from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage (CCTH). In this session, we will ask you to reflect on what your social media strategy is. Do you even have a social media strategy? What guides your postings? What type of content do you want to share? This and more will be covered in this workshop. Later in the session, we will also cover how to ensure you are applying an EDIA lens to your social media posts. Are you being respectful and inclusive? Because afterall, you are what you tweet!
Aja Joshi
Convergence24 Presenter
Aja Joshi
Convergence24 Presenter
Aja Joshi works as the Director of Community Outreach and Inclusion at the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage (CCTH). Born in Nova Scotia and raised in an immigrant family, Aja has always been an advocate for social equity and inclusion. Aja's career spans work in both the public sector and the non-for-profit sector, in areas such as immigration, culture and heritage, youth workforce retention, human resources, and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). When not working, Aja enjoys travelling, being with family and friends, and volunteering with ElderDog Canada.
Victoria Castle
Convergence24
Victoria Castle
Convergence24
Victoria Castle is the Online Marketing Officer for the Nova Scotia Museum. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing the museum's digital strategy, overseeing the management of its 29 websites, and curating engaging content across its social media channels. Victoria's focus is on leveraging digital platforms to share Nova Scotia's rich natural and cultural heritage with a global audience.
Wednesday, November 27
1:00pm - 3:00pm AST
Members Only: Block Booking and Programming Session
WITH CRYSTAL LAFFOLEY, APA BLOCK BOOKING MANAGER
Note: This session is free for APA members, but separate registration required. For more information, please contact Crystal at crystal@atlanticpresenters.ca.
In response to member feedback and in following our new Strategic Plan, we are reestablishing our regularly scheduled Block Booking & Programming Sessions as part of Convergence24! Open to all members, regardless of your past or current use of Block Booking, we will review tours-in-progress, highlight upcoming opportunities, and hear programming pitches from members. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share comments and suggestions to help APA evaluate the function and use of the Block Booking Program and future meetings as we work to engage & support our members.
Crystal Laffoley
Convergence24 Presenter
Crystal Laffoley
Convergence24 Presenter
Crystal Laffoley is the Block Booking Manager for the Atlantic Presenters Association.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Thank you to our Funders
