The 26th Indigenous Knowledge Symposium:
Community Wellbeing | November 12, 2026
Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, 370 King St W, Kingston, ON
Registration now open. Please . Space is limited.
The theme of Community Wellbeing will bring many important topics together to showcase work, research, and more being done in community, by community and with community. We invite you to this year's symposium to share, learn, teach and mobilize Indigenous traditions, research, and knowledge that support community thriving, health, and wellbeing. The symposium will be conducted with respect to Indigenous protocols.
If you have any questions regarding the Indigenous Knowledge Symposium, please email the office.
This year’s theme is Community Well-Being.
Open to:
- Elders
- Knowledge Keepers
- Indigenous Researchers
- Indigenous Scholars
- Indigenous Community Members
- Researchers with a focus on Indigenous community well-being
Proposals can include any work, research, or projects that relate to the betterment, thriving, health, and well-being of Indigenous communities.
Example Topics include, but are not limited to,:
- Cultural Practices
- Community Healthcare
- Indigenous Sports
- Language Revitalization
- Traditional Governance
- and more!
Please reach out if you are unsure if your topic fits within community wellbeing theme.
*Please note that the 2026 Symposium will be held in-person in Kingston, ON*
This year’s Submission Deadline is August 21st, 2026 at 4:30 pm. Please submit your proposals via email to indigenous.initiatives@queensu.ca and include the following:
- Title and Brief Abstract on Chosen Topic (250 Words)
- Length of Presentation
Brief Bio and Contact Information
Please feel free to reach out with any questions prior to your submission!
Keynote Speaker:
Callie Hill is Turtle Clan, Kanyen’kehà:ka, and is a lifetime resident of Kenhtè:ke. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Language and Cultural Centre and has worked for the organization since 2004 in an expanding role over twenty years that began as the Program Coordinator. Callie has dedicated much of her professional and personal life to revitalizing the Mohawk Language for the benefit of her community and the Mohawk Nation in general.
Callie has a Master of Education Degree in Indigenous Language Revitalization from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University. She continues to be a learner of the Mohawk language.
Ness Young is a member of the Mohawk nation Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. They are a second year Master of Public Health student at Ģý's University with a background in Health Sciences and Indigenous Knowledges & Perspectives. This work was completed in partnership with Dr. Sarah Funnell, Molly Walsh, and the QHS EDIIA Initiatives office to help guide future QHS initiatives for Indigenous students.
Katarokwi Indigenous Sleep Research Project
Julia Kolosov is an Ojibwe medical student at Ģý. Kingston, Ontario has been her home community for the past 20 years.
Shuying Chen is a graduate student at School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Ģý. She is also the Women and HIV Initiative Coordinator at Trellis HIV and Community Care, where she works with Black, Indigenous and other racialized women living with or affected by HIV.
Dr. Shayna Watson (Ģý) and Dr. David Gardner (Dalhousie University) are the project Co-investigators.
Members of the Indigenous Health and Wellness council include Grandmother Kathy Brant, Colleen Jackson, Wendy Vuyk, Celina Tuttle, Denise Graham, Mireille LaPointe.
Yessica Rivera Belsham/Ocelopacihuatl is a community member affiliated with the Kingston Native Center and Language Nest.
Scott McQuain (Department of Psychology, Ģý) is research associate for the project.
Dr. Judith Davison (Department of Psychology, Ģý) and Dr. Amrita Roy (Department of Family Medicine, Ģý) are the project Co-leads.
Mskominkwe Reagan Recollet
O’nahkwi:yo Kelly Maracle is a Mohawk woman and member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte at Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Kelly has held numerous roles in the field of Indigenous education over the past 20 years including K-12, adult education, post-secondary education, and administration. She is a mother of three children and sits with the Turtle clan. Kelly’s areas of focus are developing culturally responsive, Land-Based educational programming and Trauma Informed Practice. She completed her Masters of Education in the World Indigenous Studies in Education program at Ģý, with research in plant-based teachings, Land-Based Indigenous Knowledge and pollinator gardens. “I am always inspired by my late father, who firmly believed in the power of education.”