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2026 DEHR Conference
Thursday, June 4
 

6:00pm MDT

Registration and light dinner
Thursday June 4, 2026 6:00pm - 6:30pm MDT
Auditorium

Thursday June 4, 2026 6:00pm - 6:30pm MDT
Auditorium
  Registration

6:30pm MDT

Welcome, Greetings, Land Acknowledgement
Thursday June 4, 2026 6:30pm - 6:45pm MDT
Auditorium

Speakers
CH
avatar for Andrea Berg

Andrea Berg

Associate Coordinator, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Andrea Berg, EdD, is an Associate Coordinator in the ATA's Professional Development program area where she is responsible for overseeing the Association's Diversity, Equity and Human Rights (DEHR) work. Prior to joining the ATA in 2009, Andrea taught for twelve years with the Edmonton... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 6:30pm - 6:45pm MDT
Auditorium
  Greetings

6:45pm MDT

Elder Laurie MacDonald
Thursday June 4, 2026 6:45pm - 7:30pm MDT
Auditorium

Speakers
avatar for Elder Laurie MacDonald

Elder Laurie MacDonald

Elder Laurie McDonald of Enoch Cree Nation (Maskêkosihk) is a Two-Spirit Elder, Residential School Survivor, and long-standing community leader whose life and work reflect courage, cultural strength, and deep commitment to healing. A survivor of Ermineskin Residential School, Elder Laurie has shared that... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 6:45pm - 7:30pm MDT
Auditorium

7:15pm MDT

DEHR Update
Thursday June 4, 2026 7:15pm - 7:30pm MDT
Auditorium

Speakers
avatar for Andrea Berg

Andrea Berg

Associate Coordinator, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Andrea Berg, EdD, is an Associate Coordinator in the ATA's Professional Development program area where she is responsible for overseeing the Association's Diversity, Equity and Human Rights (DEHR) work. Prior to joining the ATA in 2009, Andrea taught for twelve years with the Edmonton... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 7:15pm - 7:30pm MDT
Auditorium

7:30pm MDT

ATA GSA Executive Introductions and introductions of Tea guests
Thursday June 4, 2026 7:30pm - 7:45pm MDT
Auditorium

Thursday June 4, 2026 7:30pm - 7:45pm MDT
Auditorium

7:45pm MDT

The Visiting Way Tea-Sharing lived Experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members
Thursday June 4, 2026 7:45pm - 8:45pm MDT
Barnett House Bistro
Kiyokêwin: The Visiting Way — Opening Space Through Story, Listening and Relational LearningRooted in the spirit of Keeoukaywin (or Kiyokêwin), often understood as “the visiting way” this session invites educational leaders into a relational space of story, listening, and shared learning. Drawing on Indigenous ways of knowing and being, participants will gather in 2 round-table...
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Speakers
avatar for Andrew Wiens

Andrew Wiens

Andrew (he/him) is currently the lead teacher for the GSA at W. D. Cuts Jr. High in St. Albert, a member of the SOGI group for St. Albert Public Schools, and has been running GSA's in one form or another since 2009. Andrew is one of the co-chairs for the St. Albert Local No. 73 Rainbow... Read More →
avatar for Renee LeClerc
avatar for Jenna Hasan

Jenna Hasan

Jenna (she/her) is a lebanese, indian, neurodivergent, queer who grew up in a culturally muslim home on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səlilwətaɬ, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm lands. She is passionate about supporting educators in fostering inclusive, community-centred education. Jenna (she/her... Read More →
avatar for Alissa Takahashi

Alissa Takahashi

Alissa Takahashi (they/them) spent 6 years as a junior high teacher for EPSB in in amiskwacîwâskahikan. Now the SOGI 123 Lead for Alberta with ARC Foundation, Alissa is passionate about supporting educators, students, and school communities in creating more inclusive spaces. Alissa... Read More →
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson (he/they) is a trans educator, parent, SSHRC scholar, and doctoral candidate at UCalgary’s Werklund School of Education. He has more than 14 years of experience teaching and consulting in the Alberta K-12 education system, and his current research examines anti-trans... Read More →
avatar for Tiff Pino

Tiff Pino

Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, The Alberta Teachers' Association
Tiff Pino (she/her) is an Executive Staff Officer of Professional Development for the Alberta Teachers' Association. With 20 years of experience as an educator in Edmonton Catholic Schools, she has taught a variety of subjects from grades 7-12 in traditional and outreach settings... Read More →
avatar for Dr John Williamson

Dr John Williamson

Association Instructor, Alberta Teachers' Association
I am a bisexual and neurodivergent teacher, writer, adjunct professor and social justice advocate, and presently one of the leads for the Teachers With Disabilities Diversity and Equity network. I have spent the majority of my 29 year career coordinating services for students with... Read More →
avatar for Rin Lawrence

Rin Lawrence

Rin Lawrence (he/him) has a long history with Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) and has been a teacher since 2013 in two Alberta school districts. Rin is the chair of the Edmonton Public Teachers Local 37 Diversity, Equity, and Human Rights Committee (DEHR... Read More →
avatar for Dr Hardeep Rai

Dr Hardeep Rai

Dr. Hardeep Rai is an educator with over 25 years of experience spanning elementary to postsecondary classrooms, currently teaching Grade 5 at Riverview Middle School. A nonconforming queer educator and person of color, Hardeep is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, affirming... Read More →
avatar for Elder Laurie MacDonald

Elder Laurie MacDonald

Elder Laurie McDonald of Enoch Cree Nation (Maskêkosihk) is a Two-Spirit Elder, Residential School Survivor, and long-standing community leader whose life and work reflect courage, cultural strength, and deep commitment to healing. A survivor of Ermineskin Residential School, Elder Laurie has shared that... Read More →
avatar for Adebayo Katiiti

Adebayo Katiiti

About me
Adebayo Chris Katiiti (He/Him/They/Mwami/Ssebo) is a human rights activist and advocate for the transgender Community with over six years of experience advocating for 2SLGBTIQ+ Refugees and Newcomers and gender-diverse communities. He founded RARICANow, an Edmonton-based NGO that supports 2SLGBTIQ+ Refugees and Newcomers. Since... Read More →
avatar for Rae Madge

Rae Madge

Rae Madge (pronouns: they/she) is a Deh’cho Dene, Cree-Métis, & mixed-settler Two-Spirit femme who calls Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) home. They work at the Fyrefly Institute for Gender & Sexual Diversity as the program coordinator for Where The Rivers Meet; their work involves... Read More →
avatar for Dr Tonya Callaghan

Dr Tonya Callaghan

Professor Tonya Callaghan (She/They) is an Academic Director for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit+ equity, inclusion, and intersectionality with the University of Calgary Office of Institutional Commitments in the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility... Read More →
Thursday June 4, 2026 7:45pm - 8:45pm MDT
Barnett House Bistro
 
Friday, June 5
 

9:00am MDT

Greetings
Friday June 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MDT
Auditorium

Speakers
avatar for Jason Schilling

Jason Schilling

President, Alberta Teachers' Association
Jason Schilling (he/him) was re-elected president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association in 2023, following four years of service as president, two years of service as vice-president and more than eight years of service as district representative for South West. As vice-president, Schillingchaired... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MDT
Auditorium
  Greetings

9:15am MDT

Keynote - Desperate Times Call for Different Measures
Friday June 5, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Auditorium
This presentation offers an examination of the progressive erosion of robust educational spaces and human rights within the Alberta education system. Drawing on a recent research study, I articulate our current reality and its real costs on staff and students. How do we reclaim and strengthen our commitment to equity and to each other in these times?

Speakers
avatar for Dr Gillian Robinson

Dr Gillian Robinson

Gillian Robinson’s research focuses on the ways in which schools manage equity initiatives in daily practice. She studies how inclusive policy and student belonging become spaces of negotiation. Her experience as a classroom teacher informs her research interests, methodology, and... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am MDT
Auditorium

10:15am MDT

Break
Friday June 5, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am MDT
Auditorium

Friday June 5, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am MDT
Auditorium
  Break

10:30am MDT

The Situation Room
Friday June 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Auditorium
The Situation Room is a space for educators to come together to discuss the impact that ongoing legislation (Bills 27 and 29) is having on our classrooms, students, and school communities. Facilitated by ARC Foundation SOGI 123 staff Jenna and Alissa, DEHR attendees can expect to have open conversations centered around challenges and successes from this school year.


Speakers
avatar for Alissa Takahashi *

Alissa Takahashi *

Alissa (they/them) spent 6 years as a junior high teacher for EPSB in in amiskwacîwâskahikan. Now the SOGI 123 Lead for Alberta with ARC Foundation, Alissa is passionate about supporting educators, students, and school communities in creating more inclusive spaces. As a neurodivergent... Read More →
avatar for Jenna Hasan

Jenna Hasan

Jenna (she/her) is a lebanese, indian, neurodivergent, queer who grew up in a culturally muslim home on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səlilwətaɬ, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm lands. She is passionate about supporting educators in fostering inclusive, community-centred education. Jenna (she/her... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
Auditorium

11:45am MDT

Lunch
Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Auditorium

Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Auditorium
  Lunch and activity

11:45am MDT

Lunch Activity - Button Making
Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Library

Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Library
  Lunch and activity

11:45am MDT

Lunch Activity - Sidewalk Chalk
Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Front sidewalk at entrance to Barnett House

Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Front sidewalk at entrance to Barnett House
  Lunch and activity

11:45am MDT

Lunch Activity -Coloring and Connections (mostly conversation with optional queer coloring pages)
Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Boardroom

Friday June 5, 2026 11:45am - 1:00pm MDT
Boardroom
  Lunch and activity

1:00pm MDT

Breakout #1 - ATAGSA Listening Circle
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 215
This listening circle offers a 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming space for adults and allies to gather. We share our experiences while building community through both triumphs and challenges. Participation is open and voluntary, no explanations are required. Confidentiality is respected, no attendance is taken, and stories stay in the room while the learning moves forward, even outside of the space we build...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Dr Hardeep Rai

Dr Hardeep Rai

Dr. Hardeep Rai is an educator with over 25 years of experience spanning elementary to postsecondary classrooms, currently teaching Grade 5 at Riverview Middle School. A nonconforming queer educator and person of color, Hardeep is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, affirming... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 215
  Breakout #1

1:00pm MDT

Breakout #1 - Rural Contexts for Allyship
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 213
This workshop is designed for education professionals in rural environments. Join us for a conversation based exploration of rural contexts for allyship, and to develop actionable strategies to support your colleagues outside the urban milieu who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. This learning is grounded in current legislative realities and approached from a strengths based perspective rooted in celebration.
Speakers
avatar for Star Oldring

Star Oldring

Star Oldring (they/them) is the Rural Program Coordinator at the Fyrefly Institute, a not for profit research institute housed within the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta offering evidence based education and advocacy in celebration and support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in nort... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 213
  Breakout #1

1:00pm MDT

Breakout #1 - Sitting in Story: Healing, Identity and the Wisdom of Elder Laurie MacDonald
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 218
In this deeply relational session, participants are invited to sit in circle, listen with humility and receive the teachings of Elder Laurie McDonald from Enoch Cree Nation. Through story, reflection and lived experience, Elder Laurie will share aspects of his residential school journey, his path of healing, and his proud work supporting Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.This session is...
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Speakers
avatar for Elder Laurie MacDonald

Elder Laurie MacDonald

Elder Laurie McDonald of Enoch Cree Nation (Maskêkosihk) is a Two-Spirit Elder, Residential School Survivor, and long-standing community leader whose life and work reflect courage, cultural strength, and deep commitment to healing. A survivor of Ermineskin Residential School, Elder Laurie has shared that... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 218
  Breakout #1

1:00pm MDT

Breakout #1 - Strengthening Allyship from the Staff Room
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Boardroom
Given the current political and social dynamics in Alberta schools, having a unified staff is crucial to building safer and more inclusive school environments. Through roleplaying scenarios, participants will have the opportunity to discuss educator push back and how to leverage support for each other in greater 2SLGBTQ+ allyship. Whether you're comfortable speaking up, sharing your views, or...
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Speakers
avatar for Jenna Hasan

Jenna Hasan

Jenna (she/her) is a lebanese, indian, neurodivergent, queer who grew up in a culturally muslim home on Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səlilwətaɬ, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm lands. She is passionate about supporting educators in fostering inclusive, community-centred education. Jenna (she/her... Read More →
avatar for Alissa Takahashi *

Alissa Takahashi *

Alissa (they/them) spent 6 years as a junior high teacher for EPSB in in amiskwacîwâskahikan. Now the SOGI 123 Lead for Alberta with ARC Foundation, Alissa is passionate about supporting educators, students, and school communities in creating more inclusive spaces. As a neurodivergent... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Boardroom
  Breakout #1

1:00pm MDT

Breakout #1 - The Catholic Closet: Redressing Religiously Inspired Heterosexism and Transnegativity
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 228
Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and others of diverse gender and sexualities (2SLGBTQIA+) continue to face discrimination in school settings, especially in Catholic schools. Special intolerance toward gender and sexual minority groups in Catholic schools could be due to the church’s decree to “love the sinner, hate the sin,” which is untenable for...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr Tonya Callaghan

Dr Tonya Callaghan

Professor Tonya Callaghan (She/They) is an Academic Director for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit+ equity, inclusion, and intersectionality with the University of Calgary Office of Institutional Commitments in the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Room 228
  Breakout #1

2:05pm MDT

Breakout #2 - ATAGSA Listening Circle
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 215
This listening circle offers a 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming space for adults and allies to gather. We share our experiences while building community through both triumphs and challenges. Participation is open and voluntary, no explanations are required. Confidentiality is respected, no attendance is taken, and stories stay in the room while the learning moves forward, even outside of the space we build...
See More →
Speakers
avatar for Dr Hardeep Rai

Dr Hardeep Rai

Dr. Hardeep Rai is an educator with over 25 years of experience spanning elementary to postsecondary classrooms, currently teaching Grade 5 at Riverview Middle School. A nonconforming queer educator and person of color, Hardeep is deeply committed to fostering inclusive, affirming... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 215
  Breakout #2

2:05pm MDT

Breakout #2 - Making Invisible Labour Visible: Building Collective Care for 2SLGBTQIA+ Teachers in Hostile Policy Landscapes
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 218
2SLGBTQIA+ teachers often shoulder invisible labour in schools—navigating in/visibility, managing microaggressions, and sustaining inclusion work—labour that is intensified in hostile policy landscapes. This workshop explores the idea of heteroprofessionalism and how expectations of gender coherence and heterosexuality have become sedimented within norms of teacher professionalism, creating...
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Speakers
avatar for Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson (he/they) is a trans educator, parent, SSHRC scholar, and doctoral candidate at UCalgary’s Werklund School of Education. He has more than 14 years of experience teaching and consulting in the Alberta K-12 education system, and his current research examines anti-trans... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 218
  Breakout #2

2:05pm MDT

Breakout #2 - Navigating Change: Mental Health and 2STGD Youth in Alberta Classrooms
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
In this session, participants will discuss the ways in which recent changes in the political and social landscape of Alberta have impacted and changed the mental health of Two-spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth, specifically examining how these realities may be showing up within the classroom. Together we will explore ways to support youth who may be navigating these challenges, as well as...
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Speakers
avatar for Kameron Heughan

Kameron Heughan

Kameron Heughan (He/Him) is a transgender man and the Community Programs Lead at Skipping Stone Foundation, an organization dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing access to supports ranging from medical providers, to mental health services, to community spaces for Two-Spirit... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
  Breakout #2

2:05pm MDT

Breakout #2 - Rainbow Network - Allyship
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 228
An exploration of the many approaches to allyship from difficult to navigate environments to schools filled with rainbows. It isn't always about the symbols on the walls; it's about the professional in the room.
Speakers
avatar for Andrew Wiens

Andrew Wiens

Andrew (he/him) is currently the lead teacher for the GSA at W. D. Cuts Jr. High in St. Albert, a member of the SOGI group for St. Albert Public Schools, and has been running GSA's in one form or another since 2009. Andrew is one of the co-chairs for the St. Albert Local No. 73 Rainbow... Read More →
avatar for Renee LeClerc
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 228
  Breakout #2

2:05pm MDT

Breakout #2 - Two-Spirit / Indigiqueer Pasts, Presents, & Futures
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 213
This workshop aims to develop an appreciation of the diverse histories of gender and sexuality on Turtle Island (what is now known as North America) pre-colonization, helps to recognize the effects of colonization on Indigenous gender and sexual diversity historically and currently, and provides hopeful paths towards the acceptance, support, and celebration of queer Indigenous folks. In this...
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Speakers
avatar for Rae Madge

Rae Madge

Rae Madge (pronouns: they/she) is a Deh’cho Dene, Cree-Métis, & mixed-settler Two-Spirit femme who calls Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) home. They work at the Fyrefly Institute for Gender & Sexual Diversity as the program coordinator for Where The Rivers Meet; their work involves... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 2:05pm - 3:05pm MDT
Room 213
  Breakout #2

3:15pm MDT

GRANDE FINALE! - Past, Present, and Possiblities
Friday June 5, 2026 3:15pm - 3:55pm MDT
Auditorium
As we conclude, I invite us to return to what sustains this work during the most challenging of times: community. Through examining where we have been, and where we are today, we can imagine what becomes possible when we choose to move forward together. At a time when many educators and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are feeling the weight of isolation, uncertainty, and harm, we must center a simple but...
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Speakers
avatar for Rin Lawrence

Rin Lawrence

Rin Lawrence (he/him) has a long history with Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) and has been a teacher since 2013 in two Alberta school districts. Rin is the chair of the Edmonton Public Teachers Local 37 Diversity, Equity, and Human Rights Committee (DEHR... Read More →
Friday June 5, 2026 3:15pm - 3:55pm MDT
Auditorium
  Registration

4:30pm MDT

ATAGSA Community Social - Optional
Friday June 5, 2026 4:30pm - 9:30pm MDT
Evolution WonderLounge - EVO
The learning doesn’t have to end when the day wraps up.Come gather with colleagues, friends, and community members for a casual evening at EVO (11508 Jasper Avenue) for a chance to relax, connect, and continue conversations in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.Drop in for a quick visit or settle in for the evening. Food and drinks will be available for individual purchase, and ATAGSA members will...
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Friday June 5, 2026 4:30pm - 9:30pm MDT
Evolution WonderLounge - EVO 11508 Jasper Ave
  Optional
 

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Thursday, June 4
Friday, June 5
Auditorium
Barnett House Bistro
Boardroom
Evolution WonderLounge - EVO
Front sidewalk at entrance to Barnett House
Library
Room 213
Room 215
Room 218
Room 228
  • Break
  • Breakout #1
  • Breakout #2
  • Greetings
  • Lunch and activity
  • Optional
  • Registration
  • Popular