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Kairos Blanket Exercise with Hubert Barton and Catalina Parra
September 21 @ 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
VLACC is thrilled to bring back our series, “Indigenous Experiences in Canada and Latin America – Working Towards Reconciliation” with the Kairos Blanket Exercise.
Dive into a unique, hands-on experience that uses Indigenous ways of learning to explore the history we share as Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada. From the days before contact through the making of treaties, the challenges of colonization, and the spirit of resistance, you’ll get to walk through it all—literally!
Grab a spot on a blanket, step into the shoes of the First Nations, Inuit, and later Métis peoples, and see history from a whole new perspective. The Kairos Blanket Exercise isn’t just a learning experience—it’s a powerful, emotional journey that really opens your eyes and heart.
We’re talking in English, but everyone’s welcome, regardless of background or ability. Come join us and take a step forward in understanding and reconciliation. Can’t wait to see you there!
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre – Joseph & Rosalie Segal Centre Room
(515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5K3)
Free Event
About the series
“Indigenous Experiences in Canada and Latin America – Working Towards Reconciliation” aims to build intercultural interaction, trust and understanding by addressing Latin America’s experience with Indigenous peoples, colonization, diversity and inclusion while gaining a better knowledge of Canada’s path to Reconciliation.
Latin America refers to the parts of South and Central America that were influenced by either Spanish, French or Portuguese heritage through European colonization. Like in Canada, the pursuit of power dehumanized Indigenous peoples and devastated pre-existing societies. Religious traditions drawn from European ideologies largely influenced these cultures and— in some cases— eradicated native practices.
This series will create opportunities for Latin American immigrants and the larger community to interact with and learn from local Indigenous artists, Indigenous Latin American immigrants, racialized storytellers, writers, and community leaders.
About the facilitators
Hubert Barton is a member of the Nisga’a Nation from the community of Gingolx located in the North Coast of British Columbia. He is from the Lax Gibuu clan and is the youngest of 4 brothers and 1 sister. Hubert grew up in his homelands of the Nass Valley and recently moved to the city of Vancouver to study at the Vancouver School of Theology, where he graduated from the Indigenous Studies Program with a Master of Divinity degree.
He now works as Coordinator of the Indigenous Studies Program and also engages in public speaking where he enjoys sharing the parallels he’s found between his Christian Faith and Nisga’a Culture.
In his downtime Hubert enjoys both digital and analog photography with a main focus on landscapes. He recently had the honor of having some of his long-exposure night photography photos on display in a digital art exhibit at the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival.
Instagram: @hubert_barton
Catalina Parra (She/Her/Ella) is a Latina/Mestiza born in Muisca territories (Bogotá-Colombia). For half of her life, she has lived as an uninvited guest on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
She holds a BA from Simon Fraser University focusing on Latin America, Indigenous Aymara worldview, and decolonial movements. Catalina has had the honor to work with First Nations communities, supporting community-based education programs in Vancouver, Hawaii, and Terrace. She is currently pursuing her MA in Education at UBC, with a focus on Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Decolonial strategies for which she has been awarded Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council scholarship. She currently works as Project Coordinator for the DEI department at Provincial Health Services Authority.
As a Latina immigrant and First Gen Canadian, Catalina is deeply committed to engage in a respectful and honorable intergenerational relationship with the Indigenous People of Turtle Island. Her intergenerational story as a descendant of Mestizxs in her native Colombia has inspired her commitment to de-colonization in Abya-Yala (known today as the Americas). In 2016, Catalina took the KAIROS blanket exercise training to facilitate experiential workshops that invite people to dive into the untold story of Indigenous and Canadian relationships since first contact.
In her down time, she loves creative writing, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
Blog: catacuenta.com / Instagram:@cata.cuenta
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In Partnership with SFU – Department of World Languages and Literatures
