WARM GREETINGS FROM WOLASTOQEY TERRITORY


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE U


pon returning home, my heart was full of gratitude for all of the efforts that con- tributed toward making our annual con- ference such a huge success. From the


strategic planning of National office personnel, to the local knowledge of our planning committee, to the assistance of many volunteers, and in collabo- ration with the International Association of Coun- selling, our conference was well-organized and prepared to welcome attendees from 19 different countries! Our keynotes and presenters shared their wisdom, expertise, and research, and the highly anticipated Guidelines for the Uses of Tech- nology in Counselling and Psychotherapy was launched by the Technology and Innovative Solu- tions Chapter.


As your President for the 2019-2021 term, I would like to begin by introducing myself in the way that I have been taught by Indigenous Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers here in Wolastoqey territory. I was born and have lived as a welcome guest for most of my life on these unceded and unsurrendered Traditional lands of Wolastoqiyik, and I currently live in Ekpahak or what is now known as Fredericton. The Treaties of Peace and Friendship were established in 1725, signed by Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Wolastoqi peoples with the British Crown. In these treaties, there was


no surrender of lands or resources. They recog- nized Mi’kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Wolastoqey title and established rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between sovereign nations. It has been a continual and vital process for me to learn about and understand my responsibilities as a Treaty person.


On a personal note, this land along Wolastoq (which transliterates as “our beautiful and bounti- ful river”) is my home and teacher. I have learned the importance of building relationships and com- munity here. I have learned how to become a cou- rageous voice in some contexts, while listening with humility in others. I have learned the practice of personal authenticity, while experientially un- derstanding that we are all interconnected.


As I begin this term, I would also like to offer my sincere thanks to John Driscoll who served as President for the 2017-2019 term, and to the en- tire Board of Directors, some of whom I have served with since 2015, including our new President-Elect, Dr. Kathy Offet-Gartner. I have been inspired by and learned from each of you in numerous ways, and it has been an honour to serve our association together. I am also thrilled to wel- come in our eager and enthusiastic 2019-2021 Board of Directors. During our inaugural board


THE CANADIAN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION SUMMER 2019


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