“He rocked a full house with his wisdom, insights and teachings.  His humble, heartfelt keynote inspired, moved, and left us wanting to do more.” These were the comments of Betty Carr-Braint, a cultural counsellor at Trent University, after listening to esteemed Mohawk Elder Tom Porter deliver his address at the 40^th annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering, held February 26 - 28, 2016 at Trent's Gzowski College.

Dr. Porter, member of the Bear Clan of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, and champion of the revitalization of Indigenous languages and traditions, was one of two keynote speakers at this year’s gathering, built around the theme, Rekindling the Fire: Reconciliation and the Way Forward. The second keynote was delivered by The Hon. Sydney Allicock, vice-president of Guyana and minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, who charmed and inspired his Canadian audience as he described his government's commitment and reconciliatory approach to the necessary task of uniting all Guyanese peoples and building the country.

This year’s Elders Gathering honoured the historic release of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The three-day event provided a forum for a large contingent of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, including students, faculty, and members of the local community, to explore their role in the reconciliation process.

The theme of reconciliation was reflected throughout the conference, which included cultural activities such as storytelling, drumming, singing, and traditional feasts. Workshop topics ranged including wampum belt making, traditional healing, environmental protection, and healing within the corrections realm.

"In order for Indigenous people in Canada to be represented and to be able to stand up for their rights, you need to have events like these," said Mary Elizabeth Konrad, a local high school teacher who attended Mr. Allicock's presentation to hear a Guyanese perspective on Indigenous relations.

"Having gatherings like this gives everybody an opportunity to come together and to see the numbers of people who are interested in and feel passionate about these issues and to realize how much support is there," she added.