b'COMMUNITYaround!) Gathering together isnt just enjoyable; it isoffered in a hybrid format for the very first time, with also vital for nurturing our most important relationshipsboth in-person and virtual attendance options. This and promoting a sense of belonging and community.way, those who can attend in person will benefit from the renewed opportunities to network directly with Some of the feedback from educators during the 2021colleagues, while those who cannot will still be able National Gathering exemplified this sentiment: to access all of the amazing workshop and tradeshow Nothing replaces face-to-face time. I miss wanderingcontent. It is a strategy that more and more organiza-the booths and talking to the vendors directly. It wastions are using now that theyve realized its power and very difficult to network virtually. The presenters werepotential for community-building in different arenas. still wonderful but I miss the environment and theThese varied approaches are an important reminder energy of the in-person workshops. that coming together isnt just about the chance to It is this energy, this intangible but compelling spirit,sit down together, although that experience is very that makes face-to-face gatherings so powerful. Wepowerful. Its about making time and creating oppor-tunities for good, honest dialogue. Sometimes that experienced it in the spring during the 2022 Indspireconversation may begin in person and continue in the Awards, our very first in-person event since the 2020virtual space; sometimes face-to-face meetings may be Indspire Awards. It felt like a large, long-overdue familythe culmination of a long virtual correspondence. reunion: one with excellent conversation, wonderful food and, most importantly, celebratory momentsToday, there are many ways to build relationships that that exemplified the strength, ingenuity, humourwe might not have had access to in former times. As we and wisdom of the Indigenous community and itsmove slowly toward increased in-person gatherings, it change-makers. is important to remind ourselves that coming together to build community is important no matter how the We are eagerly anticipating another in-personconversations happen. As another educator at the 2021 reunion in November: the very first in-person NationalGathering explained, Even virtually, it was inspiring Gathering since the 2019 Gathering in Toronto.and helped to focus my efforts in my world. I love all Hundreds of educators from across the country willthe new ideas, approaches and suggestions we get to congregate in Winnipeg, ready to share ideas, learnhear about.from each other, and continue the vital work of enacting reconciliation through education. This Gathering is anAs the days continue to shorten and the leaves important step on the path to collectively changingcontinue to fall, its important to remember that this the future of Indigenous students from coast to coasttime of the year can often be the most fruitful for us in to coast. terms of networking, conversation and connection. Just like the intrepid geese, we thrive on coming together Bearing in mind one of the things that the pandemicin different ways from many places across Turtle Island has taught usthere are many ways to createand building relationships that can go the distance and communitythis years National Gathering will bechange the landscape.The Leaders in Railway Maintenanceand Construction Services Across CanadaREMCAN is committed to building positive, respectful, and sustainable relationships with Looking for a career in the rail industry?Indigenous communities. Our focus is on promoting employment opportunities, pre-employment www.remcanprojects.com/careers training, and business ventures or partnerships through community engagement.COMPETITIVEREWARDINGCUTTING-EDGEPAIDCOMPENSATION WORK EQUIPMENT TRAINING2022indspiration41'