RightsTalk: Allen Benson of Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Event Information
Description
Hosted by Mick Gooda, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
The Australian Human Rights Commission is excited to invite you to a presentation on "Violence and healing" by Dr Allen Benson Chief Executive Officer, Native Counselling Services of Alberta who is visiting Australia.
The presentation will be given by Allen Benson and Director of Research, Training, and Communication, Dr Patti LaBoucane-Benson.
Biography: Dr Allen Benson
As Chief Executive Officer of Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) and Chief Executive Officer of BearPaw Communications Limited, he has spearheaded the development of many ground breaking programs, particularly in the areas of corrections, restorative and social justice, health, housing and homelessness. Allen has received the following recognition: the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Alberta Aboriginal Role Model Award in Justice, the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta and the International Community Corrections Association’s highest honour: the Margaret Mead Award. In 2013, Allen was appointed Chair of the Alberta Family Violence Death Review Committee and is the current President of the National Association Active in Criminal Justice.
Biography: Dr Patti LaBoucane-Benson
Dr Patti LaBoucane-Benson is a Metis woman with a PhD in Human Ecology, focusing on Aboriginal Family and Community Resilience. She was the recipient of the two top Canadian social sciences doctoral awards: The Pierre Elliot Trudeau scholarship and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship. Patti has worked for Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) for 20 years and is currently the Director of Research, Training and Communication, providing leadership for research teams undertaking community-based, applied research. Patti also is executive producer and principle investigator for BearPaw Communications, BearPaw Media video productions and BearPaw Legal Education publications and oversees the development and implementation of the historic trauma healing programs for NCSA. In 2015, Patti’s first novel was published by House of Anansi Press. Based on her PhD research, The Outside Circle is a work of creative non-fiction about healing and reconciliation for an inner city Aboriginal family struggling with poverty, gang affiliation and hopelessness. The Outside Circle was on the Globe and Mail’s Top Ten Canadian books in May 2015.
The venue is accessible for people using wheelchairs. If you have any access or support requirements in order to participate fully, please email: socialjustice@humanrights.gov.au