We are excited to announce the 2025 West Coast Indigenous Elders’ Conference at the Crown Isle Resort, 399 Clubhouse Drive, Courtenay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia from May 27 – 29, 2025.

Hosted by the Queneesh Indigenous Community Society, we warmly invite First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Elders (50+ years young!) to gather on the sacred Traditional Territory of the K’ómoks First Nation. Together, we will honour ancestral knowledge, create new connections, and inspire future generations.

The conference theme is, Teachings from the Past, Shaping Our Future. We will come together to share, teach, learn, create and celebrate our rich diversity of Indigenous culture. This gathering is more than a conference—it’s a celebration, and a movement forward.

You will be warmly welcomed by the K’ómoks people, who will share their powerful Vision for the Land of Plenty.

🌿 What Awaits You 🌿

Morning movement sessions for all fitness levels led by FIT Nation—let’s stretch, move, and energize together!

A thought-provoking talk by renowned ethnobotanist Dr. Nancy Turner: From Taking to Tending: Looking after the Lands, Looking after the Plants.

Heart-opening insights from celebrated author Monique Gray Smith: Love is Medicine. She will weave an uplifting narrative from award-winning books, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults and Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation.

An inspiring conversation with Dr. Don Wilson, Heiltsuk physician, on Food as Medicine—discover new pathways to wellness.

🌿 Workshops & Cultural Experiences

Attendees will enjoy workshops on the Traditional Use of Plants for Food & Medicine and taste delicious Traditional Foods in Culturally Rooted in Wellness with waakiitusis Nitanis Desjarlais, Indigenous Foodie Mamma.

Nitanis is Northern Cree raised on the Northwest Coast, living and raising her family in Ahousaht Nation, Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation Traditional Territory.

🌿 Learn the cultural, medicinal, and spiritual importance of Devil’s Club with Jean Smith & Johnathan Whonnock from the ‘Namgis First Nation.

Get creative with Regalia Making & the Na̱wiła Community Blanket Project. Lean into Language in our Sharing Our Voices, Sharing Out Stories Session.

Try your hand at Cedar Weaving with Kwakwaka’wakw Master Weaver Tiger Leonard Williams.

Join respected artist Bruce Alfred, ‘Namgis carver, for Tum Tum Threads & Bentwood Box Making workshops: Balancing Formline & Curving Wood.

We will also gather in truth and healing, learning about the Ne’nagwa’nakwala Project and its work at the former St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in Alert Bay.

✨ Evening Celebration—

Kick things off at the West Coast Welcome Reception & Evening at Chances Casino.

On night two, experience the Queneesh Regalia Walk & Indigenous Fashion Show Gala & Reception, produced by Fashion Speaks International. Prepare to be inspired!

🎟️ Your All-Inclusive Registration 🎟️

One conference fee covers it all—meals, events, keynotes, workshops, receptions, and gala evenings!

🔗 Register now at: komoksfestival.com

🪶 Early Bird: $425 | Full Rate: $450

Note: Accommodation not included. Conference rate rooms available at Crown Isle—up to 50% off regular prices! Mention the “Elders’ Conference” when booking.

📧 Group hotel bookings: Contact Paulina Gonzalez at pgonzalez@crownisle.ca.

Stay tuned for Designer & Model Applications + Vendor Info, launching March 20, 2025.

For schedule updates, visit komoksfestival.com.

Let’s gather. Let’s celebrate. Let’s shape the future—together.

For more information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/west-coast-indigenous-elders-conference-courtenay-may-27-29-2025-tickets-1257771681959?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1