uLead2025 - The Summit of Educational Leadership: Full Schedule

This is the Sched site for the uLead 2025. The site for the Pre-Conference is available here.

Welcome to uLead 2025. We are thrilled you will be joining us at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for our annual school leadership conference hosted by the Council for School Leadership of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

If you have any questions during the event, we will have uLead team members throughout the venue wearing red and black plaid. The registration desk will also have our team available throughout the conference. This table can be found just outside of the Van Horne Ballroom where all of our keynote presentations are taking place.

If you need a digital map of the facilities, you can click here

In order for our team to best determine room allocations for breakout sessions would ask that delegates log in (top right corner of this page) and select sessions that they are interested in attending.

Finally, if you are interested in earning University credits for attending uLead, please visit the uLead website

2:45pm MDT

Purple Rain (Radical Advocacy alongside Indigenous Youth)

Sunday April 6, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

TBA

Dr. Sean Lessard is from Montreal Lake Cree Nation in this session he shares his early design experiences across Canada co-creating innovative programming, curriculum and interventions to support Indigenous youth prospering in schools.

Speakers

Sean Lessard

Assistant Professor of Indigenous Education and Core Studies, University of Alberta

Dr Sean Lessard is from Montreal Lake Cree Nation he is a former youth worker, teacher and counsellor. He is currently a Full Professor at the University of Alberta in the Faculty of Education. He is an award winning researcher, writer and speaks internationally about his approach... Read More →

Sunday April 6, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
TBA

Indigenous Learning

4:00pm MDT

Following the 13 Moons, Weaving Métis Ways of Knowing into Land-Based Learning

Sunday April 6, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

TBA

Land Based Learning is central to Métis ways of knowing and being. When Métis create relationships to the land, we have a responsibility to live in reciprocity by protecting and caring for the land and all that lives on it. Seeing the land as a relation is an important Métis worldview. Join Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning in exploring what Land-Based Learning could look like in schools, what it is and resources to support this learning.

Speakers

Lisa Cruickshank

Director, Teaching & Learning Métis Education, Rupertsland Institute

Guided by the values of reciprocity and relationality, Lisa is proud to lead the work in Métis Education & Lifelong Learning while working alongside the Métis community. Lisa has worked in the K-12 system for over 20 years in various capacities, such as: Elementary Educator, Indigenous... Read More →

Holly Brandsma

Metis Education Consultant, Rupertsland Institute

Rupertsland Centre for Teaching and Learning develops comprehensive foundational knowledge resources, engaging lesson plans, meaningful professional development opportunities and authentic classroom learning tools that speak accurately and meaningfully to topics in Métis educati... Read More →

Sunday April 6, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
TBA

Indigenous Learning

10:45am MDT

Role of Community-based Organizations in Indigenous Education

Monday April 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

Join Alberta Native Friendship Centres to explore how community-based non-profits can support Indigenous students in their educational journey by addressing barriers and promoting cultural connection. Discover how programs like Weaving Wicihitowin For Learning support authentic relationships between schools and organizations, like Alberta Friendship Centres to advance overall student outcomes across the four quadrants of the Medicine Wheel: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Speakers

Madison Properzi

As the Provincial Education Coordinator at ANFCA, Madison Properzi has supported initiatives focused on urban Indigenous education, leading the Weaving Wicihitowin For Learning program. Madison has supported initiatives for youth-centred prevention of human trafficking and sexual... Read More →

Monday April 7, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

Indigenous Learning

2:45pm MDT

wîcihtotân (nêhiyawêwin/Cree - Let's help each other) - Unlearning colonialism within "traditional" mentorship

Monday April 7, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

TBA

Gain valuable insights and learn about providing support, guidance and mentorship for Indigenous teachers and school leaders. Based on research and lived experiences, learn how Indigenous wisdom traditions and values can be considered as a mentorship approach.

Speakers

Melissa Bird

Executive Staff Officer, Professional Development, Indigenous Education, Alberta Teachers' Association

Melissa Bird is Dënésułıné and a member of Tthebatthı Dënésułıné (Smith's Landing First Nation) within Treaty 8 territory. She was born and raised in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Beaver Hills/Edmonton), and currently resides within Treaty 6 territory. She is a proud mother of... Read More →

Monday April 7, 2025 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
TBA

Indigenous Learning, Alberta Teachers' Association

9:00am MDT

Inspiring Equitable Leadership through Art

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

TBA

Research clearly shows the important role the school leader plays in advancing education priorities and bringing them to life. As such it is critical that school and system leaders engage in anti-racist education work. Through the use of art, this session will support school and system leaders to reflect on their learning and leading journeys in creating more equitable schooling experiences.

Speakers

Jordan Raymond

Dr. Jordan Raymond is a cis-gendered male who identifies as queer, neurodivergent, and has Metis ancestry. His unique perspective adds a fresh dimension to his work as an anti-racist and anti-oppressive educator. Jordan has a wealth of experience in public education, and he is currently... Read More →

Manuela Facci

Dr. Manuela Facci has been an educator for 18 years in rural, urban, and northern settings. She has worked as an in-school administrator in a provincial system and also as a Superintendent of Education for a First Nations organization. She recently completed her PhD at the University... Read More →

Tuesday April 8, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
TBA

Indigenous Learning