Workshop hosts: Gerald Bent and Laura Leask

This workshop will discuss:

• Two-Spirit identity and respectful relationships with Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ2+ people.
• The international movement of positive space that strives to increase safety and inclusion for people of all genders and sexual orientations.

All genders of faculty, staff, students, and community members are welcome.

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Gerald Bent, Workshop Host

Correctional Programs Officer (CPO): Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) - Metro Vancouver West Community Corrections

In the spirit of reconciliation, Gerald would like to acknowledge that this workshop is taking place on the unceded lands of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nations.

Gerald is a Two-Spirit, Status Indian and a member of the Lytton Indian Band, which is located in the traditional territory of the Nlakapamux nation.

Prior to commencing his role with the CSC, Gerald worked for the Vancouver School Board (VSB) as an elementary school teacher. Throughout his time at the VSB, Gerald worked closely with the Aboriginal staff on creating lesson plans that would enlighten staff and students about the history of First Nations people.

Over the past ten years, Gerald has had the privilege of working in correctional programming for the CSC.  For five years, while at a federal institution, Gerald worked as an Aboriginal Correctional Programs Officer (ACPO). Gerald states, “Working with Aboriginal offenders is a rewarding and honourable path. Many of us view our role at the CSC as a calling to assist in the healing, teaching and leadership of our people." Gerald now works at a Community Parole Office assisting offenders who are on conditional release to the community.

Gerald has recently started graduate school at UNBC. He is working on an MA in First Nations Studies and will be researching and writing about the Nlakapamux Restorative Justice and Education program.

Laura Leask, Workshop Host

Laura Leask was born and raised in the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia (BC).  While working at the federal institution, Elder Art Leon bestowed upon her a traditional name: Medicine Star Woman.  Laura and Elder Art worked together while facilitating correctional programs inside the prison.  Laura’s immediate family is from the Manitoba area.  Her father is from the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, which is located in beautiful West-Central Manitoba, just under 600 km north-west of Winnipeg.

Laura has worked at the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) since 2001.  Laura is a former Correctional Officer and was in uniform for 14 years while at Matsqui Institution.  Laura then moved into correctional interventions and was offered a position as an Aboriginal Correctional Program Officer (ACPO).  While at the institution, Laura facilitated the Indigenous correctional program to the incarcerated offenders.  Laura has temporarily moved on from correctional programming and is currently a Project Manager for the Work to Give Project, which is in partnership with the Tsilqo'tin Nation located in the Williams Lake area.

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This event is presented by Inspiring Women Among Us 2018: Women, Leadership and Power.