Lunch and Learn- NMT, Presented by Sonya Warga and Dawn Isaac
2026-01-15 12:00 - 2026-06-16 13:00 (America/Winnipeg) | online
Prairie Tides is a healing-centered initiative in Manitoba that offers support for youth facing mental health and substance use challenges. It provides a live-in healing home and community-based services that are culturally safe and trauma-informed. The organization utilizes the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics™ (NMT™) to create personalized healing plans tailored to each youth’s needs. Prairie Tides emphasizes a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, integrating Indigenous wisdom with Western therapeutic practices, to ensure holistic care and support for youth in their healing journeys.

Dawn Isaac (BHEC, MAAC) is Anishinaabe-ikwe from Sagkeeng First Nation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human Ecology and a Masters degree in applied communications. She has several years of experience in research & training with a focus on intergenerational, developmental, and organizational trauma as well as Indigenous issues in both a historical and current context. She is passionate about promoting a wide-spread understanding of trauma-informed and trauma-responsive services as a best practice approach across multiple sectors. Dawn is also committed to advancing Indigenous knowledge(s), resilience, healing practices, and creating safe spaces, as well as fostering reconciliatory relationship building. Dawn spent more than a decade working as part of an intergenerational team (grandmother-mother-granddaughter) facilitating workshops and healing sessions on intergenerational trauma and resilience. Through this transfer of knowledge, she has been part of an interdisciplinary team developing a Reconciled Healing Model as an overarching clinical framework for organizations in the healing and helping profession. Dawn has also worked closely with Dr. Sandra Bloom, to pilot Creating Presence; a new and innovative clinical approach to transform organizations and foster trauma-resilient practices.

Sonya Warga (MMFT) is the Clinical Director at Marymound, where she has worked since 2016. She obtained her Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy from U of W and had planned to grow a private practice, but after joining Marymound, she discovered a passion for working with youth. Sonya is responsible for supporting the programs and clinicians who work at Marymound by troubleshooting, problem-solving, advocating, and planning the clinical framework of the organization. She believes that every interaction with youth should be therapeutic, whether it is through one-to-one meetings or maintaining a therapeutic environment in group homes. Sonya’s work is focused on creating a continuity of approach to generate solidity in the organization.

This series provides a neurodevelopmentally-informed perspective on human development, focusing on the human stress response system and the impact of childhood adversity. Rather than framing these experiences solely in terms of trauma, we will emphasize how adversity and attachment dysregulation shape behaviour and emotional responses. The goal is to help professionals in social and human services create relationally safe environments that support emotional regulation and well-being.
Participants will explore key concepts of brain development, the effects of childhood adversity, and attachment disruptions. Participants will gain an understanding of the importance of safety and emotional regulation, particularly for individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), mental health challenges, or co-occurring disorders.
Objectives of this series include:

Understanding the neurological, physiological, and emotional impacts of childhood adversity.
Learning strategies to foster emotional regulation in individuals.
Identifying strengths and vulnerabilities in clients and adopting a strengths-based approach.
Creating relationally safe spaces that promote co-regulated, supportive relationships.

By the end of the series, participants will be equipped with an in-depth understanding of how to reduce stress, enhance emotional regulation, and foster supportive, safe environments for clients or individuals in their care. This training will help professionals create environments where individuals, especially those with histories of adversity, feel safe, understood, and capable of building resilience in the face of stress and emotional challenges.

This NMT Lunch and Learn is a 6 part series, the dates it will be hosted are listed below!

January 15th 2026
February 19th 2026
March 5th 2026
April 16th 2026
May 14th 2026
June 11th 2026

Elmwood Lunch and Learn
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:00 | online
Elmwood community and resource center will be presenting about who they are to the community!
Topics Include:

Employment and Literacy supports
Upcoming elmwood initiatives; HIPPY and SMART
New Elmwood programming regarding counselling, friend and family support, and substance user supports
Ongoing programming focused on strengthening attachment and fostering healthy relationships.

APIN Conference 2026
2026-05-07 08:30 - 15:30 | Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3P 2L7, Canada
Get ready for APIN Conference 2026, the ultimate in-person meetup for APIN enthusiasts!

Welcome to the APIN Conference 2026!
Including a light breakfast and lunch, the 2026 APIN conference will include a guest speaker, engaging conversation, and the opportunity to network with individuals in your field of work.
Guest speaker David Robertson will be speaking on the following topics:

Representation Matters
Writing social Activism
Living with Anxiety: Representation and Normalization of Mental Health Through Story
Freedom to Read and Book Banning
The Journey of The Misewa Saga

He shares deeply personal insights drawn from his own life to connect authentically with his audience. With this platform, he educates and inspires people on crucial topics like Indigenous rights and mental health awareness.
Registration:
FEE: Early Bird $60, Normal $85
Early Bird Deadline: March 27th ,2026
Registration Deadline: April 20th 2026
Registration includes light breakfast and lunch. Vegan, Vegetarian or gluten free meals available upon request.
If cost is a barrier to attend please contact Apin@apin.org for opportunities at a reduced rate.
Sign up using our Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/1983829973855?aff=oddtdtcreator

Special Guest Speaker: David A. Robertson
David Robertson stands as one of Canada’s most influential voices in literature and public discourse. A member of Norway House Cree Nation, he is a celebrated author, graphic novelist, and podcaster. His work offers profound insights into critical topics like Indigenous themes, mental health, and freedom of expression. At the heart of David Robertson’s work lies a deep commitment to sharing Indigenous stories and perspectives
