PROGRAMMING
May 1 and 2, 2026
We respectfully acknowledge that this conference is being held on the unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, custodians of this territory since time immemorial. In a spirit of truth and reconciliation, we also honour the territories of the many First Nations where the Francophone educators of British Columbia live and work. We reaffirm our commitment to contributing, through education, to respectful, inclusive, and forward-looking relationships with the Indigenous peoples of the province.
Friday, May 1
6:30 p.m.
Participants’ Welcome
7 to 10 p.m.
Gala Evening
Saturday, May 2
7:30 to 8 a.m.
Participant Registration and Breakfast
8 to 9:30 a.m.
From Starting Point to a Solid Foundation
8 to 9:30 a.m.
Welcome
Land Acknowledgement
Joannie Dubuc,
Acting Executive Director | FPFCB
General Director | le Phare C.-B.
Traditional Welcome from Tsleil-Waututh (səlilwətaɬ) Nation Elder Sam George Jr.
Sam George Jr. is the first great-Grandson of Chief Dan and Amy George;
the first grandson of Les and Rose Thomas and
the first son of Sam Sr. and the late Wanda.
Sam has been married to Leah for 28 years now and they share 5 adult children and 2 handsome grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter, Rosalina.
He has been doing traditional work for over 3 decades now and has adopted the Plains Cree traditions as well, to be able to continue to do ceremonies with his half-Cree children.
Sam has been serving as the Elder on the executive board of CUPE BC for the last seven years
He is the Elder-in-residence at BCIT, the Native Education College and the Britannia Community Centre/Commercial drive area.
Sam is also the sitting president of School District 93’s Indigenous Education Council.
During his « spare time », Sam is an archeology and environmental monitor for his nation, Tsleil-Waututh.
A Parent’s Testimony
Nicolas Cote and Qwayacnit Hakuum
When welcoming becomes a concrete gesture of reconciliation and trust: an inspiring story about sharing cultural knowledge and building lasting bonds.
Garderie Les étoiles de mer
National Message on Collective Strength
Guest Speaker : Richard Vaillancourt, Strategic Programming Director | CNPF
A national perspective on the collective strength of professionals in minority settings. What if your daily work was the lifeblood of the Francophone community across the country? A time to recognize the collective impact of your commitment.
Richard, father of two young adults aged 27 and 25, lives in Sherwood Park, a suburb of Edmonton, Alberta. A teacher by training, he moved to Alberta in 1995, where he discovered a passion for the Francophone community. He has over 30 years of experience in the areas of early childhood, parents’ advocacy, education, and community development in Alberta and across Canada’s Francophone community. He has been the director of programs at the CNPF since 2006.
9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Building Connections for an Inclusive and Caring Community
Sandra Hassan Farrah and Ratiba Sebhi
Who is this training for?
- Educators in early childhood centres (ages 0-5) and school child care centres, as well as centre managers.
This training invites participants to explore the connections between their personal motivation to contribute to the Francophone community, their professional approach, and their role as a cultural mediator for children. It explores possibilities for children’s identity development by emphasizing relationships rooted in respect, inclusion, and the recognition of diverse identities. By cultivating an openness to the various Francophone communities, the training helps strengthen meaningful educational environments united by a rich and vibrant French language.
Objectives:
- To know and understand one’s own cultural identity and how to contribute to the Francophone community.
- To connect one’s personal motivation, professional approach, and educational role.
- To value the diverse Francophone identities and promote their inclusion within the community.
- To encourage meaningful educational environments that are open to the diversity of Francophone communities.
Léonie Galarneau
Who is this training for?
- Educators in early childhood centres (ages 0-5) and school child care centres, as well as centre managers.
A relationship of trust between educators and parents is essential for children’s success. This workshop offers eight “ways of being” to build positive relationships with families and open opportunities for respectful and inclusive interactions. It also provides practical guidance for supporting parents through challenging situations.
Objectives:
- Understand the importance of positive interactions and trust with families.
- Build respectful and inclusive connections with parents.
- Emphasize sharing, listening, and acceptance in family discussions.
- Encourage parental involvement in their child’s development.
12 to 1 p.m.
Lunch Break
1 to 2:30 p.m.
Building Connections with Young Children for a Modern and Welcoming Francophone Community
Tess Vanderhaeghe
Who is this training for?
- Educators working in early childhood centres (ages 0-5), and centre managers.
This training encourages participants to build safe relationships with children and their families by exploring gender stereotypes and gender identities. It offers perspectives on an inclusive professional approach, encouraging respectful interactions and welcoming educational environments. Participants will discover concrete strategies and resources to support each child and strengthen a community that thrives on its diversity.
Objectives:
- Understand gender stereotypes, identities, and gender expression in children.
- Create inclusive interactions and environments.
- Emphasize the role of families in supporting children.
- Encourage togetherness and the recognition of each individual’s identity. Respond to situations of exclusion or bullying.
Ratiba Sebhi
Who is this training for?
- Educators in school child care centres.
This workshop aims to support staff in school-based child care centres in building relationships through strengthening their interpersonal skills, as well as exploring new perspectives forcreating safe and inclusive environments. Through practical exercises, discussions, and role-playing scenarios, participants will use tools to understand and improve the effectiveness of their interactions with children.
Objectives:
- Understand your relational approach and the influence of the environment on children’s behaviour.
- Create a safe and inclusive environment.
- Emphasize the staff’s role in the children’s overall development.
- Encourage strong and caring relationships with the children.
Building Connections Using First Peoples Principles of Learning
Geneviève Issalys
Who is this training for?
- Educators working in early childhood centres (ages 0-5), school child care centres, and centre managers.
Come experience the Talking Circle, where we take the time to listen and collaboratively develop ideas that strengthen the meaning of our work. This space of humanity, joy, and care, inherited from First Nations traditions, nourishes our creative energy and allows us to grow through contact with others. At the heart of the circle, we will pose a question to explore together about differences and diversity in our educational settings.
Objectives:
- Experience the Talking Circle and discover how it works (and its magic!).
- Connect with others working in Francophone educational settings in a new way.
- Enrich our educational and welcoming practices to make living together easier.
2:45 to 4:15 p.m.
Building Connections Using First Peoples Principles of Learning
Geneviève Issalys
Who is this training for?
- Educators working in early childhood centres (ages 0-5), school child care centres, and centre managers.
Come experience the Talking Circle, where we take the time to listen and collaboratively develop ideas that strengthen the meaning of our work. This space of humanity, joy, and care, inherited from First Nations traditions, nourishes our creative energy and allows us to grow through contact with others. At the heart of the circle, we will pose a question to explore together about differences and diversity in our educational settings.
Objectives:
- Experience the Talking Circle and discover how it works (and its magic!).
- Connect with others working in Francophone educational settings in a new way.
- Enrich our educational and welcoming practices to make living together easier.
Building Constructive Connections Between Professionals for a Healthy and Harmonious Work Environment
Blanche Monabeka
Who is this training for?
- Educators in preschool centres (ages 0-5) and in school child care centres.
This training explores how to create a supportive and inclusive team environment within educational settings. Participants will discover practical tools for welcoming colleagues, encouraging a sense of belonging, and resolving conflicts. Through examples and role-playing exercises, they will learn to recognize the invisible obstacles that can hinder communication and collaboration.
Objectives:
- Build a team environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
- Quickly recognize the signs that could hinder collaboration.
- Adopt language and an approach that strengthen supportive interactions on a daily basis.
Building Connections with Young Children for a Modern and Welcoming Francophone Community
Tess Vanderhaeghe
Who is this training for?
- Educators working in school child care centres, and centre managers.
This training encourages participants to build safe relationships with children and their families by exploring gender stereotypes and gender identities. It offers perspectives on an inclusive professional approach, encouraging respectful interactions and welcoming educational environments. Participants will discover concrete strategies and resources to support each child and strengthen the educational community.
Objectives:
- Emphasize the role of families in supporting children.
- Know and understand gender stereotypes and identities.
- Create inclusive interactions and environments.
- Respond to situations of exclusion or bullying.
1 to 4:15 p.m.
Building Connections Within Teams for a Healthy and Harmonious Work Environment
Sandra Hassan Farrah
Who is this training for?
- Centre managers, team leaders.
This training helps managers build strong connections within their educational teams and explore perspectives on caring leadership. It emphasizes communication, constructive conflict management, and skills development, reinforcing an inclusive professional approach that supports team spirit, well-being, and involvement for all.
Objectives:
- Encourage caring leadership and collective involvement.
- Understand team dynamics and the principles of effective communication.
- Build strong and inclusive relationships among team members.
- Emphasize talent, team spirit, and collaboration.
4:30 to 5 p.m
Conclusion
The last moments… smiles, memories, and great ideas… before parting ways!
I’m registering for the conference!
Registration Process
Before registering for the sessions of your choice, please carefully read about the process to follow by clicking on the “Learn More” button.
Reimbursement
Conference participation expenses are reimbursed by the FCCRR (except for the $50 registration fee). Find out more now by clicking the “More Details” button!
Registration Deadline
You have until April 5, 2026, to register. Don’t delay, to be sure your first choices are still available!
The Horizon 2026 conference will take place at the Executive Hotel Richmond Airport, located at 7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6X 3K3.
For any questions, please contact our team by email or phone at ccrr.franco@fpfcb.bc.ca or 604-736-5056 (option 3)
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Contact us!
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Address
1565 W 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6H 1S1
Email and Phone
ccrr.franco@fpfcb.bc.ca
604-736-5056 (option 3)
CCRR office
Ministry of Education and Child Care
ChildCareBC Contact Centre
Telephone
1-888-338-6622
(option 4)