Thursday, September 15 2022 12:00 - 1:00pm (MST) CSPG classroom, +15 level 2nd floor, Aquitaine Tower Calgary, AB T2P0M2 Register at: CSPG GeoWomen Page This is a FREE event - All genders welcome - No membership required.
ABSTRACT:
Before my journey began, I saw myself as a descendant of settlers who came to this continent from Europe for various reasons – some economic, some a matter of life and death. Just an observer.
A key learning was to research where my ancestors settled in Canada and which Nations they displaced. My grandparents settled on the Mississauga Tract, home to Nations of People who had been murdered, starved, intentionally exposed to smallpox, displaced, removed to residential schools, and sent to live with white families by the government of Canada.
I learned that I have directly benefitted from the government sponsored genocide where my grandparents settled; where my parents were born and grew up, where their children were born and grew up, and where our children’s children were (will be) born and will grow up.This journey personalized the extensive reach of state-sponsored genocide resulting in intergenerational trauma within Indigenous Nations in Canada and all colonized nations.
While I cannot go back in time and change the past – I can use my energy to make the present and future a better and more equitable place based on the Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action and guidance from Indigenous people. I can be a good ancestor.
I strongly encourage everyone here to begin your Truth and Reconciliation Journey. And rather than demanding change from leaders, become leaders yourselves, and promote participation from others.
It has been a transformative experience for me.
Jocelyn Keith-Asante
Jocelyn Keith-Asante holds a BSc in Geology from the University of Calgary and is a PMI certified Project Manager. She has spent 30 years working as a petroleum geologist in exploring for and developing both conventional and unconventional reservoirs, 10 years as a geological lab technologist and lab supervisor, taught jazz, ballet and fitness, loved, trained and showed Arabian horses, volunteered in Calgary public schools, drove special needs school children, is working to dismantle racism, served on the Anti-Racism Education Resources Committee, Diversity Calgary, volunteers with the UCC Refugee Sponsorship Committee, served on the Board of Directors of UCC, lobbied AHS to improve women’s health, served on the Canadian Gas Potential Committee, volunteered for the CSPG as SIFT Committee Member, then SIFT Chair, served as Registrar for the CSPG/SEPM Convention, and Co-Founded GeoWomen – a CSPG Committee.
Jocelyn loves to map. One of her favourite quotes is: “Beneath all the wealth of detail in a geological map lies an elegant, orderly simplicity.”~ Tuzo Wilson.
She is passionate about advocating for inclusive and diverse organizations. Diversity and inclusivity allow non-profit organizations to be more effective, and for-profit organizations to make more money.
Jocelyn is honoured to have received CSPG Tracks and Service Awards, YWCA Woman of Distinction Award Nomination for Community Service, the AWSN Recognition Award, the AWSN Minerva Mentoring Award, and Shell Innovation Challenge Top Ten Award for her entry: Use All the Data. She is the principal or co-author of eight oral and/or poster presentations and papers.
Some of Jocelyn’s recommended reading on Truth & Reconciliation:
Read Treaty 7 as a start – then read:
⦁ “The True Spirit and Original Intent of Treaty 7” – Treaty 7 Tribal Council, Walter Hildebrandt, Sarah Carter and Dorothy First Rider
⦁ “Rez Rules” by Chief Clarence Louie
⦁ “Our Betrayed Wards” – R.N. Wilson
⦁ “White Goose Flying Report” – City of Calgary
⦁ Indigenous Gathering Place of Calgary
Keep reading, learning, and asking questions. And when you are tired of speaking in euphemisms, start speaking in simple, truthful words.
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