The 2018 Healthy Community Symposium took place from March 5-8, 2018. This year’s theme was 'Creating Communities for Everyone' and focused on creating communities that enhance the health and sense of belonging for all community members.
The 2018 Symposium were hosted in partnership by the Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund, Alberta Health Services and Communities ChooseWell, Alberta Recreation and Parks Association.

Keynote Presenter: Jim Diers
Community Organizer, Neighbor Power
Seattle, Washington
Date: Monday, March 5 and Wednesday, March 7, 2018
Jim Diers is driven by a passion to get people more involved in their communities and in the decisions that affect their lives. Over the past 40 years, he has served as a grass roots community organizer, community developer, and founding director of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. Jim now shares the lessons from that work in his courses at the University of Washington; in international consulting through the Asset-Based Community Development Institute; and in his book, Neighbor Power.
Session Description: Inclusive Community - Precription for Wellness
- Learn how community can combat loneliness, social injustice, climate change, crime, malnutrition, sedentary lifestyles and other challenges to our health.
- Understand keys to inclusive engagement; steps government, non-profits and other agencies must take to better partner with community.
- Discover the many under-utilized resources that can be mobilized to strengthen communities and their health.

Keynote Presenter: Tracey Vavrek
CEO, Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta, Community consultant, builder and volunteer
Northwestern Alberta
Date: Tuesday, March 6 and Thursday, March 8, 2018
Tracey Vavrek is the CEO of the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta. She has over 16 years’ experience in the not-for- profit sector. Her strong leadership skills and experience make her a known community consultant and community builder, providing support and guidance to any community organization in need. Tracey’s diverse background, ability to encourage all values and perspectives, and ability to collaborate and educate makes her a powerful force, especially for Grande Prairie.
Session Description: Exploring the Sense of Belonging
- Belonging is defined as being part of a collective “we”; it transforms lives and communities.
- Explore ways to increase the sense of belonging among citizens to create cohesion, build healthy and resilient communities for the future.
- Learn how the Vital Signs initiative provides an overview of the quality of life and brings the realism of belonging to communities. The 2017 Northwestern Alberta Vital Signs report can be found here.
Thanks for all that attended!
For those who didn't, don't worry! Many of the sessions were recorded and can be accessed below:
Panel: Creating Community Belonging Through Multi-sectoral Collaboration Date: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Community and Family Services Director, Municipality of Jasper Jasper, Alberta Assistant Director, Edmonton Native Healing Centre & Iskew Health Edmonton, Alberta Chris Ulmer Sylvan Lake, Alberta Early Learning Consultant, Northern Lights Public Schools; Chair of the Greater Lac La Biche Early Childhood Coalition, Chair of the Lac La Biche Active Kids and Physical Literacy and You, and President of the North Eastern Teachers Convention Association Lac La Biche, Alberta Community Showcase: Tools for Community Engagement Date: Tuesday, March 6, 2018 Content Manager, Tri Region Community Compass Spruce Grove, Alberta
Videographer, Tri Region Community Compass, Photographer, vlogger, filmmaker, and public speaker Spruce Grove, Alberta Panel: Creating Community Belonging Through Multisectoral Collaboration Date: Thursday March 8, 2018 Director of Indigenous Relations, Calgary Foundation Kainai Reserve, Alberta Lethbridge Public Library & Lisa Weekes, Lethbridge Public Library Lethbridge, Alberta Public Services Manager for Chinook Arch Regional Library System which consists of 33 member libraries across southwest Alberta Rural South Central Alberta Regional Inclusion Coalition Chestermere, Alberta Vivo for the Next Generation & Jessie Seymoure, Calgary, Alberta Community Showcase: Tools for Community Engagement Date: Thursday March 8 A Smorgasbord of Stories Vulcan, Alberta
vTV Vulcan, AlbertaKathleen Waxer
Michelle Nieviadomy
Chris Ulmer
Adrienne Sprecker
Natasha Rychlik
Jesse Martineau
Tim Fox
Barb Longair
Lisa Weekes
Sumon Mamun
Tracey Martin
Bev Knutson-Shaw
Colleen Carey