50th ABS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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2:00pm EDT

Two-Eyed Seeing in Education: Reflections on Indigenous Wisdom and Holistic Practice at Roger White Academy

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This joint presentation explores Two-Eyed Seeing as a framework for learning through dialogue between Indigenous wisdom in education and the experience of Roger White Academy as a Bahá’í-inspired holistic school. Drawing on Indigenous traditional knowledge and spiritual principles of intergenerational responsibility, harmony, and relationality, alongside Bahá’í-inspired approaches to moral and spiritual education, the session examines areas of convergence and complementarity. Particular attention is given to how the JY Spiritual Empowerment Program, in partnership with Indigenous communities, might assist in strengthening cultural identity, agency, and collective wellbeing as defined by those communities.

Speakers

Farzaneh Peterson

Farzaneh Peterson is an architect and educator with an MA. She worked with Arc Design International for Mr. Hossein Amanat and served three years at the Bahá’í World Centre site office in Haifa. Owner and director of Roger White Academy, a Bahá’í-inspired holistic school... Read More →

Michael Orona

Dr. Michael Orona has served in senior-level U.S. foreign policy positions, including the White House Director for Africa Affairs and Senior Advisor for International Indigenous Issues, co-leading the White House Committee on International Indigenous Rights. He holds a JD and MS... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
202

Indigenous studies, Breakout

3:30pm EDT

The Role of Indigenous Peoples in the Growth of Northern Canadian Bahá’í Communities

LIMITED

Saturday August 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:45pm EDT

202

Limited Capacity seats available

Drawing on unpublished memoirs and oral interviews, this presentation will relate how the growth of the Faith in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut from 1960-2000 was fostered by Indigenous believers who found parallels between their traditional spirituality and the Bahá’í teachings, and recognized in them the means to transcending differences and working towards a just and equitable society. Early pioneers collaborated with First Nations and Inuit to establish Northern institutions with the goal of advancing spiritual and material progress. A panel of Northern Bahá’ís will share how community-building efforts are renewing the role of Indigenous believers in the North.

Speakers

Leslie Cole

Leslie Cole became a Bahá’í in the Yukon in 1981 and lived and worked in the North for eight years. Her M.A. was on cultural change on Baffin Island from the 1950s-1980s. Leslie’s book Under One Tent: A History of Bahá’ís in Northern Canada will be published in Spring 2026... Read More →

Cheryl Fennell

Owner, Indigenous Fashion Design & Art & Indigenous Consulting, SNOWFLY

Cheryl Fennell is of Metis background and was born in Yellowknife. She has traveled all over the circumpolar world and has lived in Cambridge Bay, Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife, where she now resides. Cheryl is a sealskin artist who integrates traditional designs with contemporary... Read More →

Pat Parks

Patricia Parks is a retired school teacher who has lived in Pond Inlet for 48 years, loving and nurturing a spiritual family and vibrant community and curating the translation of the Bahá’í Holy Word into Inuktitut. She is currently developing a digital library for sharing this... Read More →

Maggie Crump

Maggie Crump was born in Whitehorse and has spent most of her career working in Indigenous governance, treaty implementation, and intergovernmental relations in Inuvik, Ottawa and Whitehorse. Maggie has lived in a number of cities across Canada, as well as in Denmark, Ghana, and Norway... Read More →

Saturday August 8, 2026 3:30pm - 4:45pm EDT
202