2026 GSS Conference: a Win

According to staff feedback, the recent GST Training Conference was a big success! Seventy staff attended the conference and almost half completed the survey giving the conference a high overall satisfaction rating of 4.7/5.0.  

Respondents used a 5-point rating scale (5 Very Satisfied to 1-Very Dissatisfied) to rate the sessions and conference organization. Satisfaction with the four sessions averaged 4.6 satisfaction and ratings were even higher at 4.8 for topic relevance, and venue and overall organization.  The in-person conference was held at the Edmonton Inn and feedback shows the setting and catering were a hit.

 Conference Highlights:

• Dr. Miriam Sekandi opened the day with Growing a Forest of Understanding Across Cultures and Generations. Staff enjoyed Dr. Sekandi’s past, virtual sessions on culture and inclusion, so this was a welcome opportunity to interact with her in person.  In the session, participants created a personal ‘Tree of Life’ image then collaborating in their teams to create a program-based ‘Tree of Life’. The program creations will circulate through GSS sites for all staff to explore and enjoy.

• The second session focused ‘recovery capital’ in the context of GSS services. Representatives from the Recovery Treatment Team, Holyrood, and MSD programs drew on their experience to present the key concepts of recovery then answer questions on how they support client recovery paths.

• After lunch, Tara Sobey, Senior Manager, Balwin and the Health Services Team, presented on neurodivergence in the workplace. Tara has supported her team in learning about and applying neuro divergent concepts so could share strategies to help other staff consider and apply the concepts in their GSS settings.

• Staff shifted to a relaxed large circle for the final session led by Trudy Corless, Rainbow Healing Lodge, and Chantelle Gray, Maskwa Medicine. Trudy and Chantelle used humor and warmth to share Indigenous teachings about community then emphasized the power of connection through a simple but dramatic activity where connected attendees could literally create ‘light’.

 Thank you to everyone who made this year’s conference such a success: the staff who attended and made this a rich and lively event, staff who took the time to share their knowledge and skills in the sessions, and the staff who planned and organized the conference!