Central Family Forum Program
Below is the program for the 2025 Central Family Forum.
Please note that sessions and timing are subject to change.
Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28
Friday evening
Check in and get settled, and join us for dinner and the cornerstone event of every family forum: the Reflections Ceremony. Check in is from 3-5pm, with dinner and the Reflections Ceremony taking place between 5:45-8:30 pm.
One of the most moving and impactful features of a Threads of Life Family Forum is our Reflections Ceremony. It is here that we collectively honour our loved ones, injured family members and those living with occupational disease. We take time out of our busy lives to reflect on past and present, so families can move further into their futures.
Saturday morning sessions
Each participant chooses one of the following sessions to be held on Saturday morning between 9:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Facilitator: Thomas Marsh, Family Support Coordinator
In this session, you’ll understand how we wear various masks to get through our daily lives and what we can do to safely take off those masks to deal with our journey. Whether your situation involves the loss of life, a traumatic injury or occupational disease, you will benefit from the insights gained in this session. You’ll have a short period of time to share with the other participants a piece of your family story and what brought you here. This session will help you develop a connection to other family members attending the family forum and give you a more meaningful experience.
Please note: this workshop is highly recommended for family members attending their first family forum. Members of one family are encouraged to attend different sessions so that each is able to share their own story. The session will be limited to a maximum of 14 participants.
Facilitator: Dr. Evgenia “Jane” Milman, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Licensed Psychologist
People try to live lives that make sense and matter to them. The death of a loved one or other dramatic life changes can make us question who we are, our world, our future, and our life-stories. We are then left struggling to find ways of living meaningfully. This workshop will describe the challenges we face as we attempt to live in a world that has been shaken by loss. The presentation will include practical approaches to working through these challenges.
Facilitator: Eunice Gorman, Associate Professor, Dept. Chair
The adage says “suffering builds character”. Indeed, making our way through tragedies and losses does help us to believe that if we have survived the worst thing that could happen, we can survive anything. Resilience is built by just that…getting through awful things. But resilience isn’t always as simple as that, and this talk will look more closely at what resilience is and how we can find it within ourselves.
Facilitator: Yvonne Heath, Author, Speaker, Changemaker
When we don’t know what to do and we don’t know what to say we often avoid—afraid to do or say the wrong thing. What does this lead to? Silos of silence, suffering and isolation. Can we do better? Absolutely! We can learn how to navigate life, grief and everything in between—No. Matter. What! How? Let’s Talk!
Saturday afternoon sessions
Each participant chooses one of the following sessions to be held on Saturday afternoon between 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Evgenia “Jane” Milman, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Licensed Psychologist
The death of someone important in our lives does not end our relationship with that person. This presentation describes ways of understanding and honouring our connection to the person who died, which can range from sensing their presence to actively dialoguing with them. Sometimes there may be unfinished business that we need to address, including conflicts, wishes, questions, or secrets that linger for us after the person has died. This presentation will include practical approaches to engaging helpfully in our connection with the person who died. It will also incorporate group discussions where participants can learn from each other and share stories, facilitated by a licensed psychologist.
Facilitator: Heidi Torreiter, Horticultural Therapist and Sue Morling
There is so much symbolism, meaning, and connection to be found in the world of birds! Studies are finding that simply watching and listening to birds can have powerful effects on our brains, bodies, and nervous systems. We will explore historical, cultural, and spiritual symbolism, and experience creative and practical ways to incorporate these creatures and their gifts into our lives for wellness.
Facilitator: Eunice Gorman, Associate Professor, Dept. Chair
Beliefs about grief and loss are shaped by many things within us, and within our families, communities, religions, and cultures. No two people grieve the same, and this can lead to misunderstandings. This talk will look at how culture has an impact on what is seen as acceptable and perhaps even desirable in the ways we cope with loss.
Facilitator: Aly Bird, Grief Therapist
Life after traumatic loss brings challenges that can feel disorienting and isolating. This session offers practical strategies for managing grief, adjusting to new realities, and moving forward with intention. Through discussion and reflection, you’ll explore ways to navigate relationships, identity shifts, and daily life while honoring your experience and the person who died. Rather than focusing on “moving on,” this session acknowledges the ongoing impact of loss and explores ways to live with it.
Sunday morning sessions
Each participant chooses one of the following sessions to be held on Sunday morning between 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Facilitator: Johanna LeRoux, Volunteer Presenter, Family Member
Finding meaning in loss can simply be “that one little thing” each day to help us through when our hearts are shattered. Love and pain coexists in our hearts when we are grieving. Gratitude can be a powerful tool to help healing and find a connection to hope again.
Facilitator: Morgan Story, Yoga Instructor and Reiki Practitioner
During this workshop, we will be working through a gentle yoga flow with restorative poses to help calm your mind and smooth the body. As well as receive Reiki healing and sound healing during the yoga practice. You will also be learning techniques to help bring balance into the emotional body.
Facilitator: Suzi Dwor, Arts Educator – Facilitator
Neurographic Art is the science of creativity and neurological health and has been scientifically validated and proven. It is one of the most widely used psychological techniques in art therapy today. Neurographic art, a mindful line drawing art practice can be combined with watercolors for a relaxing and intuitive creative experience, allowing for exploration of emotions and thoughts through freeform lines and color. Collage may also be incorporated into your art-making process. This process is Fun, Joyful and allows you to Play with paint and pen on watercolour paper and is a powerful relaxing tonic for your brain.