Home · Gathering 2027
Help shapeStory WarriorsGathering 2027.
This consultation portal is for interested educators, Indigenous education leaders and school decision-makers. Together, we are shaping a powerful gathering for upper-elementary and middle-school Indigenous students—featuring David A. Robertson.
Two days, two audiences. One connected experience.
Feb 5–6Friday & Saturday · 2027
- Likely venue
- Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond, BC · Subject to final confirmation
- Friday: Student Day
- Lower Mainland. Upper-elementary and middle-school students attend in person; live Zoom access is also available
- Saturday, February 6
- Educator Conference Day. Out-of-town students are welcome to attend
- Who it is for
- Interested educators and upper-elementary & middle-school students
Young people should see themselves reflected in the people creating today’s stories, art and music.
Story Warriors Gathering creates space for Indigenous students to meet Indigenous creators, discover new forms of expression and make something of their own. It also gives teachers culturally grounded ideas they can continue using long after the gathering.
One gathering, connected across Canada.
Story Warriors Gathering 2027 brings young people, educators and Indigenous creators together in Richmond and online.
- Short opening address by David A. Robertson
- Three hands-on workshop periods
- A different Indigenous presenter in each workshop
- Creative experiences in writing, music and the arts
- In-person participation for upper-elementary and middle-school students from the Lower Mainland
- Interested educators attend as observers and supporters
- Also live on Zoom for participating schools across Canada
- For interested educators, education leaders and school decision-makers
- Major keynote by David A. Robertson
- Three educator workshop periods
- A different Indigenous presenter in each workshop
- Classroom ideas grounded in creativity and story
- Practical resources to carry forward
- Out-of-town students are welcome to attend
David A. Robertson.
Author and storyteller David A. Robertson is the keynote speaker for both days: he will open Student Day with a short address on Friday and deliver the major keynote for educators on Saturday.
Two audiences. Two distinct addresses. One shared belief in the power of Indigenous voices, creative expression and story.
Three workshops. Three new perspectives.
Participants choose three workshop experiences during the day, meeting a different presenter in each session.
Presenter profiles and individual workshop descriptions will be added as the program is finalized.
Hear it. Try it. Create it. Carry it forward.
- Meet a creatorSee what is possible through a real Indigenous creative life.
- Make somethingParticipate actively rather than simply listening from the audience.
- Keep the experienceUse a Story Warriors Journal across all three workshops and beyond.
Help shape the gathering before it opens.
This page has been prepared specifically for education leaders we hope to meet in Vancouver in late September. Before the gathering is promoted more widely, we want experienced educators to help us make it practical, accessible and responsive to the students and schools it is meant to serve.
We are inviting a small group of influential Indigenous educators, education leaders and school decision-makers to share their expertise before the event is promoted to teachers more widely.
- Goal oneGauge interest in the two-day gathering
- Goal twoBuild support for promoting it to schools
- Goal threeImprove how it serves students and teachers
Shape the gathering in 8–10 minutes. Share what your school and students need through our educator questionnaire.
Educator conversations in Vancouver
We are arranging individual and small-group conversations in late September. Help us test the concept, improve the educational experience and build a gathering schools will be eager to support. Or let us know if a Zoom session in October might interest you.
Creative vision. Professional coordination.
Organized through the Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing House, Story Warriors pairs Indigenous creative leadership and educator input with event coordination by Mahihkan.
- Organized through Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing HouseThe publishing house is part of the Tahltan First Nation in Telegraph Creek, British Columbia.
- Indigenous voices at the centreDavid A. Robertson and 12 Indigenous presenters anchor the gathering.
- Educator-informed designTeachers and Indigenous education leaders are being invited to shape access, content and classroom value.
- Event coordination by MahihkanAn Indigenous-led event-management company. Mahihkan blends Indigenous values and protocols with professionally organized engagements and events. Its coordination supports the venue, schedule, presenters, registration and participant experience.
Questions educators may have.
Why are you meeting with educators now?
Before opening the gathering to broader teacher interest, we want experienced educators to help us gauge demand, identify barriers, strengthen the student and teacher experiences, and determine the best way to invite schools to participate.
Who can attend on Friday?
Friday is an in-person Student Day for upper-elementary and middle-school Indigenous students from the Lower Mainland, supported by interested educators. Live Zoom participation will also be available to participating schools across Canada. Final group sizes, capacity and registration details will be informed by educator consultation.
What happens on Saturday, February 6?
Saturday is the Educator Conference Day. Out-of-town students are welcome to attend with the educators travelling with them.
Can teachers attend both days?
Teachers will observe and support students on Friday and can participate directly in the educator keynote and workshops on Saturday. Final registration arrangements will be announced with the full program.
How will workshops be selected?
Each participant will attend three workshops with three different presenters. The selection process and capacity for individual sessions will be finalized after consultation.
Is the venue confirmed?
The Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond is the likely venue, subject to final confirmation. Final venue information will be announced before public registration.
How can a district, Nation or organization help?
Education partners can advise on program design, help us understand school needs, recommend effective ways to promote the gathering, address access barriers, and identify opportunities to support student participation.
Stories are strongest when communities lead.
Story Warriors is an Indigenous-led initiative founded by the Tahltan Nation and is home to Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing House. Its work is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Tahltan language and culture, while connecting Elders and youth through respectful, community-based programs.