Madeleine Dion Stout brings her insight on indigenous communities to DAC

Growth as a professional in Canada is increasingly dependent on collaborative planning with a culture unfamiliar to you, including new Canadians and established communities, many of whom often face unusual challenges. At this year's Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC)  Nov. 11-14, award-winning Cree speaker Madeleine Dion Stout will speak on "Miskwē˝ihtamowin: Planning for excellence with indigenous communities.î

Raised on the Kehewin First Nation and a nurse by training, Dion Stout has been recognized for her outstanding contribution to health reform, health education and the development of public policy toward an improved health-care system for all Canadians, with a particular focus on First Nations, Inuit and Métis. She has received the Assiniwikamik Award from the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Lethbridge and Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of British Columbia and the University of Ottawa. In March 2010 she received the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the health category. "Wellnessî personally and culturally is the issue for Dion Stout.

Dion Stout will address DAC attendees on Nov. 13, Day 2 of the annual conference, held this year in Naples, Florida. (To review the agenda, click here). The theme of this year's DAC is "Navigation: Charting a new courseî and Dion Stout joins a lineup of knowledgeable and respected speakers ó including Patricia Croft, Gordon Pape, Diana Juricevic and Richard Croft ó who tackle the topic of planning in today's uncertain environment.

"This is particularly important in Canada as the indigenous community faces unique opportunities and challenges,î says Evelyn Jacks, DAC founder and president of Knowledge Bureau. "A better understanding of the contributions these communities can make in planning for health promotion and wealth creation adds value when working with this client group.î

To take advantage of early bird prices, register before June 30 for DAC.