Hélène Tremblay-Boyko - AOA delegate for Sask. Keewatin-Le Pas

Greetings to all Development & Peace members in Saskatchewan-Keewatin-LePas! My name is Hélène Tremblay-Boyko and I am delighted to have been selected to represent you at our upcoming Orientation Assembly in Montreal. I have been involved with Development & Peace since I was a young girl, following my mother in her parish activities. As a new teacher, I found much to contribute to my classes at a Development & Peace gathering in Montreal in 1977-78. I was re-introduced to the organization some 15 years ago and have been active at the parish, deanery and diocesan levels. By far, the most moving experience was an exposure tour to El Salvador that I participated in along with my husband. Our visit with partners there was such an eye opener, particularly the farming community organizations. My work with Development & Peace has always been enriching and empowering, as I continually discover new things about myself and my ability to advocate for others. I look forward to meeting with many of you at our upcoming regional meeting in Saskatoon.

Saskatchewan-Keewatin-Le Pas

The Saskatchewan-Keewatin-Le Pas region met in sunny Saskatoon on Saturday, April 17 at Holy Spirit Parish. We gathered as a CORE group two weeks ahead of our Regional Assembly in order to allow a day to devote our full attention to the task at hand. We were happy to be joined by Isabelle Kim, assistant education director based in Toronto.

There were 25 people gathered for the day. Discussion was animated with many ideas coming out of reflections on the present situation of Development and Peace and its future orientation. There was a general affirmation of the ecological focus for the next 5 years as long as it is in the context of 'People First' and stays true to Catholic Social Teaching.

The use of technology in the form of the 'flip' camera allowed for a synthesis of the day in the form of a verbal, instead of written report. It created some focus for everyone as we strove to come up with some key outcomes from the day. We wish the other regions well as they enter into their discussions for the AOA and look forward to hearing what comes out of the various areas.

Saskatchewan-Keewatin-Le Pas

Saskatchewan & Keewatin-Le Pas AOA

Welcome to the Saskatchewan & Keewatin-Le Pas Alternative Orientation Assembly blog. This blog is a space for discussion among members in advance of the 2010 Orientation Assembly to be held June 19-20. Delegates to this Assembly will be able to insert messages any time from now until the event. You are welcome to comment on these messages and share your opinions.

Members will be meeting on April 17th in Saskatoon to discuss the 2011-2016 Strategic Plan for Development and Peace. Those unable to attend will have received documentation outlining the issues. Please do not hesitate to add your voice to this important discussion via this blog.

For further information on the April 17th gathering, please contact Armella Sonntag at the Saskatchewan-Keewatin-Le Pas Development and Peace office- 937-7675.

We look forward to hearing your voice at this critical time of decision-making for Development and Peace.

Michelle Dinter-Lipinski
SK National Council Member