Pjila’si! Bienvenue!
Relational Wellness:
Prioritizing connections that matter in Sustaining Rural, Island, and
Northern Communities
June 16-23, 2026 | Western Newfoundland
Join us for a unique, week-long event that brings together local communities and visitors across Western Newfoundland. From Port Aux Basques to the Great Northern Peninsula, explore rural life through art, science, Indigenous knowledge, and shared stories.
More information including registration coming soon!
Key Themes:
- Relational Wellness: How art, creativity, and community connect with healthy aging, nature, and each other.
- Environmental Stewardship: Discussions on food security, climate change, water, and Indigenous research.
- Hands-On Fun: Build a puppet and join the Parade of Grand Ideas!
Event Highlights:
- Presentations, panels, and workshops hosted by the North Atlantic Forum (NAF), Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF), and Grenfell Campus.
- Field trips to explore Corner Brook, Elmastukwek, and Bay of Islands.
- Community Gatherings in Norris Point (June 18-20) and Flat Bay (June 20-23), with participation in National Indigenous Peoples Day events.
The event is organized by the North Atlantic Forum (NAF), Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF), Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC), and Memorial University (including Grenfell Campus, ARC-NL, and Water Lab). Local partners include communities and organizations such as the Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation (Norris Point), Benoit’s Cove First Nation (Elmastukwek / Bay of Islands), and Abadak and SOONL (Nujioqo’nik / Bay St. George).
This collaboration aims to foster knowledge-sharing on rural development and community engagement at both national and international levels.
Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and contribute to vibrant rural communities!