At the 23rd annual NAIITS Symposium, we invite you to join us to explore the theme of Being a Good Ancestor. This gathering will delve into the responsibilities we hold as ancestors to future generations, reflecting on how our choices today shape the world of tomorrow. Â Join us from June 4-6, 2026 at Acadia Divinity College on the campus of Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
We seek proposals for papers and presentations that engage with a broad spectrum of topics related to our theme, including but not limited to:
- Perspectives on the Seven Generation Principle and its application in contemporary contexts
- The role of cultural traditions, stories, and teachings in guiding decisions that affect future generations
- How our traditions, both Indigenous and Christian, articulate the ongoing presence of our ancestors among us and contribute to our work in community
- The impact of our relationship within the community of creation on the well-being of our future ancestors
- The influence of ancestral wisdom in community leadership, governance, and social structures
- Explorations of how language preservation and revitalization efforts serve as a legacy for those yet to come
- Case studies of community initiatives that exemplify forward-thinking and intergenerational responsibility
We encourage presentations grounded in lived experiences, narratives, and research that highlight the importance of both remembering our ancestors and being mindful ancestors ourselves. Proposals are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds, including academics, practitioners, community leaders, Elders, and students, as we collectively recognize and celebrate the enduring legacy we create for our ancestors.
For the 2026 symposium, we invite people who desire to present a paper, panel or presentation on one of the themes identified above to submit an abstract and proposal for consideration. In the abstract, please outline the intention of the paper as well as the method(s) of research and presentation. Please also submit a bio and photo (or bios in the case of a panel) of the presenter(s) for use in promotion of the symposium.
Proposals using any of a broad range of research and presentation methodologies will be considered. Submissions should address one or more of the topic areas as noted above.
Presentations should strive to demonstrate how traditional Indigenous understandings, cultural perspectives, and historic practices, in conversation with biblical Christianity, might strengthen the impact of Indigenous epistemologies in the context of global realities.
Submission Guidelines
Submissions are received through the online portal only, and must include a brief personal bio, a photo and both an abstract and proposal for the presentation of not more than 300 words in total. A proposed title will also be required. The proposal must include a clear statement of your ideas and, if a scholarly presentation, enough of a context to show that you are aware of the basic issues and literature of the field.
- a) Papers and/or panels*
- Papers should be both theoretically solid and simultaneously practical. Submissions will be evaluated considering their potential to contribute to the Symposium. To encourage dialogue, we welcome submissions from various perspectives, from Indigenous presenters as well as those from supportive non-Indigenous presenters. Scholarly papers must adhere to the latest Chicago Turabian formatting style; in Times Roman 12 pt. font; and have complete footnotes and Works Cited. Please refer to the NAIITS Journal Style Guide for more information. Papers may be distributed to selected respondents at the sole discretion of NAIITS. Presented papers will be published in the NAIITS Journal after a circle peer-review process.
- b) Practitioners
- If the proposal is for a more practitioner focused presentation – something very much welcomed – then the proposal should describe the individual’s community of practice, the length of time the person has been in that community of practice, the connection the practitioner is making to the topic under consideration and how the presentation is intended to be given.
- c) Presence
- The Symposium is the annual in-person gathering of the NAIITS learning community. It is anticipated that, as with all societies and learning communities such as NAIITS, presenters will attend the full symposium, at their own expense, to contribute most fully to the conversation. Exceptions may be made with approval from the NAIITS Director.
Regardless of whether the intent is paper, panel, or practitioner, the proposal is the document on which submissions will be evaluated and selected. It is to be understood that abstracts, bios, and photos provided for submissions selected for presentation will be used in advertisements and other symposium materials. Selected papers will be allotted 25 minutes for presentation to ensure time for questions and responses. The presenter may, at NAIITS’ discretion, be asked to record the session for use in virtual formats.
The deadline for submission of proposals for papers is midnight local time January 16, 2026. Please submit electronically here. Any audio-visual requirements, including PowerPoint must be submitted no later than April 17, 2026, so as to be included in the symposium.
*PLEASE NOTE: Panels will only be accepted if the panellists also submit a paper – either jointly or individually – for publication in the annual NAIITS journal. A simple PowerPoint presentation will not be accepted.*
NAIITS
- Is a member of Indigenous Pathways (IP), a non-sectarian, non-profit charity devoted to ministry with and within the Indigenous context.
- Is the educational member of the IP family dedicated to encouraging the development and articulation of Indigenous perspectives on theology and practice rooted in life as followers of the Jesus Way.
- Addresses scriptural, theological, ethical, and social engagement issues from Indigenous perspectives.
- Facilitates the creation of a written theological foundation for a) the visioning of new paradigms of ministry with and by Indigenous peoples; and, b) the contextualization of faith in Indigenous contexts.
- Facilitates the development and implementation of Indigenous learning styles and “world views” in written work and publications.
- Facilitates the development of theological partnerships with other cultural communities of following the Jesus Way of faith to explore intercultural expressions of that faith.
- Is committed to genuine dialogue with the historical traditions of following Jesus and values the written and living resources encompassed in these traditions.
Artist: Michelle Stoney
Michelle Stoney’s heritage is Gitxsan and Cree. She is from Gitanmaax in Hazelton, BC. Her grandfather is the late Victor Mowatt. He was a hereditary Chief and a master artist who taught Gitxsan art and culture at the high school in Hazelton. And her great uncle is the late renowned artist Earl Muldon. She was raised around art and artists, including Walter Harris, Phil Janze, and Arlene Ness. Michelle completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2012 and graduated from the Northwest Coast Jewellery Arts program at the NEC in 2018.
The artwork is by Gitxsan/Cree artist Michelle Stoney from northern British Columbia. Michelle employs traditional formline art characterized by continuous, flowing lines that ebb and flow to create complex, rhythmic designs and characters. In this design, Michelle integrates the Cedar of the Northwest, often referred to as the tree of life; the eagle feather, which connotes connection with Creator and the sacred teachings given; the smoke rising as incense and offerings of the prayers of people; and Ancestor’s face found in Chilkat weavings. In the northwest tradition, the Chilkat weavings are worn on robes which some describe as the ‘veil between worlds’ and serve as a reminder that our ancestors are always watching out and seeking to protect us.