Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
What is the International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference?
The International Indigenous Voices in Social Work Conference (IIVSW) is a global gathering that brings together Indigenous social work practitioners, scholars, and community leaders to share knowledge, strengthen connections, and explore Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and connecting within the field of social work.
When and where will the 7th IIVSW Conference take place?
The 7th IIVSW Conference will take place on the main campus of the University of Calgary in the MacEwan Conference and Event Centre in MacEwan Hall. Learn more about the venue
Who can attend the conference?
The conference is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous social work practitioners, educators, students, researchers, community leaders, policymakers, and anyone interested in Indigenous approaches to social work. Learn more about who can attend
What is the theme of the 7th IIVSW Conference?
The theme for this year’s conference is "One Child Every Child: Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Doing, Connecting, and Being for Advancing the Well-Being of Our Future Generations" This year’s conference will also align with the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, ii’taa’poh’to’p, which is Blackfoot for “a place to rejuvenate and re-energize during a journey.” This gathering will seek to create connections and memories that lead to action and systemic changes that benefit Indigenous children, communities, and families.
When should I plan to arrive?
Because the program will start in the morning on August 12, we recommend that attendees arrive on August 11. The conference will wrap-up around noon on August 15.
When will the full program be available?
The full program, with details on parallel sessions, workshops, and excursions will be available online no later than August 1.
What partnership and sponsorship opportunities are available?
Many opportunities are available. Learn more about partnership and sponsorship
Registration & Fees
How can I register for the conference?
Register by Saturday, May 31 to take advantage of early bird fees!
View early bird and all conference registration fees
Register here
What do my registration fees include?
Registered attendees will receive both breakfast and lunch on August 12, 13, 14 – as well as breakfast on the morning of August 15. As part of your registration fee, attendees will also be invited to participate in excursions to Treaty 7 First Nations communities and/or local social work organizations on August 14.
There will be an additional, optional fee of $75 for anyone who is interested in attending the gala on the evening of Thursday, August 14. Attendees can purchase up to 2 tickets (for themselves and a guest). If you would like to purchase more than 2 tickets for the gala, please email admin@iivsw.com at your earliest convenience and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
View early bird and all conference registration fees
Register here
Registration fees do not include on-site parking or hotel accommodation.
Is financial assistance available?
A limited number of scholarships or financial aid opportunities may be available for students and community members. Please stay tuned for details and application deadlines. Please email admin@iivsw.com if you would like to apply for any financial aid that may become available.
Abstract Submissions
How can I submit a proposal to present at the conference?
All information is available on the Abstracts page. Abstract deadline: Tuesday, April 15 at 11:59 pm MT
Accommodations & Travel
What accommodations are available?
We have partnered with hotels in the conference area to offer discounted rates. Learn more about accommodation
Do I need a travel visa to attend?
International attendees should check visa requirements for travel to Canada. A letter of invitation can be provided upon request. Please allow up to three weeks for us to prepare your visa invitation letter. While we are happy to provide registered attendees with an invitation letter, please note that we cannot advise you on the exact documents (visa, letters, etc.) that will be required for your travel to Canada.
Accessibility & Inclusion
Will the conference be accessible?
Yes, we are committed to ensuring accessibility for all attendees, including wheelchair access and other accommodations as needed. Upon registering for the conference, we will ask each attendee about any accommodations they may need to make their conference experience more joyful. We will also ask you about dietary restrictions at that time.
Will there be virtual participation options?
Because our conference brings people together for dialogue, experiential learning, and shared wisdoms, there will not be any hybrid options available.
What is the weather usually like in August?
It’s usually warm and sunny in Calgary in August (nighttime lows around 9 degrees Celsius, daily average temperatures of 21 degrees Celsius). Usually, there is not much precipitation or rainfall during that time, but a light raincoat is recommended as we do sometimes have summer nighttime rain showers.
Contact Us
How can I contact the organizers?
Please email admin@iivsw.com
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