Raffi Cavoukian, C.M, O.B.C., D.Litt., D.Mus.

http://www.raffinews.com/

RAFFI Cavoukian is the founder of Child Honoring, a children first paradigm for global restoration. He is a renaissance man known to millions simply as Raffi: a renowned Canadian troubadour, record producer, systems thinker, author, entrepreneur and ecology advocate.

President of Troubadour Music, Raffi was a pioneer in music for children and families: his CDs, tapes, videos, and DVDs have sold over 14 million copies in Canada and the US. A generation saw him in concert and grew up singing Raffi’s signature song Baby Beluga. “Beluga “grads” often tell him they’re now raising their own kids with his songs.

A recipient of the Order of Canada and the United Nations’ Earth Achievement Award, Raffi has recently been awarded two honorary degrees: Dr of Music, from the University of Victoria, and Dr of Letters, from the University of British Columbia.

Raffi's original philosophy, Child Honoring, is gaining support among eminent thinkers as a systemic remedy for addressing the major issues of our time. His Covenant for Honoring Children is widely circulated among child development, education, ecological economics and environmental health circles (available for download at Raffinews.com).

A “Raffi renaissance” is in full swing with a groundbreaking anthology Child Honoring: How To Turn This World Around (co-edited with Sharna Olfman, Praeger, 2006) featuring luminaries from a number of disciplines, and Resisto Dancing, a CD for beluga grads, policy makers, parents and grandparents with an infectious blend of Raffi songs for a new era.        

With Child Honoring, Raffi Cavoukian comes to the world stage as a catalyst for change at a defining point in human history­with an idea whose time has come.

Grand Chief Edward John, Hereditary Chief of Tl'azt'en Nation

http://www.fns.bc.ca/about/e_john.htm

Grand Chief Edward John, a lawyer, is a Hereditary Chief (Akile Ch'oh) of Tl'azt'en Nation. He served as an elected Councillor of Tl'azt'en Nation from 1974 to 1992, and served as an elected Chief from 1990 to 1992. He now is the Grand Chief of the Tl'azt'en Nation. Grand Chief Edward John was Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council from 1984 to 1988.

In November 2000 Grand Chief John was appointed Minister of Child and Family Services for the Province of BC. He served as Minister until June 2001. He has served and continues to serve on numerous boards and committees for First Nations and non-aboriginal organizations and businesses. Chief John was a member of the tripartite British Columbia Claims Task Force which recommended the establishment of the independent BC Treaty Commission to facilitate treaty negotiations.

Chief John’s educational background includes a Bachelors Degree from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of British Columbia. In September 1992, Squamish Nation was host to the historic ceremony to sign the tripartite agreement to create the BC Treaty Commission. Grand Chief John was one of the signatories to the agreement on behalf of the First Nations Summit. Chief John was first elected to the three member political executive of the First Nations Summit, the Summit Task Group, in 1993. He was subsequently re-elected in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and again in June 2006. The Task Group is authorized by the Summit to carry out specifically mandated tasks on issues related to treaty negotiations in British Columbia.

The First Nations Summit, which is comprised of a majority of First Nations and Tribal Councils in BC, provides a forum for First Nations in British Columbia to address issues related to Treaty negotiations as well as other issues of common concern.

Priya Ramu is the host of CBC Radio One's On The Coast. Priya is a seasoned, award winning reporter, producer and host, and has been with the CBC since 1993. Before moving to Vancouver, she was based in Toronto as a Senior Producer for Sounds Like Canada, Metro Morning and Outfront. She also worked as a National Reporter in both Toronto and Montreal. Prior to that, she worked as a writer, broadcaster, producer and reporter in Winnipeg.

Priya brings a diverse skill set and background to her new role. Her work has won many awards, including The Gabriel Award for Best Short Feature for her documentary "Crazy Like a Fox" produced for Outfront. Priya's documentary 'Blood and Brotherhood' about Tamil youth gangs in Toronto, was recognized at the New York Festivals.

Priya is also an accomplished public speaker and trainer, and is active as a volunteer for various women's organizations. Last year she was a Board member of WAVAW in Vancouver. Currently she's on the Board of PIRS, an organization which works to ensure that immigrant women and children can participate fully in Canadian community life. Priya has also volunteered with MOSAIC in Vancouver.

Priya is loving her life in Vancouver - she belongs to a local hiking club and enjoys getting out on the mountains as often as possible. You'll find Priya frequenting the many sushi bars around town or walking the beaches in her neighborhood of Kitsilano.

David Roche, Inspirational humorist

http://www.davidroche.com/

David's face distinguishes him from all other presenters and motivational speakers. What really makes David unique, however, is his remarkable spirit, warmth, wit and authenticity.

David has transformed the challenges and gifts of living with a facial disfigurement into a compelling message that uplifts and delights audiences around the world. The story of his heroic journey from shame to strength has inspired standing ovations from the Clinton White House to the Sydney Olympics Arts Festival, from most of the 50 states to Canada, England, New Zealand and Moscow.