April 7-9, 2026 | The Westin Bayshore | Vancouver, BC.
JUSTICE AS TRAUMA SUMMIT
Meet our Speakers & Facilitators
Meet the facilitators, healers, and speakers who will make JAT2026 an unforgettable experience.
Through groundbreaking talks, workshops, healing sessions and keynotes, our presenters will share their expertise in trauma-informed & culturally responsive justice, emotional intelligence, systems change, and self-healing practices.
Meet the dedicated volunteers who bring care, intention, and community spirit to JAT26.
From event support to participant connection and wellness spaces, our volunteers help create a welcoming environment where learning, healing, and justice can thrive.
Their commitment makes this gathering more than an event — it becomes a collective experience of support, respect, and transformation.
Susan Rawlings
Meet our Volunteers
Suzanne Winston
Mari-Philip Tremblay
Welcome to the JAT2026 Program
The Justice as Trauma gathering is an invitation into deeper learning, dialogue, and connection. Our program was created with care, reciprocity, and a commitment to honouring lived experience. You’ll find keynotes, workshops, and conversations designed to meet you where you are—whether you arrive seeking tools for practice, clarity in your work, or a community that understands trauma as both a personal and collective journey. We are grateful you’re here, and we can’t wait for you to explore what JAT2026 has to offer.
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7:00–8:00 – Check-in, Registration & Breakfast
8:00–8:30 – Welcome by Myrna McCallum & Opening Prayer | Words by Shain Jackson Indigenous Story Booth | Stanley Park Ballroom
8:30–8:55 – Opening Keynote: “The Emotional Architecture of Justice: Trauma, Healing, and the Work of Collective Liberation” – Myrna McCallum | Stanley Park Ballroom
9:00–10:30 – Integration Workshops
Justice System Professionals: Radical Hope for the Future Us – Anna Trbovich, Jason Balgopal & Robert Kozak
Healing in the Heart of Bureaucracy: An Ombuds Perspective – Dr. Nadia Ferrara
Hope After Silence: Ending NDAs in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse – Sherri Thomson & Susan MacRae
Speaking Hope: A Nonviolent Communication Approach to Language as Liberation – Leonie Smith | Cypress Room
10:30–10:45 – Coffee Break
10:45–11:45 – Healing Workshops
Polynesian Practices: Healing Tools for Clearing, Restoring & Protecting Self – Moana Paulus
Honouring the Four Directions: A Medicine Wheel Approach to Self-Care – Ally Hrbachek
11:45–12:45 – Lunch
12:45–2:15 – Plenary: Indigenous Women Shaping Justice, Truth, and Change: A Conversation on Leadership & Legacy– Sgt. Charmaine Parenteau, Angela Sterritt, Rhianna Millman & Saskatchewan Provincial Court Judge Lua Gibb | Moderated by Myrna McCallum | Stanley Park Ballroom2:15–2:30 – Break
2:30–3:00 – Spotlight Speaker Series
Truth & Transformation: Confronting Hard Histories & Building Pathways to Change – Angela Sterritt
Breaking the Cycle: Holistic Defense Against Family Separation – Roshell Amezcua, Esq.
Conscious Contracts: TI Legal Practice for Relational Healing – Fernanda Guerra, Esq.
International Justice Mechanisms: From Rhetoric to Practice in Trauma-Responsive Strategies – Danya Chaikel | Cypress Room
3:00–4:30 – Strategy Workshops
Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence: a Systemic Investigation – Dr. Benjamin Roebuck, Hoori Hamboyan & Mariam Musse
True Narratives: What Must We Believe Before an Abolitionist Future – Sarah Katz, Esq. & Corey Best | Cypress Room
Effective Approaches to Conscious Contracts – Fernanda Guerra, Esq.
Building Trauma-Responsive International Justice Institutions – Danya Chaikel | Cypress Room
4:30 – End of Day 1
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7:30–8:15 – Breakfast
8:15–8:30 – Opening Remarks by
8:30–9:15 – Opening Keynote: Compassion From The Bench: Re-imagining Courtroom Practices in an Era of Collective Harm (Presented by The BC Law Foundation) – Justice Jasmine Akbarali of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice | Stanley Park Ballroom
9:20–10:30 – Integration Workshops
Access, Safety, Dignity: An Integrated Advocacy Approach for Trans and Refugee Justice – Deem Tattan
Practicing Love: Lawyering Toward Liberation – Sarah Katz, Esq. & Corey Best
Before I Go – Medical Assistance in Dying – Marion Brown & Danielle Wilson-Brown | Cypress Room
Radical Hope in Racial Trauma Care: Culturally Responsive Healing as Resistance – Ashley McGirt | Cypress Room
10:30 – Break
10:45–12:15 – Keynote + Q&A: Somatic Liberation: Dismantling White Body Supremacy – Dr. Resmaa Menakem
12:15–1:15 – Lunch
1:15–2:45 – Keynote: What Neuroscience Teaches Us About Trauma, Hope & Humanity + Fireside Chat – Dr. Kemia Sarraf | Moderated by Myrna McCallum | Stanley Park Ballroom
2:45 – Break
3:00–3:30 – Spotlight Speaker Series
From Where I Stand: A Survivor’s Perspective on Restorative Justice – Amanda Carrasco
Restoring My Spirit: A Police Officer’s Story of Moral Injury and Return to Self – Sgt. Charmaine Parenteau
Psychological Safety is a Relationship: Rethinking Workplace Conflict, Trust, and Accountability – Myrna McCallum
Justice that Heals, Rehabilitation, Reintegration & Second Chances – Lance Ryan | Cypress Room
3:35–4:50 – Strategy Workshops
Navigating Civil Justice after Sexual Violence: A Guide for Survivors and their Advocates –Morgyn Chandler
Integrating Racial Justice with Indigenous Liberation Frameworks – Myrna McCallum
The Tension Between Surviving Oppressive Systems and Imagining Liberatory Alternatives” – Isibor Oaikhinan
Building Solidarity Across Borders: Deconstructing Legacies of Colonialism – Ally Hrbachek & Mariana Trujillo-Lezama | Cypress Room
5:00 – End of Day 2
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8:30–8:30 – Breakfast
8:30–9:30 – Opening Keynote (Presented by Southern Law): Enduring Trauma, Collective Healing: Psychiatry, Resistance, and the Path to Dignity – Dr. Samah Jabr | Stanley Park Ballroom
9:30 – Break
9:45–10:55 – Integration Workshops
He Tūmanako: Grounding Radical Hope in Aotearoa’s Justice Transformation – Helen Bowen, Lance Ryan, Tere Davis, Khylee Quince & Katey Thom
Teaching Future Leaders: Preparing a Resilient, Trauma-Informed Justice Workforce – Dr. Tegan Brierley & Natalie Saunders
Transforming Trauma into Collective Justice – Bernadeth Betchi
Systemic Oppression, Adult Supremacy & Disrupting Intergenerational Harm – Leslie Priscilla
11:00–12:00 – Healing Workshops
Polynesian Practices: Healing Tools for Clearing, Restoring & Protecting Self – Moana Paulus
Honouring the Four Directions: A Medicine Wheel Approach to Self-Care – Ally Hrbachek
12:00–1:00 – Lunch
1:00–2:30 – Plenary: From Wounds to Wisdom: Intergenerational Healing and Systemic Liberation Across Families, Communities & Systems – Leslie Priscilla, Dr. Samah Jabr, Ally Hrbachek & Roshell Amezcua, Esq. | Moderated by Myrna McCallum | Stanley Park Ballroom
2:30–2:45 – Break
2:45–3:45 – Closing Keynote: Emotional Justice – Esther A. Armah | Stanley Park Ballroom
3:45–4:00 – Closing Remarks & Farewell – Myrna McCallum
FAQ
Event Details
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This annual three-day gathering brings together visionaries, disruptors, healers, and justice professionals who are committed to humanizing legal and institutional systems, with a focus on trauma-informed practice and healing justice.
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The Summit is scheduled for April 7–9, 2026 at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC.
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All tickets provide three-day access to workshops, keynotes, panels, healing sessions, food and snacks during the event, reception access, and an all Indigenous-curated swag bag.
Content & Program
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Holding on to hope in the current political climate is hard, but we don’t have to do it alone. Radical Hope is the centre theme for JAT26 because it embodies the belief that despite systemic oppression and trauma, healing and transformative justice are possible.
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Beloved speakers from past Summits will be returning, alongside new changemakers, leaders and innovators actively shaping their communities and advancing transformative justice. We are excited to introduce voices that attendees will find inspiring and deeply relevant to the ongoing work of healing and systemic change. The full speaker and healer lineup for Justice as Trauma 2026 will start being shared in October, unveiling a powerful and diverse group committed to collective healing and justice transformation.
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The deadline for submitting speaker, facilitator, and healer proposals has now passed. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted a proposal. Thank you for your interest in contributing to our event.
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Speaker Announcements will begin in late October and the full agenda will be available in late November.
Attendees & Accessibility
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The event welcomes lawyers, judges, psychologists, restorative justice practitioners, physicians, administrators, educators, leaders, support workers, HR professionals, and anyone interested in trauma, healing, and justice transformation.
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Attendees can book rooms at The Westin Bayshore at a special conference rate ($399/night) and enjoy perks such as 15% off VIDA Spa services (Monday–Thursday). Click here to make your booking.
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The Conference hotel offers a wide range of accessible features to ensure a comfortable and inclusive experience for all attendees. These include accessible on-site parking (including valet and van-accessible options), elevators, and accessible routes from the public entrance to key areas such as the pool, business center, fitness center, spa, meeting spaces, and on-site restaurants. Service animals are welcome without any fee or documentation. The main entrance and all meeting facilities are fully accessible to guests. If you have specific accessibility needs or require additional accommodations, please contact the event team in advance so we can best support your participation.
We invite you to read this review from WheelchairTravel to find out more.
Logistics
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Yes, meals and snacks are provided throughout the three-day event for ticket holders, speakers, facilitators and healers. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated.
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Healing sessions are an integral part of the program, designed to support your journey toward wellness and restoration. Additionally, the venue’s location offers easy access to relaxing amenities, including a full-service spa at the hotel and scenic opportunities to unwind along the nearby seawall and surrounding areas.
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The Justice as Trauma Summit 2026 will be held at The Westin Bayshore, located at 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver, BC. The hotel is centrally located in Vancouver with easy access to transportation hubs and the waterfront.
Getting there from Vancouver International Airport (YVR):
SkyTrain: Take the Canada Line from YVR Airport Station to Vancouver City Centre Station. Trains run every 10 minutes and the trip takes around 24 minutes. From there, it’s a short walk or taxi ride to the hotel.
Taxi or Ride-Hailing: A taxi ride typically takes 20–25 minutes and costs around $35–$45 CAD.
Driving: The drive from the airport to the hotel takes about 20 minutes.
Nearby transit stations:
Bus and Train: Pacific Central Station offers regional bus and train services including Greyhound and Amtrak.
SkyTrain: Vancouver City Centre and Waterfront Stations are within walking or short transit distance to the hotel.
Parking at The Westin Bayshore:
The hotel offers on-site parking with hourly rates of $8.00 CAD and daily rates of $49.00 CAD. Valet parking is also available.With its prime waterfront location and excellent transit connectivity, The Westin Bayshore offers convenient travel options for all attendees.
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The deadline for submitting speaker, facilitator, and healer proposals has now passed. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted a proposal. Thank you for your interest in contributing to our event.
A note from the Justice as Trauma Creator
The next Justice as Trauma Summit will take place from April 7-9, 2026 in Vancouver, BC at the Westin Bayshore, bringing together legal professionals, decision-makers, leaders, advocates, physicians, regulators, therapists, educators, scholars, and practitioners for three days of rigorous and deeply human conversations.
The event is independently hosted by me and has been funded through my personal savings, reflecting both my commitment to this work and the care with which it is being held. There are opportunities to sponsor individual keynote conversations. To help cover speaker costs, you decide the amount you wish to contribute. The range is between $5,000 to $15,000. These sponsorships reflect a commitment to raising the standard of legal practice beyond technical excellence alone. The following keynotes are currently available for sponsorship:
a) Opening Keynote | The Emotional Architecture of Justice: Trauma, Healing, and the Work of Collective Liberation | Myrna McCallum
b) Keynote | Compassion From the Bench: Re-imagining Courtroom Practices in an Era of Collective Harm
| Justice Jasmine Akbarali, Ontario Superior Court of Justice
c) Keynote + Q&A | Somatic Abolitionism: Dismantling White Body Supremacy | Dr. Resmaa Menakem
d) Keynote + Fireside Chat | What Neuroscience Teaches Us About Trauma, Hope, and Humanity | Dr. Kemia Sarraf
e) Closing Keynote | Emotional Justice | Esther A. Armah
For many organizations, sponsoring a keynote, is an act aligned with reconciliation — acknowledging historical and ongoing harms, and investing in justice practices grounded in dignity, truth, and humanity. At their core, these sponsorships are acts of recognition: affirming that the work of restoring humanity, emotional intelligence, and care to legal practice is worthy of collective responsibility and meaningful investment.
We’re deeply grateful to Southern Law for sponsoring Dr. Samah Jabr’s keynote, recognizing the importance of trauma-informed transformation in justice spaces.
We offer "Radical Hope" tickets for low-income participants who would otherwise not have access to this gathering. Email mariana@myrnamccallum.co to inquire about availability. Want to support someone else's attendance? Select the "Pay It Forward" option when purchasing your ticket.
As of Feb1, tickets have increased to full price: 3499 plus GST. We also offer group rates of $2999 per person +GST for groups of three or more.
Email ally@myrnamccallum.co for more info!
Reflections from JAT2025
At the Justice as Trauma Summit, we gathered to explore the profound impact of trauma within our justice systems with a community dedicated to healing and transformation.
We invited attendees to share their thoughts on what they learned, how they were impacted, and what they hope to see in the future. Our attendees have shared their heartfelt responses, providing a glimpse into the power of our mission.
Click here to find out what they have to say about their experience…