It's been a while, but we'll be back together again on Thursday, June 23.

Join CPRS Vancouver members for an evening of networking, an inspiring keynote speech, and AGM excitement! Here's our exciting lineup:

5:30-6:00pm - General arrivals and networking

6:00-6:05pm - Land acknowledgement and greetings

6:05-6:35pm - Keynote speech with Racelle Kooy: How to Host an International Press Conference Like a Rock Star

Racelle Kooy is a member of Samahquam First Nation and has strong family ties to Stswecem’c Xgat’tem. She is an external relations strategist who was Communications Specialist for the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation and managed the press conference in October 2021 where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized in person for failing to respond to an invitation to join the community for the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Racelle's mastery at facilitating an international press conference can be seen at 2:43:10 of the video. We highly recommend you watch it! During her keynote speech, Racelle will teach us how to deal with high-profile media events and facilitate sensitive topics such as:

• How to build a crisis communications checklist
• The importance of mentorship
• Reclamation of self
• How are you going to be a good ancestor?

There will be ten minutes for questions following Racelle's presentation

6:35-7:00pm - PRestige Awards

7:00-7:45pm - Annual General Meeting

7:45-8:00pm - Networking and wrap-up

You have the option to attend in person at the Vancouver Club or on zoom for this hybrid event.

Please note:

• Online log-in details will be emailed the week of the event.
• Business attire dress code in effect for the live event at the Vancouver Club.

This is one AGM you will not want to miss, so get your tickets today!

Keynote Speaker: Racelle Kooy

Racelle Kooy is a member of Samahquam First Nation (St’at’imc) and has strong family ties to Stswecem’c Xgat’tem (Secwepemc). Deeply rooted in her ancestral culture and practices, she celebrates her life through connecting with Indigenous people through gatherings and ceremonies in North America and beyond.

With a Bachelors in Business Administration in tourism and a decade in the Indigenous tourism industry, Racelle excels at bringing to light the richness of authentic experiences and diversity of First Nations, Métis and Inuit cultures in a way that resonates with visitors and guests. She led domestic and international market research as part of her duties with Indigenous Tourism BC and Indigenous Tourism Canada, helping to put British Columbia’s and Canada’s Indigenous tourism at the forefront worldwide.

Racelle dedicates her professional talents to amplifying the voices and respectful representation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit People to regional, national and global platforms. This includes coordinating APTN’s inaugural 3-hour live broadcast. In addition, Racelle works to build and hold safe places for needed and difficult dialogue to facilitate respectful engagement. Since 1999, she has been collaborating with the Assembly of First Nations, including her role as the bilingual co-chair at the AFN Assemblies, and has served past and current National Chiefs.

Most recently, Racelle was the communications lead for Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc’s (TteS) Le Estcwicwe̓y̓ (how TteS chooses to refer to the missing children of Kamloops Indian Residential School). She was honoured to assist the TteS leadership and community in sharing the monumental and heart-wrenching news to the world. Canadian Press acknowledged Le Estcwicwe̓y̓ as the 2021 story of the year and the Le Estcwicwe̓y̓ were recognized as #1 on MacLean’s 2022 Power List which also included TteS Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir at #6.

A strong advocate for women in leadership she offers her communications services pro bono to BIPOC women seeking leadership positions. An accomplished public speaker she reflected on the importance for Indigenous People to “occupy their space” in her presentation at RavenSpeak entitled in Making Peace with Politics. Another project of the heart is her feature on “Food” in the Canadian Geographic’s Indigenous People Atlas of Canada. Racelle is thrilled to be living in her ancestral homelands, Secwepemcúlecw, with her wily poodle Sníne and some friendly horse neigh-bours.