Shaping the Future 2025 Recap

 

After a year at the wonderful and magical Jasper Park Lodge, we found ourselves back where Shaping the Future has called home for so many years: the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. With the help of our wonderful sponsors, Teach Nutrition, Belair Direct, SIECCAN, and the Alberta Medical Association, we welcomed over 550 delegates from across the country and beyond to Shaping the Future 2026.

The fun and collaboration began even before our official conference opening, highlighted by the first-ever Shaping the Future Research Roundtable, The National Forum and an outdoor session How to Be an Outdoor Explorer in Your School! (with teachers running around the hotel on a frantic scavenger hunt!). Then delegates braved the weather and road conditions to arrive for our beautiful conference opening led by Elder Helmer and his granddaughter as well as dancers and drummers from the Mînî Thnî Community School Pow Wow Academy. We then prepared for our first keynote led by Sunaina Sharma who discussed the use of technology in classrooms and creating an engaged and inclusive student environment. From there it was time for our first breakout sessions where we found ourselves outdoors connecting with nature and indoors creating meaningful connections with each other. The day was capped off with our Exhibitor MarketPLAYce where delegates got a chance to play some games, talk with our fantastic exhibitors and got a chance to win some great prizes!

The second day of Shaping the Future began early for some who were willing to face the cold on a winter run and walk alongside a Move and Strengthen activity and a smudge. We then moved into our first sessions of the day which included topics around active living, mental well-being, reconciliation and resilience and more. Just before lunch, we all gathered for our second keynote, this one led by two of our Youth Advisory Council members Yussra Asrar and Keiran Good. They captivated the crowd sharing the stories that inspired them to make a difference while encouraging the delegates to keep shaping the future for all students. Following that we broke out into two more concurrent blocks before our much-protected wellness break, which gave delegates a chance to unwind and reset before the Running Shoe Reception. That night we welcomed our delegates into the Mount Temple Ballroom for the Running Shoe Reception, filled with games, drinks, food and even more connection with each other. Following some messages and giveaways from our sponsors we were proud to unveil the potential future for the brand of Ever Active Schools before capping the night off with some lively dancing (that probably went too late for some!).

The third day is always a special one at Shaping the Future, as we get ready to leave and say goodbye to the friends and new people we met at the conference. Some participated in our morning wellness activities while others took the extra time to sleep in and get ready for checkout. After breakfast, we gathered for our final keynote, led by Dr. Jerome Cranston who spoke about the systems in place that cause racial inequity in schools and communities while urging people in the education sector to go out and enact real change to create healthier and more connected systems. It was a powerful session and one we are proud capped off our keynote presentations. After a few more breakout sessions it was time for lunch and our closing which included more kind words and prayer from Elder Helmer and some drumming from our very own Executive Director Brian Torrance before we said goodbye and wished everyone a safe travel home.

We made memories, we laughed, we connected and most importantly we helped people see the importance they play every day in shaping healthier futures for all students. With 16 years of Shaping the Future behind us, we hope those connections remain as we are excited to announce Shaping the Future 2026 will take place in Edmonton at the Westin Hotel. We hope to see you there!

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