Organized through Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing House Part of the Tahltan First Nation · Telegraph Creek, British Columbia
Educator consultation portal
Help shape Story Warriors Gathering 2027.
This consultation portal is for interested educators, Indigenous education leaders and school decision-makers. Together, we are shaping a powerful gathering for upper-elementary and middle-school Indigenous students—featuring David A. Robertson.
Featured keynote speaker · both days
David A. Robertson A two-time Governor General’s Literary Award winner, opening Student Day on Friday and delivering the educator keynote on Saturday.Educator consultation
Help shape the gathering before it opens.
Educator conversations in Vancouver in late September will help strengthen Story Warriors Gathering 2027.
Why Story Warriors
Young people should see themselves reflected in the people creating today’s stories, art and music.
Story Warriors Gathering creates space for Indigenous students to meet Indigenous creators, discover new forms of expression and make something of their own. It also gives teachers culturally grounded ideas they can continue using long after the gathering.
This page has been prepared specifically for education leaders we hope to meet in Vancouver in late September. Before the gathering is promoted more widely, we want experienced educators to help us make it practical, accessible and responsive to the students and schools it is meant to serve.
Virtual meetings can also be arranged throughout October for interested educators and education leaders who want to help shape the gathering.
Indigenous-led · Tahltan-founded
Stories are strongest when communities lead.
Story Warriors is an Indigenous-led initiative founded by the Tahltan Nation and is home to Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing House. Its work is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Tahltan language and culture, while connecting Elders and youth through respectful, community-based programs.
The Story Warrior Definition
What it means to be a warrior.
A true warrior is not shaped by the body they are born into, nor proven by raising a weapon.
They are known by the courage they carry, the mercy they choose, and the storms they endure without surrendering their soul; sometimes their greatest fight is to remain gentle in a world that demands battle.
A warrior cares for Elders, protects those who need help, and looks after children, because children carry the future.
A warrior fights forgetting with stories — with listening, writing, drawing, and speaking with respect and care.
I am a warrior when I listen with respect, write with care, protect the stories that matter, and carry my voice, my memories, my language, my land, and my people forward.
Two days, two audiences
One connected experience
Friday is an in-person Student Day for upper-elementary and middle-school Indigenous students from the Lower Mainland, with live Zoom access also available to schools across Canada. Saturday is a conference day for interested educators, with out-of-town students welcome to attend.
Friday, February 5
Upper-Elementary & Middle-School Student Day
- Short opening address by David A. Robertson
- Three hands-on workshop periods
- A different Indigenous presenter in each workshop
- Creative experiences in writing, music and the arts
- In-person participation for upper-elementary and middle-school students from the Lower Mainland
- Interested educators attend as observers and supporters
- Also live on Zoom for participating schools across Canada
Saturday, February 6
Educator Conference Day
- For interested educators, education leaders and school decision-makers
- Major keynote by David A. Robertson
- Three educator workshop periods
- A different Indigenous presenter in each workshop
- Classroom ideas grounded in creativity and story
- Practical resources to carry forward
- Out-of-town students are welcome to attend
Hybrid participation
One gathering, connected across Canada.
Story Warriors Gathering 2027 brings young people, educators and Indigenous creators together in Richmond and online.
Friday, February 5
Student Day — Lower Mainland, plus Zoom
Upper-elementary and middle-school Indigenous students from the Lower Mainland will participate in person. The day will also be live on Zoom for participating schools across Canada, extending Friday’s learning and creative experiences beyond the room.
Saturday, February 6
Educator Conference Day
Saturday is designed as a conference day for interested educators. Out-of-town upper-elementary and middle-school students are warmly welcome to attend alongside the educators travelling with them.
Keynote speaker
David A. Robertson
Author and storyteller David A. Robertson is the keynote speaker for both days: he will open Student Day with a short address on Friday and deliver the major keynote for educators on Saturday.
One shared belief in the power of Indigenous voices, creative expression and story.
12 Indigenous presenters
Three workshops. Three new perspectives.
Participants choose three workshop experiences during the day, meeting a different presenter in each session.
Writing & Storytelling
Explore voice, character, memory and the many ways stories can be carried and shared.
Music & Performance
Experience rhythm, sound, performance and the confidence that grows through creative practice.
Visual & Creative Arts
Make, experiment and communicate ideas through visual and multidisciplinary forms.
Presenter profiles and individual workshop descriptions will be added as the program is finalized.
The student journey
Hear it. Try it. Create it. Carry it forward.
Meet a creator
See what is possible through a real Indigenous creative life.
Make something
Participate actively rather than simply listening from the audience.
Keep the experience
Use a Story Warriors Journal across all three workshops and beyond.
WARRIORS
JOURNAL
A place to capture ideas, create and reflect.
Late September 2026 · Vancouver
We would value a conversation with you
We are inviting a small group of influential Indigenous educators, education leaders and school decision-makers to share their expertise before the event is promoted to teachers more widely.
Educator consultation
Educator conversations in Vancouver
We are arranging individual and small-group conversations in late September. Help us test the concept, improve the educational experience and build a gathering schools will be eager to support. Or let us know if a Zoom session in October might interest you.
Built with care
Creative vision. Professional coordination.
Organized through the Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing House, Story Warriors pairs Indigenous creative leadership and educator input with event coordination by Mahihkan.
Organized through Tahltan Knowledge Keepers Publishing House
The publishing house is part of the Tahltan First Nation in Telegraph Creek, British Columbia.
Indigenous voices at the centre
David A. Robertson and 12 Indigenous presenters anchor the gathering.
Educator-informed design
Teachers and Indigenous education leaders are being invited to shape access, content and classroom value.
Event coordination by Mahihkan, an Indigenous-led event-management company
Mahihkan blends Indigenous values and protocols with professionally organized engagements and events. Its coordination supports the venue, schedule, presenters, registration and participant experience.
Early information
Questions educators may have
Why are you meeting with educators now?
Before opening the gathering to broader teacher interest, we want experienced educators to help us gauge demand, identify barriers, strengthen the student and teacher experiences, and determine the best way to invite schools to participate.
Who can attend on Friday?
Friday is an in-person Student Day for upper-elementary and middle-school Indigenous students from the Lower Mainland, supported by interested educators. Live Zoom participation will also be available to participating schools across Canada. Final group sizes, capacity and registration details will be informed by educator consultation.
What happens on Saturday, February 6?
Saturday is the Educator Conference Day. Out-of-town students are welcome to attend with the educators travelling with them.
Can teachers attend both days?
Teachers will observe and support students on Friday and can participate directly in the educator keynote and workshops on Saturday. Final registration arrangements will be announced with the full program.
How will workshops be selected?
Each participant will attend three workshops with three different presenters. The selection process and capacity for individual sessions will be finalized after consultation.
Is the venue confirmed?
The Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond is the likely venue, subject to final confirmation. Final venue information will be announced before public registration.
How can a district, Nation or organization help?
Education partners can advise on program design, help us understand school needs, recommend effective ways to promote the gathering, address access barriers, and identify opportunities to support student participation.