We are so pleased to share that we have confirmed two keynote speakers for our Annual Training Forum (ATF) September 25 and 26 in Vancouver:

• Elaine Alec – Syilx and Secwépemc author, entrepreneur, and founder of Naqsmist Storytellers Inc., and
• Jackson Katz – Educator, author, lecturer, and social theorist. 

Elaine Alec is a proud member of the Syilx (Okanagan) and Secwépemc (Shuswap) Nations, she is known globally as the founder of Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS), a framework rooted in belonging, cultural identity, and emotional safety. Her acclaimed book Calling My Spirit Back shares her healing journey, and her CSS framework has reached over 11,000 people and trained more than 200 facilitators worldwide. Elaine’s mission is to train one million leaders to foster connection and humanness in every space we occupy. 

Jackson Katz is internationally recognized for his pioneering scholarship and activism on issues of gender, race and violence. He has long been a major figure and thought leader in the global movement of men working to promote gender equality and prevent gender violence. Katz is a key architect of the popular “bystander” approach to sexual assault and relationship abuse, and he worked with EVA BC to establish our Be More Than a Bystander program, providing consultation and training. 

In addition to keynote speakers, we will offer workshops, wellness sessions and networking opportunities with a focus on our theme of Standing Strong: Support through Prevention, Intervention and Advocacy, and we will share more details about the exciting lineup soon. The ATF is an opportunity for frontline workers to develop knowledge, capacity, and skills – and make connections — that will enhance their work to support and deliver services to survivors of gender-based violence and trauma.  

Get ready to register:
We plan to open registration by mid-June with an early-bird registration deadline of July 15. Core members travelling for eligible locations can now apply for a bursary and we will offer an Air Canada discount code to all members who need to book a flight to attend. 

EVA BC is grateful to the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General for their support of EVA BC’s Annual Training Forum 2025 and for their ongoing support of BC’s anti-violence sector.

We also acknowledge Uber for their financial support of our 2025 Annual Training Forum, as well as their ongoing work to raise awareness and combat gender-based crimes throughout Canada.