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“We have this hope about the shifting legislation and the shifting landscapes,” says Faye Hamilton. “But the question is: How do we hold on to that hope in work that is often really hard?” 

That question will sit at the heart of the upcoming (PCWC) Symposium, taking place May 19-21 in Edmonton, where practitioners, researchers and policymakers will come together to explore what’s possible in a system undergoing significant change.

At a time when child welfare systems across Canada are being actively reshaped by the promise of , which finally recognized the inherent right of Indigenous communities to exercise jurisdiction over their own child and family services, along with evolving community expectations and a deeper commitment to reconciliation, the gathering in Edmonton is creating space for a different kind of conversation.

The , hosted at and supported by the University of Ģ����ý , is bringing together practitioners, researchers, policymakers and students from across the region to explore what organizers describe as “opportunities within shifting and caring landscapes.” 

For co-chairs , BSW'92, MSW'04, from MacEwan University and , BSW'97, MSW'16, director of UĢ����ý Social Work Field Education, the theme reflects a sector at a turning point.

“There’s a real sense that we’re at a fork in the road,” says Mann-Johnson. “We have an opportunity to think differently about how the system works, and what we want it to be grounded in.”

That shift includes something not always openly discussed in formal systems: the role of love, care and relationship in child welfare practice.

“It sounds simple, but how do you talk about children and not talk about love and care?" Hamilton adds. "It’s almost impossible, and yet those ideas can get lost in systems that are under pressure.”

Creating space for honest conversation

The PCWC Symposium, held every two years, has long served as a regional forum for connecting research, policy and practice across the Prairie provinces. This year’s event builds on that foundation, while placing greater emphasis on reflection, wellness and the lived realities of the work.

Child welfare, organizers acknowledge, is among the most challenging areas of social work — both emotionally and structurally. High caseloads, public scrutiny and complex systems can make it difficult for practitioners to step back and reconnect with the purpose behind their work.

“This is a space where people don’t have to explain what the work is like,” says Mann-Johnson. “They already understand. That allows for more honest conversations about what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.”

Hamilton agrees, noting that the conference is designed not only to challenge participants, but also to support them.

“It’s hard work,” she says. “But it’s also incredibly meaningful work. We want people to leave feeling reconnected to that.”

A program grounded in connection and evidence

The three-day symposium blends keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions that span research, policy and practice, with a focus on the human side of complex work and the importance of relationships in sustaining it. 

Keynote speakers include , BSW'09, MSW'10, assistant professor with MacEwan and host of the popular  podcast, who will speak on Indigenous love and its role in healing and community-building. 

The keynote by University of Alberta law professor , PhD, “Legislating Love: the Emergence of Indigenous Child and Family Services Legislation in Canada,” will examine the implementation of the Bill C-92. This thread is continued with the Braiding Sovereignty and Care panel that brings together the experience of several Indigenous Nations at different stages of implementing Bill C-92. 

Between these sessions, participants can engage in nearly 30 breakout presentations covering topics ranging from innovative programs in Prairie communities to research on youth transitions, system outcomes and cross-sector collaboration. 

For organizers, the goal is to ensure that conversations move fluidly between evidence and experience.

“There’s a strong focus on research and evidence-informed practice,” says Hamilton. “But it’s also about how that shows up in real life, in relationships, in communities, in day-to-day work.”

Centring youth voices and community

Another defining feature of this year’s symposium will be an emphasis on lived experience.

The conference will close with a panel featuring youth from the , who will speak to what it means to experience care that is grounded in connection and respect.

Their perspectives are intended to bring the conversation full circle, linking policy and practice back to the people at the centre of the system.

“Part of what we’re asking is: What difference does it make when care is done well?” says Hamilton. “And young people are the ones who can answer that best.”

The opening evening will also feature a performance and art showcase from, an Edmonton-based organization that supports youth in expressing their experiences through the arts. 

A collaborative Prairie approach

While the symposium draws participants from across Canada, its Prairie focus remains central. As the organizers point out child welfare systems in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba share distinct challenges and opportunities, particularly in relation to Indigenous child welfare and rural and remote service delivery. The conference provides a space to explore those realities collectively, while also strengthening connections between institutions and jurisdictions.

“There’s a real opportunity here to learn from each other,” says Mann-Johnson. “What’s being tried in one province, and could it work in another? How do we build those bridges?”

The event itself reflects that collaborative spirit, with MacEwan University co-hosting alongside the , with support from partner institutions including UĢ����ý. 

Investing in people and systems

For organizers, the symposium is also a reminder of the importance of investing in the people doing the work.

Professional-development opportunities specific to child welfare are limited, particularly for front-line staff. Creating accessible, relevant spaces for learning and connection is seen as essential, not only for individual well-being, but for system outcomes.

“There’s a strong link between the quality of relationships in this work and the outcomes for children and youth,” says Hamilton. “And that means supporting the people who are doing it.”

Looking ahead

As the child welfare landscape continues to evolve, the conversations taking place in Edmonton this week are intended to do more than reflect on change, they aim to help shape it.

By bringing together diverse perspectives and centring care, connection and community, the PCWC Symposium offers a space to imagine what the future of child welfare could look like, and how to get there.

“This work matters,” says Mann-Johnson. “And how we do it matters.”