Author Archives: Keri Ryan

How do we care for the land, waters, and resources that sustain us — now and for future generations? 🌍🌱💧

🌿 Our third theme spotlight focuses on Environmental Stewardship — exploring conversations around food security, climate action, water protection, and long-term sustainability. These discussions invite us to reflect on our relationship with the environment and the shared responsibility we hold in caring for it. 🌾🌊🌦️

At S2S, Environmental Stewardship is about learning together through dialogue, storytelling, and collaboration across communities and knowledge systems. It highlights the importance of connecting local experiences with broader environmental understanding to inspire meaningful action. 🤝💡

As part of the CRRF/NAF Conference 2026, participants will continue to explore these ideas through Our Common Threads — a collaborative art project that gathers knowledge shared at the conference and expresses it through the universal language of art. 🎨🪡🌎

Stay tuned for more theme spotlights coming soon 👀

🌊 Shore to Shore Community Gathering

We’re excited to highlight the first of two Shore to Shore Community Gatherings taking place as part of the CRRF/NAF/S2S Conference Series.

Hosted in Norris Point, Newfoundland & Labrador from June 18–20, 2026, this gathering will bring together local communities and visitors to explore rural life through art, science, Indigenous knowledge, storytelling, food, music, and meaningful conversations.

Centered around the theme of Relational Wellness, participants will engage in discussions about healthy aging, food security, environmental stewardship, community innovation, and the power of local knowledge to strengthen rural communities.

The Shore to Shore Community Gatherings are designed to extend the connections and conversations that begin during the CRRF/NAF Conference in Corner Brook, creating opportunities to share ideas, build relationships, and experience community-led approaches to rural development.

📍 Norris Point, Newfoundland & Labrador
📅 June 18–20, 2026

💡 Two-way Knowledge Sharing and Co-Creation 🤝🎨

How can creativity help communities share knowledge, learn from one another, and build something meaningful together? 🌎✨

This theme explores collaborative projects that connect communities through shared creativity, storytelling, and collective learning 🧵💬🌿

At the heart of S2S is creating opportunities for people to exchange ideas and experiences while valuing different ways of knowing and creating together 🤝💡

Join us in exploring Our Common Threads — a collaborative art project that captures knowledge from the conference and translates it through the universal language of art 🎨🪡🌊

More theme spotlights coming soon 👀

Meet Patrick Michell — former Chief of T’eqt”aqtn’mux (Kanaka Bar Indian Band), renewable energy leader, and former Lytton First Nations Rebuild Director 💙🌿

For more than three decades, Patrick has helped lead Indigenous-led renewable energy and climate adaptation initiatives throughout British Columbia’s Fraser Canyon. Following the devastating 2021 Lytton wildfire, he has continued to champion community recovery, resilience, and rebuilding efforts for future generations.

Recognized with the Clean Energy BC Lifetime Achievement Award, the Clean50 Lifetime Achievement Award, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience to conversations about climate resilience and community-led solutions.

We’re honoured to have Patrick as part of S2S 2026 and look forward to learning from his experiences and insights on Indigenous-led adaptation and building resilient communities 🌊⚡✨

Only 16 days to go until Shore to Shore (S2S) 2026 begins in beautiful Western Newfoundland 🌊🍃

From June 16–23, communities across the region will come together for a week of connection, creativity, storytelling, wellness, research, music, culture, and rural collaboration. 💙

We can’t wait to welcome participants, partners, artists, researchers, and community members from near and far to celebrate rural life together. ✨

📍 Western Newfoundland
📅 June 16–23, 2026

Meet Joanie Cranston — physiotherapist, community leader, and passionate advocate for rural health, wellness, and community development in Newfoundland and Labrador 💙🌿

Through her work with Cottage Hospital Physiotherapy and Fitness and the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital Heritage Corporation, Joanie has helped transform the historic Cottage Hospital Community Centre in Norris Point into a hub for culture, wellness, research, and community connection.

Learn more about Joanie and the Cottage Hospital — oldcottagehospital.com

We’re honoured to have Joanie as part of S2S 2026 — and excited that the Cottage Hospital Community Centre will serve as one of our conference locations from June 18–20, 2026 🌊🏥✨

How do connection, creativity, and community help rural communities thrive? 🌎🏘️

Our first theme spotlight explores Relational Wellness — the relationships that sustain us through culture, creativity, healthy rural living, and connection to place. 💙🌿🎨

At the heart of S2S is creating spaces for storytelling, collaboration, shared experiences, and meaningful dialogue that bring people and communities together. 🤝✨

As part of the CRRF/NAF Conference 2026, we’re excited to explore how stronger connections can help shape healthier, more vibrant rural, island, and northern communities. 🌊🍁

Stay tuned for more theme spotlights coming soon 👀

#CRRF2026 #NAF2026 #RelationalWellness #S2S #Shore2Shore #RuralWellness #CommunityConnections #CreativeCommunities #HealthyRuralLiving