2023 NAI Heartland Region Conference

2023 NAI Heartland Region Conference

Back Together!

Brandon, Manitoba

March 20-23, 2023

Welcome to Brandon

The NAI Heartland Region is thrilled to welcome interpreters back together in Brandon, Manitoba, for our first face-to-face conference since 2019! A special thanks to Manitoba Parks for supporting and organizing this year’s conference.

Brandon Brings You Back - The city’s slogan is catchy and undeniable. Interpretations of what “brings you back” can differ for each and every one of us. Those of you who have spent time in Brandon allude to the city’s hospitality, grace and cultural diversity that is celebrated and championed by its community members.

We hope our conference speakers and sessions will offer you the opportunity to reflect, engage and inspire with colleagues from across the Heartland Region. Look through this registration guide for keynote descriptions, browse the concurrent sessions, off-site excursions to local parks and interpretive sites, and special events.

This conference will also give us the opportunity to help shape the Heartland Region for the future. How can the Heartland Region best serve you as an NAI member and your agency/organization? What services and programs would you like to see? Come prepared to share your ideas during our strategic planning sessions and state meetings.

There is something for everyone who wears the title “Interpreter”. Consider the networking opportunities, not just the formal ones through programming but the informal ones that happen annually at these workshops.

Welcome back together in Brandon, Manitoba!

A visit to Manitoba means travelling through Treaty No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Territory and through communities who are signatories to Treaties 6 and 10. Manitoba encompasses the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and the Homeland of the Red River Métis.

The conference committee welcomes you to Brandon, on Treaty No. 2 Territory and the Homeland of the Red River Metis, and encourages all conference participants to learn more about Manitoba's Indigenous peoples and our shared land.

Conference Committee 

Sloan Cathcart sloan.cathcart@gov.mb.ca  
Lindsey Mitton lindsey.mitton@gov.mb.ca 
Adam Collicutt adam.collicutt@gov.mb.ca
Lauren Beauchamp lauren.beauchamp@gov.mb.ca 

Workshop Registration Fees

  NAI Member
Nonmembers** Student Member*
Full Registration $290 $365 $220
Single Day Registration (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) $170 $245 $100
Virtual Sessions Only $100 $150 $75

*Students must be an NAI member prior to registering for the workshop.
**Onsite registrations at the nonmember rate include a one-year Professional membership in NAI.
On-site registrations will only be accepted if space allows.  Cash or check payments only.

Full registration with confirmed attendance will receive 24 Hours of continuing education credit for NAI recertification.

What is included? 

Full Workshop Fee: Access to all sessions, evening activities and one off-site session.  Included meals (Lunch Tue, Lunch  and Dinner Thursday, Lunch and Dinner Friday).
Tuesday Single Day Fee: Attendance at Tuesday’s keynote, concurrent sessions and regional business meeting, and lunch. 
Wednesday Single Day fee: Attendance at the Building Connections Workshop, regional strategic planning session, lunch and dinner, evening raffles and live auction. 
Thursday Single Day Fee:  Attendance at one off-site session with lunch, banquet dinner and evening awards presentations. 
Guest Meal Tickets: Available for Tuesday Lunch; Wednesday Lunch, Wednesday dinner & auction; Thursday dinner and awards banquet. 

What if I need to cancel my registration? 

Cancellations must be requested in writing. Email your request by March 15 to Lindsey.Mitton@gov.mb.ca. Refunds will be processed minus a $50 cancellation fee. Refunds are not available after March 15 or for workshop and guest fees purchased on-site at the workshop. 

What lodging is available for the workshop? 

Lodging fees are not included in any workshop fee category. Rooms have been blocked under NAI Heartland at the Victoria Inn. Breakfasts are included in the nightly room rate. Contact the hotel directly to make your reservation. 

IMPORTANT INFO FOR U.S.A. CITIZENS ENTERING CANADA 

Identification requirements to enter Canada 

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship or naturalization, a U.S. Permanent Resident Card, or a Certificate of Indian Status along with photo identification.  

It is highly recommended that all US citizens obtain and use a passport, as this is the simplest requirement for travelling to and from Canada.  Expect a long process at the US border returning home if you do not have a passport!  This is due to US requirement that all international travellers have a passport. 

How do I get a passport? 

Visit the US State Department’s travel website or call the U.S. National Passport Information Center at 877-4USA-PPT.  travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html 
More details here, including what you can bring into Canada, including travelling with alcohol and tobacco and restricted/prohibited goods: cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/ivc-rnc-eng.html  

Returning home to the US 

  • Full details here: cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens
  • All articles acquired in Canada must be declared. There is an $800 exemption for gifts and personal articles, including one liter of alcoholic beverages per person over 21 every 30 days.
  • Check with State ABC laws and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regarding individual state requirements.
  • Cuban cigars are prohibited.
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs. Any type, in any amount, may result in serious fines, seizure of vehicle, federal record and/or imprisonment.

Cannabis Information 

Any other questions please contact Sloan Cathcart, Workshop Chair at and we will do our best to help you find the answers. 
When
3/20/2023 - 3/23/2023
Where
Brandon, MB CANADA
Registration is closed.
My registration status: Not registered