The Centre for Aboriginal Health Research (CAHR), in collaboration with Network Environments for Aboriginal Research BC (NEARBC), and the Water and Aquatic Sciences Research Programme - all based at the University of Victoria - is hosting a two-day Consensus Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health on March 22-23, 2010, to coincide with the United Nations World Water Day. Four major themes to be covered by the conference are: science and technology; government policy; traditional knowledge and spirituality; and, Indigenous politics and advocacy. These themes may be explored from many geographic focus points including local, provincial, national, and international.

To supplement the paper presentations made in formal plenary sessions; to showcase the diversity of research undertaken by students, communities, and interest groups; and to create opportunities for students to develop their public speaking and networking skills; the Conference Preparatory Committee is including time in the conference agenda for students to use poster presentations to disseminate their research to conference participants and guest speakers.

The Conference Preparatory Committee will evaluate submissions based on quality and relevance. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered unless prior arrangements have been made with the conference coordinator. Successful applicants will present their work at the conference in March and abstracts for their posters will be published in the final report of the conference proceedings. Because of this, conference sponsors require a non-exclusive copyright license for posters and poster summaries. As there is limited funding available to subsidize poster presenters’ travel expenses, successful applicants will be encouraged to explore other sources to fund their participation in this event.

Please submit a one-page summary to Danielle Perron by February 1, 2010.

Summaries should include:

1. Background, purpose, methods, findings (or preliminary findings, or expectations) and conclusions
2. Contact Information
3. Level of education or occupation, and institutional affiliation
4. Maximum allowable dimensions for posters will be 3'x5'

1. February 1, 2010 - Application deadline for poster presentations
2. February 15, 2010 - Applicants notified of their success
3. March 22-23, 2010 - Conference dates

There will be no registration fees for attending this conference and general registration and travel bursary forms will be available on the CAHR website.