CASLPO News

Join Us for an E-Forum - Culturally Competent Care Provision in Action: Ezhi-gkendaagziyang

CASLPO is hosting an upcoming E-Forum, Culturally Competent Care Provision in Action: Ezhi-gkendaagziyang, on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026, at 12:00-1:30 pm EST. This event is part of our DEI webinar series. 

Register now.

Our Speaker:

CASLPO is pleased to welcome Zoe Higgins, a non-Indigenous bilingual (English/French) speech-language pathologist who has worked across Northern Ontario since 2013, including in First Nations communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Toronto, a Master of Health Sciences from University of Ottawa, and recently completed a PhD in Rural and Northern Health at Laurentian University. Her practice emphasizes culturally responsive, family-centered care and includes experience supporting children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Motor Speech Disorders, and Developmental Language Disorder.

About the Session:

In this session, Zoe will highlight the tool, Ezhi-gkendaagziyang. Meaning “How We Learn” in Anishinaabemowin, Ezhi-gkendaagziyang is a culturally and linguistically-informed communication assessment process developed by Zoe in collaboration with Dokis First Nation for kindergarten-aged Anishinaabek children and adaptable for use in other First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. Attendees will learn about the importance of relationship-building, community collaboration, and identifying children’s strengths and needs as Zoe outlines how to use Ezhi-gkendaagziyang to support culturally informed practices and learning. 

Attendees are encouraged to download and review the booklet and guidebook prior to attendance and bring a physical or digital printout of the booklet with them to the virtual session for notetaking.  

Access the booklet here. 

If you have any questions in advance of the E-Forum or issues with your registration, please email us at [email protected].