2008 VICTORIA SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 2008 | SUNDAY, SEPT. 28, 2008

Gail Dahl

Gail J. Dahl is a childbirth researcher and educator, an advocate for safe and gentle childbirth and a national bestselling author of "Pregnancy & Childbirth Secrets."

She has received many awards, including The YWCA Woman of Distinction Award, The Woman of Vision Award and The Great Women of the 21st Century Award for her work in women's health and education. Nominated for Community Advocate: Organization and Signature Award for exceptional achievements.

Graham Walker

Graham Walker has been writing and singing for children for a very long time! When he was really young he loved rhymes and riddles and funny word games that tickled his ear and funny bone. He turned that love into story writing and drawing doodles, and wanted to write books like Dr. Seuss's. Graham studied English Literature and Education in university, then began to self-publish children's books. Poems and stories turned into songs when Graham picked up the guitar more than 20 years ago, and the rest is history! Children and parents alike delight in Graham Walker's fun and lively songs.

Lorna McRae, RM

After travelling through Europe looking at famous artwork by famous artists, Lorna began noticing a distinct lack of pregnant, or labouring/birthing, or breastfeeding women and their families. As midwives, we get the privilege of seeing the living and transformative art everyday and night as we accompany women and their families through the passage way of building their family. She wondered, "What if there were pictures of pregnant or postpartum women in the Louvre? How would our world be different? How would that change Bottecelli's Three Graces (and the many depictions of them)? And what was Mona Lisa smiling about???"

Lorna McRae is a register midwife working at Access Midwifery in Victoria, BC.

Jen Corbeil, ND

Jen is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, board-certified in Acupuncture, practicing at the Westshore Massage Therapy Clinic in Langford and also at the Alembic Healing Arts Centre in downtown Victoria. She has a special passion for working with women through all the stages of pregnancy and parenting. She will be speaking about a Naturopath's perspective on solid food introduction, and also offering healthy snack ideas to satisfy fussy toddlers.

Stephanie Curran

Acupressure for Labour - Learn how acupressure to specific points on the body can help prepare your body for labour. A manual will be provided for easy reference and practice at home. Bring your labour support person, a friend or come learn for yourself!

Stephanie Curran is the founder of the Elements of Health Centre and has devoted much of her Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice to treating women's health issues, particularly in the field of reproductive health and pregnancy conditions. Passionate about working with women throughout their pregnancies, Stephanie has completed doula training as well as extensive TCM course work in obstetrics. During the three years that she attended births, Stephanie integrated acupuncture and labour support in both home and hospital settings.

West Coast/Clark's Taekwon-Do

West Coast/Clark's Taekwon-Do are two martial arts schools in Victoria, BC serving Victoria, Saanich, Sidney, Oak Bay, Langford, and Colwood. As professionals in the martial arts, we have dedicated our lives to the betterment of our sport - and operate a martial arts school with the goal of educating children and adults to become physically and emotionally strong.

We have years of training in martial arts, with a special emphasis in working with children and families. Our instructors at Martial Arts Victoria are specifically trained to teach martial arts through motivation and encouragement. Our martial arts instructors develop students' desire to improve and grow so that the motivation to excel comes from within. To us, this is truly the best form of leadership.

We are black belt martial artists who stand tall and live strong. That's what sets us - and our students - apart from the crowd.

Chiara Missalino

Chiara is a mother of three children and has been working with Children's Education Funds Inc. since 2001. If you have children, grandchildren or are expecting a child, you may be thinking about saving for their post-secondary education. Tuition rates are rising and the best way to ensure that your child can afford an education is to start saving early.

Come and learn the secrets of saving with RESP's. CEFI website.

Layla Cochrane

Layla Cochrane is a Certified Independent Baby Signs Instructor. For almost 3 years she has offered signing workshops, play classes and resources to families and centres in the Greater Victoria Region. After teaching her own 2 hearing daughters to sign, Layla made it her mission to help others experience a fun and memorable signing journey with their little one(s).

Join Layla and Beebo the Baby Signs Bear at the main stage to learn more about the benefits of signing with young children. Learn some very useful signs and a few of Layla's favorite signing songs!

Click here for bios for the Saturday, Sept. 27 schedule.

Saturday, Sept 27, 2008

11:00 Baby Races

For crawlers aged 6-11 mo.

12:00 Author Gail Dahl

10 Secrets to a Great Birth

12:45 Graham Walker

Award winning children's performer

1:00 Helen Stewart

Children's author

1:30 Karine Bordua

Everything I wish someone had told me about breastfeeding

2:00 Eva Bild

Baby Wearing Extravaganza

2:30 Heather Yaxley

Music for Young Children - Join the music making fun!

3:00 Dr. Stefanie Green

Preparing for your Birth

3:30 St.John Ambulance

Infant CPR: Would you know what to do?

4:00 Sharon Gerhart

Hybnobirthing

4:30 Graham Walker

Award winning children's performer

Sunday, Sept 28, 2008

11:00 Baby Races

For crawlers aged 6-11 mo.

12:00 Author Gail Dahl

10 Secrets to a Great Birth

12:45 Graham Walker

Award winning children's performer

1:00 Lorna McRae, RM

Was the Mona Lisa pregnant? A tribute to the art we see everyday

1:30 Jen Corbeil, ND

Nutrition for babies & toddlers: Introducing solids & snack ideas

2:00 Stephanie Curran

Acupressure for Labour

2:30 West Coast Taekwon-Do

Kids Demonstration

3:00 Chiara Missalino, CEFI

RESPs: Planning for your children's education

3:30 Layla Cochrane

with Beebo the Baby Signs Bear