Conference Information
2025 Registration Open!
2025 Registration Fees:
Full Conference: $460 (HST included)
Student Full Conference $200 (HST included - must show valid student ID and be 19+ as alcohol is served)
Payment options: credit card or cheques are accepted. Payment details are available when you register. You do not need a paypal account to pay via credit card.
Included in registration fee:
Wednesday, February 19th - Wine and Cheese
Thursday, February 20th - Light Breakfast, Buffet Lunch, Networking Reception (drinks and snacks provided)
Friday, February 21st - Full Buffet Breakfast, Refreshments and Snacks
Cancellation Policy
The COYO Conference does not provide refunds. However, if you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another individual. All transfer requests must be made to Elisabeth.Aschwanden@southsimcoepolice.ca no later than one week prior to the conference date.
2025 Keynotes
Tyler Smith - Perspectives after trauma
Tyler Smith - Perspectives after trauma
Tyler Smith - Perspectives after trauma
Join us to hear Tyler Smith share about his experiences navigating mental health and grief in the face of tragedy. Tyler Smith is an Amazing Race Canada Winner, Humboldt Broncos hockey bus crash survivor & speaker on mental health, wellness & safe spaces. He’ll share details about his life over the last five years, the experiences he’s gone through, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Public speaking has become one of Tyler’s greatest passions and he hopes that attendees will leave the session feeling hopeful and inspired.
Tyler has also founded his mental health awareness clothing line called ‘Not Alone Co.’ Not Alone is all about helping facilitate meaningful conversations around mental health with the messaging that is presented on Not Alone’s variety of apparel. Not Alone donates portions of the proceeds to different charities and foundations across Canada including Jack.org. Tyler hopes to build a lasting community with Not Alone that focuses on vulnerability and conversation.
elder john rice & Youth Panel
Tyler Smith - Perspectives after trauma
Tyler Smith - Perspectives after trauma
John Rice, Zahgausgai zhinkaazo, Mukwa Dodemim, is an Ojibwa/Anishinabeninni and a 3rd Degree member of the Three Fires Midewiwin Society from Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound, Ontario. John’s Midewiwin Education began in 1982 and is ongoing. He has made it a life passion to study the “MIikaans” Teaching which is about the whole development of the human before, during and after life. John generously shares his knowledge throughout the region. He currently works as Elder/Knowledge Keeper with Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services in central Ontario. His past work experience includes work as Chief of his community, Elder/Healer at the Mental Health Centre in Penetanguishene, Fenbrook Medium Institution near Gravenhurst, Ontario and as Healer at the Early Psychosis Intervention Team at CMHA in Barrie. He has also been a part time lecturer at Georgian College in Barrie. John travels internationally and is a well respected teacher and elder in the Anishinabe Nation.
Youth Panel - Wylie Mcroberts
Tyler Smith - Perspectives after trauma
Youth Panel - Wylie Mcroberts
Wylie McRoberts is Anishnawbe, a member of the deer clan, from Rama First Nation. Wylie, along with his brother, are the direct descendants of the hereditary chief clan, Yellowhead. Wylie is a grade 12 student at Orillia Secondary School, he has been instrumental in leading a young mens drum group in his school and has performed at many local functions raising awareness around Orange Shirt Day and other important Indigenous topics. Wylie is very passionate about language and culture revitalization and hopes to continue this journey in his post secondary education. He has attended and worked at Niigan Mosewak for the past 4 years. In the winter months, he works part time at a local Italian restaurant.
Carys Hendrick - Youth Panel
Youth Panel - Wylie Mcroberts
Carys is a 15-year-old student at Parry Sound High School from Moose Deer Point First Nation. Carys has attended the Niigan Mosewak leadership camp since 2022. She actively engaged in the Indigenous Youth Council with Near North District School Board and is a competitive cheerleader. Carys is a confident Anishnaabe-Kwe that can speak about the resiliency of Indigenous youth and advocates for those without a voice.
Rylan fisher - Youth Panel
Boozhoo kina wiya, Rylan Fisher, ndizhnikaaz, Nippissing First Nation ndoonjibaa, Anishnaabe nda’aw, Ojiik ndoodem.
Mtasswe-shi-niizhwaaswi ndoo nsidboones.
Minwendaan niimyaan! Hello my name is Rylan Fisher, I am 17 years old and I am an Anishnaabe from Nippissing First Nation. I am from the Fisher clan. I like dancing and I make people laugh and smile. I am the only son of Bradley Fisher and Candace McLeod. I have 2 sisters, Summer and Miley. For as long as I can remember, my siblings and I have always danced. I started my journey as a grass dancer and then I found men’s fancy, a style that makes me feel proud, happy and free to dance with such intensity. My father also danced men’s fancy when he was younger, and I admired that. When I dance, I try hard to bring joy to others and to make my people proud. I am an active role model in my home, school and community. I always try to follow the 7 grandfather teachings and to stand up for what I believe in. To be brave is to face your enemy with integrity, and that is a teaching I try to live by. I play on the school basketball and volleyball teams. The environment means a lot to me, and if I can make the smallest difference to help mother earth, then I will. In the winter I enjoy playing hockey and snowboarding, which gives me a good sense of balance between independence and teamwork. My parents have taught me to hunt, fish, and harvest medicines, and I always remember to do this in a good way. I enjoy learning my culture, language, and history and enjoy passing those teachings along to those around me. For years, I have visited other schools, communities, and country’s around the world and have shared my knowledge on different types of dances, residential schools and on different medicines harvested in the area. I hope to continue this journey and one day be a teacher. I will continue to learn, share and bring joy to peoples lives across the globe.
Miigwech!!
tad milmine - Bullying Ends Here
Constable Tad Milmine, Police Officer with the Calgary Police Service and also the President and Founder of Bullying Ends Here. Tad is an Ontario native, completing his K-12 education in Cambridge-area schools. Tad has been involved in numerous professional activities and associations, and has received multiple awards for his policing, leadership and mentorship skills. An International-level speaker, Tad has addressed numerous professional and school audiences on the topic of bullying and recovery from traumatic events.
Having grown up in a home full of abuse and neglect, being confined to a dungy basement for twelve years, along with being severely bullied throughout school, Tad speaks from experience. He is also a sexual assault survivor.
He has visited, consulted, and assisted hundreds of school communities across the country, and around the world, including the Netherlands, Scotland, England and the United States. Tad has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his journey of service including being recognized by the Canadian Senate, presented the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers and the honour of being awarded the Order of Merit. Tad is one of only a handful of Canadians to have ever received both of these medals!
He was nominated by his peers for Police Officer of the Year in 2010 and 2011 and has been featured on dozens of news programs including CTV, Global, CityTV and CBC to name a few along with being featured in the television movie ‘Sticks and Stones’. On top of Tad’s work to end bullying, and his service to his Country, he proudly represents the LGBT Community.
Tad continues to spread the message of acceptance and understanding everywhere he goes. Having shared his presentation to almost a million students, it’s no wonder that he is making a positive difference in the world. Tad shares his knowledge on bullying in real-time and from real-life experiences through the tens of thousands of messages he receives yearly from our youth. It should be noted that Tad not only responds to every message personally, but he does much of this on his own time.