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Canada 2017

23 lectures, symposiums and conferences happening for Canada 150

New Year's is over and Canada Day is month's away — but that doesn’t mean you can’t be excited for the Sesquicentennial all year.

You can learn all year long.

Canada 2017 ·
Esther Perel was also a presenter at the 2015 TED Conference. Her talk was about infidelity. (Bret Hartman/TED)

This is just a small taste of celebrations planned for Canada 150. To make the most of your year, check out this list of 150 ways to get in on Canada's 150th.

1. 150 Inclusive City Cafes: Simon Fraser University is hosting discussions on the benefits and challenges of living in increasingly diverse environments. The conversation series will run until May, covering topics like cultural appropriation and global citizenship. (Surrey, B.C.) 

2. 2017 Guelph & Wellington Youth Symposium: Child Witness is planning a one-day event for 3,500 Grade 8 students to hear inspirational speeches from community role models and learn skills to cope with their daily challenges. (Guelph, Ont.) 

3. AquaVan 150: Presented by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, this national tour consists of 150 events for schools, camps and communities across Canada in hopes of raising awareness of the critical importance of aquatic environments. Each community will also be invited to participate in a Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup event.

4. BioBlitz Canada 150: The Canadian Wildlife Federation is bringing science to the community by holding 35 community events to explore Canada's biodiversity. Pictures of the species discovered during these blitzes will be collected to document Canada's various environments.

5. Birth of a City, the Story of Toronto: In April, NewArts will present a documentary exploring 100 years of Toronto's history. The film will premiere at the cultural hub Daniels Spectrum before touring local elementary schools. (Toronto)

6. Canada 150&Me: Experiences Canada 150&Me is a national competition for young Canadians (ages 14-19). A group of 150 students will be chosen to travel to one of four regional cities for a week of education, cultural and community activities, including a one-day forum based on a theme chosen by youth and conversation with government, business and community leaders.

7. Carrefour 2017: On February 6 and 7,  Universités Canada is welcoming innovative Canadians and young visionaries to Ottawa to speak with academic, business and community leaders about the future of Canada. These discussions are aiming to create a bold picture of Canada's next 50 years.(Ottawa)

8. Earth Film Festival: On Earth Day 2017 (that's April 20), the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority is hosting a film festival to engage and educate the youth of Owen Sound, Ont., about the environment. Schools from the area will take part in cultural activities that complement the film. (Owen Sound, Ont.)

9. Gender Journeys: Throughout year, the Canadian Mental Health Association of Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge is planning a series of events representing the LGBTQ community. Dance, music and spoken word are just a few things planned to tell the individual stories of the queer community in hopes of fostering understanding and inclusivity. (Peterborough, Ont.)

10. Adventure in Understanding: Adventure in Understanding is a Kawartha Rotary six day 100-kilometre canoe-based experience for Indigenous and non-native youth (ages 16-18); an opportunity to learn about Indigenous culture and lead towards greater understanding and reconciliation. (Ontario)

11. Indspire Cross Canada Youth Laureate Tour : Indspire is highlighting exceptional accomplishments of Indigenous youth through a series of seven panel discussions. Taking place throughout the year, the tour will showcase the great diversity that exists in this country's population, while engaging and empowering youth to participate in the movement towards reconciliation.

12. Innovation 150: This campaign is showcasing Canadian innovations of the past, present and future with traveling science exhibitions, major city-wide festivals, guest speakers, a touring MakerMobile and dynamic online experiences. Canadians are encouraged to share their story to help celebrate the people, places and objects that have shaped this country.

13. Looking Back and Ahead: The Canadian Down Syndrome Society is sending young spokespeople to schools across the country to talk about Canada's history with disability inclusion.

14. Go Wild for Canada's 150th: Salthaven Youth Environmental Advisory Team will collect 150 student curated photos and videos showing how they are building safer environments for wildlife, with hopes of connecting environmentally conscious youth across the country.

15. Millennial Conference 2017: On June 28 and 29, Faith Canada 150 will host millennials of various faiths to explore the common values and differences of their respective faiths. Leading up the conference, intimate events will be hosted in the homes of notable Canadians. (Ottawa, Ont.)

16. The Next 150, On Indigenous Lands: Congress 2017 is holding a  week long conference and asking all participants to explore Canada's history while celebrating the boundless opportunities that lie ahead. (Toronto)

17. Permanently Under Construction: Immigration and Canadian Nation Building: On October 12 and 13, the University of Toronto will be hosting an interdisciplinary conference exploring the Canadian experience from legal, historical and artistic perspectives. (Toronto)

18. Spirited Citizenship Research Conference: Faith Canada 150 is bringing together a range of scholars to present on the role of faith in Canada's public. The conference will be held in the fall and hopes to cover education, social justice, immigration, economics, social cities and work. (Ottawa)

19. The Spirit Walk Commemorative Project: Led by Prairie Spirit Connections, this initiative aims to advance culturally based learning opportunities for Aboriginal children in Saskatchewan. For 2017, the Spirit Walk builds upon pre-existing programs by displaying ancestral teachings, building commerative a structure and hosting a dedication ceremony and celebration. (Regina)

20. TEDxUTSC 2017 Ellipses: For its fifth year, this annual one-day conference will focus on storytelling by presenting a series of speakers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. (Toronto)

21. The Walrus Talks National Tour: Running from March 1 to June 1,  the Walrus is hosting a series of conversations about the future of Canada. The national tour will feature 50 members of the Order of Canada and 50 youth leaders.

22. WE Are Canada: WE has created a resource centre and curriculum that aims to give young Canadians and their families the tools to build a deeper understanding of Canada while learning about world issues.

23. The YMCA LocalMOTION Challenge: Through a series of online and live events, LocalMOTION is teaching people about the YMCA and Canada's railways, all while getting active.