Reflecting on Connection and Community: SPCG at the Canadian War Museum Oral History Conference 2025

As Operations Officer of Survivor Perspectives Consulting Group (SPCG), I'm pleased to reflect on our participation as an exhibitor at the Opening Night Reception of the Canadian War Museum Conference 2025: Oral History and the Veterans' Experience on Thursday, October 2nd. This focused evening powerfully reinforced the importance of narrative in supporting the military community—a core principle of our work.

Our mission at SPCG is to drive culture change through our signature Frontline Workshop (FLW), which centers on the lived experiences—the oral histories—of survivors and allies. The opening reception provided an ideal platform to connect with fellow advocates and researchers dedicated to amplifying veteran narratives.

Meaningful Connections and Networking

The Opening Night Reception brought together an outstanding group of attendees, including academic historians, museum professionals, veteran advocates, and policymakers. A shared commitment united us: ensuring that diverse service member stories are not only recorded but deeply integrated into our understanding of the military experience.

The packed Exhibition Hall created excellent networking opportunities. We established new relationships and engaged in substantive conversations about trauma-informed care and preventive leadership, opening the door to future collaborations to expand the Frontline Workshop's reach.

The Power of Oral History

Though we attended only the opening evening, the atmosphere surrounding Dr. Michael Petrou's Keynote Address on "Ripples of War" sparked meaningful discussions about oral history. The keynote reinforced SPCG's foundational belief: personal testimony is the most effective driver of change. Seeing our model validated—using personal narratives to foster empathy and build supportive leadership—was inspiring and affirmed our approach to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) culture change.

A Productive Evening

The reception's hospitality was excellent, with quality refreshments that sustained the energy and kept conversations flowing. It was an efficient and successful use of our time, allowing us to connect with influential stakeholders in a single evening.

Overall, SPCG's participation in the Canadian War Museum Conference's opening night was a highly successful endeavour. We look forward to leveraging these connections and insights to continue empowering leaders and fostering a culture of genuine support within the Canadian Armed Forces.