WCPA-CSEP 2026
Welcome to the website of the 2026 annual meetings of the Western Canadian Philosophical Association (WCPA) and the Canadian Society for Environmental Philosophy (CSEP/SCPE)! Here you will find information about registration, the program, as well as places to eat, drink, and visit in Regina.
About
The 2026 concurrent annual meetings of the WCPA and the CSEP/SCPE will take place…Dates: Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, 2026
Location: The University of Regina’s College Avenue Campus
The University of Regina and its federated colleges are on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories — the homelands of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, Nakoda peoples, and Michif/Métis nation.We recognize that, as an institution founded by settlers, we benefit from being on this land. We are grateful for the privilege to learn, teach, and work here. We demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation by incorporating Indigenous knowledge and world views in our research, teaching, and studies to ensure that there are increased economic, social, and creative opportunities for current and future generations. It is our responsibility to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and build a more inclusive future.The meetings will feature over sixty presentations, spanning all areas of philosophy, from philosophers across Western Canada and beyond, with keynotes delivered by Blair Stonechild (Professor of Indigenous Studies, First Nations University of Canada) and Regina Rini (Canada Research Chair in Social and Moral Cognition and Associate Professor of Philosophy, York University).Prior to the meetings’ opening keynote, a special workshop will take place on the theme of “Interconnection in Indigenous Philosophies and the Disciplinary Colonial University”. The workshop will feature discussions from academic researchers and knowledge keepers. We are excited to welcome all WCPA and CSEP/SCPE participants who can attend.
keynotes
Dr. Blair Stonechild
Professor of Indigenous Studies, First Nations University of Canada“Recognizing and Respecting Indigenous Thought and Knowledge”
Friday, October 2, 5:00PM-6:30PM
CB 210 (balcony seating available in CB 312)Abstract: Indigenous Thought and Knowledge has been dismissed over the course of civilization and is therefore little understood. Yet it is the thought system that has prevailed globally for over 99% of human existence. Indigenous thought systems which incorporated the natural and supernatural resulted in stable and harmonious social and environmental systems. Today’s rational thinking is a radical departure from Indigenous tradition and leads us off the “Good Path.” Centering thought almost exclusively around human interests is not only unwise, but is also potentially catastrophic for both ourselves and the world.Dr. Regina Rini Keynote
Canada Research Chair in Social and Moral Cognition and Associate Professor of Philosophy, York University“Nothing but the truth”
Saturday, October 3, 5:00PM-6:30PM
CB 210 (balcony seating available in CB 312)Abstract: Is it valuable to believe the truth? Most philosophers assume so; the True stands alongside the Good and the Beautiful as defining aims of philosophy back to Plato. But it turns out to be extremely difficult to provide an argument for the value of truth that does not veer into circularity or derail into mere pragmatic convenience. Here I consider two opposed views taken by many philosophers – that true belief is intrinsically valuable, and that true belief is not intrinsically valuable – and argue that both are wrong.
Sponsors
For supporting the 2026 WCPA-CSEP and the Workshop on Indigenous Philosophies, we thankThe Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
The University of Regina Academic Conference Fund
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Plenary Workshop:
Interconnection in Indigenous Philosophies and the Disciplinary Colonial University
Can Indigenous philosophies be practiced within a university, and specifically within Philosophy departments, which are colonial and disciplinary? The search for knowledge in the colonial university is structured by a system of conceptual divisions known as disciplines. This structure is a contingent inheritance from a Eurocentric tradition. Yet many Indigenous epistemologies instead center interconnectedness and interdependence, which are undermined by disciplinarity as well as the presuppositions and conceptual history of the philosophies that can be traced back to Europe. These difficulties are compounded by a situation where, within universities, Indigenous philosophies tend to take place in colonial languages, thus being either refracted or dispersed through concepts that do not correspond to those attached to the words in which they were developed, separate from the land in relation to which they were developed and lived.These questions are all the more important as Indigenous Philosophies not only provide a system of beliefs, practices, technologies and values that enabled many Indigenous societies to survive since time immemorial, but also offer an important and unique basis for understanding the nature, and justification of, the inherent rights to self-determination and self-government.This workshop will take place in two parts.First, the presenters will share the main lines of their papers, whether they are complete or in the works. These presenters are working either among academic Indigenous researchers, or with Elders and knowledge keepers within Indigenous communities. We wish to thank Dr. Carrie Jenkins and Robin Roberts for their ongoing participation in the project. A short question and answer period will follow.The second part of the workshop will consist in a discussion around the topics brought up during the presentations, and wider discussions around Indigenous philosophies and their practice.Throughout the workshop, we will have a small group of “Recorders,” witnesses who will be taking notes on the words spoken, the questions asked, the ideas shared, and their own reactions. They will then act as memory keepers for the conference, and we will ensure they can share their accounts.The discussion at the workshop will then continue during the evening, around Dr. Blair Stonechild’s keynote talk.Much of the impulsion for the workshop comes from his work. First, Stonechild places philosophies that find their origins in Europe within the longer timeframe of philosophies, among which they are recent and form an experiment within the larger scope of “civilization.” Second, he places the emphasis on an embodied understanding of the person, not just their mind. Third, Stonechild extracts some of the elements in Western philosophies that lead to racism, assimilation, and destruction. Methodologically, he also helps us frame our approach, where we begin with our relationships with knowledge keepers, creating accountability outside of the university toward those who teach us and learn with us. Dr. Stonechild will be present as a participant in the workshop as well.We hope that this will be the first of many such workshops, each anchored in the teachings of philosophers from the territory where the WCPA will take place, as a way to develop a community around Indigenous philosophies; open the university to forms of philosophies that do not easily find their place within its limits and structures; open a reflection on the location of philosophy (in line with some of the work that is being done on “philosophy in Canada”); and create an opportunity for discovery and learning for colleagues working in other fields and areas, and for students and early career scholars especially.
Registration
To register for the 2026 annual meetings of the WCPA and the CSEP/SCPE, click the button below.
Please register as soon as possible. If you were accepted to present at the meetings but either (i) can no longer attend or (ii) plan to attend but must delay registering, please let the organizing committee know right away, so that the program may be finalized.
Program
To download the most up-to-date program, click the button below.
Visiting Regina
While meals, snacks and refreshments – including plenty of coffee! – will be available throughout the meetings, below you will find some recommended cafés, restaurants, and pubs near the conference venue, plus some places to visit while in Regina.
Cafés
Note some cafés open late on weekends or remain closed on Sundays; we recommend checking their hours before making the trip!The Safe Café & Catering (2375 College Ave) — about a 3min walk from the conference building; bright café with snacks and sandwiches; some vegan and gluten-free optionsNaked Bean Espresso Bar and Café (2505 South, Broad St) — about a 9min walk or 2min drive from the conference building; cozy café with snacks and baked goods; some vegan and gluten-free optionsTangerine (2234 14 Ave) — in between downtown and the conference building, about a 11min walk or 5min drive from the latter; café offering light breakfast and lunch items; solid vegan and gluten-free optionsAbstractions Café (2161 Rose St) — in between downtown and the conference building, about a 11min walk or 5min drive from the latter; café offering a Middle Eastern/Levantine-influenced brunch menu; solid vegan and gluten-free optionsCozyHaus Desserts & Coffee (2245 Albert St) — in between downtown and the conference building, about a 15min walk or 3min drive from the latter; cozy café specializing in sweet treats; great vegan and gluten-free dessert optionsExcalipurr Cat Café (2156 Albert St) — Cathedral-area, in between downtown and the conference building, about a 13min walk or 4min drive from the latter; café with (you guessed it) cats; reservations recommended; some vegan and gluten-free baked goodsBobbi-Joes Café (2610 13th Ave) — Cathedral-area, in between downtown and the conference building, about a 15min walk or 5 min drive from the latter; café with baked goods and light breakfast and lunch options; some vegan and gluten-free optionsBrewed Awakening (1992 Hamilton St) — downtown, about a 15min walk or 7min drive from the conference building; coffee shop with baked goods and light breakfast options; some vegan and gluten-free optionsGreenspot Café (1812 Hamilton St) — downtown, about a 19min walk or 5min drive from the conference building; vegetarian café with famous baked goods; some vegan and gluten-free options33 1/3 Coffee Roasters (3008 13th Ave) — Cathedral-area, about a 20min walk or 7min drive from the conference building; coffee shop that basically just does (very good) coffeeThe Everyday Kitchen (1378 Hamilton St) — downtown, about a 35min walk or 7min drive from the conference venue; bright café famous for their homemade sourdough donuts; few vegan and gluten-free options
Restaurants
Fireside Bistro (2305 Smith St) — in between downtown and the conference building, about a 6min walk or 2min drive from the latter; lunch and dinner restaurant with classic tavern menu; some vegan and gluten-free optionsBlanco Cantina (2228 Albert St) — Cathedral-area, in between downtown and the conference building, about a 11min walk or 2min drive from the latter; Mexican restaurant; few vegan but some gluten-free optionsThe Copper Kettle Restaurant (1953 Scarth St) — downtown, about a 12min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; restaurant known for pizza and Greek and Mediterranean food; solid vegan and gluten-free optionsDojo Ramen (1970 Hamilton St) — downtown, about a 13min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; Japanese restaurant; some vegan and gluten-free optionsSiam Authentic Thai Restaurant (1946 Hamilton St) — downtown, about a 14min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; Thai restaurant; solid vegan and gluten-free optionsViet-Thai Restaurant (2080 Albert St) — Cathedral-area, in between downtown and the conference building, about a 15min walk or 5 min drive from the latter; Regina institution serving Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese dishes; solid vegan and gluten-free optionsOEB Breakfast Co. (1874 Scarth St) — downtown, about a 15min walk or 7min drive from the conference venue; breakfast and lunch restaurant; some vegan and gluten-free optionsItalian Star Deli (1631 Victoria Ave) — near downtown, about a 17min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; Regina institution serving Italian sandwiches and pizzas; few vegan and gluten-free optionsWann Izakaya Japanese Gastropub (1950 Broad St) — downtown, about a 17min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; Japanese restaurant; some vegan and gluten-free optionsThe Cure Kitchen + Bar (2323 11th Ave) — downtown, about a 18min walk or 6min drive from the conference venue; restaurant and bar; some vegan and gluten-free optionsMercury Cafe & Grill (2936 13th Ave) — Cathedral-area, about a 20min walk or 5min drive from the conference building; retro diner serving breakfast, burgers, and milkshakes; few vegan and gluten-free optionsCaraway Grill (1625 Broad St) — downtown, about a 25min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; Indian restaurant; solid vegan and gluten-free options
Pubs and Drinks
Leopold's Tavern Regina "OG" (2330 Albert St) — about a 9min walk or 3min drive from the conference venue; pub food and drinks; cozy and often busy, so not ideal for very large groupsCirca 27 (2125 Victoria Ave) — downtown, about a 11min walk or 4min drive from the conference venue; famous lounge and bar inside Hotel SaskatchewanVictoria's Tavern Downtown (1965 Hamilton St) — downtown, about a 14min walk or 3min drive from the conference venue; pub food and drinksPile O' Bones Brewing Co. (1808 Cameron St) — Cathedral area, about a 30min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; local brewery with pub foodBushwakker Brewpub (2206 Dewdney Ave) — Warehouse District, about a 35min walk or 7min drive from the conference venue; famous Regina craft-beer institution with pub food
Attractions
Royal Saskatchewan Museum — about a 6min walk or 1min drive from the conference venue; open Oct. 2–4, 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.Saskatchewan Legislative Building — about a 18min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; thirty-minute tours are scheduled Oct. 2–4, 9:00 a.m.–noon and 1:00–5:00 p.m.MacKenzie Art Gallery — about a 30min walk or 10min drive from the conference venue; exhibitions include Death Boat and Other Stories: The Kampelmacher Memorial Collection of Indigenous Art, Love Medicine, and work by artists-in-residence Geanna Dunbar and Amber Phelps Bondaroff; open Oct. 2–4, 11:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.Saskatchewan Science Centre & Kramer IMAX — about a 30min walk or 7min drive from the conference venue; exhibitions include Earth in Focus: Insights from Space and Journey to Space; open Oct 2 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Oct 3-4 noon–6:00 p.m.Government House, Queen Elizabeth II Art Gallery & Edwardian Gardens — about a 18min walk or 5min drive from the conference venue; Open Oct. 2–4, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.RCMP Heritage Centre & Place of Reflection — about a 70min walk or 15min drive from the conference venue; open Oct. 2–4, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Contact