conference - program — chinese adoptee collective

chinese adoptee collective
a collective of people adopted from china working together to organize the first closed* conference for our community.

conference - program

all | general info | program | know-before-you-go / faq

program

at-a-glance

friday june 27

430pm et :: early check in
5pm :: dumpling workshop & community dinner (rsvp only)
7pm :: mahjongg game night

saturday june 28

9am :: check in
930am :: opening ceremony

10am :: keynote presentation - knowing our history is knowing ourselves : 30+ years of chinese international adoption, by grace newton

1115am :: session block I

i. exploring consciousness development through the adoptee consciousness model
ii. crossmovement solidarity with a4j and npa
iii. disability justice

1230pm :: lunch on your own
215pm :: session block II

i. how to : dna and birth search
ii. ama-zine adoptees
iii. lucky knot workshop

330pm :: affinity table mixer
445pm :: dinner on your own
7pm :: open mic/drag show fundraiser (rsvp only)

sunday june 29

9am :: check in
10am :: returning to china panel
1115am :: navigating the birth family search process panel
1215pm :: closing ceremony

all hours

reset room
mural collage project

details

friday june 27

430pm et :: early check in (event hall, fl 3) check in to the conference and work on diy nametags with other early conference attendees before dinner
5pm :: dumpling workshop & community dinner (event hall, fl 3, rsvp only) dumpling workshop in collaboration with asian food collective and community member chef kiana kishiyama, catered dinner also provided
7pm :: mahjongg game night (event hall, fl 3) play mahjongg with other conference attendees, beginners welcome - byo snacks and non alcoholic drinks, coordinated by community member jaime renman

saturday june 28

9am :: check in (event hall, fl 3) check in to the conference and work on diy nametags
930am :: opening ceremony (event hall, fl 3) hear opening remarks from chinese adoptee collective
10am :: knowing our history is knowing ourselves : 30+ years of chinese international adoption, keynote by grace newton (event hall, fl 3) more than simply recalling events of the past, history provides people with the stories of who they are and where they came from. knowledge of a shared history is pivotal for the development of a group identity. adoptees, however, often grow up in isolation without access to a nuanced and comprehensive history of the events that led to the creation of their adoptee identity on both political and personal levels. displaced from chinese history and our chinese families and subsequently plopped into our adoptive countries and adoptive families, this presentation seeks to root and renarrate chinese adoptees’ experiences in a more complete, multinational, and accurate historical context.

1115am :: session block I

i. exploring consciousness development through the adoptee consciousness model with grace newton (event hall, fl 3) the adoptee consciousness model (acm) describes the ways adoptees make sense of and/or experience adoption. informed by critical consciousness theories, the acm includes five touchstones that describe adoptees’ understanding of their adoption: 1) status quo, 2) rupture, 3) dissonance, 4) expansiveness, and 5) agency. in this presentation, grace discusses the research project and the ways the acm has implications for adoptees' mental health and identity development.
ii. crossmovement solidarity (studio b, fl 2) this session will examine the intersection of adoptee identity and global struggles for justice through the lens of cross-movement solidarity. adoptees, particularly those from communities of color, often experience the profound trauma of having their identities severed by the adoption system. this system is deeply intertwined with global histories of colonialism, imperialism, and oppression, and continues to affect current events, from haitian adoption and deportations to the struggles of palestinians and indigenous adoptees forcibly separated from their communities. join us to reflect, connect, and take action toward building a more equitable future.
iii. disability justice (studio d, fl 2) with lydia x. z. brown, discusses disability justice - more info coming soon.

1230pm :: lunch on your own

215pm :: session block II

i. how to : dna and birth search (studio d, fl 2) wondering how to navigate a birth family search or unsure where to begin? nanchang project executive leaders cassidy sackand katie lauder will discuss the different types of dna tests and databases that chinese adoptees can utilize for locating biological relatives. learn about the paid and free resources available for a search, including the accessible services nanchang project offers. we will answer audience questions during a mini q&a and provide an opportunity for attendees to complete saliva-based ancestrydna and blood-based china national reunion/police database tests together in a supportive setting (testing is optional), facilitated by mental health professional laur edwards.
ii. ama-zine adoptees (event hall, fl 3) process some adoptee feelings and learn how to make a one-page zine with cam and cal! come with any level of experience; cam and cal will guide you through zines 101 and encourage you to spend some time being creative with your medium of choice. cam mccafferty (he/they) is a longtime zinester and comics creator, and has facilitated zine workshops with bipoc adoptees. they like to make diary-like comics and stories about lesbians with problems. cal storrs (they/them) co-runs marcescence magazine, a small independent publisher that aims to trace the movement of power in the adoption, foster care, and child welfare industries.
iii. lucky knot workshop (studio b, fl 2) with ahmoy and nico - more info coming soon.

330pm :: affinity tables mixer (event hall, fl 3) meet and connect with other conference attendees based on home region, birth province region, lgbtqia+, covid conscious, sober, disabed/nd, male, and more.

445pm :: dinner on your own

7pm :: open mic/drag show fundraiser (black box theatre, fl 1, rsvp only)

sunday june 29

930am :: check in (event hall, fl 3) check in to the conference and work on diy nametags
10am :: returning to china (event hall, fl 3) explore themes of identity, cultural connection, and self-discovery through the stories of individuals who have navigated the complexities of returning to china. the discussion will delve into key topics such as considerations they had in pursuing returning to china, the impact of visiting birthplaces, interactions with their birth country and people of china, and reconciling dual cultural identities. whether you are considering returning, have already returned, or are not interested in returning, our panelists hope that their experiences will help shed light and insights into the spectrum of experiences across the adoptee diaspora.
1115am :: navigating the birth family search process (event hall, fl 3) deciding to search for birth family members as a chinese adoptee is not made lightly. do i have to search in person? how much does it cost? how do i come to that decision? where do i start? what should i know ahead of time? the process can be overwhelming and confusing. hear from chinese adoptees laney, mei ke, and grace as they detail their experiences, give practical tips, and shed light on the emotional aspects of searching for birth family members.
1230pm :: closing ceremony (event hall, fl 3) hear closing remarks from chinese adoptee collective

all hours

reset room (event hall, fl 3) due to the sensitive nature of the program cac is offering a reset room to all attendees equipped with a bipoc adoptee mental health professional to talk to if need be. the room will also include fidget toys, coloring books, and art supplies.
mural collage project (event hall, fl 3) conference attendees are invited to bring photos, illustrations, and words to create a group mural collage project together.

if you are an organization in the adoption sect and are interested in collaborating please contact us using our contact form.

*closed means only for people (18+ yo) adopted from china. no adoptive parents, partners, or the general public. this is important to us because historically people who experience adoption are extremely isolated and raised without fellow adoptee community. this conference will be the first large closed gathering for people adopted from china.
**learn more about sliding payment scale.