
Indigenous Couples’ Getaway – Houston, BC
🗓 Nov 17-19, 2023
November 17 @ 5:00 pm – November 19 @ 1:30 pm

We invite you to join us for BC’s first ever Indigenous Couples’ Getaway. This weekend relationship retreat is an opportunity for you to connect, improve your communication and discover more joy for the lifetime you share!
Two Indigenous speaker couples will share personal stories, practical wisdom and provide opportunities for conversations that will help you and your partner grow a healthier, more joy-filled relationship.
Each of the six sessions will help you move to a place of greater closeness and trust. You’ll gain new tools to strengthen the foundation of your relationship in the important areas of communication, conflict, sex and spirituality.
This event is being hosted in partnership between Indian Life Ministries, Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and FamilyLife Canada. It will be held at the Rock Nest Ranch in Houston BC.
Speakers
First Nations speaker-couples will be teaching together to help you make this relationship investment.

Kirby & Bernadette James
Kirby and Bernadette James, from Prince Albert Sask. They are originally from Merritt BC. “You can call us Province Jumpers for the Lord. We attended a First Nation Bible School in Lac La Biche, Alberta, called Keywaten Bible School; we eventually traveled to Nipawin to finish Bible school and have been living in Prince Albert for the last 7 years pastoring at New Life Indian Alliance Church. My wife and I have been married for 31 years and have a handsome 15 Year old son named Kobe living with us.

Gord & Bev Mills
Gord and Bev Mills reside in Sudbury, Ontario. They celebrated 40 years of marriage on July 3, 2022 and are the proud parents of two children and three fabulous grandchildren. Gord is originally from Moose Factory, Ontario, is a member of the Moose Cree First Nation and has been a Christian since 1978 and has always been involved in many communities and churches. Bev joined Gord in retirement in March 2022 and their lives have been filled with family activities, travel, and speaking at various churches and conferences in Canada and abroad.
Live Music Performers

Kene & Milly Jackson
Kene and Milly Jackson are from the Whitefish Lake Band #128 Plains Cree Nation. They have been working in Gospel Music since 1981 when they started the SonRise Indian Gospel Band. Now as the Kene and Milly duo, they continue their passion of touring and recording Gospel Music.
Weekend Schedule
Registration Cost
Early Bird Rate – $249/Couple (until Oct 30)
Regular Rate – $299/Couple
Please Note: Registration includes conference tickets, coffee breaks and meals on Friday evening, Saturday (breakfast, lunch and banquet dinner) and Sunday (Breakfast and lunch). Allergy Accommodations are available if notified at time of registration.
Cancellation Policy
We understand you may need to cancel your registration for a number of reasons. If you do need to withdraw, 50% of your registration can be refunded until Nov 3. After Nov 3 no refund is available.
Retreat Location
Rock Nest Ranch | Google Map
7909 Barrett Hat Rd, Houston, BC V0J 1Z1
Discover More Joy
For the Lifetime You Share!

Accommodations
Registration does not include hotel. The retreat meetings are at Rock Nest Ranch but everyone will need to book a hotel or place to stay at nearby.
Smithers (which is a half-hour-dive from Rock Nest Ranch and Houston) has several hotels you can choose from. The Sandman Inn is providing a special guest room rate of $109/night but only while rooms are available, so please remember to book early.
How to Book at the Sandman (Smithers)
To book your room by phone call, 1-800-Sandman (726-3626) or the front desk at 250-645-7263 and give them the code ISMT2311 Family or 300103 to get the discount.
To book online:
- Visit www.sandmanhotels.com
- Select the Sandman Smithers Hotel, Date and click “Book Now”
- Click the “Add Code” and select “Web Group Code.”
- Type ISMT2311FAMILY and click “ADD”
- Click “Select & Go to the next step”
- Choose and book your preferred room type
- Credit Card is required to hold the room and upon check in.
If you have trouble registering or don’t have a credit card, please contact Dan for assistance and for e-transfer instructions. Please note: registration is not complete until e-transfer has been received.
dan@familylifecanada.com
Or call Dan at 825-733-2922
Any Other Questions?
NEFC – nefc@mymts.net
Or Call: 204-669-7389
Indian Life Ministries – director@indianlife.org
Or call Todd or Krystal at 1-800-665-9275
Easy Ways to Invite Others
- Send a personal email and share this link.
- Use this shareable image in emails, with a link back to the page you’re on.
- Print and cut out these postcard-sized invites to hand out personally.