Michele Penney

Traditional Hand Drummer and Adult Educator - 60s Scoop: Honouring the Separated and Lost | Day 1

Michele J Penney is of the Saulteaux Nation from Treaty Four Saskatchewan. Yellow Quill is her reserve and she is a 60's Scooper. A Traditional Hand Drummer and Adult Educator she promotes First Nations issues when she can. She believes if you understand the issue, it's fixable. If you understand the intent, moving forward is inevitable. She encourages everyone to bring their whole selves to the table and tell me her your story. She's listening.

Koren Lightning-Earle

Legal Director of Wahkotowin Law and Governance Lodge - Revitalizing Indigenous Laws | Day 1

Koren Lightning-Earle, Blue Thunderbird Woman, is Cree from Samson Cree Nation. She is the Legal Director with Wahkotowin Law and Governance Lodge. Koren graduated from Law School in 2007 at the University of Alberta. She was called to the bar in February 2009 and had the honour of having her Bar Call on her Reserve of Samson Cree Nation. Koren received her Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. Koren’s work focuses on working with Indigenous clients and supporting the revitalization of Indigenous Laws. Koren advises in the areas of Indigenous Governance, Indigenous Child Welfare, and Indian Act matters. Koren also is an accomplished speaker on Indigenous Cultural Awareness and Relationship Building. Karen also serves as a Board Member for First Nations Caring Society, Acting Commissioner for Alberta Utilities Commission and Board Member for Peace Hills Insurance. Previous roles she has has served include the Indigenous Initiatives Liaison at the Law Society of Alberta, Vice-President of Kasohkowew Child Wellness Society for 10 years, President of the Indigenous Bar Association for 6 years, and co-chair of the First Nations Women’s Economic Security Council. She was awarded the “Pringle/Royal sessional teaching excellence” Award from Faculty of Law, University of Alberta; “Tomorrow’s Leader” Award from Women in Law Leadership Awards in 2019; and, Alumni Horizon Award from the University of Alberta in 2017. She was an elected council member for Samson Cree Nation from 2011-2014 and is co-founder of Hub, a community mobilization program to help reduce crime. She is a sessional instructor at Maskwacis Cultural College and University of Alberta, Faculty of Law.

Ally Crockford

Righting Relations National Coordinator: Welcome & Greetings Day 1

For over 10 years, Ally has been working with organizations across industries and continents. A passionate social justice educator, communicator, activist, and advocate, she is always looking to tell stories, engage communities, and facilitate change.

Sarah Adomako-Ansah

Teacher Consultant: Teacher Session - Let’s Talk about Racism | Day 2

Sarah Adomako-Ansah is a former teacher with the Edmonton Catholic School Division, teaching grades 3-6 from 2013 until 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta (2013). In 2021, she began her term as the Educator in Residence at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, supporting human rights education in Canada, but also creating a program titled ‘Pass the Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism.’ In addition, Sarah is the co-founder of the Black Teacher’s Association of Alberta and strives to amplify all voices in schools. Currently, Sarah is the EDIAR Consultant for ECSD, supporting teachers and students in their journey with equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Lewis Cardinal

Educator: Reclaiming and Reconnecting to Indigenous Ceremony | Day 1

Lewis Cardinal is a communicator and educator; he has dedicated his life’s work to creating and maintaining connections and relationships that cross-cultural divides. His long track record of public service currently includes; Board Member of Theatre Network Society, Vice-Chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada-Alberta, Chair of the Global Indigenous Dialogue of Initiatives of Change-Canada, and Trustee and Chair of the Indigenous Taskforce for the Council for a Parliament of World Religions. Lewis has received two Jubilee medals from Queen Elizabeth II; the Diamond Jubilee Medal for Public Service and the Platinum Jubilee Medal for his contributions to the Province of Alberta, as well as, the IndSpire Award for Public Service (awarded by the Indigenous peoples of Canada), the Province of Alberta’s Centennial Medal for his work in Human Rights and Diversity, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Grant MacEwan University, and the Honorary Degree of “Doctor of Sacred Letters” from St. Stephen’s College at the University of Alberta. Lewis is Woodland Cree from the Sucker Creek Cree First Nation in Treaty No. 8 in northern Alberta, Canada. His consulting company, Cardinal Strategic Communications, specializes in Indigenous education, communications, and project development. He is also owner, CEO, and Head Storyteller of Red Earth Blue Sky Productions. Currently, Lewis is Project Manager for “kihcihkaw askî–Sacred Land” in the City of Edmonton, the first designated urban Indigenous ceremony grounds in Canada.

Sharla Mskokii Peltier

Professor - Teacher Session: Bundle/Land Acknowledgement Workshop - Day 1

Sharla Mskokii Peltier, Loon Clan, from Chippewas of Rama, Ontario, is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, Lakehead University. Her research and teaching experiences in community and post secondary contexts are rich with storytelling, community culture land-based pedagogy and relational ideologies. Mskokii Kwe’s scholarship centers passing on the knowledge through life experience stories to enhance relationships alongside Lands and Waters.

Alana Prochuk

Advocate: Kids Are Only Kids Once: Documentary Storytelling | Day 1

Alana is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to West Coast LEAF’s work for social justice as the Manager of Public Legal Education. A BC-certified English and ESL teacher, Alana brings experience in classroom-based and grassroots education, as well as communications, research, and project coordination. Most recently, Alana worked at the BC Civil Liberties Association and at WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre, where she led a campus initiative against gender-based violence in partnership with Vancouver Community College. Alana also holds an MA in Cultural Studies. When they’re not at work, you’re likely to find them scooting around town on their bike, checking out local arts events, reading, writing, or dancing with abandon. West Coast LEAF is a BC-based non-profit that uses colonial legal tools to advance gender justice. In collaboration with community, West Coast LEAF uses litigation, law reform, and public legal education to create social change, with a strong recent focus on the wellbeing of families and children.

Jamie Bourque

Indigenous Activist: RE-KEN-SI-LE-A-SHEN (Film Showcase) | Day 1

From the Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement, in the colonial state of northwest so-called Canada where he was raised among his grandparents and large extended family. Jamie is a Two-Spirit, indigenous, single parent who canceled their subscription to pronouns. Jamie Bourque has been active in the industry since 2009 as an Executive Producer, Creative Producer, Writer, and Director.

Wanda Bernard

Senator (Nova Scotia): Keynote Speaker | Day 2

Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard is a highly regarded social worker, educator, researcher, community activist and advocate of social change. She has worked in mental health at the provincial level, in rural community practice at the municipal level, and, since 1990, as a professor at the Dalhousie School of Social Work, where she also served as director for a decade. In 2016, she was appointed Special Advisor on Diversity and Inclusiveness at Dalhousie University and she is the first African Nova Scotian to hold a tenure track position at Dalhousie University and to be promoted to full professor. Dr. Thomas Bernard has worked with provincial organizations to bring diversity to the political processes in Nova Scotia and teach community members about Canada’s legislative process and citizen engagement. She is a founding member of the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) which helps address the needs of marginalized citizens, especially those of African descent. As a former member of the Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women, and as its past Chair, was instrumental in the development of advice to ministers regarding frameworks for gender violence prevention and health equity. At the national level, she has served as a member of the National Coalition of Advisory Councils on the Status of Women. She has served as an expert witness in human rights cases and has presented at many local, national and international forums. Dr. Thomas Bernard has received many honours for her work and community leadership, notably the Order of Nova Scotia and the Order of Canada.

Casandra London

Holistic Practitioner: Decolonizing Endometriosis | Day 2

Casandra London is a holistic health practitioner and wellness ambassador. She has over 15 years of rich experience in the realm of community support, public health, media, arts, research, and facilitation. She is the founder of Her Black Health, an online holistic wellness network dedicated to educating Black women and women of colour on various health issues. Her vision is to create a safe space for women to make more informed decisions about their health and rights within the healthcare system. Her impeccable eye for providing culturally relevant workshops from a decolonized, activist, self-awareness lens has helped hundreds of people across Canada find their inner voice and healing. She is well versed in the areas of depression, trauma informed care, women’s pelvic health, self-love, spoken-word, and health impacts on racism and implicit biases. She also trains Women’s Health in Women’s Hands facilitators on how to structure, tailor, and teach from an inclusive, equitable, accessible framework. Casandra believes through her educational workshops, life coaching, and women centred healing circles, she can help Black women and women of colour feel empowered about enriching their health journey.

Meital Siva-Jain

Social Worker: Understanding Anti-Semitism in Canada | Day 2

Meital Siva-Jain (BA, RSW) has been working with individuals and communities in Edmonton in the areas of sexual violence, family violence, and racism for over ten years. She currently leads the Outreach Program at Jewish Family Services and is studying for her Master's in clinical social work.

Elizabeth Ly

Director - Power of Humanity Consulting: Let's Talk Bias and Assumptions | Day 2

Elizabeth Ly is the Founder and Director of Power of Humanity Consulting Inc. For the past 20 years she has specialized in the area of Diversity, Inclusion and Hate/Bias. Prior to launching her own consulting business, Elizabeth worked in law enforcement, criminal justice education and was the lead diversity and inclusion facilitator with the Calgary Police Service. She has developed, coordinated and facilitated award-winning, internationally recognized programs for schools and communities that address the issues surrounding hate, bias and its impact. Elizabeth has worked with youth in the school system for over 25 years. Her passion and commitment to address discrimination and combat hate, racism and bullying keep her on the move. She has the ability to connect and engage with her audience while creating a safe and interactive learning experience. Often compared to energy in motion, Elizabeth is not only a dynamic facilitator, but a true ally to all.

Jessica Brandon

ACT Alberta Program Mngr: Labour Exploitation, Racism and Migrant Rights | Day 3

Jessica has more than 15 years of advocacy experience with a strong focus on Human Rights. She began as a volunteer with the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking 5 years ago and took the leap from her corporate role in the tech sector to managing the Education Program at ACT Alberta in 2018. She has presented to thousands of attendees on behalf of the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking, and trains various groups on how to recognize, protect, and assist someone who may have been trafficked. Jessica also develops specialized training for various groups such as healthcare professionals, law enforcement, government and non-governmental agencies, University students and faculty.

Rabia Khedr

Director of Disability without Poverty: Disability without Poverty | Day 4

Rabia Khedr is the National Director of Disability without Poverty, an organization committed to ending poverty for people with disabilities in Canada; CEO of DEEN Support Services, a disability service provider ensuring culturally and spiritually responsive services; and a consultant with diversityworX, a company that trains organizations in cultural competency and accessibility. She is the founder of Race and Disability Canada and previously served as commissioner with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She is a member of the Minister’s Disability Advisory Group and also sat on the board of Accessibility Standards Canada.

Rawd Belanger

Indigenous Rights Activist: Bill C-92 and Future of Care for Indigenous Children | Day 1

Rawd Belanger is of Nehiyaw and Nahkwe bloodlines and from the hacachas/Ochapowace Cree People located in Treaty 4 Territory. ( The historic identifiable - kâ-têpwêwisîpîwiyiniwak - Calling River People) 60s scoop survivor separated from natural family and held captive in the child welfare system. This early unnatural occurrence contributed to a young life full of chaotic negative experiences. A path that led to experience early incarceration in a system designed to break down and groom for systemic dependency. This certainly was a chaotic and opened the doors to street life and all the amenities of everything irrelevant other than survival. He attributes personal success and achievement through reconnecting to land, language, traditions, culture and dance. The understanding that our laws still exist can be huge contributing factors to rebuilding and witnessing the resurgence of Indigenous nations. Today, his work entails speaking, educating, and advocating for Indigenous rights based on historic Treaty agreements and basic human rights recognized by the United Nations under the historic release of UNDRIP. Advocating for a better out comes for those that are directly impacted by racist systemic policies that are still not favorable for Indian people in Canada today. Êkosi pitamâ kîhtwâm kahkiyaw kinanâskomitinâwâw !!

Lisa Howell

PhD (she/her) Part-Time Professor and Researcher at the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa

Lisa Howell, PhD (she/her) is a part-time professor and researcher at the Faculty of Education at the University of Ottawa. Lisa is of Northern-European descent, and she currently lives with family on the unsurrendered, ancestral territories of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg, in Ottawa. For many years, Lisa was an elementary teacher where she taught and learned with Cree, Inuk, Anishinaabe, and non-Indigenous students. Lisa has been the lead researcher of “Just because we’re small doesn’t mean we can’t stand tall: Education for Reconciliation in the Elementary Classroom”, a collaboration with First Nations Child and Family Caring Society since 2018. She is the honoured recipient of an Indspire Partner in Indigenous education award, as well as a Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Teaching. Lisa’s favourite place is her cabin that is nestled in the forest on the shores of Otter Lake, Quebec.

Jessica Raby

Education and Public Engagement Coordinator at the Caring Society - Teacher Session: Child and Youth Rights | Day 1

Jessica Raby (she/her/Jess), is the Education and Public Engagement Coordinator at the Caring Society. She lives, works and plays on unceded Algonquin lands (Ottawa, Ontario). She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Rights and Law at Carleton University and later went abroad to the UK to complete her Masters of Law in International Human Rights Law at the University of Sussex. A lover of travel, she loves to experience new cultures, people, and customs. These experiences have solidified her dedication to provide support to all communities and help to amplify the voices of others. She is passionate about research and education and is committed to continued learning and becoming an active participant in actionable and long-term change.

Miigam'agan of Jagej Clan

Elder-in-Residence - Welcome Keynote | Day 1

Miigam’agan is a Grandmother of the Jagej Clan, a community organizer from Esgenoôpetitj, a decolonial linguist and scholar of Wabanaki Longhouse traditions, and a District Sub-Chief for Gespe’gewa’gi who, since 2012, has worked as the Elder-in-Residence for St. Thomas University. As a widely known and highly respected spiritual leader who uses her fluency in the Mi’kmaq language as a portal into her peoples’ culture and history, Miigam’agan serves an essential support for Wabanaki peoples who are engaged in knowledge reconstruction in and outside of provincial institutions. Her life has been devoted to Wabanaki cultural revival, and in her research and advocacy, she promotes deep understandings of Indigenous matri-cultural systems, using her language as her primary scholarly references.

Donna Bulger

JHC Staff

Elementary school teacher and graphic artist, Donna brings experience both in education and lived experience with a (mobility) disability. She has been actively advocating for people living with disabilities since her medical retirement in 2020. She was a member of Radical Inclusion (supported by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights), a unique group where people living with disabilities were in the majority. A number of key issues people living with disabilities face daily were established with this group along with some potential solutions. Donna, along with this group, developed and submitted a shadow report to both the UN and decision makers in local public sectors. Donna continues her advocacy with the John Humphrey Centre and her work with graphics for other small companies.

Mala Thapur

Humanitarian | Day 6, 10

Mala is an award winner for the essay competition on The Global ethic at the Parliament of World Religions Chicago, International workshops on Using Theatre as a Healing tool for the marginalized and exceptionalities. She is a speaker on Leonardo Da Vinci's Thinking and Communicating Skills, Multi Dimensional Role of the Teacher and Creativity. Mala is the author of books on culture - Leadership Culture, Mindless and Mindfulness, Cultural Conundrums, Cultural Awakenings, Significance of Signs, Commodification of Seniors and Signature Cultures. She also is a motivational speaker, humanist, theatre artist, visual artist and a teacher.

Meghan Doherty

Human Rights Advocate | Day 9, 10

Meghan has over two decades of experience advocating for human rights in Ireland, Canada and international fora. As Action Canada for Sexual Health and Right’s Director of Global Policy & Advocacy, Meghan is responsible for advancing sexual and reproductive rights in global policies alongside feminist movements from around the world, with a particular focus on the UN human rights mechanisms. Throughout her career, Meghan has worked at all levels to strengthen human rights accountability mechanisms and to support activists in accessing these important spaces to claim their rights. Meghan is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Manwar Khan

Activist | Day 10

Manwar Khan works with Government of Alberta (last 15 years). This Alberta-based activist received one of Canada’s highest honours “Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award” for his grass root anti-bullying movement “Do not be a Bystander’. This anti-bullying campaign, has hosted 32 rallies in cities across the province. Manwar is dedicated to raising public awareness of bullying across Alberta, since witnessing and intervening to stop a deadly attack against a fellow commuter on an Edmonton LRT train in December 2012. He aims to create awareness against bullying and to encourage people not to be bystanders when they see such incidents taking place. Manwar's podcast, "In Conversation with MANWAR KHAN," dedicated to raising anti-bullying awareness, has rapidly garnered significant attention throughout the province. The primary objective of this podcast is to empower and educate children about the detrimental effects of bullying and the crucial role of bystanders in preventing it. Last year Manwar received the prestigious Alberta Inspiration Award and in 2018 he received Alberta Justice Community award from Government of Alberta for his community work.

Leslee Udwin

Human Rights Advocate | Day 10

Voted by the NY Times the No 2 Most Impactful Woman of 2015 (second to Hillary Clinton), Leslee and has been awarded the prestigious Swedish Anna Lindh Human Rights Prize (previously won by Madeleine Albright). A BAFTA and multi-award winning filmmaker and Human Rights Campaigner, Leslee’s documentary “India’s Daughter”, has been critically acclaimed around the globe, won 32 awards (including the Peabody Award and the Amnesty International Media Award for Best Documentary 2016) and sparked a global movement to end violence against women and girls. The searing insights yielded by the journey making “India’s Daughter”, led Leslee to turn her back on filmmaking and devote herself to Think Equal Foundation, as its founder. In 2019, she received the Activism in Arts and Education award from the UN Women for Peace Association, UN Association USA’s Global Citizen of 2019, and the Gandhi Foundation International Peace Award. She has also been named Safe Magazine’s Global Hero of 2015, and Global Thinker by Foreign Policy.

Vasant Chotai

President of Canadians for a Civil Society | Day 8, 10

Vasant was Director of Social Policy with the provincial government and he led a team of research staff. His major initiatives included cross-ministry coordination on social programs and supports, and a policy advisory committee consisting of community leaders, businesses, academics and senior government officials. He was appointed policy expert to the MLA Committee to review low-income programs that developed the new model for supports to low-income Albertans, crossing program and ministerial boundaries. Since retirement, Vasant has led several non-profit community organizations and he is currently the president of the Canadians for a Civil Society.

Richard Wagner

Chief Justice of Canada - Convention Reception | Day 9

The Right Honourable Richard Wagner is the 18th Chief Justice of Canada. In this role, he presides over the Canadian Judicial Council, National Judicial Institute and chairs the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada. Born and raised in Montreal, Chief Justice Wagner studied at the University of Ottawa before returning to his hometown to practice law from 1980 to 2004. He was then appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Quebec and later named to the Quebec Court of Appeal. In 2012, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada and was named the Court’s Chief Justice in 2017. Throughout his legal career, Chief Justice Wagner has long contributed to the cause of justice and has advocated for better access to justice for all Canadians. He encourages better funding for legal aid, supports structural reforms to further modernize the justice system, and urges lawyers to do more pro bono work.

Shaka Ceesay

Director of Fdn for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Initiatives (FIIDI) | Day 9

Shaka Ceesay is the Founder and Director of Foundation for Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue Initiatives (FIIDI), a charitable organization that operates in Alberta (Canada) with Burkina Faso, and Sierra Leone. He is a professional fundraiser and resource mobiliser with a track record of developing partnerships that brings lofty organizational goals to fruition. Passionate humanitarian guided by the conviction that people are essentially good, and all change is possible. Dedicated and determined change agent well-versed in human rights and development, lobbying, and advocacy, Shaka is adept in donor research, grant and project proposal writing, project management and participatory needs assessments."

Arman Chak

Human Rights Lawyer | Day 9

Arman Chak is the principal lawyer for a small firm in Edmonton. Arman focuses his work on Human Rights, Litigation and Administrative Law. Arman had been a Bencher for 6 years, a public responsibility, which entailed policy and adjudicative work. Arman was Legal Counsel for the Alberta Human Rights Commission for nearly 12 years. His work over the past 21 years has involved a multitude of legal tasks and skills in the area of Administrative Law/Civil Law. He has appeared before many tribunals and Courts including the Supreme Court of Canada. Arman has significant experience with respect to diversity and inclusion initiatives and works with the Canadian Bar Association and other equality seeking groups to improve the participation and engagement with diverse groups in the legal profession.

Sean Chung

Executive Director of Han Voice: North Korean Human Rights | Day 9

Sean is the Executive Director of HanVoice. He has previously worked as a consultant at the UN Migration Agency and officer at the UN Major Group for Children and Youth in New York. Under Sean's leadership, HanVoice has convened global and regional human rights summits and has successfully lobbied for a special public policy under the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada in 2021. Today, HanVoice is facilitating a historic pilot program resettling North Korean refugees through private sponsorship. Sean has appeared as a subject-matter expert on over 200 news outlets around the world including The Associated Press, Washington Post, and CBC News. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto.

Renee Vaugeois

Executive Director, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights

Renée Vaugeois originates from Wildwood Alberta Canada in Treaty Six territory and now resides in ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ amiskwacîwâskahikan Edmonton Alberta Canada. Renée’s background is of Ukrainian, French and Métis descent and has a Master’s of Political Science from the University of Alberta with a focus on international political economy, global governance and peace building. Renée is currently the Executive Director of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights having served there since 2005. The John Humphrey Centre is dedicated to advancing and promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through education and community building. Renée has spearheaded projects such as Stride Advocacy where JHC has worked to build networks of volunteer advocates across Alberta who have the capacity and skills to help those most marginalized navigate human rights systems when they have faced discrimination. As President of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, Renée has led a collective of legal and human rights professionals in Alberta to come together working on individual and systemic advocacy on human rights. Areas of work for this group have included Indigenous seniors in care, prison rights and policing/law enforcement. Renée is part of the national steering committee of Righting Relations, a pan-Canadian women-led movement of adult educators and community organizers working to build a just Canada. This movement is working to build capacity among members but also create networks of collaboration. She has led the development of the West Hub of Righting Relations where members are actively coming together to create the necessary but brave spaces and conversations that we need to have to right relations. Renee also founded in partnership with Uganda colleague Obed Aharinta, Ainembabazi Children’s Project (ACP) in 2005. ACP supports the building of self reliant and sustainable communities in southwestern Uganda. The work has involved investment into local economic development activities, health education programming, and supported school to school partnerships in Edmonton and Uganda. Renee continues to serve on the Executive of the organization.

Anna England

Projects Manager and Digital Curator | Day 10

Anna England is a graduate of the Master of Museum Studies program from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information and holds an MA in History and a BA in History, minoring in French. Anna has worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Tim Cook at the Canadian War Museum and as Curatorial Assistant at the Royal Canadian Military Institute. She has also worked with the MultiCultural History Society of Ontario and Sunnybrook Veterans Centre. Anna is the Projects Manager & Digital Curator for Defining Moments Canada.

Renee Allan

Writer-Educator | Day 10

Renee Allen is a multi-hyphenate Jamaican-born, Toronto-based, writer-educator, with a passion for working with children and youth. She is deeply committed to work that interrogates and addresses interlocking systems of oppression. Her writing appears in Zora, THIS magazine and PREE. Renee is also a recent graduate of the Masters of Teaching program at the University of Toronto, with a book collection that keeps outgrowing her bookcase.

Amanda Merpaw

Writer/educator/editor | Day 10

Amanda Merpaw is a Franco-Ontarian writer, editor, and educator. She is originally from Ottawa and is currently based in Toronto, Treaty 13, Dish With One Spoon Territory. Amanda holds a Master of Teaching from OISE/UT and a Master of Arts in Literature from TMU. Amanda has taught history, geography, and English in Ontario classrooms for nearly a decade, and has worked as an educational coach in justice-based practices and pedagogies. She is also an artist-educator and producer creating and supporting a range of performance projects and installations, including documentary theatre. Amanda is the education manager at Defining Moments Canada.

Dominique Clement

Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta

Dominique Clément is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta and a member of the Royal Society of Canada (CNSAS). He is the author of numerous books and articles on human rights, social movements, and the nonprofit sector. Clément has consulted for the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Canadian Heritage Information Network among others. His websites, HistoryOfRights.ca and statefunding.ca, serve as research and teaching portals on the study of human rights and social movements.

Andrea Salguero

Director (Public Affairs - Baha'i Community) | Day 9

Andrea Salguero is the Director of Public Affairs for the Bahá’í Community of Canada. Prior to this role, Andrea held several advocacy and research roles in the domain of human rights. She most recently completed a clerkship at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San Jose, Costa Rica and worked at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A), and joint Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.) / Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees from McGill University. She is a licensed lawyer in Ontario.

Abigail Bakan

Political Science/Social Justice Professor (U of T) | Day 9

Abigail B. Bakan is a Professor in the Department of Social Justice Education (SJE) at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, cross-appointed to the Department of Political Science, and an affiliate with the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies. Recognized as a scholar in the fields of citizenship and anti-oppression politics, her research explores intersections of gender, race, class, political economy and citizenship. Abigail Bakan teaches in the areas of interdisciplinary approaches to research, relationships between theory and practice/praxis, and intersectionality and global politics.

Daniel Alati

Assistant Professor (Sociology) | Day 9

Dr. Daniel Alati is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at MacEwan, specializing in the research areas of: comparative law and criminal justice; Canadian and comparative human rights; criminal law, with a special focus on drug policy; and lastly, restorative and alternative ways to practice justice.

Kevin Higa

Human RIghts Activist | Day 9

Kevin Higa is a Chartered Professional Accountant who retired at the end of 2022 after more than 36 years of experience as a financial executive. He is committed to community service, volunteer work and advocacy for social justice. He is the Treasurer and a Human Rights Committee member of the National Association of Japanese Canadians (NAJC) and the Co-Chair of the Edmonton Japanese Canadian Association (EJCA) – CARE Committee (Committee Advocating Racial Equality). Kevin’s mother was a survivor of the Japanese Canadians forced relocation to the Tashme Internment Camp, and then to Southern Alberta at the end of World War II. Due to this legacy, he has taken a deep interest in human rights advocacy and social justice issues.

Junaid Jahangir

Associate Professor (economics) | Day 8

Junaid is an Associate Professor of Economics at MacEwan University. He is interested in economic pluralism and renewed perspectives to teaching economics. He has also published in Islamic Studies and has developed new courses including Economics of Religion, Futures Studies, and Humanistic Economics.

Sara Symington

Member of Self Advocacy Federation | Day 8

Sara Symington is a member of the Self Advocacy Federation’s Steering Committee and has helped steer the direction of the Federation for many years. Sara’s fierce advocacy regarding the services she needs such as safe and reliable transportation, affordable and accessible housing and the right to food dignity as a disabled person has helped bring awareness to the plight of people on AISH. Sara is a student at Norquest College, volunteers in her community, and is a proud cat owner.

Marcy Loucks

Self-advocate: Justice4Reel: Food Dignity and Disability | Day 8

Marcy Loucks is a self advocate from Leduc, AB. She is passionate about teaching others about self advocacy. Marcy has sat on the steering committee for three years and brings a vast amount of both knowledge and lived experience to her role. Marcy is determined to live a life of her choosing and to bring awareness of how disabled people are exponentially expensive for people with disabilities. Marcy has taken a leadership role with initiating a self advocacy group in Leduc.

Mary Salvani

Member of Self Advocacy Federation | Day 8

Mary Salvani lives in Calgary, AB. She is a member of the Disability Action Hall and the Self Advocacy Federation. Mary is a tireless advocate for the eradication of poverty. Mary is very knowledgeable about many areas of gardening and took the lead on our Community Garden Project in 2022. Mary is a student at St. Mary’s College, and in her spare time loves walking with her dog Ruby, fostering service dogs, travelling and enjoying the outdoors. Mary’s wise words “Poverty is expensive. It’s a billion dollar business” has helped guide this film’s message.

Keri McEachern

Ally with the Self Advocacy Federation | Day 8

Keri McEachern is an ally with the Self Advocacy Federation. Her passions include politics, social justice, and ensuring that people are knowledgeable about the services that they are entitled to. Keri has finally found joy in practising Yoga and is looking forward to being able to experience many more new activities now that her daughters are young adults.

Jim Gurnett

Works with Inner City Pastoral Ministry | Day 8

Jim Gurnett works with Inner City Pastoral Ministry in Edmonton's urban core and with Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness. Currently his focus is on water projects in Cameroon. He has valued being a part of John Humphrey Centre activities over the years, and enjoys all the time he can find to appreciate his 10 grandchildren.

Michael Frishkopf

Professor (Music) | Day 8

Michael Frishkopf is Professor of Music and Director of the Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology at the University of Alberta, and Adjunct Professor at the University for Development Studies in Ghana. His ethnomusicological research centers on Africa and Canada, including a variety of topics: Human Development and Rights, Health, Islam, Immigration, Architecture, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, and Social Network Analysis.

Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani

Lieutenant Governor of Alberta

Salma Lakhani was installed as Alberta’s 19th Lieutenant Governor on August 26, 2020. Her longstanding service as a community leader and volunteer has been guided by her deep commitment to the values of pluralism and inclusion and her dedication to championing those who face barriers in life. Salma Lakhani was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda. She is a proud Ismaili Muslim who inherited her devotion to giving back from her parents, Abdul and Malek Rajabali, who were active members of their community. A keen student with a deep-seated love of education, Salma attended the Aga Khan School in Kampala before pursuing post-secondary studies at the University of Manchester in England. Her life took an unforeseen and dramatic turn during a summer visit home to Kampala in 1972, when it was announced that the country’s entire Asian minority population was to be expelled. Salma’s parents pressed her to return immediately to England, travelling on her Ugandan passport. Within three months, her family would be stripped of virtually everything and she would be stranded in England with no funds to continue her education and no valid passport. She had become a stateless person. Salma had two saving graces that sustained her through this challenging time. First, she had the love and support of her fellow exile and future husband, Zaheer Lakhani. The couple also learned that their tuition would be covered by the British government, allowing Salma to complete her Honours degree in Clinical Biochemistry from the University of Manchester and Zaheer to graduate in Medicine from the University of Leeds. The couple married in Leeds in 1977. That year, the University of Alberta accepted Zaheer’s application to continue his postgraduate studies in Edmonton and the Lakhanis began writing a new chapter in Canada. Dr. Lakhani went on to establish himself as a cardiologist while Salma helped to manage his practice and operated a business focused on early childhood education, which developed out of her innate affinity for teaching. She also began looking for opportunities to give back and to help those in need to thrive. She became one of the first mentors in NorQuest College’s Youth in Transition program, providing invaluable guidance for students with English as a second language, and she was a founding member of the college’s 1000 Women: A Million Possibilities movement. Salma has also shared her skills, energy, and passion for service with the Lois Hole Hospital for Women, Kids Kottage, Sorrentino’s Compassion House, the Alberta Cancer Board, the Zebra Foundation, and Aga Khan Foundation Canada. She has further demonstrated her commitment to pluralism and fostering diversity through her work as a board member of the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. During a year’s sabbatical in the late 1990s, while Dr. Lakhani helped set up cardiac services at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Her Honour volunteered at two of the city’s schools and with local women’s charity groups. Lieutenant Governor Lakhani has received the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta). NorQuest College awarded her an Honorary Diploma in Community Services Leadership in 2019. Upon her installation as Alberta’s vice-regal representative, she became a Member and the Chancellor of the Alberta Order of Excellence. Her Honour is Vice-Prior of the St. John Council for Alberta and a Dame of the Order of St. John. She received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta in 2021 and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award in 2022. Their Honours make their home in Edmonton. Their family includes daughter Safia Lakhani, daughter Soraya Lakhani, son-in-law Zain Velji, and grandson Sufyan.

Pam Rocker

2SLGBTQ+ Activist: Coming Out in Faith | Day 5

Pam Rocker is an American/Canadian, atypical activist, consultant, and writer. She advocates for the full inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ people in faith communities and beyond. She was chosen as one of the Top 40 Under 40 in Calgary, and as one of the top 30 activists in Canada. Pam teaches with YouthWrite Alberta, and is the Director of Affirming Connections.

Natalia Iwanek

VP Community and Wellness (Athabasca University Students' Union) - Intersectional Online Activism | Day 5

Natalia Iwanek (she/they) is the Vice President Community and Wellness (VPCW) at the Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU), currently in their third term, after having previously served as Vice President External and Student Affairs (VPEX). They serve as chair of the AUSU Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and the Member Engagement and Communications (MECC) Committee, focusing on policy development, accessibility work, event planning, and advocacy. Natalia’s work emphasizes the intersections of gender identity and sexual orientation with disability, chronic illness, and neurodiversity, with the goal of creating accessible and safe spaces for a wide variety of students across the globe.

Gloria Anniva

Executive Director - RaricaNow!

Gloria holds a Bachelor of Development Studies degree from Makerere University. She is an experienced program manager with a track record of success in program development, implementation, and day-to-day management. She is deeply dedicated and committed to social justice, mental health, and community protection. She is also a firm believer in the transformative power of good health, safety, and interdependence.

Jack Saddleback

Equity Champion & Consultant - Transmisogyny, Transphobia and Colonialism | Day 5

A proud Nehiyaw (Cree) Two Spirit / IndigiQueer, trans, gay man from the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta, Jack is an internationally renowned public speaker and advocate for Two Spirit topics, mental health, Indigenous engagement, gender and sexual diversity, equitable policies and social stewardship.

Fae Johnstone

Executive Director (Wisdom2Action) - Transmisogyny, Transphobia and Colonialism | Day 5

Fae is the Executive Director of Wisdom2Action, a 2SLGBTQIA+-owned and operated consulting firm, and President of the Society of Queer Momentum - a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit. She is a leading voice on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in Canada, a prominent advocate for queer and trans rights, a recurring voice in Canadian news on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Over the past ten years, she has trained thousands of people and hundreds of workplaces on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. She’s also on a chocolate bar.

Sarah Worthman

Executive Director NL Queer Research Initiative - The Influence of History on the Modern Context of Inclusion | Day 5

Sarah Worthman is executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Queer Research Initiative, a historian and freelance researcher.

Mariah Darling

Queer and Trans Advocate - Allyship and Inclusion 101 | Day 5

Born and raised in Saint John, Mariah received their Bachelor of Science from UNBSJ. A proudly Queer and Trans young professional with a background in medical research who is an analytical, collaborative, information-based thinker with knowledge and passion for issues facing the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.

Hazim Ismail

Newcomers Advocate - Gender Beyond Binaries, Beyond Borders | Day 5

Hazim (dia/they/them) has nine years of experience working with newcomers, refugees, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. They hold an MA Anthropology and Contemporary East and Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, with specialization on the intersections of migrant justice and queerness. They have served on the board for Planned Parenthood Toronto, Maggie’s Toronto Sex Workers Action Project, and Sexuality Education Resource Centre Manitoba.

Onar Usar

Human Rights Advocate - Gender Beyond Binaries, Beyond Borders | Day 5

Onar Usar (she/her) is a proud queer Muslim, and disabled femme of color. She is a racialized settler who arrived in Canada as an international student more than two decades ago. She brings considerable experience in working with and supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals with intersecting identities through referrals, information and resource sharing, education, advocacy and community building activities. Onar holds a Masters Degree in Women’s Studies and is passionate about community education.

Rae Madge

Program Coordinator (Fyrefly Institute) - Where the Rivers Meet | Day 5

Rae Madge (she/they) is a Deh’cho Dene, Cree-Métis, and mixed-settler Two-Spirit person who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2021 and works as the Program Coordinator for Where The Rivers Meet at the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexuality. Rae has a deep passion for helping individuals and organizations cultivate expansive views of gender and sexuality, free of colonial, patriarchal, and otherwise restrictive perspectives. Rae identifies as Two-Spirit, Bisexual, and Queer, recognizes their privilege as a white-assumed person, and is always striving for the elevation of Indigenous voices, movements, and perspectives in all matters relating to inclusivity and social justice.

Cassandra Felske-Durksen

Otipemisiwak Family Physician

Dr. Cassandra Felske-Durksen is an Otipemisiwak Family Physician based out of the Indigenous Wellness Clinic, located at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in amiskwacîwâskahikan/Edmonton. Her areas of interest include decolonization and Indigenous self-determination in health and healthcare delivery. Her practice largely focuses on sexual and reproductive health within a tight and dynamic interdisciplinary setting, situated within culturally and community informed principles.

Heather Hatch

Filmmaker | Day 8

Heather Hatch is a Haida filmmaker whose focus is on writing and directing films that explore female and Indigenous stories. Her first Feature length Documentary Wochiigii lo: End of the Peace, looks at the devastating impacts of land development on Indigenous ways of life. Supported by Telefilm Canada’s ‘Talent to Watch’ program. It premiered at TIFF in 2021.

Sharla Mskokii Peltier

Professor - Teacher Session: Bundle/Land Acknowledgement Workshop - Day 1

Sharla Mskokii Peltier, Loon Clan, from Chippewas of Rama, Ontario, is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education, Lakehead University. Her research and teaching experiences in community and post secondary contexts are rich with storytelling, community culture land-based pedagogy and relational ideologies. Mskokii Kwe’s scholarship centers passing on the knowledge through life experience stories to enhance relationships alongside Lands and Waters.

Beth Wishart MacKenzie

Filmmaker

Beth Wishart MacKenzie is an independent filmmaker who uses the camera to explore cultural-religious life in Canada. As a contribution to Conversations in Reconciliation with Canada’s First Nations, Beth created the documentary film Lana Gets Her Talk, featuring Indigenous artist Lana Whiskeyjack. The film toured across Canada through 2017-2019 as part of the Art and Film Installation,

Constance (Connie) Caillou

Distribution Coordinator with Native Counselling Services of Alberta, BearPaw Media and Education

My name is Constance (Connie) Calliou. I am the Community Engagement, Promotion and Distribution Coordinator with Native Counselling Services of Alberta, BearPaw Media and Education. I grew up in Kelly Lake, BC, which is one hour west of Grande Prairie and I am a Status card holder from the Saulteau First Nation which is in the northern part of Treaty 8 Territory where my Grandmother originated from. For many years, I served as the First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) worker for the Beaverlodge Regional High School, Beaverlodge Regional High School is for the surrounding communities of Beaverlodge such as Kelly Lake, Horselake First Nation, Hythe, Beaverlodge, Elmworth and Wembley. I moved to Edmonton to take on the role of Child & Youth Liaison for Horselake for the Treaty 8 Urban Office. While I was at the Treaty 8 Urban Office, I moved to other roles such as Resource Coordinator, Family Support Worker and Prevention Program Facilitator. I am the proud grandmother of 3, two boys and one girl.

Stanley (Bobby) Henry

Ball Deer Clan, Cayuga Nation

Stanley (Bobby) Henry, OCT, is of the Ball Deer Clan. He is a member of the Cayuga Nation, a nation of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. He is a community member of Six Nations of the River Territory and has spent 15+ years of his life in K-12 Cayuga language immersion education. He is a Ph.D. student in Trent University’s Ph.D. program in Indigenous Studies and holds a Master of Education degree in Indigenous Education from Lakehead University. Bobby is an Assistant Professor in Brock University’s Faculty of Education. His research interests are issues in Indigenous education, Indigenous language pedagogies and regeneration, and decolonizing and Indigenizing PK-12 education.

Tiffany Efird

Program Development Coordinator at John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights

Tiffany Efird (she/her) is a writer, educator, and facilitator with the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. Tiffany roots her work in creating safe, brave spaces where people can engage with challenging topics on hate and discrimination. She is driven to strengthen the cause of human rights in spaces that often do not receive the resources they need, such as rural and online networks.

Damian Abrahams

Filmmaker

Damian Abrahams is originally from Haida Gwaii, and has been living in amiskwaciwaskahikan for the last 21 years. He is a single dad and is a photographer and filmmaker. Damian has been a photographer his whole life, but it’s only been in the last 4 years that he’s been able to do it professionally. He’s started his own video production and photography company called Indigital Media. His film work was recognized by the Edmonton Screen Office in 2022 by awarding him the Gil Cardinal Legacy Award for his work on Indigenous Dads – which can be viewed on Telus Optik TV. His current goals are to produce a film worthy of big film festivals. Think VIFF, TIFF, and even Cannes. Dámaan agang hl kíng wang

Amarjeet Sohi

Mayor of Edmonton

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi came to Canada when he was just 18 years old and had little to his name. But he was lucky. He wasn’t in just any city. He was in Edmonton. He learned to speak English in schools and public libraries and found friendship and community by playing sports and performing in the arts. He got to discover the city through the windows of city buses—until one day he got a job driving one. Eventually his bus stopped at City Hall when he was elected as city councillor where he served for two terms. He worked hard for a city that invested in him through public services. His passion for Edmonton took him all the way to Ottawa where he served as the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Minister of Natural Resources, overseeing billions in investments in our economic future. From bus driver to city councillor to member of parliament and now Mayor of Edmonton, his experiences have shown him what it takes to bring people together—and build a thriving city for all.

Rodney Small

Executive Director & Job Success Coordinator, One North End | Day 2

Rodney Small believes in innovation and entrepreneurship as key tools for creating economic prosperity and sustainability from within. In his work as Executive Director and Job Success Coordinator at One North End, he leads co-designed programs to help young adults achieve their career goals. Rodney holds a Bachelor of Management (with Integrity) from Dalhousie University. He is a highly motivated leader with a passion for entrepreneurship, community economic, and people development. Rodney is the subject of the short film “RDS vs. A Story of Race and Justice” on his journey to shake the stereotypes that followed him as an Indigenous and African Nova Scotian teenager and how he won the landmark court case.

Julius Haag

Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, University of Toronto | Day 2

Dr. Julius Haag is a faculty member in the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. His areas of interest include policing, youth justice, racialization, ethnicity, and criminal justice policy. His research draws on urban sociology, critical race theory, and cultural criminology to explore the individual and community-level impacts of policing and criminalization on young people from racialized and marginalized backgrounds. In particular, his research focuses on the experiences of young people from the Afro-Caribbean community. Dr. Haag’s current research program examines how young people navigate community-level violence and forms of hyper-surveillance by peers and the police.

Shafir Walji

Board President, Youth Restorative Action Project | Day 2

Shafir Walji (they/them) has been a restorative justice practitioner with the Youth Restorative Action Project (YRAP) since 2017, where they are currently serving as the Board President. YRAP is a by-youth-for-youth youth justice committee that seeks to empower youth voices in systems where they have been inadequately represented, such as the child welfare and justice systems, through a relationship based practices and centering of youth agency and decision making in addressing the social issues young people face. Shafir has had varied roles within the organization. They began to volunteer when they were in high school and served as a staff member for several years before joining the Board of Directors. Shafir is currently completing their last year in MacEwan's Bachelor of Child and Youth Care program. They are passionate about supporting young people and families to use their voices and find solutions within their own communities and networks to the issues they face. They are aiming to work in residential care or family based programs upon graduation, while continuing to seek opportunities to practice restorative justice in the community.

Marcell Wilson

Founder & President, One by One | Day 2

I was born 11/08/78 to a mother that is only 16 years my senior, she is Caucasian/Canadian and my father, 19 at the time was born in Jamaica and had recently migrated to Canada with my grandmother and his 3 younger siblings. They never married and split up before I turned one. A year or so later I had a step-father come into the picture, Italian/Canadian. They married eight years later and my mother gave birth to my brother when I was nine. I was raised in Toronto Ontario Canada’s south, west end in a MTHA (Metro Toronto Housing Authority) housing project named Swansea Mews. I left home at thirteen and lived on the streets off and on, coming home then leaving for one reason or another until seventeen when I left home permanently. The first time I left home was when I was introduced to petty criminal activities then soon after, gang activities that ultimately led to organized crime. I rose through the ranks rather quickly because I took it seriously, was ruthless, kept my word, wasn’t afraid to take risks and do whatever it took to make things happen. It also helped that by the time I had finished growing I was 6’5, 220 lbs. I Kept in shape, studied several different martial art disciplines over the years off and on from the age fourteen until 2010. I rose through the ranks to become a gang leader of a large street gang then went on to work with organized crime groups. Through a process I have dubbed the “Internal Realization & Transformation Process” (IRTP). I changed my life around and I am now a subject matter expert/consultant on the subculture of organized crime/gangs culture and theory. I am also founder and president of a think tank and speakers Bureau, The One By One Movement Inc. Rooted in curbing negative lifestyle trajectories that lead to extreme acts of violence. Our methodology for program development is acquired from peoples with lived experience. I am also an anti-poverty, anti-bullying, anti-recidivism, anti-gang, anti-extreme acts of violence and youth advocate. I believe that my background as a musician has helped me to develop my own unique writing style. For many years I wrote deeply descriptive, thought provoking rap lyrics about my life and surroundings under the stage name “King Con”(I may feature some of these lyrics in the manuscript). In 1995 I created a rap group called CROOKS OF DA ROUND TABLE with several other talented musicians from my neighborhood and other low income neighborhoods in the greater Toronto area. We released our first single “Day by day knight by knight” in the summer of 1996 under JUICE RECORDS, an indie record label that I was co-CEO of. We did our own distribution through SONY CANADA, sold over 10,000 copies worldwide, followed by a video in 1997 titled “Knighted Rebels”. This was played in medium rotation on programs such as MUCH MUSIC’s RAP CITY and was played on BET’s RAP CITY while our single was regularly played on radio stations internationally. In 1998 we released our 2nd single “Passionate Stare” with a video and this also did fairly well with sales which led to an invite to feature on EMI’s BEATFACTORY’s RAP ESSENTIALS 2 and a nominee for best group at the URBAN CANADIAN MUSIC AWARDS. Our legal representation was the well known Canadian music lawyer Zack Werner. I am a published writer in that respect. The first chapter of CHRONICLES OF A CHANGED MAN was integrated into a criminology course at Ontario Tech University, formally known as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). I was contracted by UOIT to lecture on subject matter expertise a number of times and have been asked back to do follow ups upon the completion and release of my novel.

Ava Karvonen

Filmmaker and founder of Reel Girls Media | Day 2

Ava Karvonen is second-generation filmmaker and founder of Reel Girls Media. Her work has seen more than 120 festival screenings and been recognized with more than 60 awards. After 30 plus years of working in the industry, her list of projects is extensive. She produced the critically acclaimed feature documentaries FINDING BOBBI, WOCHIIGII LO: END OF THE PEACE, and LESSONS FROM THE SUNFLOWER (which she also directed). She directed seasons 1 & 2 of CHAOS AND COURAGE for APTN (taking her across Canada); the CBC special KEEPING CANADA ALIVE; the factual series THE LIE DETECTIVE; HOMEFRONT (a project that took her to Afghanistan); and directed SEEDS OF CHANGE (taking her to China). Ava is the executive producer of the box office hit SKINAMARINK and documentary series HOW TO LEARN ANYTHING. She was the supervising producer on the CBC Gem series FRICK I LOVE NATURE.

Maleeka Thomas

President of the University of Lethbridge Students' Union | Day 2

As a fifth-year student at the University of Lethbridge pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, Maleeka Thomas is deeply committed to addressing issues of racism within the post-secondary realm. Hailing from Portmore, Jamaica, she brings an international perspective to her advocacy work. Her passion lies in promoting fairness and inclusivity for individuals from diverse backgrounds. Currently serving as the President of the University of Lethbridge Students' Union and the Director for Equity Diversity and Inclusion for the Canadian Alliance of Students Association, she actively strives to create an environment where everyone is treated with respect and has equal opportunities. Through her academic pursuits in sociology, Maleeka explores the complexities of societal structures and seeks to apply this knowledge to dismantle systemic barriers within the university setting. Her dedication to challenging discriminatory rhetoric in higher education is rooted in the belief that every student deserves a supportive and inclusive learning environment. By leveraging her position as a student leader, Maleeka aims to foster dialogue, implement policies, and advocate for systemic changes that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the university community.

Mateusz Salmassi

Vice President External at the University of Calgary Students' Union | Day 2

Mateusz Salmassi is the Vice President External at the University of Calgary Students' Union (UCSU). He is a 5th year international student pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. As an international student, Mateusz has experienced first-hand how federal regulation can impact students' lives. Mateusz is passionate about the power of face-to-face conversation and grassroots organizing. In Calgary, he has organized student campaigns to stop the privatization of student services, against tuition increases, for international students' needs, and much more. When he's not advocating for students, you can find him playing soccer, dancing, gardening, or enjoying good Persian and Mexican food back home in Los Angeles.

Jasmine Kinjo

EPSB Teacher

Jasmine Kinjo teaches Grade 5/6 French Immersion at Greenfield School in Edmonton. She is passionate about cultural representation and the implementation of anti-racism and equity policies in schools. She has recently completed her Masters in Education (Teaching, Learning and Neuroscience) from the University of Lethbridge. She is a huge fan of making cardboard creations with her children, reading many books, and eating ice cream cake.

Hitomi Suzuta

EJCA Board/CARE/JHC Volunteer

Hitomi Suzuta was born in Japan, adopted by American military and saw many parts of the world before she graduated from high school. Her adopted mother spent her life denying her Cherokee Indian background. Hitomi was subjected to significant amounts of racism in school and as a result, became a human rights advocate at a very young age. When she immigrated to Canada in the 1990s, she went back to university in Political Science and Sociology to learn more about Canada’s multicultural society and became involved with the Japanese Canadian communities across Canada. She was President of the Ottawa Japanese Community Association, chosen by the Japanese Embassy to be a Japanese Canadian Leadership Delegate to Japan, is actively involved with the Edmonton Japanese Community Association as well as a volunteer with the John Humphrey Center

Carley Okamura

Japanese Taiko Drummer, EJCA member

Carley Okamura is a mixed-race Japanese Canadian yonsei, who was born and raised in Edmonton. She began Japanese Drumming as a teenager which brought her to the Edmonton Japanese Community Association, of which she is still a member, and co-chairs their CARE committee (Committee Advocating for Racial Equality). She is a former National Association of Japanese Canadians Young Leader. Carley Okamura is a mixed-race Japanese Canadian yonsei, who was born and raised in Edmonton. She began Japanese Drumming as a teenager which brought her to the Edmonton Japanese Community Association, of which she is still a member, and co-chairs their CARE committee (Committee Advocating for Racial Equality). She is a former National Association of Japanese Canadians Young Leader.

Arthur Kazumi Miki

Activist and Advocate

Arthur Kazumi Miki was born near Vancouver, British Columbia and was among the 22,000 Japanese Canadians who were forced to leave their fruit farm and relocated to a one-room house in Sainte Agathe, Manitoba. Art received a Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in 1969 and a Master of Education in 1975. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg in 1999. He taught high school and was a principal during his 29 years in education. He was president of the National Association of Japanese Canadians from 1984 to 1992. He is best known for his work in seeking compensation for Japanese-Canadians who were interned by the Government of Canada during World War II. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1991 and a member of the Order of Manitoba in 2012. He was appointed as a Citizenship Judge in Manitoba in 1998.

Maryka Omatsu

National Advisor to the National Association of Japanese Canadians

Maryka Omatsu practiced criminal and administrative law in Toronto for 16 years before her appointment as the first East Asian woman to be appointed a judge in Canada. She was on the National Association of Japanese Canadians’ (NAJC) strategy and negotiation team that won redress in 1988. Her book, Bittersweet Passage, documented the redress struggle and won the Prime Minister’s award for publishing and the Laura Jamieson Prize for best feminist book. Her award winning video Swimming Upstream presented the Japanese Canadian case for Redress from the British Columbia government. Maryka was appointed to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation Special Advisory Council, NAJC’s Steering Committee for the British Columbia Redress, and the National Honorary Advisory Committee. She has an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, is a National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Trailblazer of the Year, and received the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers’ Lifetime Achievement Award.

Susanne Tabata

Documentarian and Digital Media Creator

Susanne Tabata is a documentarian and digital media creator. She was born in Nanaimo, lived in Tokyo and Victoria before moving to Vancouver to study International Relations at UBC. She sat on the Community Council and the Steering Committee of the Landscapes of Injustice Research Collective produced out of the University of Victoria and lead the documentary unit of Past Wrongs Future Choices. Susanne has produced the Powell Street Festival and a website production of Writing Wrongs: Japanese Canadian Letters of Protest from the 1940s for the National Nikkei Museum. As Chair of Arts for the National Association of Japanese Canadians, she led the creation of the online Japanese Canadian Artists Directory and co-chaired the GEI Symposium in 2022. Susanne led the British Columbia Redress negotiations and leads the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society to implement the $100 million legacy initiatives to right the historical wrongs of the past.

Ibrahim Cin

Co-Writer, Producer & Director of The Final Exam. | Day 2

Ibrahim is the former Director of Edmonton’s Intercultural Dialogue Institute and presently serves as a chaplain-in-training with the Canadian Armed Forces.

Sarah Adomako-Ansah

Teacher Consultant: Teacher Session - Let’s Talk about Racism | Day 2

Sarah Adomako-Ansah is a former teacher with the Edmonton Catholic School Division, teaching grades 3-6 from 2013 until 2021. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta (2013). In 2021, she began her term as the Educator in Residence at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, supporting human rights education in Canada, but also creating a program titled ‘Pass the Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism.’ In addition, Sarah is the co-founder of the Black Teacher’s Association of Alberta and strives to amplify all voices in schools. Currently, Sarah is the EDIAR Consultant for ECSD, supporting teachers and students in their journey with equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Cam Stewart

Education and Engagement Consultant of the Alberta Human Rights Commission

Cam Stewart has been active in the field diversity, inclusion and human rights for over twenty years. He has received several awards for his work and has been honoured with an eagle feather and been gifted a Blackfoot name of Mikostahpinukum (Red Morning). Cam is presently the Education and Engagement Consultant for Alberta Human Rights Commission, President of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee, and the Rotary District 5360 Indigenous Relations Chair.

Nina Saini

Executive Director of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee

Nina Saini is the Executive Director of the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee. In her work she empowers and engages communities across the province to stand collectively against hate. She has extensive non-profit experience with over 13 years of progressive leadership working with marginalized communities. Her educational background is in Psychology, and she is presently completing her M.A. in Global Leadership.

Temitope Oriola

Professor of Criminology/Sociology and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta

Temitope Oriola is professor of criminology/sociology and associate dean in the Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta. He is a scholar and public intellectual known for field-defining sociological research on terrorism and policing, leadership and service to his discipline, and commitment to mobilizing knowledge in support of informed public debate. Internationally, he is well-known for his research on terrorism. As one of the most sought after public intellectuals on police reform in Canada, Professor Oriola’s scholarship focuses on policing and use of force and the implications for human rights. A decorated researcher and teacher, Professor Oriola has received numerous national and international recognitions and distinguished awards. He has served as special adviser to the Government of Alberta on Police Act Review; is a member of the Board of Directors - Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and is a regular columnist with the Edmonton Journal.

Dan Jones

Chair of Justice Studies at NorQuest College

Dan retired from the Edmonton Police Service after 25 years of service. He worked in General Patrol, Foot Patrol, Undercover Operations and Gang Unit as a Constable, Professional Standards Branch, and Homicide Section as a Detective, General Patrol as a Staff Sergeant, as well as Investigative Support Branch Downtown Division Patrol and Research as an Inspector. He earned a Master’s Degree in Applied Criminology from the University of Cambridge where his research focused on the victim/offender overlap and the impact that trauma has on the justice client. He is Currently the Chair of Justice Studies at NorQuest College.

Tom Engel

Lawyer, President Canadian Prison Law Association

Tom Engel was born and raised in Ontario. After graduating from high school, he went west to get a job on the oil rigs that were drilling in the Arctic Islands in order to see an area of the world that fascinated him. This stood him in good stead because he was able to pay for school and support his family by working as a roughneck and motorman on the rigs until he graduated from law school. Tom liked western Canada and so roots were put down and he and his wife, AmberLee, raised a family here. He is a proud member of the first graduating class of the University of Calgary, Faculty of Law. He articled for Ed Molstad Q.C. in 1979-1980 and remained with the firm of Molstad Gilbert until 1995, when he went on his own to practice criminal law.

Marco Luciano

Director, Migrante Alberta

Marco moved to Montreal from the Philippines in 1986. He was a union organizer and educator before he moved to Alberta in 2013. He was also a co-founder of the Immigrant Workers Centre in Montreal and the Canada-wide alliance Migrante Canada. He is the coordinator for International Migrants Alliance (IMA) for Canada

Viviana Medina

Immigrant Worker, Activist and Community Organizer

Viviana Medina, immigrant worker, activist and community organizer. Member of Women of Diverse Origins FDO since 2010 Founder of Mexicaines united for regularitation 2011 Founder and organizer of the association of employment agency workers since 2011 Coordinator of the International Migrant Alliance IMA, Canada chapter since 2018 Currently, she has been a community organizer with the immigrant workers centre in Montreal since 2104. Organization dedicated to defending the labor rights and organizing precarious migrant workers

Viviana Medina

Immigrant Worker, Activist and Community Organizer

Viviana Medina, immigrant worker, activist and community organizer. Member of Women of Diverse Origins FDO since 2010 Founder of Mexicaines united for regularitation 2011 Founder and organizer of the association of employment agency workers since 2011 Coordinator of the International Migrant Alliance IMA, Canada chapter since 2018 Currently, she has been a community organizer with the immigrant workers centre in Montreal since 2104. Organization dedicated to defending the labor rights and organizing precarious migrant workers

Aaraón Díaz Mendiburo

Centro de Investigaciones sobre América del Norte, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Dr. Mendiburo is a doctor in Anthropology, master in Social Work and graduate in Communication Sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In 2018 he completed a postdoctoral stay at the International Migration Research Center at Wilfrid Laurier University, in Canada. His research addresses issues related to health, education, employment, social representations and intercultural relations of the agricultural population migrant to Canada, their families and sending and receiving communities. As a documentary filmmaker he has directed and produced: Migranta con M de Mamá (2020), Matices: “temporary” migration in Canada (2011) and Migrants: those of us who come from within (2007). He is currently working on his fourth documentary about the struggle of activists against stigma in North America.

Mia Tulli Shah

Knowledge Broker, University of Calgary

Mia Tulli-Shah has a master's degree in Political Science. She has worked as a researcher at the intersections of health and immigration policy in Alberta for the last six years. Her work focuses on the mental health and wellbeing of Temporary Foreign Workers and those who fall out of status, as well as barriers to service access for newcomers in Canada.

Brianna Girdler

Technical Director, Impact Coordinator at Story Money Impact

Brianna Girdler is an experienced non-profit administrator skilled in event management, communications and grant writing. She is the Technical Director at Story Money Impact, Program Manager at Reel Causes, and Associate Impact Producer on documentary Food For the Rest of Us.

Juan Vargas

Climate Organizer with Climate Justice Edmonton

Juan is an Edmonton-based climate organizer with Climate Justice Edmonton and the Prairies Organizer for the Climate Emergency Unit. A first-generation settler from Colombia, Juan's experience growing up in a working-class immigrant family deeply informs his perspective on climate justice. When he's not exploring new music or thinking about birds, Juan spends too much time watching sports. They are passionate about community organizing and building grassroots power.

Natalie Zacharewski

Museum Education Professional

Natalie is a museum education professional based in Edmonton, Alberta. She has a passion for creating learning opportunities for students of all ages through immersive, inquiry-based experiences. She has worked in museums and heritage institutions across Canada and the United States such as Museums of Burlington, the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum and Colonial Williamsburg. She has held the role of Faculty Instructor for the Public Programs course in the Certificate in Museum Studies Program with the Alberta Museums Association. She has also worked with the British Columbia Museums Association as Museum Education Consultant, assisting small museums develop educational programs. Natalie holds a Master of Arts in History from the University of Ottawa, specializing in Canadian, American and gender history.

Adebayo Katiiti

Founder of Raricanow

Adebayo Katiiti is a Ugandan born Black transgender man widely recognized as the founder of Raricanow, an organization dedicated to supporting 2SQTLGBI+ refugees and newcomers in Canada. Driven by an unwavering dedication to eradicating all forms of oppression, Adebayo focuses particularly on combating anti-Black racism while advocating for mental health and social justice within gender-diverse communities. Adebayo has served as board member, QTBIPOC liaison, cultural guide and Black Trans elder and advisor to many groups, councils and movements locally and globally. Alongside being a passionate human rights activist, Adebayo is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician, and songwriter, a certified Life Coach and is currently pursuing studies in Professional Counselling and Immigration and Citizenship Law. Through these endeavours, Adebayo aims to raise the bar on gender and racial equity, build inclusive and diverse spaces, and further empower marginalized communities and contribute to positive change on a systemic level.

Adriana Wildbore

Canadian Immigration Consultant | Day 3

Adriana Wildbore is a regulated Canadian immigration consultant. She provides immigration legal services in all areas with a focus on complex applications, vulnerable foreign workers, and her community work. When Adriana is not working she enjoys reading, bicycle rides, and spending time with her family.

Jereecah Dela Cruz

Settlement Worker

Jereecah Dela Cruz works in the settlement sector, supporting immigrants and refugees to Canada. She works as a Settlement Worker in Schools (SWIS), supporting immigrant families and children with their education. She also works closely with newcomer youth, helping them navigate the Canadian education system and assisting them in their transition to a new life in Canada.

Kevin Takahide-Lee

Teacher, Producer

Kevin Takahide Lee has a Bachelor's of Music in Opera Performance from the University of British Columbia and a Master's of Music in Voice Performance from The University of Western Ontario. He teaches for the City of Burnaby, and is involved with productions throughout BC, Alberta and Winnipeg. A fourth generation Chinese Japanese Canadian, Kevin Takahide Lee descends from a family who experienced the head tax and the unconstitutional Internment of Japanese Canadians in WWII. Growing up in BC’s Lower Mainland he witnessed the challenges immigrant families faced regarding accessibility to services and preservation of their culture. This has led Kevin to work in the performing arts and advocacy.

Sheila Muxlow

Associate Director, Indigenous Climate Action

Sheila is a queer, cis-femme, white settler born and raised on the territories of the Ts'elxwéyeqw' Tribe of the Sto:lo Nation in a place anglatized to become known as Chilliwack. Her family is a mix of Dutch, Irish and English lineages who benefited from the lands and resources provided by colonial Canada to white farmers. Sheila came to racial justice work during her time as a student at the University of Ottawa studying International Development and Globalization. She cut her teeth in the climate justice movement when she moved to Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 territories in 2006. Bearing witness to the harms caused by white supremacy in the environmental movement, she has been a friend and co-conspirator in the creation of ICA and an organizer for social justice rooted in values of community care, sovereignty, and collective liberation. Her role of Associate Director is very much one of allyship with a clear mandate to support processes that uplift Indigenous leadership and nurture relationships that ensure ongoing support for the work of ICA to continue in a good way.

Katie Wlison

Digital Media Coordinator, Indigenous Climate Action

Katie Wilson (she/her) is a queer, Indigenous (Cree, Saulteaux) aunty born and raised in Treaty Four Territory (Regina, SK) where she currently resides. Growing up in the prairies of Saskatchewan, her parents originate from Cowessess First Nation (Mother), and Peguis First Nation (Father). Katie has a diploma in Interactive Design and Technology from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and sits as a board member of Sâkêwêwak First Nations Artists' Collective. The intention in her work is to uplift voices, conversations, and strategies that foster an equitable community—prioritizing climate justice, Indigenous sovereignty, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, accessibility, and the overall intersectionality of these movements. By utilizing her work and life she hopes to inspire future generations by embodying a commitment to art, education, community, and intergenerational healing. Katie’s hobbies include crafting, swimming, playing video games, listening to music, and spending time with her family and friends.

Gregory McMeekin

Advocate for Persons with Disabilities

Mr. McMeekin has a law degree from the University of Calgary and a bachelor of arts in mass communications from Carleton University. Despite physical challenges, he made history when he was called to the Alberta Bar in 2016. Mr. McMeekin has extensive personal and professional experience working with people with disabilities, their support networks and other stakeholders. He believes strongly in empowering people with disabilities to reach their full potential and looks forward to being part of a team that is focused on improving the quality of life of people with disabilities. Mr. McMeekin has worked at Alberta Justice and Solicitor General, Legal Aid Alberta, and has volunteered on various councils, advisory committees and boards working to improve accessibility, and prior to serving as the Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. McMeekin served as chair of the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Lygia Navarro

Magazine, Audio and Multi-media Journalist and Editor

I am a magazine, audio and multi-media journalist and editor. I have particular expertise covering Latin American and Latine/o/a/x stories across the United States, and have also covered mental health, the environment, immigration, human smuggling, trauma, the intersection of politics and the arts, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, food, and music. Currently I'm an editor at palabra. (the National Association for Hispanic Journalists' outlet), and a health reporting fellow at Journalism and Women Symposium. I've also produced podcasts for Spotify and The Conversation. I have reported from across the United States and from Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Chile and Germany for a variety of outlets including Al Jazeera Magazine, FRONTLINE/World, Marketplace, The World, Latino USA, the Virginia Quarterly Review, the Utne Reader, the Christian Science Monitor, the Associated Press, Afar, Today.com and California Magazine, among others. I have been a fellow at the Middlebury College Environmental Journalism program, Columbia University’s Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media, the RIAS Berlin Commission and the American Council on Germany. I've also been awarded grants and prizes for my reporting and writing by the Center for Investigative Reporting, the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, the North American Travel Journalists Association, and the Rona Jaffe Foundation. I’m always up for new collaborations.

Neeja Bakshi

Co-Founder, Medical Director of Park Integrative Health

Dr. Neeja Bakshi trained in the US as an internal medicine specialist and moved to Edmonton in 2011. Since then, she has worked as an inpatient physician at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and as Section Chief for Internal Medicine. She holds a Directorship for Site Medical Education at RAH, and has a passion for learning, educating and sharing experiences. Through her own personal health journey and those of her patients, she has truly come to understand the importance of collaborative and integrative health.

Grace Lam

Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Alberta

Dr. Grace Lam is a clinician scientist and assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Alberta, as well as the cofounder and co-director of one of the first post COVID-19 clinics in Canada. Since then, she has published a number of papers on the exploration of risk factors for long covid and currently leads or is involved in numerous local and national long covid projects, funded by industry (Roche Diagnostics), local (Alberta Lung) and national grants (CIHR) focused on furthering the understanding of the pathophysiology of long COVID. Her innovative work and contributions were recently recognized as she was named one of the Top 40 under 40 by Edify Magazine.

Cara Kaup

Pediatric Physical Therapist

Cara Kaup is a pediatric physical therapist from Edmonton, Alberta, who contracted COVID-19 in March 2020. She has been living with Long COVID for the last 3.5 years. Due to false negative PCR tests, she struggled to find a diagnosis for 14 months. Cara now has multiple diagnoses: Long COVID, dysautonomia, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and post-viral inflammatory arthritis. Due to her chronic illness, Cara is unable to work. She invests what little energy she has in educating and advocating for people living with Long COVID. Cara is a patient advisor for several Long COVID groups in Alberta, Canada and internationally. She is also a peer support co-director for Long COVID Physio. Cara’s goal is to ensure that people suffering with Long Covid are supported and do not feel alone. By sharing her lived experience, Cara hopes to prevent people from having the same experiences as she had early in the pandemic and to help them learn self-management strategies for this chronic illness

Shelley Petit

Chair of the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities

Shelley Petit BA, B.ED, M.ED- Shelley is the Chair of the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (NBCPD). Before becoming housebound in 2019 from severe chemical intolerances (MCS/TILT), she was a teacher and long-time Girl Guide leader. She has 2 adult daughters, one with autism, so she has dealt with the system as a mom, as a client, and now as an advocate.

Shelley Petit

Chair of the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities

Shelley Petit BA, B.ED, M.ED- Shelley is the Chair of the New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (NBCPD). Before becoming housebound in 2019 from severe chemical intolerances (MCS/TILT), she was a teacher and long-time Girl Guide leader. She has 2 adult daughters, one with autism, so she has dealt with the system as a mom, as a client, and now as an advocate.

Murielle Pitre

Co-Founder of New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities

Co-Founder of New Brunswick Coalition of Persons with Disabilities (NBCPD)- After having a career with ExxonMobil, Murielle suddenly found herself on Disability in 2016 and was taken aback by the lack of services AND financial help for those with disabilities in her province. She found a like-minded individual and started laying down the ground-work for NBCPD.

Hussain Alaeddin Alhussainy

Founding Member of the Council on Systemic Ableism

Hussain Alhussainy is a fourth-year Honours Political Science student completing his thesis on the inequities in post-secondary education, examining systemic ableist and eugenic policies and practices that contribute to compulsory able-bodiedness and an environment that lacks the proper accommodations for students with disabilities to succeed. Hussain is also a founding member of the Council on Systemic Ableism and the president of his arts faculty student association (OASIS).

Jess Tollestrup

Social Sciences Student

Jess Tollestrup is a social sciences student and private music teacher living on Blackfoot land in Treaty 7 territory. They have been working on accessibility at the University of Lethbridge since 2021 with the support of Stride Advocacy and Lethbridge Public Research Group. Jess is influenced by activists like Adrienne Maree Brown, Dean Spade, and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha.

Gifty Amakye

Chair of the Post Secondary Alberta Disability Resource Association of Alberta

Gifty Amakye is the Accessibility Coordinator at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton, AB. She also serves as the Chair of the Post Secondary Alberta Disability Resource Association of Alberta. Through both roles, Gifty’s work involves facilitating initiatives that promote a universally accessible learning environment for students in post-secondary education. Gifty collaborates with various stakeholders to intentionally address operational and systemic accessibility barriers following the principle of ‘ubuntu’ to create an inclusive and affirming educational landscape for all learners.

Maike Schmieding

Vice Chair of PADRA

Maike is the Research Chair for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning at Keyano College. She is the Vice Chair of PADRA and has worked in education most of her career, including ESL and Special Education teaching. In her last role, she was the Access Strategist for Keyano College’s Accessibility & Wellness Services and is a strong supporter of equitable access for all students.

Pilar Aguilar

Learning Accommodations Services Advisor at Concordia University of Edmonton

Pilar is the Learning Accommodations Services Advisor at Concordia University of Edmonton and a member of the PADRA Executive Committee. She has taught credit courses in General Education and English, as well as worked with students with learning disabilities in different institutions for the last 12 years. During all these years, her main goal has been to advocate for student’s rights, including more inclusive and barrier free learning environments.

Terri Sleeva

Community Activist

Terri Sleeva devotes her life to the struggle for peace and justice. She dedicates herself to concerns ranging from anti-poverty, anti-racism, disability, and human rights, to the environmental justice and anti-war movements. She is also a constant ally in Indigenous peoples’ struggle for justice. Terri is active in a variety of roles, with experience in policy development, advocacy, community building, communications and services. Terri is chair of the Regina Citizens' Public Transit Coalition (RCPTC), and belongs to the Disability Income Support Coalition (DISC), Barrier-Free Saskatchewan (BFSK) Making Peace Vigil, Mother Earth Justice Advocates (MEJA), End Poverty Regina and many others. She is an Ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation, Membership Coordinator for Amnesty International, group 91 and the Tetra Society of North America Community Coordinator for southern Saskatchewan. She is the proud mother of 2 children and 4 grandchildren, 2 of whom are adopted. Terri believes that the status quo steps on human rights and peace initiatives so we need to address these concerns for future generations.

Michelle Bissell

Education Coordinator, Voice of Albertans with Disabilities

Michelle Bissell came onto the Board of Directors of the Voice of Albertans with Disabilities in October 2014 and now is the Education Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Certificate in Career Development from Concordia University College of Alberta. She participates with an occupational therapy class at the University of Alberta, as Student Educator. She was the Chair of the DATS Advisory Group (DAG) for five years and has taken part in Housing Accessibility Series and Radical Inclusion 2020 though the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human rights and was involved in writing a shadow report for the U.N. and now is a facilitator and lead for Radical Inclusion. She also took an Indigenous Canada, Collective Learning course through the U of A and received certification through The Plain Language Academy.

Brad Bartko

Entrepreneur

Brad Bartko has lived his life in a world that is not built for him. From the day he was born to today, He has faced many challenges and obstacles that some could never imagine. Despite the challenges he has persevered and is here today to make a change. He is on a mission to create a barrier free world, so that the people after him will experience a inclusive world. His goalthat through his story, you will find hope, inspiration, and become acutely aware of the struggles that the disability community faces daily. Its time for a change its not about ME, its all about WE. Brad is the recipient of the Queens platinum Jubilee medal awarded in 2022. Brad and his wife Jenn cofound and own dis-Ability accessible by design. A consulting firm aimed to create more accessible spaces for all. Brad lives with cerebral palsy and is full time in a wheelchair. Brad has been involved with many charity organizations and advocates for those living with disabilities. Through positive attitude and firsthand lived experiences be believe all disabilities despite the challenges, can come together to create a inclusive world for all.

Mark Iantow

Director, Libertas Adult Education

Mark retains over 40 years experience in, and contributions to, the access design continuum. He has been employed in middle management with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind; an Access Program Manager with Parks Canada (developing barrier free access to national parks and national historic sites); has devoted his expertise to accessible housing; has researched, advised and led on crime prevention and human rights of people with disabilities through the Independent Living movement; and from 1979 to 2014 was heavily involved in advising on building codes and related regulations for a wide range of disability populations. Mark continues his advocacy under the Radical Inclusion group in association with the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights; and is a Fellow with the Affordable Housing Solutions Lab, Human Geography Department with the University of Alberta. He continues his research and theory development on the access design continuum, having completed his University of Calgary Interdisciplinary PhD degree, and his thesis entitled the ‘Inclusive Design Education of Environmental Designers: A Transdisciplinary Approach,’ partially sponsored through a Canadian Disability Policy Alliance scholarship.

Dave Reid

Business Advisor - EDP

A career in retail management, at HBC (The Bay) including a store director in various locations. He also contributed to other retailers and like SAAN stores, Ardene, operationally focused on business execution. He was operations director of Alcanna and lead their Wine and Beyond portfolio. He joined Prospect as a Business Advisor to EDP in 2018. He collaborated in the program design and brought his skills in ideation and business development to provide supports and insights to clients. He has created agency partnerships in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and is proud of the unique approach the Prospect EDP program takes in developing the skill, ability, and capacity of entrepreneurs.

Zachary Weeks

Disability Advocate

Zachary is an accomplished media spokesperson, disability advocate, and speaker, honored with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal. He has made significant contributions to building developments such as the Glenrose's Bill Black Auditorium, Walterdale Theatre, and Rogers Place, providing valuable consulting expertise. With a background in construction and accessibility consulting, Zachary merges his lived experience and industry knowledge to drive positive change and foster inclusive environments for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, he has served as a consultant for the CBC show "PUSH," offering his expertise and insights as the series delves into the lives of wheelchair users and their shared experiences as the close-knit group of friends known as the "Wheelie Peeps."

Tracy Odell

Disability Advocate

Tracy’s life-long advocacy on disability issues was forged at age 7 when she had to live in an institution, because she couldn’t walk. She won the chance to live in an accessible apartment with wrap-around services, While earning her B.Ed., and Master of Critical Disability Studies degrees, she worked full -time and raised a family.

Sherry Caldwell

Co-FoundeR and Director of Ontario Disability Coalition

Sherry co-founded and acts as Director of Ontario Disability Coalition for the past six years, organizing rallies, policy briefs, responding to media inquiries inquiries, and acting as peer mentor for countless other parent-caregivers. Officially serves on multiple organizations, including Easter Seals Ontario, Accessible Housing Network, Richmond Hill Accessibility Advisory Committee, and former Chair Children’s Treatment Network Family Engagement Council.

Salvatore (Sal) Amenta

Retired Teacher and Professor, Co-Chair of the AHN

A teacher and professor, Sal served as a local union president and college dean before retiring in 2002. He is an artist, designer, writer, musician, ballroom dancer, and a perpetual beginner in Argentine Tango. Sal volunteered for Community Living at all levels, was a founding member of Seniors for Social Action Ontario (SSAO), and co-chairs the Accessible Housing Network (AHN).

Wesdyne Otto

Human Rights Advocate

I am a disabled woman advocating for human rights. I offer Expressive Arts to disempowered populations in schools, shelters, service agencies and retreat centres so individuals can embody peace to carry forward into their lives, family groups and community. “Looking closer can make something beautiful” - Cynthia Lord

Michelle Bissell

Education Coordinator, Voice of Albertans with Disabilities

Michelle Bissell came onto the Board of Directors of the Voice of Albertans with Disabilities in October 2014 and now is the Education Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Certificate in Career Development from Concordia University College of Alberta. She participates with an occupational therapy class at the University of Alberta, as Student Educator. She was the Chair of the DATS Advisory Group (DAG) for five years and has taken part in Housing Accessibility Series and Radical Inclusion 2020 though the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human rights and was involved in writing a shadow report for the U.N. and now is a facilitator and lead for Radical Inclusion. She also took an Indigenous Canada, Collective Learning course through the U of A and received certification through The Plain Language Academy.

Alex Galvez

Executive Director, Asociación Transiciones / Transitions Foundation of Guatemala

Alex has lived with paraplegia for more than 3 decades. He was shot at age 15, and unlike most gunshot survivors in Guatemala, had the good fortune to be taken to the US for medical treatment. There he saw Americans with mobility impairments who were living full, productive lives – because they had appropriate wheelchairs. Alex was inspired to create an association of young people with disabilities on his return to Guatemala. With support from Rotary clubs, they learned to make and repair wheelchairs. Now 25 years later, Asociación Transiciones is a comprehensive wheelchair service, manufacturing wheelchairs personalized for each user according to their needs, abilities and living conditions. The recipients are mainly poor Guatemalans who would otherwise be stuck at home without mobility. Since most of our factory crew are wheelchair users themselves, they understand the importance of having the most appropriate chair for each user.

Helaine Boyd

Executive Director of Disability Alliance BC

Helaine is the Executive Director of Disability Alliance BC. Prior to joining DABC, Helaine worked in the humanitarian sector abroad for over 8 years, in which she focused on championing a culture of inclusion as well as working actively alongside people with disabilities to bring meaningful, positive change. Currently, Helaine sits on a variety of committees and working groups, notably the Technical Advisory Committee for the Service Delivery Standard under the Accessible BC Act, and the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction’s Employment and Assistance Policy Advisory Group.

Stella Varvis

Legal Counsel with the Alberta Law Reform Institute

Stella Varvis is legal counsel with the Alberta Law Reform Institute. She is also currently an LLM student at the University of Alberta with a focus on disability law. Her masters thesis is about developing an evaluative framework for assessing the effectiveness of legislation aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities.

Robin East

Barrier Free Saskatchewan

Robin East has a Bachelor Degree in Social Work, a Certificate In Rehabilitation Personal Development, and Professional International certificates in Adaptive Technologies and Accessibility Guidelines. In 2021 he became a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) - International Association of Accessibility Professionals. He has worked as an Educational Associate, a Behavioural Therapist, and currently, an Officer with the Federal Public Service .

Zian Chavez

Artist, Activist, Art Therapist and Producer

Zian is a disabled, Latine, queer, non-binary, artist, activist, art therapist and producer. Zian was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1992. They started working in the Special Education school system 25 years ago. She went to Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a dual degree in Art Therapy and Counseling. After grad school Zian moved to Portland, Oregon and started working with different non-profits working with adults with disabilities. Today Zian runs an art therapy group with HIV positive Oregonians. They love traveling, learning, cooking, reading, and practices mindfulness and meditation. Zian’s motto is, “Pace with Grace”.

Beth Ann Short

Artist, Art Therapist, Educator, Filmmaker and Activist

B.A. Short is a mixed race (Maliseet), genderqueer/nonbinary person. They also experience multiple invisible disabilities. BA is an artist, art therapist, educator, filmmaker and activist. In all of their work BA applies a postmodernist approach incorporating intersectionality, social constructionism, feminism, queer theory, and antiracism. “I believe human beings will always be evolving. My work relies on empathy, language, storytelling and art. Often this means there are multiple truths and realities to explore, understand and witness. I also believe in the importance of acknowledging, questioning and creatively dismantling historical systemic power structures that have been in place marginalizing individuals.”

Robert Lafady

Operations Manager at Enders & Associates, Inc.

Robert Lafady was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Robert has over 30 years of photography, video, editing and publishing. Robert has worked as a Director of Operations and an Operations Manager for over 28 years. Currently Robert is an operations manager at Enders & Associates. He also directs, edits and publishes training videos at Enders & Associates Productions for vendors across the United States and abroad. Robert is also brand ambassador for Rad Power electric bikes. In his spare time he loves spending time with his chosen family, travelling, biking, and experiencing life in the Pacific Northwest.

Laurent Francis Ngoumou

OCASI | Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

Laurent Francis Ngoumou (2017 -March 2024 )PHD Student in Social Work at Laval University Specialization: Immigration policy, social integration, sexual diversity, systemic racism and mental health (Africa, Europa, Canada) (2014-2016) Master’s degree social work as Human rights profession: Alice Salomon University Berlin (Germany). Research and teaching interests • Social reality of LGBTQ people in Africa: context: colonial, post-colonial, and independence to the present day. • Homophobia, Racism, Social Integration, Exclusion of Sexual Minorities. • Promotion of diversity, ethno-culturalism, how to integrate the issue of Afro-Caribbean sexual minorities in social science research? • International Migration Policies (Integration, Exclusion, stigmatization, racism)

Alexandra Ages

Executive Director for the Council of Alberta University Students

Alexandra Ages is the Executive Director for the Council of Alberta University Students, supporting student leaders from universities across Alberta in efforts to make post-secondary more affordable and accessible. With a Master of Public Policy degree from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Alexandra is deeply passionate about the intricacies of political capital, social class, and public policy.

Alexandra Ages

Executive Director for the Council of Alberta University Students

Alexandra Ages is the Executive Director for the Council of Alberta University Students, supporting student leaders from universities across Alberta in efforts to make post-secondary more affordable and accessible. With a Master of Public Policy degree from McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy, Alexandra is deeply passionate about the intricacies of political capital, social class, and public policy.

Olivia Smith Rodrigues

Program Manager, Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness

Olivia currently resides on the lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron peoples, known as London, Ontario. Working at the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, Olivia roots her career in her passion for cultivating community and fostering belonging. With a passion for queer activism and harm reduction, Olivia is driven to create space for queer joy.

Nathan Ponce

Student Support and Youth Council Coordinator at BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Nathan was born and raised on Karankawa territory in Houston, Texas, and now resides in Lekwungen Territory (Victoria, BC), where he works as the Student Support and Youth Council Coordinator at BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. Previously, Nathan worked as the Community Connector for the Health Initiative for Men, focusing on harm reduction and community building.

Myles Dyles

Edmonton Pride Centre Board Member

Myles resides in Treaty 6 Territory, known as Edmonton, Alberta. As a board member for the Edmonton Pride Centre, Myles works to support fundraising efforts to support the local 2STQLGBIA+ community in Edmonton. Previously, as the President of the Students' Association of MacEwan University, Myles spearheaded governance initiatives and supported efforts to create an inclusive campus atmosphere.

Emily Craven

Author, Speaker, and CEO of Story City

Emily is an author, speaker, and CEO of Story City. She has a degree in Astrophysics & a decade-long career in storytelling and publishing. Having presented across the world on interactive storytelling and transmedia, Emily has won numerous awards from innovation awards, to Young Writer and Publisher of the Year for her work with Story City. Her mission is to help organisations across the world invite people to step into their stories, redefining stories so they are something you're a part of, rather than something you're told.

Scot Morison

Director, Writer, and Filmmaker

Scot Morison is an Edmonton writer and filmmaker who works in drama and documentary. His documentaries include Finding Bobbi: A Search for Self (produced as a Telus Original) the story of Canadian actor Bobbi Charlton's fifty-year journey through gender dysphoria, which was screened at festivals in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, was a finalist for the Japan Prize and received the Human Rights Award at the 2019 Mystic Film Festival; Between the Stones and Ocean: A Portrait of Rudy Wiebe (produced for Bravo), which won a Gold Remi for Directing as the Houston World Film Festival in 2007; and Ana Falastini, a triptych of short films reflecting his personal experience with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Bea Basaran

Education Coordinator for MARL

Bea Basaran serves as the Education Coordinator for MARL. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Rights and Sociology from the University of Winnipeg. Her previous research work has been in the field of social sciences and humanities, with a focus on interdisciplinary studies exploring topics such as intersectionality, culture, immigration, and various social issues. In her role, Bea is dedicated to advancing human rights education within the Manitoban community, in order to work towards an equitable society.

Sandra Khran

Executive Director of MARL

Sandra has over 25 years of experience working in educational organizations, including schools, universities and non-profit organizations. She started her education career as a high school science teacher. She has been a project leader in a UNESCO Associated School. Sandra has a Bachelor of Education, with a Master’s and Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies. Her research specialization is in how educational initiatives can support community peacebuilding. Sandra has experience with teacher training for human rights education in Canada, India and the Czech Republic. Her experience includes grant writing, program development and writing curriculum for community organizations.

Erica McNabb

Sex Education Consultant

I’m Erica, and my pronouns are They and Them. I’m Fat, White and Queer Femme- which I feel is somewhere between and beyond Nonbinary and Genderqueer. I’m an ADHD babe (Neurodiverse!) I am an uninvited white settler on earth of the Anishinaabe, Ininewak, Dakota, and Métis people. I am a sex education consultant , Harm Reduction worker, community organizer and Queer parent. For myself, my responsibilities are to Queer and Trans young people. When I make decisions about what I do, I always think about the impacts that has for and on Queer and Trans youth. I aim to do my work with deep humility and gratitude for Indigenous Feminists, Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer people, QTBIPOC as well as Black and Brown women and Femmes. My core values are rooted in Justice and joy!

Vanessa AnakwudwabisayQuay Cook

Indigenous Sexual Health Facilitator

From the Mikinaak (Turtle) and Doud Clans, Vanessa has aligned her heart and mind to work for The People. Vanessa is a ShkaabeKwe (Helper) in all circles of her life including as an Indigenous Sexual Health Facilitator, an Adult Educator for social change with Righting Relations and as a member of Red Tent which provides anti- oppression education. She has delivered thousands of workshops on decolonizing mental health, substance use and relationships. Vanessa is employed at Wa-say Healing Centre as a Cultural Support Provider. She prides herself on Indigenous education, graduating from Children of the Earth High School and obtaining a First Nation Counselling Degree (Brandon University.) Her highest education comes from Sundance/Fasting ceremonies, time spent in nature and with the very best teachers, the Elders, Medicine People and Family who grace her life. She is a Mother of two and an Aunty to many.

Max Quilliam

Artist, Educator, and Caregiver

Max Quilliam is an artist, educator, and caregiver living on Treaty 6 territory. Their work - in all its forms - bridges political issues with ideas of care, seeking to bring softness and joy into the spaces we share.

Jodi Zabludowski

Executive Director of Indo Canadian Women's Association

Originally from Montreal, Jodi started her career in Alberta working for the provincial government in the area of Quality Management. After 14 years in the public sector, she successfully transitioned to not-for-profit service for over 23 years dedicated to providing programs for persons living with physical disabilities and other types of challenges. Jodi brings to her current role a wealth of volunteer experience in diverse charities, including those helping seniors and other women’s charities.

Su Deranger

Co-Founder Mother Earth Justice Advocates | Day 4

Su Deranger has been a strong voice for environmental, social justice and the upholding of Indigenous and Treaty rights for many years. She has worked nationally, provincially, locally and internationally in these areas. Su is the co-founder of Mother Earth Justice Advocates and is currently a member of the Indigenous Climate Action, co-chair of Keepers of the Water, and member of Righting Relations. She has a passion for the unity of all peoples and the protection of Mother Earth. Her four children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren motivate her to strive for a better world.

Jessica Chapman

Staff Lawyer (Legal Aid Alberta) | Day 6

Jessica Chapman is a settler who was raised in Treaty 8 Territory and now lives in Treaty 6 Territory. She attended the University of Alberta, and graduated with Distinction with her Bachelor of Laws degree in 2003. She was called to the Alberta Bar in 2004 and has practiced in the area of family law since that time. Since 2017 she has been a staff lawyer at Legal Aid Alberta. She is a public director on the board of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, the Secretary for the Edmonton Branch of the Legal Education and Action Fund. She is also a member of her local Lions Club and Rotary Club. In her spare time, she loves CrossFit, running, reading, cross-stitch, paper crafting and the 90 Day

Karen Kuprys

Secretary Treasure for the Alberta Federation of Labour | Day 6

Karen Kuprys was elected Secretary Treasure for the Alberta Federation of Labour at the 2021 AFL Convention and was acclaimed in 2023. For over three decades, Karen has been a dedicated advocate for workers, the broader Labour movement, and Civil Society. Prior to her election as secretary treasurer, Karen worked as a registered nurse for 28 years. The various positions she held on her Local executive included, Secretary, Vice President, President and Professional Responsibility Committee Chairperson.

Denise Meyers

Shop Steward for Community Service Operators | Day 6

Denise joined AUPE Local 1 and became the Chair of her Chapter and a member of Local 1’s Bargaining Committee. She was also elected as a member of the Legislative Committee. This Committee sat for two terms so they could finish the massive overhaul of all AUPEs Locals policies and Procedures and write those retained in plain English. Her position in the Provincial Government was as a Collective Bargaining Analyst. I She joined ATU Local 569 in 1997 and a year later was elected as the Shop Steward for the Community Service Operators, 24 ft bus, where she remains with the new 30 ft buses.

Charmaine St. Germain

Advocate of Indigenous, workers and Women's Rights | Day 6

Charmaine St. Germain is a vibrant and dedicated Metis woman who began her Union activism 21 years ago when she started working at Superstore and became a member of UFCW 401. Charmaine first became active joining in her first set of bargaining by sitting on the negotiation committee. After which she became a shop steward and currently sits on the local’s executive board as recording secretary. As her activism continued to grow within her local Charmaine also became more involved in both the greater labour community and numerous social justice issues. In particular, her passionate involvement on several diversity committees within her local, the greater labour community and on a national level. She currently is involved with both UFCW 401’s Edmonton area Women’s and Diversity Committees; UFCW Canada Human Rights Equity and Diversity committee; the Alberta NDP Labour caucus as a Vice President and a Women’s caucus as an executive member, and is currently the private sector Co- Chair on the AFL Women’s Equity committee. Charmaine has always been a strong advocate of Indigenous, workers and women’s rights. She has taken part in various marches, social media initiatives, contributing to the changes in her CBA to support women and Indigenous people better in the workplace, and leading initiatives through her local.

Dewey Funk

Occupational Health and Safety Advisor for the United Nurses of Alberta | Day 6

Dewey Funk is the Occupational Health and Safety Advisor for the United Nurses of Alberta since 2012. This position entails providing a safe workplace for workers while providing a designated essential service for the public.

Jeje Mohamed

senior manager for digital safety and free expression at PEN America | Day 6

Jeje Mohamed is the senior manager for digital safety and free expression at PEN America. She oversees the training program and resources development for journalists, academics and writers, equipping them with tools, safety tips and resources to defend themselves against online harassment. She has more than a decade of experience working in the field of journalism, human rights and safety and security, providing training, practical tools and strategies for journalists and activists on trauma-informed and identity-aware digital safety, physical safety, de-escalation and psychological first aid. She has worked as a journalist both in Egypt and the United States and has produced documentaries and podcasts focusing on human rights abuses in both places. Prior to joining PEN America, she was a Next-Gen Safety Trainers fellow with the International Women’s Media Foundation, developing holistic safety training programs and incident response support for journalists.

Mona Hassannia

Registered Clinical Counsellor and founder of Nia Counselling | Day 6

Mona Hassannia is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and founder of Nia Counselling providing therapy and mental health consulting. She has over 15 years of frontline and management experience in the settlement sector and continues to work on various projects in the sector including wellness team debriefs, frontline training, and creating engaging content on various mental health and frontline needs. Mona is a committed advocate for the mental health wellbeing of newcomers and supports the capacity building of frontline staff and organizations that serve them.

Kenzie Gordon

Social Worker and Settler Scholar (U of A) | Day 6

Kenzie Gordon (she/her) is a social worker and settler scholar at the University of Alberta, on Treaty 6 territory. She is currently completing a doctoral program in Media & Cultural studies, with an emphasis on representations of gender-based violence in video games. She is a board member with Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton and a project lead on the YEG Police Violence Archive.

Osire Glacier

Assistant Professor in the History Department (Fac of Humanities and Social Sciences - U Athabasca) | Day 6

Dr. Glacier is a scholar of women's history, of the politics of gender, sexuality and human rights in postcolonial Morocco. She published several scholarly articles and manuscripts in these fields, including Universal Rights, Systemic Violations and Cultural Relativism in Morocco (New York: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2013); Political Women in Morocco, Then and Now (Trenton: Africa World Press, 2013); Femininity, Masculinity and Sexuality in Morocco and Hollywood (New York: Palgrave-Macmillan, 2017); and Freedom for Morocco: A Family Tale (Trenton: Africa World Press, 2022).

Dawn Ferris

Executive Director Cumberland County Transition House Association | Day 6

Dawn came to the CCTHA in 2017 from the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia. She has been a passionate advocate for feminist issues for over 25 years. Dawn currently sits on the Nova Scotia Highest Risk Domestic Violence Table as Co-Chair, as a Director on the Board of THANS (Transition House Association of Nova Scotia) and is currently the Chair of the Board of CANSA (Cumberland African Nova Scotia Association, as an ally). Dawn is a strong feminist, activist, socialist, trade unionist, abolitionist of prison, anti-poverty advocate and a strong ally to 2SLGBTT+ and BIPOC issues; she is also a self-proclaimed comedian. Dawn lives with her husband and two dogs in Amherst and is the mother of three grown women and has two grandchildren.

Kelly Merritt

Operations Manager Autumn House | Day 6

Kelly Merritt has been a part of the Cumberland County Transition Home Association for 9 years. Kelly worked as Women’s Support Counsellor before becoming the current Shelter Operations Manager. Kelly had the opportunity to co-facilitate the new men’s program with Lisa in a group setting and feels that with slight modification would be an amazing program for those who have been harmed as well as those causing harm. Kelly is the mother of three grown men, lives with her husband and dog and is a proud grandmother and in her spare time helps her husband and son’s business doing construction work.

Suzanne Zaccour

Head of Feminist Law Reform (National Association of Women and the Law) | Day 6

Suzanne Zaccour is the Head of Feminist Law Reform at the National Association of Women and the Law. The National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL) works to achieve substantive equality and the realization of human rights for all women in Canada through legal education, research, strategic intervention, coalition work and feminist law reform advocacy, particularly at the federal level.

Aubrianna Snow

Writer, feminist, student leader and Stakeholder Relations Specialist at Possibility Seeds

Aubrianna Snow (she/her) is a writer, feminist, and student leader living in Treaty Six Territory. She is Stakeholder Relations Specialist at Possibility Seeds and an MEd student at the University of Alberta. Aubrianna is passionate about comprehensive sexuality education, intersectional analysis, and the power of learning. Find her in Chatelaine, Edmonton Journal, Muskrat Magazine, or online at aubriannasnow.com.

Michelle LaRue

Facilitator/trainer (Family Violence, Cultural Safety and Gender/Sexual Diversity | Day 6

Michelle LaRue is a seasoned facilitator and trainer in the areas of Family Violence, Cultural Safety and Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusion. With an educational background in Psychology, Michelle has worked over 23 years in the Social Services sector walking alongside individuals and families. Supporting others, leading teams, protocol and training development and advocacy for diversity, inclusion and equity are among her strengths and passions. Michelle has been the Family Violence Specialist for the Alberta Home Visitation Network (AHVNA) since 2015. In addition to her role with AHVNA, Michelle is a Manager with the Edmonton Police Service in the Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights Branch.

Dr. Kristen Thomasen

Assistant Professor ( Peter A. Allard School of Law at the UBC) Day 6

Dr. Kristen Thomasen is an Assistant Professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. Kristen’s work explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and law, with a particular focus on the regulation of robotic and AI-systems operating in public and shared spaces. She has also focused her research on privacy law, and technology-facilitated violence, through an intersectional feminist lens. Kristen holds a PhD and a JD from the University of Ottawa. Prior to her doctoral studies, she served as law clerk to the Honourable Madam Justice Rosalie Abella at the Supreme Court of Canada and clerked for the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. She is a regular public commentator in mainstream media, and serves on the LEAF Technology-Facilitated Violence Project Advisory Committee, and the BC Law Institute Artificial Intelligence and Civil Liability Project Committee. She teaches in the areas of tort law, privacy law, and robotics law and policy.

Sandra Aceng

Executive Director (Women of Uganda Network) | Day 6

Sandra Aceng is the Executive Director at Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET). She is a gender and ICT researcher, policy analyst, writer, and Wikimedian. Sandra is an outspoken and energetic woman human rights defender (WHRD) who advocates for the integration of gender perspectives in ICT policy and analyzes threats to free expression in Africa introduced by regulatory initiatives. She is a Global Voices contributor, a 2020 Global Network Initiative (GNI)/Internews Fellow, a 2021 OPTIMA Data-Driven Activism Fellow, and a former Associate Editor at Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Sandra is also the Diversity and Content Generation Lead at the Wikimedia Community User Group where she leads the WikiForHumanRights, WikiForRefugees, and Wiki Loves Earth projects by recruiting, training, coordinating, and mentoring editors and volunteers who participate in online and in-person events that teach participants about Wikipedia skills, community norms, and best practices on Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons and other identified Wikimedia projects. In 2021, she was the Wiki Indaba 2021 Conference Scholarship Connectivity Fund Lead. Sandra was selected as one of the 40 fellows for the class of 2021 virtual edition of the African School on Internet Governance (AfriSIG). She was a mentor for Wiki Vibrance Project 2022 and was selected as the 2022 Core Organising Team (COT) for the 2022 Wikimania Conference by Wikimedia Foundation.

Lise Martin

Founding Executive Director of Women’s Shelters Canada

Lise Martin is the founding Executive Director of Women’s Shelters Canada, an organization that provides a unified voice for systemic change to end violence against women while providing leadership for collaboration and knowledge exchange among shelters and transition houses across the country. Prior to joining WSC, she was the Executive Director of Women’s World 2011, an international feminist conference that hosted more than 2,000 participants from 92 countries in Ottawa in July 2011. For many years Lise was with the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW), first as a Research Officer and then as Executive Director. Lise is also a founding member of FAFIA, the Canadian Feminist Alliance for International Action. She is the proud mother of three sons. Lise Martin est la directrice générale fondatrice de l’organisme Hébergement femmes Canada, qui offre une voix unifiée en faveur du changement systémique afin de mettre fin à la violence contre les femmes tout en assurant un leadership en matière de collaboration et d’échange de connaissances entre les refuges et les maisons de transition de tout le au pays. Avant de se joindre à l’organisme, elle a été directrice générale de Monde des Femmes 2011, une conférence féministe internationale qui a accueilli plus de 2 000 participantes de 92 pays à Ottawa en juillet 2011. Pendant de nombreuses années, Lise a travaillé à l’Institut canadien de recherche pour l’avancement des femmes (ICRAF), d’abord à titre d’agente de recherche, puis de directrice générale. Lise est également membre fondatrice de l’Alliance canadienne féministe pour l’action internationale (AFAI).

Douglas Roche

Senator, Author, Parliamentarian, Diplomat and Peace Activist

The Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., is a former Canadian Senator, parliamentarian, diplomat and author. He is Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Middle Powers Initiative, an international network of eight international non-governmental organizations specializing in nuclear disarmament issues. In 2010, the City of Hiroshima named him an Honorary Citizen for his extensive nuclear disarmament work and particularly for founding the Middle Powers Initiative. Mr. Roche has been a Canadian Senator, Member of Parliament, and Ambassador for Disarmament, and also a Visiting Professor at the University of Alberta. He was elected Chairman of the United Nations Disarmament Committee at the 43rd General Assembly in 1988 and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. He has authored 20 books including How We Stopped Loving the Bomb (Lorimer, 2011), his memoirs: Creative Dissent: A Politician's Struggle for Peace (Novalis, 2008), and The Human Right to Peace (Novalis, 2003) and The United Nations in the 21st Century (Lorimer, 2015). His most recent work is Recovery: Peace Prospects in the Biden Era (Khalid Yaqub, 2020). He has received many awards for his work for peace and non-violence including the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation for World Peace Award (Canada) and the United Nations Association's Medal of Honour. In 1995, Pope John Paul II presented Douglas Roche with the Papal Medal for his service as Special Advisor on disarmament and security matters and, in 1998, the Holy See named him a Knight Commander of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. He was given Lifetime Achievement awards by the Canadian Pugwash Group and the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation in 2005, and received the Distinguished Service Award of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians for his "promotion of human welfare, human rights and parliamentary democracy in Canada and abroad" in 2009.

Lan Chan-Marples

Research Partner at the University of Alberta

Lan Chan-Marples is a Research Partner at the University of Alberta, where she completed undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education. Her specialization is Community-Engaged Research in the area of grant development support. She brings to this portfolio her passion and years of experience doing community engagement work in the community (largely in the Chinese community) from immigrant services to family violence to vulnerable seniors, women and underrepresented groups. For over 25 years, Lan has been active on several voluntary committees and boards and have organized numerous community-based conferences, festivals, events and projects. She was a past award recipient of Daughters Day of the Year in 2014, and subsequently joined the board of Canadians for a Civil Society. An immigrant child who grew up in Edmonton’s Chinatown, it saddened Lan to see Chinatown that was once a hub of culture and economy declined over the years as a chaotic place. Always a doer, she wants to make Chinatown well again in a way that brings out the best in people.

Angie Mapara-Osachoff

Director of Canadian Programs at Equitas

Angie joined Equitas in 2009 and is now the Director of the Canadian Programs located in B-C. She is the Chair of the Indian Summer Arts Society. Prior to joining Equitas Angie worked with the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre and the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies delegation to the United Nations. She graduated from Queen’s University with two degrees; a major in political studies and an honours medial in development studies and political studies. She has been active in human rights, humanitarian issues and informal education for the past 20 years. She has written and delivered workshops on children and armed conflict, international humanitarian law and many other subjects related to human rights.

John Packer

Associate Professor; Director, HRREC, University of Ottowa

The Co-Director of the Voices-in-Exile project, Prof Packer is Director of the HRREC and the inaugural Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa.

Marina Benitez Demtschenko

Specialized IT Lawyer | Day 6

Marina Benítez Demtschenko is a lawyer specialized in IT Law (University of Buenos Aires) for over 10 years. She is a national and international expert consultant and speaker about gender digital inclusion, freedom of expression, and digital rights with a gender-sensitive approach. A promoter and defender of women’s rights in the digital era, she is the founder of Feminist Digital Activism Foundation, which addresses gender matters in ICT in Argentina and Latin America. Currently, she is a Psychology student (University of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Phil Leech-Ngo

Fellow (HRREC) | Senior Fellow (Centre on Governance)

Philip Leech-Ngo, Ph.D., is a senior fellow at the Centre on Governance at the University of Ottawa. He was the Gordon F. Henderson Post-doctoral Fellow (2016-2017) at Human Rights Research and Education Centre at the University of Ottawa. He is the author of The State of Palestine: A Critical Analysisnorth_eastexternal link (Routledge, 2016) and the co-editor of Popular Uprisings in the Middle East north_eastexternal link(Rowman and Littlefield International, 2016). Leech-Ngo has taught at both graduate and undergraduate levels at the Universities of New Brunswick, Liverpool, Plymouth and Exeter. His recent consultancy work has included two research reports on the Palestinian Economy for Christian Aid, a project on corruption in the Middle East for Transparency International, and designing a course on Conflict Management for the Royal Military College of Canada.

Caroline Faucher

Communications and Events Management Officer, HRREC, University of Ottawa

Prior to joining the HRREC team as Communications and Events Management Officer, Caroline Faucher worked 8 years as Research Promotion Coordinator at the Telfer School of Management’s Research Office. She was in charge of promoting the research activities and initiatives conducted by Telfer School faculty through various outlets. She coordinated four seminar series and various events related to research. She also provided support to the Research Facilitator and the Vice-Dean (Research) on various projects. Before moving to Ottawa, she occupied different positions at the Faculty of Administrative Sciences at Laval University, for instance, the Communications Service and the Undergraduate Office

Jane Bailey

Full Professor of Law at uOttawa | Day 6

Jane Bailey is a Full Professor of Law at uOttawa where she teaches Cyberfeminism, Technoprudence and Contracts. She and Dr Val Steeves co-lead The eQuality Project, a 7-year SSHRC-funded partnership initiative focused on young people’s experiences with privacy and equality in digitally networked environments. She leads the Project stream on tech-facilitated violence, is a member of LEAF’s Tech-Facilitated Violence Project, and is grateful to have collaborated with numerous community organizations working to end TFV. In 2021 Jane, Dr Asher Flynn and Dr Nicola Henry co-edited the Emerald International Handbook on Technology-facilitated Violence and Abuse, an open access publication.

Paul Fujishige

President of the Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA)

Paul is currently in his third year as President of the Edmonton Japanese Community Association (EJCA). He was born and raised in Winnipeg. He moved to Alberta in 1980 and held a variety of positions in the government, not for profit and education sectors. His primary work was with people with disabilities and families. He retired in 2017 and became involved with EJCA. As a sansei whose family was interned in the second World War, Paul passionately believes in advocating and encouraging the rights of all citizens. He has also been re-discovering his Japanese roots, including learning more about his family history in Canada and Japan.

Terri Gibb Rolfson

Research Coordinator at the University of Alberta, Committee Advocating for Racial Equality member with the EJCA

Terri Rolfson is a Research Coordinator at the University of Alberta, and member of the CARE committee(Committee Advocating for Racial Equality) with the Edmonton Japanese Community Association. She manages the research for the Gordon Hirabayashi Anti-Racism Project, while also supporting Social Sciences and Humanities faculty with grant-funded research initiatives

Robert Philp

Previous Chief of the Alberta Human Right Commission

Bob Philp was previously the Chief of the Alberta Human Right Commission, a Provincial Court Judge, a respected lawyer, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Business. As a resident of Edmonton – City Centre for the last 24 years, Bob has held executive or board positions on numerous community organizations, including Boyle Street Community Services, Reach Edmonton, Edmonton Community Legal Center, Jellinek Men’s Recovery, HOPE Foundation Edmonton, and the Mayor’s Edmonton Task Force to End Poverty. Bob received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003 and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005. In 2017, he received a Distinguished Service Award from the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and the Alberta Law Society. Mr. Philp continues to be a mentor to many young lawyers and students and has several notable appointments to the Law Society Committees in Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. As an Alberta Party Candidate, Bob will continue to champion human rights, entrepreneurship, and government accountability in Edmonton – City Centre and across Alberta.

Parveen Parmar

Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate

Parveen Parmar is a lawyer and human rights advocate from Alberta passionate about social justice and access to justice. She is currently working as a human rights officer with the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights with their Stride Advocacy program helping the public navigate human rights mechanisms, and has conducted research examining barriers at the Alberta and Canadian Human Rights Commissions. Previously, Parveen was a student-at-law at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, where she was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2021. She was selected in 2018 as a legal fellow for the Young Lawyers International Program, implemented by the Canadian Bar Association and Global Affairs Canada, which places lawyers and law graduates with various organizations around the world to work in the areas of human rights and development. She worked with the UN Women Programme Office and the Human Rights Team under the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Belgrade, Serbia; the Arlington Human Rights Commission in the Washington, D.C. area, and with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Bangkok, Thailand.

Clementine Jarrett

Child Rights Advocate

Clementine Jarrett is a Child Rights Advocate and Double B.A. Hons. degree candidate at Carleton University, majoring in Human Rights & Social Justice and Feminist Studies, with a minor in Community Engagement. As a former Crown ward and childhood abuse survivor, Clementine passionately elevates child and youth well-being as a central human rights concern. Her pursuits as a Researcher, Co-Author of a child rights report, Youth Engagement Facilitator, and sought-after public speaker embody her unwavering dedication.

Evan Brunner

Program and Policy Consultant within Communication, Education and Engagement at the Human Rights Commission

Evan Brunner is a Program and Policy Consultant within Communication, Education and Engagement at the Human Rights Commission. She works within the Commission’s preventative programming. This includes working with other government agencies, as well as community members and organizations to build relationships and develop initiatives with the goal of reducing discrimination and fostering equality. Evan’s areas of focus are primarily on programming meant to address equity and reduce barriers for Indigenous peoples, women, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, and folks struggling with a lack of housing and poverty. Evan has been with the Commission since 2021 where she initially started as a Human Rights Officer within the Complaint’s Management section of the Commission. Prior to this she worked as a Youth Liaison on the Neighborhood Empowerment Team through the Family Centre as well as a non-profit program coordinator serving refuges youth in Brussels, Belgium. She is a mixed Cree woman from rural Alberta, where her interest in human rights work took root. As her education and experience grew, this interest blossomed into an ongoing passion and drive to support and advocate for not only her own community, but any other folks who experience discrimination in Alberta. Evan is also an active volunteer, a beadwork artist, and a long time rugby player

Anne Clennett

Director of Communication, Education and Engagement at the Alberta Human Rights Commission

Anne Clennett is the Director of Communication, Education and Engagement at the Alberta Human Rights Commission. She oversees the Commission’s prevention work to foster equality and reduce discrimination. This includes managing the Commission’s marketing and communications, public education, outreach and engagement, public policy, data and technology, and business services. These programs focus on addressing equity and reducing barriers for those who are most marginalized, including Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, the 2SLGBTQ+ community, racialized communities, immigrants and refugees, people who are houseless and living in poverty, and religious groups. With the Commission since 2012, Anne has over twenty years in the public service. Prior to the Commission, she held positions in public health and health promotion a the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, and the Capital Health Authority. Growing up on a farm in a small rural community in east central Alberta, Anne saw firsthand the impact of inclusion for persons with disabilities, including in her own family. Anne is an active volunteer, volunteering international and currently as a member of the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band. Anne was honoured with a Premier’s Award of Excellent for her work in tobacco control.

Sara Tessier

Impact Director (Formerly Incarcerated Persons - Northpine Fdtn) | Day 7)

Sara A. Tessier is an esteemed social justice advocate with eight years of experience supporting marginalized individuals in Canada. She is the Impact Director for Formerly Incarcerated Persons at the Northpine Foundation. Sara has collaborated with various organizations and committees, contributing to numerous initiatives related to prisoner rights, human rights, and social justice, and has been a prominent speaker on these topics.

Jenna Robinson

Research Assistant, University of Alberta

Jenna Robinson holds a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Calgary. Her primary research area includes a critical feminist analysis of victimized and criminalized women in Canada. Specifically, she is interested in transitions from prison to community and the structural-level barriers that women endure during this process. Other research interests of hers include human rights and she is passionate about community-based research and decolonial research methodologies.

Arlan Delisle

Assistant Professor in the Macewan School of Business

Mr. Arlan Delisle is an Assistant Professor in the School of Business, and only recently left legal practice after a number of years at Legal Aid Alberta. He has also specialized on a number of files pertaining to Indigenous legal issues.

Jennifer Metcalfe

Executive Director of Prisoners’ Legal Services | Day 7

Jennifer Metcalfe is the Executive Director of Prisoners’ Legal Services, a legal aid clinic for people in federal and provincial prisons in British Columbia. Jennifer is the vice-president of the Canadian Prison Law Association. She received her law degree from the University of British Columbia in 2003 and has an undergraduate degree in Native Studies from Trent University.

McKay White

Associate Professor in the Macewan School of Business

Dr. McKay White is an Associate Professor in the School of Business, and a former litigator with a broad array of legal practice experience.

Janis Sasaki

EJCA Care Member

Janis Sasaki is a third generation Japanese Canadian who was born and raised in Edmonton. I am from the Sato and Sasaki families. I work as a nurse lawyer. Thank you for providing me with a nudge to explore my roots.

Célia Romulus

Assistant Professor at the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies of the University of Ottawa

Célia Romulus in an assistant professor at the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies and the School of International Development and Global Studies of the University of Ottawa. Her research and teaching draw from anti-oppression and anti-racist education, Afro and Decolonial feminisms, and explore questions related to the gender and the politics of memory, migrations, citizenship, political violence and interdisciplinary methods. Prior to completing her PhD, Romulus worked as a program director in the areas of gender-based violence in public spaces and in security sector reform for UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. She continues to work as a consultant and trainer on questions related to anti-oppression, anti-racism, Black femininities/masculinities, gender mainstreaming in public policies and in development.

Karen Morrow

Professor of Environmental Law, Swansea University

Karen Morrow LLB, LLM studied at the Queen’s University of Belfast and King’s College London. She has lectured at the Universities of Buckingham, Durham and Leeds and the Queen’s University of Belfast and has been a Professor at Swansea University since 2007. Karen's research interests focus on theoretical and practical aspects of public participation in environmental law and policy and on gender and the environment. She has published extensively on a range of environmental issues in both legal and interdisciplinary contexts. She was founding co-editor of the Journal of Human Rights and the Environment, and the IUCN e-journal. She is a founder member and part of the core team of the related Global Network for the Study of Human Rights and the Environment (GNHRE). She serves on the editorial boards of the Environmental Law Review and the University of Western Australia Law Review. She is a series editor for Edward Elgar's Critical Reflections on Human Rights and the Environment series. She is an associate member of the Monash European and EU Law Centre and has held visiting faculty status at the Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven. She was a member (2013-2016) of the EU’s COST network working group on “Gender, Science, Technology and Environment” (genderSTE). She was a founding member of the Environmental and Planning law Association of Northern Ireland (EPLANI) and is a member of the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA). Karen has successfully supervised a number of post-graduate research students in her main research areas at Swansea and as a guest expert supervisor at the EUI in Florence.

Andy Knight

Professor, Faculty of Arts - Political Science Dept, University of Alberta

W. Andy Knight is Professor of International Relations in the Political Science Department, University of Alberta, and past Chair of the Department. He is the former Director of the Institute of International Relations (IIR), The University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad & Tobago, and co-founder and the former head of the Diplomatic Academy of the Caribbean (DAOC). Professor Knight serves as Co-editor in Chief of both African Security journal and International Journal -- two globally prestigious peer-reviewed academic publications. During his secondment in the Caribbean, Knight established the Caribbean Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy and he was co-editor of a highly regarded and award-winning journal -- Global Governance from 2000 to 2005. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC), Professor Knight was named by Venture Magazine among Alberta's top 50 most influential people and, by the Black Business and Professional Association of Canada, as the Harry Jerome Trailblazer. He served as Advisory Board Member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Welfare of Children and was the inaugural Director of the Peace and Post Conflict Studies Certificate Programme in the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies (OIS) at the University of Alberta. In March 2007, Dr. Knight was appointed as a Governor, by the Canadian Foreign Minister, to the Board of Governors of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and served in that position until 2011. Knight is a Senior Fellow of the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy in Toronto and of McLaughlin College at York University. He serves on the editorial boards of several journals and on the advisory boards of the Kule Institute for Advanced Studies (KIAS); the South South Cooperation Council (SSCC); and the Canadian Defence and Security Network (CSDN). In March 2021, Professor Knight was awarded the University of Alberta’s highest honour - the University of Alberta Distinguished Professor. He is currently the 2021-22 Fulbright Distinguished Chair in International and Area Studies at Yale University.

Emma Halpern

Legal Manager EFMNS

Emma joined PATH as the Legal Manager in 2022 and continues to serve as the Executive Director of EFMNS, a position she’s held since 2017. After graduating from Law School in 2006, Emma articled with Nova Scotia Legal Aid and was called to the Nova Scotia bar in 2007. Prior to joining PATH, Emma worked with Nova Scotia legal Aid and as the Equity and Access Officer at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Emma was awarded Woman of the year by Chatelaine Magazine in 2011, the Canadian Bar Association’s 2013 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Ally Award and was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society in 2018. In 2022, Emma was the recipient of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award. When not acting in her role as Legal Manager or Executive Director, you’ll find Emma working in other capacities within EFMNS and volunteering her free time to support both staff and clients. Outside of EFMNS and PATH, Emma enjoys spending time with her three fantastic sons and is completing her Masters degree in Law at Dalhousie Schulich School of Law.

Utkarsh Khare

School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia

Utkarsh is a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia's Public Policy & Global Affairs program. He has over four years cross-jurisdictional experience as a policy advocate for decolonization in narcotics policy, policing, natural resource management, education modernization, and alternative dispute resolution. Coming from a former British colony with family that survived the Partition of India, Utkarsh is in solidarity with the struggles that Indigenous peoples, former & present settler-colonial populations continue to face today. He currently works as a Senior Project Management Analyst with the BC Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship

Lisa Adams

Rights Complainant | Day 7

Lisa Adams, with the support of her lawyer, recently fought and won a legal battle over ‘dry’ cells in prisons being discriminatory against those with vaginas as it leads to more extreme treatment. Lisa was previously serving a two year sentence for drug trafficking in Nova Scotia and had been put in a ‘dry’ cell without a flush toilet or water for a 16 day period. As part of this, she was also subject to 24/7 lighting and being watched through a window and video surveillance by guards. Lisa suffered a mental breakdown and severe emotional distress from the experience. Lisa was successful in her legal challenge as Justice John Keith agreed with the argument that dry cells are discriminatory on the basis of sex according to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and struck down the law.

Anthony Truong Swan

Impact Director of Story Money Impact

Anthony Truong Swan is the Impact Director of Story Money Impact, where he works with social justice and environmental documentaries to emotionally engage target audiences in Canada's most urgent issues. He has created impact strategies for over 25 films. Anthony uses a creative and strategic combination of technology, communications, and grassroots tactics to develop partnerships across all sectors of civil society, helping to put relevant issues-based films on the front lines of creating social impact. With a decade of experience organizing, executing, moderating and evaluating film screening events and panel discussions across Canada both virtually and in-person, Anthony brings agility and care developed in his time as Festival Director of REEL CANADA’s RCtv, Our Films in Our Schools and Welcome to Canada programmes.

Melissa Exton

Nurse - Corrections Facility | Day 7

Melissa was a Registered Nurse with experience working Internationally in Public Health, the Emergency Room and Corrections. Following complications from a surgery, Melissa became disabled and a full time ambulatory wheelchair user. Unable to return to nursing, Melissa set her sights on fighting for Disability Awareness and Inclusion. More recently she was crowned 2nd place at Miss Wheelchair Canada and crowned Miss Kindness at Miss Wheelchair World. Aj was a Correctional Peace officer for 20 years working on the Tactical Team as well as the Medical and Fire Emergency Response teams. He taught Peace officers, Police and Military at the Alberta Justice Staff College. After Developing PTSD from work, Aj left and now does Disability Advocacy, Gaming/Narrative Therapy and is occasionally a Missionary Surfer.

Korina Boettcher

Projects Manager, Green Iglu

Korina Boettcher is a project manager with Green Iglu, a not for profit organization in Canada working in Food Security and Food Sovereignty. Korina’s background is full of learning journey’s all leading to her passion in growing her own food. Korina believes in the healing power of getting her hands in the dirt and sharing her passion with those that want to move in their own direction of food security.

Raygan Solotki

Executive Director of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse and Green Iglu

Raygan Solotki is the former Executive Director of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse and Green Iglu. She spent 7 years living and working in the Western Arctic, working with communities on community gardens and greenhouse initiatives. With Green Iglu, she built a large network of greenhouses and community gardens for communities across Canada. She is moving on to her own start-up to focus on community engagement and education. Food is her passion - and believes that while volunteerism has its place, it is not in food insecure communities. Fair wages for necessary work is the way forward in food security, as is the creation of a Holistic Food Network across the country.

Alexis Pappas

Chief Innovation Officer at Canadian blockchain firm GuildOne

The Chief Innovation Officer at Canadian blockchain firm GuildOne, Alexis Pappas has led diverse projects that leverage technologies like smart contracts and tokenization to support climate action. She is a frequent speaker, post-secondary educator, and writer on topics like the energy transition, carbon management, and blockchain's potential to help shape a better and more equitable world. As the Chair of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium's ESG Committee, Alexis believes that inclusive change is the key to global sustainability.

Jade Alberts

Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and Strategist

Jade is an entrepreneur, angel investor and strategist that Tells It Like It Is. He has had a successful career as a sales entrepreneur which allowed him to understand growth, margin and profit. He now shares his knowledge with aspiring entrepreneurs as he believes a lack of capital should not get in the way of what you need to succeed. He has exited a business and helped three others exit. Jade is an Angel Investor with over 30 investments in our ecosystem. Peer Guidance – Purpose Before Profit is a group of Entrepreneurs helping Entrepreneurs. They guide startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses through their challenges focusing on Growth, Scaling & Angel Investing. As a hands-on organization, they have honest and challenging conversations with their clients where they discuss their successes and failures. The group has vast knowledge and experience in many sectors. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely, and you may not know where to go for advice. They are proud to be that trusted company that people reach out to for this advice.

Desneige Frandsen

Program Manager at Level Justice | Day 7

Desneige is a Métis person who has always been passionate about her community and working with youth. During her time as an undergrad and before, she coached gymnastics, taught preschool and more. Desneige completed her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy at the University of Guelph, where in her fourth year she assisted on the research project #TruthTelling in conjunction with fourth-year political science Professor L. Levac and the Haisla Nation in Kitimat, British Columbia. This project focused on relationship building between Indigenous nations and nearby municipalities. After completing her undergraduate degree, Desneige began work at Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care as a Research Analyst. At Waypoint she worked on several projects geared towards accessibility to mental health care for vulnerable populations. Her main project was VOICE: Vision for Outcomes by Implementing Cultural Education; this project’s goal was to create culturally safe mental health care for Indigenous peoples. In 2020 when she started her law school journey at the Lincoln Alexander School of Law in Toronto, she also began working as an Indigenous Youth Outreach Program Facilitator for Level, running programs in Midland, Quatsino First Nation and other locations as part of Level's partnership with Connected North. During law school, Desneige also worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Scott Franks on a project aimed at Indigenizing Legal Education. Through this, she worked with Lincoln Alexander School of Law professors to integrate more Indigenous legal orders, issues and perspectives into their course offerings. Now after law school, Desneige has come into her role as Program Manager at Level Justice for the Indigenous Youth Outreach Program, Environmental Justice Program and Cultural Humility and Empathy Training. She also continues to be active in her home community by volunteering with the Miikanaake Court Diversion Program run by Enaahtig Healing Lodge.

Koleya Karringten

Executive Director of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium (CBC)

An influential public speaker, writer, and community volunteer, Koleya strongly believes that uniting diverse voices behind a common goal is the path to creating a fairer, more sustainable, and prosperous nation. She is a driving force in Canada’s blockchain technology industry as the Executive Director of the Canadian Blockchain Consortium (CBC), co-founder and CEO of Absolute Combustion and co-founder/board member of the Canadian Blockchain Association for Women (CBAW). A proud Albertan technology entrepreneur, advocate, and leader, Koleya Karringten has a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of product commercialization, ecosystem building and fostering inclusion in the technology industry.

Cameron Armstrong

Environmentalist and Youth Advocate

Cameron Armstrong (she/her) is a mixed Filipina environmentalist and youth advocate who was born and raised on Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Manitoba where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Microbiology at the University of Manitoba. She is interested in environmental justice, youth advocacy, water protection, and centring BIPOC youth in climate spaces. She is passionate about community-led solutions that are rooted in anti-oppression and restorative justice. Cameron has worked on research projects in collaboration and partnership with Lake St. Martin and Dauphin River First Nations to document the effects of environmental racism and work towards community-led solutions rooted in both western and Indigenous science. Currently, Cameron sits on EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council, an international panel that focuses on ocean and water advocacy, policy, and education. Cameron is also the Manitoba Regional Organizer for Climate Reality Project Canada and also sits on the Consider Climate, Manitoba Steering Committee through this role.

Dicky Dikamba

Founder and Executive Director of the CANAVUA

Dicky Dikamba (married and father of 4 children) is the founder and Executive Director of the CANAVUA (Canadian Volunteers United in Action Society) A lawyer by training at the University of François Rabelais in Tours, he also holds a certificate of the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg , training which allowed him to deepen his knowledge of international and comparative human rights .After working as a general services employee for 9 years at the Saint-Gatien clinic in Tours, he decided to move to Canada (August 2008) where he discovered the evolving Francophonie in Alberta and derives a perfect mastery of issues related to the settlement and integration of newcomers. Social entrepreneur, consultant and motivator, Dicky Dikamba began his professional career in Edmonton by creating CANAVUA powered by the desire to promote and value volunteering in the Alberta Francophonie in general and in particular among new immigrants and new Canadians. In his learning about the immigrant experience, he finds that these new Canadians have emerging needs. In 2011, he created the “health navigator” service funded by the Alberta Health Network. In 2012, he created in collaboration with Edmonton Food Bank, a branch of the bank French-speaking food. In February 2014, he created the class prep program for driver's license funded by the Alberta traffic safety fund as a pilot project. This program continues until day thanks to funding from ECALA (Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association). More than 3,450 Francophones in Edmonton have had their driver's license through this. In 2016, he is the promoter in Alberta of the “INTACC” project which is part of the Programme de contribution for official languages in health In 2022, he launched the CANAVUA community food truck to fight food insecurity. In June 2020, he was appointed by ministerial order as a member of the Advisory Committee of Alberta on the Francophonie of the Ministry of Culture and Multiculturalism for a three-year term. In October 2020, He is launching a new “community mobile canteen” project in Edmonton to combat food insecurity during the pandemic period of the year. Over the years, Dicky's work and dedication to vulnerable Edmontonians including newcomers, has earned him a number of community awards, such as "one of 10 Influential Personalities of the Canadian Francophonie" awarded by Francopresse at the national level in January 2022 A strong voice for the poor and the working poor. Dicky Dikamba has been fighting food insecurity in Alberta for over a decade. In September 2022, as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne. Dicky is also a recipient of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal. He was nominated by Jason Kenney, Premier. Dicky Dikamba was honored provincially in November 2022 as the recipient of the John Humphrey Center for Peace and Human Rights Human Rights Award for his tireless support of marginalized populations in Edmonton.

Dicky Dikamba

Founder and Executive Director of the CANAVUA

Dicky Dikamba (married and father of 4 children) is the founder and Executive Director of the CANAVUA (Canadian Volunteers United in Action Society) A lawyer by training at the University of François Rabelais in Tours, he also holds a certificate of the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg , training which allowed him to deepen his knowledge of international and comparative human rights .After working as a general services employee for 9 years at the Saint-Gatien clinic in Tours, he decided to move to Canada (August 2008) where he discovered the evolving Francophonie in Alberta and derives a perfect mastery of issues related to the settlement and integration of newcomers. Social entrepreneur, consultant and motivator, Dicky Dikamba began his professional career in Edmonton by creating CANAVUA powered by the desire to promote and value volunteering in the Alberta Francophonie in general and in particular among new immigrants and new Canadians. In his learning about the immigrant experience, he finds that these new Canadians have emerging needs. In 2011, he created the “health navigator” service funded by the Alberta Health Network. In 2012, he created in collaboration with Edmonton Food Bank, a branch of the bank French-speaking food. In February 2014, he created the class prep program for driver's license funded by the Alberta traffic safety fund as a pilot project. This program continues until day thanks to funding from ECALA (Edmonton Community Adult Learning Association). More than 3,450 Francophones in Edmonton have had their driver's license through this. In 2016, he is the promoter in Alberta of the “INTACC” project which is part of the Programme de contribution for official languages in health In 2022, he launched the CANAVUA community food truck to fight food insecurity. In June 2020, he was appointed by ministerial order as a member of the Advisory Committee of Alberta on the Francophonie of the Ministry of Culture and Multiculturalism for a three-year term. In October 2020, He is launching a new “community mobile canteen” project in Edmonton to combat food insecurity during the pandemic period of the year. Over the years, Dicky's work and dedication to vulnerable Edmontonians including newcomers, has earned him a number of community awards, such as "one of 10 Influential Personalities of the Canadian Francophonie" awarded by Francopresse at the national level in January 2022 A strong voice for the poor and the working poor. Dicky Dikamba has been fighting food insecurity in Alberta for over a decade. In September 2022, as part of the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne. Dicky is also a recipient of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal. He was nominated by Jason Kenney, Premier. Dicky Dikamba was honored provincially in November 2022 as the recipient of the John Humphrey Center for Peace and Human Rights Human Rights Award for his tireless support of marginalized populations in Edmonton.

Shelan Markus

Executive Director at Level Justice | Day 7

Shelan is a second generation Canadian/settler of mixed Israeli, Iranian, and Eastern European heritage. She is passionate about social justice, equity, empathy, and education as tools to foster more responsive and inclusive justice systems. Shelan graduated with a J.D. from Western University Faculty of Law in 2014. During her time in law school, she worked on community initiatives to provide legal education to marginalized and at-risk youth. She also studied international human rights law in India for a semester. After completing her law degree, Shelan articled and practiced law at a boutique litigation firm in Toronto. She then worked at the University of British Columbia as a lawyer and contracts officer. In 2019, she became Executive Director at Level, where she has been focused on developing justice education and human rights programs for Indigenous and Black youth, young environmental activists, law students, and legal professionals, with a goal to remove barriers to justice and create a more equitable society.

Naju Syed

President of the Athabasca University Students’ Union

Naju Syed (she/her) currently serves as the President of the Athabasca University Students’ Union, where she previously served as the Vice President of Finance and Administration. She is in her third year of obtaining a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science at Athabasca University. When not reading mountains of political theory papers you can find her working as a private academic tutor for local high school students, in her community of Fort McMurray.

Rachelle Preston

Vice President External for the University of Lethbridge Students' Union

Rachele Preston (she/her) is the Vice President External for the University of Lethbridge Students' Union. She is currently completing a combined degree in General Science and Mathematics Education. She has been involved in student leadership in various ways for most of her undergraduate studies, including being the Vice President Internal for the University of Lethbridge's Education Undergraduate Society, as well as previously serving as the Faculty of Education Student Representative on the ULSU General Assembly. She is passionate about teaching, creating safe and accessible education, icebreaker questions, as well as Robert's Rules of Order.

Philon Nguyen

Opera Composer

Philon Nguyen is an opera composer and has studied film music at UQAM and completed a PhD in Information and Systems Engineering at CIISE. He is currently completing a PhD in Fine Arts under Dr. Eldad Tsabary. His work is published at Universal Edition. The relationship between agency and art has once more been challenged by current AI techniques. Following Heidegger’s broken hammer parable that a normal hammer is ordinary while a broken hammer is a poem, we use and misuse the DYCI2 software (IRCAM) to generate new material (in the sense of Adorno) in the context of New Music.

Avnish Nanda

Litigator

Avnish Nanda is a litigator who practices law in Alberta and British Columbia. Avnish has appeared in a variety of different legal settings, representing individuals and entities in both simple and complex matters. Avnish is an excellent communicator, accessible, and works efficiently to ensure his clients achieve their objectives both inside and outside of the courtroom. Avnish specializes in civil, commercial, and public law litigation, and has a burgeoning plaintiffs’ side class actions practice. Avnish acts for individuals, corporations, non-profits, and First Nations’ governments. Avnish has extensive courtroom experience, from conducting trials to prosecuting and defending complex, multi-day motion and application hearings. Avnish appears regularly before the Alberta Court of Appeal, British Columbia Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of Canada. Avnish was drawn to the law out of his interest and involvement in social justice activism, which he has continued through his legal practice. Avnish frequently acts for parties advancing civil liberties, human rights, and Indigenous self-determination. Outside of the law, Avnish serves on a number of non-profit and community boards, and works on a range of social justice and public interest causes. Avnish is a sessional instructor in constitutional and environmental law at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law, teaching seminars on the scope of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the environmental realm. Avnish is also an avid reader and writer, and has published academic and non-academic articles on a variety of topics.

Marie-Josee Houle

Federal Housing Advocate

Ms. Houle’s appointment marks a new chapter in a career defined by her work in the affordable housing and homelessness sector. Ms. Houle is an experienced leader who is recognized for her community activism, expertise in human rights, and extensive knowledge of the housing and homelessness system. Most recently, she was the Executive Director for Action-Logement, an Ottawa housing loss prevention organization. Her diverse experience in the housing sector spans development consulting and project management for affordable housing developments, advocating for tenant rights at all three levels of government, and working with diverse partners to address human rights violations related to housing and homelessness. Building a sense of community and supporting and amplifying marginalized voices is particularly important to her.

Marie-Josee Houle

Federal Housing Advocate

Ms. Houle’s appointment marks a new chapter in a career defined by her work in the affordable housing and homelessness sector. Ms. Houle is an experienced leader who is recognized for her community activism, expertise in human rights, and extensive knowledge of the housing and homelessness system. Most recently, she was the Executive Director for Action-Logement, an Ottawa housing loss prevention organization. Her diverse experience in the housing sector spans development consulting and project management for affordable housing developments, advocating for tenant rights at all three levels of government, and working with diverse partners to address human rights violations related to housing and homelessness. Building a sense of community and supporting and amplifying marginalized voices is particularly important to her.

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Professor of Sociology/Criminology and Vice President People Strategy, Equity and Culture at the University of Toronto

Kelly Hannah-Moffat is a professor of Sociology/Criminology and Vice President People Strategy, Equity and Culture at the University of Toronto. She supervises graduate and post-doctoral students and actively engages in interdisciplinary research on risk algorithms and technology, human rights, solitary confinement, criminal records disclosures and punishment. She has published numerous books and articles and conducted an extensive amount of independently funded research on Canadian and international penal policy. She serves on several international editorial boards and has been human rights/policy advisor and expert witness on several inquests and legal cases involving human rights, risk assessment, segregation and gender based penal reform. In 2019, she was awarded Law and Society Association International Prize For significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the field of law and society.  Photo in Drive

Anthony Doob

Professor Emeritus of Criminology at the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, University of Toronto

Anthony Doob is a Professor Emeritus of Criminology at the Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, University of Toronto. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Canada. He is currently a member of the “Implementation Advisory Panel” on Canada’s “Structured Intervention Units” (Correctional Service Canada’s version of solitary confinement).

Andrea Monteiro

Founder of Ethical Correctional Consulting Inc

Andrea Monteiro is the founder of Ethical Correctional Consulting Inc., an organization providing solution-focussed advice on safe, humane, criminal and social justice policy and operations. Andrea has worked nationally and internationally with correctional agencies and organizations that support justice-involved clients for 22+ years. Prior to establishing ECC, she held public service positions including Director of Corrections, Superintendent, Deputy Superintendent, and Senior Policy Advisor.

Abby Deshman

Lawyer

Abby Deshman is a lawyer who has focused her career on protecting constitutional rights and democratic freedoms. After graduating from University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2008 she spent over a decade working for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, first as the Director of the Fundamental Freedoms Program, and later as the Director of the Criminal Justice Program. While at CCLA, Abby led the organization's litigation, advocacy and public policy analysis with respect to a wide range of issue areas including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, freedom of religion, police powers and oversight, and the criminal legal system. She teaches several courses at the University of Toronto and has also served as a Corrections Advisor on the Ontario government’s Independent Review of Ontario Corrections and as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. She is currently a lawyer with St. Lawrence Barristers, a civil litigation law firm with expertise in constitutional and human rights law.

Lauren Mickel

Community Development Coordinator at Kickstand

Lauren Mickel (she/her) is the Community Development Coordinator at Kickstand, in Edmonton AB. Lauren completed her Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology in 2020, but has been working with youth and mental health for over 8 years. Whether it's through projects, extracurricular groups, or directly through work, Lauren has found a passion in youth mental health and is looking forward to continuing the work towards integrated youth services. Outside her role in youth mental health, Lauren also works a variety of music and comedy festivals during the summers! Otherwise, she is often spending quality time with her friends, starting way too many new hobbies, and exploring the river valley with her dog, Lenny.

Chris Beasley

Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students and Vice President External of the U of A Students Union | Day 8

Chris Beasley is the Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) and the Vice President External of the University of Alberta Students Union. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and was the former President of the University of Alberta's Arts Undergraduate Society, OASIS. He has previously worked as the Communications Coordinator for CAUS, a Page in the Legislature, and a Legislature Tour Guide. His passions include Get Out The Vote initiatives, the student voice, and caring about communities.

Judy Hanazawa

Japanese Advocate | Day 3

Judy Hanazawa was born in Merritt, British Columbia in 1947 where her family moved after their incarceration at the Bridge River self-supporting site. She grew up in downtown Vancouver. She is retired but worked as a provincial child and family services social worker, clinical supervisor, and acting team leader. In 1990, she received her MSW at UBC. After her MSW practicum, she worked for the Squamish Nation’s Aya Family Services Department. Judy became active in the Greater Vancouver Japanese Canadian Community (GVJCC) as a chair and member of the GVJCCA Human Rights Committee, GVJCCA Director and President. She also served on the National Association of Japanese Canadian Board as a Director, Chair, and member of the NAJC Human Rights Committees. Judy received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013. She was also appointed to the BC Multicultural Advisory Council.

Kenneth Montgomery

Kehewin Cree Nation of Treaty 6 and is a Sixties Scoop survivor

Kenneth Montgomery is a member of the Kehewin Cree Nation of Treaty 6 and is a Sixties Scoop survivor. He was adopted and grew up in Canmore, Alberta. Today, Kenneth resides in Calgary with his wife along with his 2 daughters and works as a Community Peace Officer. In addition to this, Kenneth is also a board member of the Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Alberta (SSISA) that strives to \ educate, assist and create awareness to what was lost.

Mahamad Accord

Garassroots Community Advocate

Mahamad Accord is a grassroots community advocate dedicated to creating positive, meaningful and sustainable systemic change. He has been at the forefront of mobilizing and organizing Somali Canadians in Edmonton and across the country on issues related to policing, education and immigration. He is the CEO of Taccalussa Institute, former president and CEO of the Alberta Somali Community Centre, and a founder of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights.

Tecla Namusonge

Coordinator, Community Education, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants

Tecla Namusonge works with the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants OCASI’s Accessibility Initiative as a Coordinator, Community Education - Accessibility Initiative. Accessibility Initiative is a national bilingual project geared towards promoting behavior change in the settlement sector while advocating for inclusive and equitable services for im/migrants with disabilities and D/deaf people. She is also currently pursuing her Doctorate in Public Policy – Social Policy. Her research work is focused on exploring social determinants of health for equity-seeking groups.

Rae Madge

Program Coordinator for Where The Rivers Meet

Rae Madge (she/they) is a Deh’cho Dene, Cree-Métis, and mixed-settler Two-Spirit person who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2021 and works as the Program Coordinator for Where The Rivers Meet at the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexuality. Rae has a deep passion for helping individuals and organizations cultivate expansive views of gender and sexuality, free of colonial, patriarchal, and otherwise restrictive perspectives. Rae identifies as Two-Spirit, Bisexual, and Queer, recognizes their privilege as a white-assumed person, and is always striving for the elevation of Indigenous voices, movements, and perspectives in all matters relating to inclusivity and social justice.

Deepa Mattoo

Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic

Deepa Mattoo is an award-winning lawyer and intersectional feminist whose work is rooted in equity, and anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice. As the Executive Director of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Deepa provides leadership to the various departments and for the Clinic’s intervention and advocacy work and has appeared before Parliamentary committees and UN civil society meetings on a wide range of social justice and human rights issues. Deepa has trained thousands of service providers to work with forced marriage survivors, racialized non-status women, and immigration law clients in the context of gender-based violence. She also shares these insights as an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School, and through the countless speaking engagements and interviews she grants throughout the year. In 2015, Deepa was awarded the Spirit of Schlifer Award. Deepa was the Law Foundation of Ontario's 2017 Community Leadership in Justice Fellow at Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto. Deepa is the recipient of the Law Society medal in 2022 and the Women of Distinction Award in 2022 for her contribution to access to justice and advocacy work.

Erin Whitmore

Executive Director of the Ending Violence Association of Canada

Erin Whitmore (PhD, MSW/RSW) is the Executive Director of the Ending Violence Association of Canada. Prior to taking on her current role, Erin was a Senior Researcher with the National Inquiry into Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls. Erin is a registered social worker, and has over a decade of experience working in community-based, academic, and government settings on a variety of gender-equity issues.

Angela MacDougall

Executive Director at Battered Women's Support Services

Through her community-based organizing, frontline work, curricula development, training, and activism over three decades, Angela has been deeply involved in movements for gender, racial and social justice. Angela’s impact includes the development of empowerment and advocacy-based program and service delivery models that address gender-based violence and violence against women that are grounded in strong theoretical frameworks that include intersectional feminist trauma and violence-informed analysis. She has organized around law reform and community-based research toward building lasting social change. She is co-writer of Freedom from Violence: Tools for Working with Trauma, Mental Health and Substance Use, Empowering Non-Status, Refugee, and Immigrant Women Who Experience Violence, Implementation of a National Action Plan on GBV and VAW: Supports for Survivors and their Families, Colour of Violence: Gender, Race and Anti-Violence Services and blogs at bwss.org/endingviolence. Angela is an expert panelist at Canadian Femicide Observatory for Justice and Accountability, a founding member of Feminists Deliver, a long-standing member of Vancouver’s February 14th Women’s Memorial March and is a founding member of Intersectional Feminist Justice Research and Organizing Collaborative. Angela was named a Remarkable Woman by the City of Vancouver and Vancouver Magazine named her one of Vancouver’s most powerful people. Angela is currently the executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services.

Chris Beasley

Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students

Chris Beasley (He/They) is the Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students (CAUS) as well as the Vice President External of the University of Alberta Students Union. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and was the former President of the University of Alberta's Arts Undergraduate Society, OASIS. He has previously worked as the Communications Coordinator for CAUS, as a Page in the Legislature, and as a Legislature Tour Guide. His passions include Get Out The Vote initiatives, the student voice, and caring about communities.

Catherine Latimer

Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Canada

Catherine Latimer has been the Executive Director of the John Howard Society of Canada since 2011. Previously, Ms. Latimer was a policy lawyer for the federal government providing analysis and policy advice for the Departments of the Solicitor General, the Privy Council Office, and Justice and had a lead responsibility in the development of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Her law degree is from Queen’s University, Kingston and her Masters in Criminology is from Cambridge University. She is a Broadbent Fellow, past President of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice and a Member of the Order of Canada.

Emma Halpern

Executive Director of EFMNS

Emma joined PATH as the Legal Manager in 2022 and continues to serve as the Executive Director of EFMNS, a position she’s held since 2017. After graduating from Law School in 2006, Emma articled with Nova Scotia Legal Aid and was called to the Nova Scotia bar in 2007. Prior to joining PATH, Emma worked with Nova Scotia legal Aid and as the Equity and Access Officer at the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Emma was awarded Woman of the year by Chatelaine Magazine in 2011, the Canadian Bar Association’s 2013 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference Ally Award and was inducted into the Bertha Wilson Honour Society in 2018. In 2022, Emma was the recipient of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award. When not acting in her role as Legal Manager or Executive Director, you’ll find Emma working in other capacities within EFMNS and volunteering her free time to support both staff and clients. Outside of EFMNS and PATH, Emma enjoys spending time with her three fantastic sons and is completing her Masters degree in Law at Dalhousie Schulich School of Law.

Dominique Clément

Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta

Dominique Clément is a Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta and a member of the Royal Society of Canada (CNSAS). He is the author of numerous books and articles on human rights, social movements, and the nonprofit sector. Clément has consulted for the Canadian Human Rights Commission, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and the Canadian Heritage Information Network among others. His websites, HistoryOfRights.ca and statefunding.ca, serve as research and teaching portals on the study of human rights and social movements.

Lee Makovichuk

Professor at Grant MacEwan University

Lee Makovichuk began her post-secondary education at MacEwan University with an Early Childhood Development diploma and is currently completing doctoral studies at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Education. Lee’s professional interests reside in early childhood curriculum and pedagogy. She teaches early childhood theory and early learning and care curriculum courses that focus on a strong image of the child, family and early childhood professional. She also works with practicing educators in their work to make meaning of the entangled relationality between children’s play, the learning environment and educators’ ongoing curriculum decisions. An educator in the field of early learning and elementary education, Lee’s doctoral research arises from her experience with children and families and explores the phenomenology of a child’s transition to school. This research is supported by Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSRCH). Lee is actively involved as a research team member investigating how early childhood educators use Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework (2014) to guide daily practice. This multi-year, multi-phase research project involves participation of educators, post-secondary faculty and policy makers from across Alberta’s early learning and care sector.

Maddy Dever

Advocate

Maddy Dever (they/them) is a non-binary, wheelchair user with a spinal cord injury and an Autistic adult and parent of five children with four who are also Autistic, living in rural Eastern Ontario in Canada. Maddy advocates with both provincial and federal governments for inclusion and acceptance of Autistic individuals and for Autistic people and all people with disabilities to have their own voice in policy decisions.

Elizabeth Onyango

Assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta

Elizabeth is an assistant professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. She is a health geographer and a social epidemiologist whose research work focuses on migration and food security nexus, intersections of gender, gender-based violence, and the associated health outcomes in minority populations. In her current research program, Elizabeth is exploring barriers and facilitators of migrant community engagement in social support services including access to food security initiatives and in building alternative masculinities for gender-equal migrant communities. She has extensive experience in working with vulnerable populations both locally and internationally to co-create knowledge and to engage in knowledge mobilization and sharing for transformative social justice. Above all, she is passionate about community service and is a member of Rotary International.

Flavie Major

Flavie Major, PhD Director, International Affairs and Human Rights - Canadian Heritage

Flavie is Director, International Affairs and Human Rights at Canadian Heritage since August 2019. Previously, Flavie worked for 15 years at Global Affairs Canada. In Ottawa, she was Deputy Director within the Foreign Policy Planning Directorate (2015-2017), a role in which she contributed to the planning of Canada’s foreign policy priorities in the context of an ambitious international agenda, including in the context of Canada’s G7 presidency. She also served as Deputy Director of the Human Rights Policy Division (2009-2011), where she worked to advance Canada’s human rights priorities at the United Nations General Assembly between 2009 and 2011. She was also Deputy Director responsible for regional policy for the Americas from 2007 to 2009. Abroad, Flavie served as Counsellor (Political Affairs) at the Embassy of Canada in Paris from 2011 to 2013. Flavie holds a PhD in Political Science from Université Laval with a specialization in international relations, a Master of Political Science from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor in Political Science with a concentration in Spanish from the University of Ottawa. She is a Fellow of the inaugural cohort of the Action Canada program (2003). Flavie Major est Directrice, affaires internationales et droits de la personne à Patrimoine canadien depuis août 2019. Avant d’occuper ce poste, Mme Major a travaillé pendant près de 15 ans au sein de Affaires mondiales Canada. À Ottawa, elle a occupé divers postes de gestion, notamment au sein de la Direction de la planification de la politique étrangère (2015-2017), où elle a contribué à la planification des priorités de politique étrangère du Canada dans un contexte d’agenda international ambitieux, en particulier dans le cadre de la présidence canadienne du G7; à la Direction de la politique des droits de la personne (2009 et 2011), où elle veillait à l’avancement des priorités du Canada en matière des droits de la personne à l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies; et au sein de l’équipe de la Politique régionale pour les Amériques (2007 à 2009). À l’étranger, Mme Major a occupé les fonctions de Conseillère (Affaires politiques) à l’Ambassade du Canada à Paris, de 2011 à 2013. Mme Major détient un Doctorat en science politique de l’Université Laval, une Maîtrise en science politique de la University of British Columbia, et un Baccalauréat en science politique avec concentration en espagnol de l’Université d’Ottawa. Elle est boursière de la cohorte inaugurale du programme Action Canada (2003).

Melina Laboucan-Massimo

Senior Director of Indigenous Climate Action, Founder of Sacred Earth Solar

Melina Laboucan-Massimo has worked on climate justice, Indigenous sovereignty and women's rights for over 20 years. Melina is Lubicon Cree from Northern Alberta, Canada. She is a co-founder at Indigenous Climate Action as well as the founder of Sacred Earth Solar. Melina is the inaugural Fellow at the David Suzuki Foundation where her research focused on Climate Change, Indigenous Knowledge and Renewable Energy. She is the Host of a new TV series called Power to the People which profiles renewable energy in Indigenous communities. Melina holds a Master’s degree in Indigenous Governance at the University of Victoria with a focus on Renewable Energy. As a part of her master’s thesis Melina implemented a 20.8 kW solar project in her home community of Little Buffalo which powers the health centre in the heart of the tar sands. Melina has studied, campaigned and worked in Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Canada and across Europe focusing on resource extraction, climate change impacts, media literacy and Indigenous rights & responsibilities.

Chad Haggerty

Criminal Defence Lawyer

Chad Haggerty has spent most of his life working in the criminal justice system. In his mid-30’s he chose to go to law school so that he could help the people that needed the benefit of his experiences most – people accused of crimes. Before attending law school, Chad had a 17-year career in the RCMP. Far too often, he saw people accused of crimes being treated harshly and unfairly. It was during this time that Chad grew to respect the defence lawyers he encountered. His work left him with an understanding that many of those charged with offences were dealing with the trauma they had suffered in their lives.After completing his undergrad degree in Criminal Justice with honours, he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Calgary Faculty of Law in 2019. He completed his articles with John Hooker in Calgary.

Janis Sasaki

EJCA Care Member

Janis Sasaki is a third generation Japanese Canadian who was born and raised in Edmonton. I am from the Sato and Sasaki families. I work as a nurse lawyer. Thank you for providing me with a nudge to explore my roots.

Lisa George

Men’s Support Counsellor Team Lead | Day 6

Lisa has worked for the Cumberland County Transition House Association since 2012, having held several roles. Lisa was a Women’s Night Support Worker and a Women’s Support Counsellor before transitioning into her current role as Men’s Support Counsellor Team Lead. Lisa facilitates our new men’s program for men who want (or have been mandated) to move away from abusive behaviors in relationships and help them move towards the relationships they want. She has been married for 22 years, has raised 4 children, and is currently raising her granddaughter and she lives with her three dogs, that every morning get a car ride to Tim Horton’s drive thru for their morning treats.

Ashton Kennedy

Day 4 YV Speaker

Ashton Kennedy grew up in Grande Prairie, Alberta and has always been a motivated, driven, and goal-oriented person. A week after his 18th birthday, Ashton moved to Calgary to pursue his dreams and live independently. With a supportive family, Ashton was able to navigate the barriers of having a disability and work towards his goals. Ashton enrolled at Ambrose University in the Fall of 2021, pursuing his studies in the Business Administration program. Ashton continues to build his sno-cone business while learning valuable skills as a business student. He is looking to grow his entrepreneurial experience as he completes his studies.

Rodney Small

Executive Director & Job Success Coordinator, One North End | Day 2

Rodney Small believes in innovation and entrepreneurship as key tools for creating economic prosperity and sustainability from within. In his work as Executive Director and Job Success Coordinator at One North End, he leads co-designed programs to help young adults achieve their career goals. Rodney holds a Bachelor of Management (with Integrity) from Dalhousie University. He is a highly motivated leader with a passion for entrepreneurship, community economic, and people development. Rodney is the subject of the short film “RDS vs. A Story of Race and Justice” on his journey to shake the stereotypes that followed him as an Indigenous and African Nova Scotian teenager and how he won the landmark court case.

Gloria Anniva

Executive Director - RaricaNow!

With over 10 years of experience in the non-profit field, Gloria is a dedicated professional committed to making a positive impact on the lives of marginalized communities.

Jacqueline Omstead

Senior Advocate for CAEFS

Jacqueline works as the senior advocate for the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) and the lead advocate for CAEFS’ Ontario Regional Advocacy Team. Jacqueline’s work is informed by a commitment to abolish carceral systems and is sustained through caring communities, especially queer ones. She holds a Master of Arts in Criminology and Social Justice from the Toronto Metropolitan University and has been published in The Prison Journal and Policy Options. She is a white settler and is grateful to live in what is colonially known as Toronto, Ontario.

nyki kish

Associate Executive Director CAEFS

Nyki is the Associate Executive Director with the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, and graduate student at the University of Victoria in Sociology. She focuses on social institutions and organization, with a focus on structural violence. She holds many publications and often called upon as an expert of issues related to Canadian incarceration.

Lorraine Pinnock

Co-founder of the Walls to Bridges Collective

Lorraine works to amplify the experiences of people impacted by criminalization. She believes in the power of storytelling and community to foster transformative social change and connectedness. As a co-founder of the Walls to Bridges Collective, a member of the Transformative Voice & Systems Change Committee (CAEFS), and an employee of Rittenhouse - an organization that believes in the healing nature of transformative justice, she supports marginalized folks navigating complex systems; offers experiential anti-oppression workshops and brings lived experience to the fore as a valued, transformational form of knowledge-sharing.

Linda-Mae Mckay-Panos

Executive Director - AB Civil Liberties Research Centre

Linda is the executive director of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre. She taught Language Arts and Social Studies with the Calgary Board of Education for seven years before returning to university to obtaining her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws degree at the University of Calgary. She practiced law for a time, before joining the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre in 1992 as a research associate. Linda is a sessional instructor in the faculties of Law and Arts at the University of Calgary. Linda is the author of several publications dealing with civil liberties, access to information, human rights, discrimination, equality and related topics. Linda received the 2001 Suzanne Mah Award and an Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005 for her work in human rights in Alberta.