WELLBEING + BELONGING

WHEN WATER IS YOUR RELATIVE

Description: At the core of the Land Back movement is the idea that sustainability is only possible when we restore Indigenous knowledge systems. Relationality as the functional core of Indigenous knowledge systems; for Cree people, wahkohtowin guides this process of clarifying who we are responsible for and accountable to. This process also expands relationships beyond the human, to encompass non-human kin, land, and water. We'll discuss how the relationality that Indigenous knowledge systems are built upon help provide a framework for undertaking projects connected to sustainability, in seeing land as a system and a relative.

Pre-read: https://briarpatchmagazine.com/articles/view/land-back-is-more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts

FEATURING: Jessie Loyer

WELLBEING + BELONGING

CULTURE AND CONNECTION: WOEZO AFRICA’S JOURNEY TO ENCOURAGE CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE AND DIVERSITY IN THE ARTS

Since 2006, Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc., based in Calgary (Mohkinstsis), AB, has been passionately dedicated to bringing the history of African culture to the masses through traditional and modern modes of performing arts, including dance, music, theatre and storytelling. The arts organization has encouraged artistic creativity and excellence, increased awareness of and participation in the arts, driven partnerships between arts organizations and other professional sectors, supported innovative cultural activities and provided mentorship opportunities for artists. Their goal is to serve the community by contributing to cultural development and artist spotlighting while shifting misconceptions regarding diversity to inspire people of all backgrounds to engage as artists and supporters of the arts. Join us for a conversation on Art and Culture with Wunmi Idowu, Founder and Director of Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc., and how we might participate in making Calgary a more vibrant city through cross-cultural learning experiences.

FEATURING: Wunmi Idowu

Wunmi Idowu is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, filmmaker, performer, and producer and the Founder and Director of Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc. Since 2006, Woezo Africa has been passionately dedicated to bringing the history of African culture to the masses through traditional and modern modes of performing arts, including dance, music, theatre and storytelling. Her community outreach work with Woezo Africa has granted her numerous milestones, including her involvement in the inauguration of Alberta’s first Black History Month in 2017 and a Certification of Recognition from the House of Commons of Canada (House of Parliament) in 2018. Looking to buttress her arts management and leadership skills, Wunmi graduated from the Haskayne School of Business’ Rozsa Arts Management Program (RAMP) in 2019 and the Rozsa Executive Arts Leadership (REAL) program in 2021 with the Rozsa Foundation.

As a producer, Wunmi has organized both local and international productions, including Africa Jo, UNITY: Dance Across Africa, Woezo Africa’s annual Black History Month event UNGANISHA: Explore. Connect. Dance, two successful runs of the Woezo Africa Festival in collaboration with the Guild of Nigerian Dancers (G.O.N.D) and Ijodee Dance Center in Lagos, Nigeria, as well as the 2020 and 2021 Woezo Africa Cultural Festival in Calgary, Alberta.

Wunmi’s accolades in the art industry span winning the People's Choice Performing Arts in the category of Dancer of the Year at the 2016 Obsidian Awards. The 24th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Award and the Canada Vendors Entrepreneur Award in 2020, both of which were for the category of Arts and Culture. She won the Afro-Canadian (AC) Community Leader of the Year Award in 2020 and was a recipient of Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2021. Wunmi was recently recognized on The Nigerian-Canadian Association of Calgary’s (NCAC) Wall of Honour for her outstanding artistic and cultural influence to the City of Calgary. By pushing for increased visibility of ethnically and culturally diverse artists in Alberta, Wunmi hopes that perceptions will shift around who participates in the arts. Through dynamic, cutting-edge work that captures the imagination of a range of audiences, her hope is to enhance the creative economy in Calgary, empower communities and perpetuate the movement for instilling social change.

ENVIRONMENT + SUSTAINABILITY

INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE (TEK)

Traditional Knowledges are foundational systems with which most Indigenous populations operate. Traditional Ecological Knowledge evolves from generations of experience; a base that is incomparable in terms of the depth, breadth, and holistic perspectives that it provides for a given ecosystem (Hatfield, 2017). Join us for a conversation featuring Harley Bastien on the importance of Indigenous Science and knowledge, and its contribution to climate change action.

FEATURING: Harley Bastien

Harley's involvement in the Environmental industry spans over thirty years. Involvement includes participating in non-governmental groups and agencies, consulting, education and advisory committees. Advisory participation includes sitting on cultural , federal, provincial, international and educational panels and advisory boards. Harley owned and operated Harmony Walkers Inc. an environmental consulting business which provided consulting services both nationally and internationally.

Harley was born and raised on the  (Piikani First Nation ) located in south western Alberta Canada which is the traditional homelands of the Blackfoot / Piikani people. Harley was raised by his parents and grandparents in the traditional Blackfoot way. His parents and grandparents were Traditional Conservationists who practiced and lived in the Piikani way of life. It was through this traditional knowledge that his grandparents taught him to live in harmony and balance with nature and the life force. And to recognize and understand the relationship between the animals, plants, spiritual energies and human beings. The importance of conservation and preservation of the life force and traditional Blackfoot values.

Today Harley is semi - retired and resides on the Piikani Nation. This is where he owns and operates his educational environmental tipi camp situated along the Oldman's river.

ENVIRONMENT + SUSTAINABILITY

CLIMATE GRIEF

Climate grief is a psychological response to ecological loss related to the changing climate. We are all impacted by climate change and may not be aware that grief is a natural response to this reality. Join the conversation to understand the connection between climate change and grief and how to support yourself and others in managing this type of loss.

FEATURING: Janet Arnold

Janet is a Certified Thanatologist and Registered Social Worker. She has over 30 years of experience as a counsellor, teacher, crisis worker, and volunteer in the areas of death, dying, and bereavement; trauma and crisis management; and suicide prevention, intervention, and bereavement. She has a passion for helping people understand that loss and grief are universal experiences and do not only apply to death loss. She believes this knowledge can bring hope and healing to everyone.

WELLBEING + BELONGING

WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH BUSINESS - PART 2

Women-owned businesses contribute $150 billion to the Canadian economy and employ over 1.5 million people (Trade and Gender Connection, 2019). Yet there are significant challenges and barriers that cause women businesses to be underrepresented in the economy. How might we raise awareness on the social impacts being made by women-owned businesses? Join us for part 2 of this conversation featuring Kajal Dattani (Co-founder, VOTO) on how they are reimaging online engagement using the platform VOTO to support businesses and charities connect with audiences meaningfully.

FEATURING: Kajal Dattani

WELLBEING + BELONGING

WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE THROUGH BUSINESS - PART 1

Women-owned businesses contribute $150 billion to the Canadian economy and employ over 1.5 million people (Trade and Gender Connection, 2019). Yet there are significant challenges and barriers that cause women businesses to be underrepresented in the economy. How might we raise awareness on the social impacts being made by women-owned businesses? Join us for part 1 of this conversation featuring Evelyne Nyairo (Founder, Ellie Bianca Beauty) on how she is using her business to support women in education and participation in the supply chain.

March 10, 2022 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

FEATURING: Evelyne Nyairo

RIGHT RELATIONS + RACIAL EQUITY

LET’S TALK | ANTI-BLACK RACISM AND BLACK INCLUSION IN CANADIAN HIGHER EDUCATION

In November 2021, Mount Royal University joined more than 40 other universities across Canada in signing the Scarborough Charter on anti-Black racism and Black inclusion in Canadian higher education. The Charter outlines the principles, actions, and accountabilities in the fight against anti-Black racism and calls for post-secondary institutions to develop their own plans for more Black-inclusive campuses. Join us as we discuss how Mount Royal University might address anti-Black racism on our own campus.

This conversation is in partnership with Students’ Association of Mount Royal University (SAMRU).

Event resource: Scarborough Charter November 2022

RIGHT RELATIONS + RACIAL EQUITY

ENHANCING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN LONG-TERM CARE ORGANIZATIONS

The aging population is not only growing, but it is also becoming more diverse in regard to race/ethnicity, culture, primary language, and gender. Among all older adults in Canada, 30% were foreign-born (Government of Canada, 2021). This growing and diverse aging population makes it imperative that we recognize the changing needs of older adults living in communities and within long term care. How are leading healthcare and other organizations building diversity, equity, and inclusion within their own organizations? How might we improve and foster a diverse, inclusive, and safe community within long-term care organizations that is built on equality for all?

FEATURING: Catamount Fellow Benin Al-manaihil, alongside the Brenda Strafford Foundation and faculty mentor Ines Sametband.

My name is Benin and I am a fourth year sociology student with two minors in women and gender studies and peace and conflict studies. I plan on going to law school in the human rights direction after my undergrad. I am dedicated to writing and speaking about minorities in our fight against systemic racism and discrimination.