When:
Our civic governance forum spanned three days, with sessions on Wednesday, March 24 (morning), Friday, March 26 (afternoon & early-evening), and Saturday, March 27 (morning).
Who:
Mayors, Councillors, Regional Directors, and School Board Trustees.
Where:
Whova
While many of us run for office with progressive values and with the goal to institute progressive policies once elected, too often our campaigns themselves don’t align with those values. Campaigns can be extractive, transactional, and support burn-out culture. We need to align our campaigns with our values. This workshop will help you think through how to create a political or issue-based campaign that is anti-oppressive. We will talk about creating a culture of care, setting boundaries, accessibility, and much more. This workshop is open to local electeds and their campaign and finance managers. The Feminist Campaign School
To cover the cost of this special event, we are asking that participants pay $25 to attend. That said, if the cost is an issue, please contact:
ijohnson@columbiainstitute.eco
We are happy to welcome Carleen Thomas, Special Projects Manager, Treaty Lands and Resources at Tsleil-Waututh Nation, to our opening plenary with Susanne Skidmore, the Chair of our Board of Directors, will share opening remarks.
Sussanne SkidmoreTo say the past twelve months have been turbulent would be an understatement. Last year’s countless shifts, disruptions, and unveilings – systemic racism, escalating wealth inequality, pandemic schooling, and the climate crisis, will surely continue to impact our communities for years to come. And, yet, as we also seen, these shifts, disruptions, and unveilings have also brought forth new ways to deal with the most pressing issues facing our communities today and tomorrow. In this plenary, you’ll hear from individuals who are leaning into the weight of this moment by embracing boldness and carving out new paths for progressive local leadership.
Kristyn Wong-Tam Rhiannon Bennett Seth Klein Trent DerrickFast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
For the first time, we’ll hold our annual Public Education plenary on the first day of High Ground. Here, BC’s Minister of Education, Jennifer Whiteside, will speak about what progressive public education policy looks like after the past twelve months – with schools reeling from academic, mental health, and budgetary challenges. The Minister will also weigh in on the role good governance and engagement play in the path toward recovery. Long-time public education expert, Patti Baccus, and first-term school board trustee, Jennifer Reddy, will join the Minister on the digital stage and share their perspectives and questions.
Jennifer Whiteside Jennifer Reddy Patti Bacchus Paul Shaker Shuirose Valimohamed (Moderator)Now that we know that our federal government can mobilize for an emergency and that the number of municipalities across Canada that have declared a climate emergency is on the rise (508 governments in Canada including 32 municipalities in BC), what does it mean when it comes to planning and implementation? In this session, you’ll hear from different communities across BC about how local government can be bold in taking climate and environmental action with an equitable, inclusive, and just approach.
Christine Boyle Karen Elliott Naia Lee Rik Logtenberg Cheeying Ho (Moderator)This workshop explores how the Haíɫzaqv Climate Action Team is working to engage members of the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation to develop a “community-led” clean energy plan to reduce the Nations reliance on diesel fuel, and shift to renewable energy. Our guests from the Haítzaqv Nation and the engagement team they are working with at Ethello will outline some history of the Nation and the reason behind the project. Important lessons on how to engage with communities will also be shared.
Leona Humchitt ’Qátuw̓as Brown Ben West (Moderator)Join Bowinn Ma and Christine Boyle for a conversation on climate action through action on transportation with connections to land use planning. Together, they’ll explore the question of how can we transform transportation in line with what science is telling us we need to do when it comes to GHG reductions.
Bowinn Ma Christine BoyleYou are committed to integrating racial justice and equity across the municipality, but the operational plans aren’t going to get you there because they’re not yet in place or just getting underway. So, what can be done now? As it turns out, plenty. In this workshop, you’ll hear about racial justice work and equity initiatives at King County in Washington that can help your community move forward, particularly when it comes to understanding what is required of local electeds to take lead in this area of work.
Janine Anzalota Sharmarke Dubow (Moderator)Organized in partnership with the Institute for Public Education, this workshop asks top-of-mind questions, like what do we want public education in British Columbia to be like in ten years time, and what do we need to be doing now to get to that vision.
Colleen Sturrock Jamie Smallboy Owen Ebose Dan Laitsch (Moderator)The conversation with Minister Heyman explores how local government can be bold in meeting climate and environmental needs both during the pandemic and the time of recovery. It also explores the policy tools the provincial government can give local leaders in their efforts to ‘operationalize’ climate emergency and ensure that it is equitable and inclusive.
George Heyman Jessica McIlroy Rik LogtenbergMinister Osborne joins us for a conversation on the Ministry’s plans for recovery and the vital role local governments can play in economic planning efforts, shaping community resilience and growth, and ensuring that the recovery is just, equitable, and inclusive
Josie Osborne Amy LubikJoin us for a very special Health & Wellness break with Gurdeep, a Yukon-based Bhangra instructor.
Gurdeep PandherThis conversation brings Minister Ravi Kahlon, who focuses on jobs, economic recovery, and innovation, and two of BC’s most dynamic and important economic voices together to address one simple, but critical question: how do we pay for boldness and the recovery we need?
Ravi Kahlon Chuka Ejeckam Iglika IvanovaThis plenary zooms in on the role of civil society at this moment in time and offers insights into what’s going on today and how our communities are being affected? Once this groundwork is laid down, the conversation will explore where we’re headed and what local governments can do along the way. If you want to do a little bit of background reading, check out the Vantage Report.
Alison Brewin Kevin Huang Niki Sharma Kevin Millsip (Moderator)Fast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
This workshop explores the deep and disproportionate disparities of Covid 19 and the implications and impact on our communities. It asks how we can put anti-racism and equity at the forefront of response and recovery and why this moment in time is so critical.
Karen Ward Rosa Elena Artega Yusuf Siraj Ela Esra Gunad (Moderator)Fast paced ten-minute spotlights on the latest trends and issues in our communities and the inspirational steps being taken to find do-able solutions.
Spotlights:
Check out programs, videos and photos from past Civic Governance forums
Alison is responsible for executing the Vantage Point’s mission and vision. Alison graduated with a Law Degree from the University of Victoria in 1991 and was called to the Bar in 1992. Through her business Alison Brewin Consulting, she supported a broad range of organizations to be the best they can be. Her clients included Vancity, BC Housing, BC Civil Liberties Association, and many more. Additionally, Alison designed and teaches “Canadian Approaches to Non-Profit Management” in SFU’s Non-Profit Management Certificate Program.
Amy is a first-term City Councillor in Port Moody and is passionate about social and environmental justice. She chairs the Port Moody Environmental Protection Committee, is vice-Chair of the Climate Action Committee and the Seniors’ Focus Committee, and is a member of the Affordable Housing Task Force and Tri-Cities Food Security Working Group. As a climate activist, she volunteers as a member of the Climate Caucus. She is also a member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and the Public Health Association of BC. In her day job, Amy is a health equity policy analyst for a local health authority. Amy received her Ph.D. in Prostate Cancer Research from Queensland University of Technology.
Anastasia is a passionate campaigner with over 10 years experience campaigning on social justice issues in Canada and the UK. She previously worked for The Children’s Society, one of Britain’s leading children’s charities. At The Children’s Society, she ran several successful campaigns on issues around debt, child poverty and support for refugee and migrant children. Her role is split between the Living Wage for Families campaign and supporting First Call BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition.
Arzeena Hamir is Area B Director on the Comox Valley Regional District and runs Amara Farm, a certified organic farm the Comox Valley. She obtained her BSc in Crop Science from the University of Guelph and her Master’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of London, England. She helped to launch the Richmond Farm School, Mid Island Farmer’s Institute, and the Merville Organics Grower Co-op to support the farming and food sector.
Ben is a councillor for the City of Nanaimo and Regional District Director. Ben has a background in biology and has been a long-time zero-waste advocate. Before his time as an elected official, he helped as a volunteer set the ambitious target of diverting 90% of the community’s waste from landfill in the update of the regional district’s solid waste management plan. Now as an elected official, he is working hard to steward the implementation of this plan to reach those targets.
Ben is the Executive Director of eDemocracy Solutions, a nonprofit organization that helps local governments facilitate fair, interesting and meaningful public engagement processes online. Ben has more than two decades of experience working on climate change and other social and environmental issues across the government and nonprofit sector. Ben worked as the Healthy Communities Campaigner and Communications Director at the Wilderness Committee, a Campaigner Director at Forest Ethics (Stand), he was the co-Founder of The Great Climate Race, the Executive Director of Tanker Free BC and a Communication Coordinator for Tsleil-Waututh Nation as well as a project lead for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Sacred Trust Initiative.
Bowinn has served as MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale since May 2017 and was appointed Minister of State for Infrastructure in 2020. She is a licensed Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with a degree in civil engineering (BASc), a masters from the UBC Sauder School of Business (MM), and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Bowinn has championed investments for the North Shore in housing, child care, and education. She is an ardent believer in the climate emergency and has also made headlines for speaking publicly about difficult topics like racism, sexism, and eating disorders.
Dr. Carin Bondar is a biologist, author and philosopher. She is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at the University of the Fraser Valley, where her work focuses on increasing science literacy and communication. Recently elected to the Chilliwack School Board, Bondar is an advocate for STEM education and for keeping girls in STEM subjects through high school. Bondar is author of the books Wild Sex and Wild Moms (Pegasus, New York), she is writer and host of the online series based on her books, which have garnered over 120,000,000 views. Bondar’s work appears on National Geographic, TED, Animal Planet, Netflix and The Science Channel. She is an adventurer and explorer, having discovered 11 new species of beetles and snails in the remote jungles of Borneo. Bondar lives in Chilliwack, British Columbia with her four children, three dogs and one cat.
Cheeying is the Executive Director of the Whistler Centre for Sustainability, and has over 20 years of experience in community planning, engagement, and sustainability. She provides strategy, creative process design, facilitation, and engagement for local and band governments, and non-profit organizations. She created and launched the Social Venture Challenge program, and the Indigenous Tourism Startup Program, designed to inspire and support entrepreneurs with the development of new social enterprises. Prior to her role at the Centre, Cheeying was the Executive Director of Smart Growth BC.
Christine is a Councillor with OneCity Vancouver. She is a community organizer, a climate justice activist, and an ordained United Church Minister. She previously did national climate justice organizing among diverse faith communities, including at COP21 and at the Vatican. She also previously led Strategic Communications at the Columbia Institute. She has two kids.
Chuka is the Director of Research and Policy at the BC Federation of Labour, as well as a Research Associate with the BC office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. His work focuses on inequity and inequality, reparative drug policy, structural racism, and labour. He also sits on the advisory committee for SFU’s Labour Studies Program, and serves in the expert reference group of a Canadian Public Health Association project advancing public health approaches to substance use.
Colleen has taught for the past 23 years in inner city schools in both Vancouver and Langley. She has spent most of her career teaching Kindergarten in the Downtown Eastside at Lord Strathcona Elementary. Colleen received a Prime Minister’s Teaching Achievement Award in 2015 and has published work in UBC’s Educational Insights. She is passionate about advocating for early intervention, equity and access for all learners. She favours a Reggio Inspired approach to teaching the emergent curriculum with a focus on playful inquiry, documentation and the classroom environment. She has presented Story Workshop workshops to teachers in Langley, Richmond and Vancouver.
Dan Laitsch is an associate professor with the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University and a researcher with the SFU Centre for the Study of Educational Leadership and Policy. He co-edits the open access journal, International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership. Dr. Laitsch’s research examines the use and misuse of research in teaching, policymaking, and issue advocacy, and the impact of neoliberal policies on educational systems. He is on the board of the Institute for Public Education BC, and current President of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations, BC.
David is a founding member of the Vancouver Artist Labour Union Co-Operative, a unionized (IATSE B-778), artist run, workers co-operative that operates a print studio in Vancouver’s Chinatown. He is also the Co-Artistic Director of Love Intersections, which is a media arts organization made up of queer artists of colour. His work has also recently included collaborations with Primary Colours / Couleurs primaires, which is a national initiative to decolonize the Canadian art system by putting Indigenous arts practices at the centre, through the leadership of Indigenous artists, supported by artists of colour. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Social Justice Institute at UBC.
Ela is a long-time advocate for social justice and human rights. She created award-winning education programs and has run advocacy campaigns that transformed government policies and practices and informed institutional changes on issues relating to human rights, women’s empowerment, minorities, migrant justice, and democratic governance. Recently, Ela started the #LostVotes Campaign with young leaders advocating for permanent residents to vote in municipal elections in BC. She studied political science, global advocacy, public relations and holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law.
Elvezio (“Elvy”) is a cooperative enterprise educator, developer, financier and advocate. He coordinates Vancity’s support for new and established cooperatives, founded and organizes the Cooperate Now co-op business boot camp, and co-authored the “Seven Ways to Grow BC’s Co-op Sector” policy document. Elvezio works to build out the infrastructure to support the development of new cooperative enterprises, guest lectures at post-secondary business classes, and gets into the trenches to support community development and incorporate cooperatives.
Gaetan is the CEO of CityState Consulting. His love of everything urban has brought him to hundreds of cities in 30 countries. An urban planner originally from Québec City, he received a Governor General’s Medal for his humanitarian work in Sarajevo. During his time as City Manager in Port Moody, the city received numerous awards including the International Livable Communities Award. The author of Time for Cities, a book about getting a better deal for cities, he is also a Research Associate with the Columbia Institute, most recently on bringing services back in-house to municipalities.
George was elected as the MLA for Vancouver-Fairview in 2013, and re-elected in 2017. He is the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. George Heyman previously served as the Executive Director of Sierra Club of BC, one of the province’s oldest environmental advocacy and education organizations. He also served three terms as president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU). George is a passionate advocate for issues facing his constituents including education, health care, the arts, childcare, workers’ rights, transit, affordable housing and environmental responsibility.
Gurdeep is a Yukon based, Bhangra instructor. He creates performance pieces that bring together artists from all backgrounds while promoting inclusivity and diversity. Currently, he is best known for bringing happiness and positivity during the pandemic through his online dance classes and videos. The dance performances and videos are watched by millions of viewers throughout the world. Gurdeep’s works have been published by many international art and media organizations including BBC News, CBC National, The Globe and Mail. Although he is presently a dance instructor at the Yukon University, Gurdeep has experience teaching Bhangra workshops at many venues in the Yukon, Canada and throughout the world. Along with this, his sessions are a considerable workout and a fun way to introduce physical activity.
Iglika is a Senior Economist and Public Interest Researcher at the BC office of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. She brings over a decade of experience in social and economic policy research on the key challenges of our time, and is particularly interested in exploring the potential for governments at all levels to actively foster a more just, inclusive and sustainable economy. Iglika’s community involvement on boards, in coalitions and in other advisory roles is often in service of promoting equity and empowering women and other marginalized people.
Jamie is a single mother of five, whom all attended Strathcona. She is a Nehiyawskwew from Maskwacis, Alberta (Cree from Treaty six territories) currently living in the DTES. She is a direct descendant of Chief Bobtail, an original Signatory of the Treaty six adhesion signed at Blackfoot Crossing in Southern Alberta in 1876. She is currently studying at Langara College and is the founder of Red Sisters Gathering soon to be Sweetgrass Sisters Womens Healing Society.
Janine leads the Organizational Health & Development team and focuses on advancing effective and consistent leadership practices across Metro, evolving health and wellbeing programming, and working to create a culture of inclusion and belonging. Prior to this, Janine served as the Equity & Civil Rights Program Manager, in the Office of Equity and Social Justice under the King County Executive. Janine also worked for the City of Boston for over eleven years, where she was the Executive Director of the City’s Office of Fair Housing and Equity, advising on equitable housing policy and discrimination investigations and enforcement.
Jennifer is working towards an inclusive community where people are engaged as valuable and deserving individuals, who can use their agency to lead the changes they wish to see. Jennifer holds a Masters in Social Policy and Development, a Bachelors in Development Studies, and a Certificate in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design. From SFU, EdMeCo, and the VSB to Kuru Kuru Training Centre in Guyana, Jennifer has been inspired by global leadership in education and social change.
Jennifer was elected MLA for New Westminster in 2020. As the chief spokesperson and lead negotiator for the Hospital Employees’ Union, she has fought for better public healthcare and the rights of healthcare workers and has dedicated her career to advocating for working people. While leading B.C.’s first campaign for a living wage, she fought to ensure that work lifts people out of poverty and allows them to support their families and fully participate in their communities. She has championed a wide range of social justice issues from accessible post-secondary education and affordable public childcare, to Medicare and health equity.
Jessica is currently a Councillor in the City of North Vancouver, a Regional Organizer with the Climate Reality Project, and a Board member with Nestworks. She is also a member of the Metro Vancouver Climate Action Committee, the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council, and is Board Chair of the Climate Caucus. Jessica has an extensive background in clean energy and climate change policy and advocacy, and is passionate about equitable and inclusive communities.
Josie was elected as MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim in 2020. She is the Minister of Municipal Affairs and is a member of the Planning and Priorities Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Social Initiatives. She was the Mayor of Tofino from 2013-2020 and served as Chair and Vice-Chair for the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District. During her time in local government, Josie chaired the Tofino Housing Corporation and was a strong proponent for active transportation and regional transit.
Karen was elected as Mayor of the District of Squamish in 2018 after serving one term as a member of Council. She moved to Squamish in 2012 and ran for elected office because she quickly realized the significant opportunities and challenges that lay ahead for the fast-growing community. Karen is deeply committed to climate action, Reconciliation and community building. Prior to serving as Mayor, Karen ran her own consulting firm focused on strategic planning, organizational effectiveness and leadership development.
Karen is a drug policy advocate and advisor to the City of Vancouver. A long-time resident of the Downtown Eastside, she advises on drug policy, overdose prevention, drug-supply safety and poverty reduction.
Kevin Huang 黃儀軒 (he/him) is Executive Director of hua foundation. His work has ranged from scaling culturally sensitive consumer-based conservation strategies through a project called Shark Truth, advancing municipal food policy to address inclusion and racial equity, to providing supports for youth from ethnocultural communities to reclaim their cultural identity on their own terms. Kevin organizes in Vancouver’s Chinatown and serves on committees with Vancity Credit Union, Vancouver Foundation, the City of Vancouver, and the Province of British Columbia. Most recently, Kevin has been spending his time directing community based COVID-19 response projects that address language and cultural gaps.
Kevin works as the Executive Director of the BC Libraries Cooperative where he is developing a project to support libraries engagement in helping tackle the climate crisis. He also works on a climate leadership program in Alberta. He co-founded Check Your Head and Next Up, has served as an elected Vancouver School Board (VSB) Trustee and subsequently worked for the VSB as their first Sustainability Coordinator. He serves on the boards of the BC Civil Liberties Association, the Wilderness Committee, and Upstream.net.
Kristyn was elected to Toronto City Council in 2010 and has an extensive career in investing in the city through both the public and private sectors. Her contributions have led to the development and support of improved social planning programs, new affordable housing, innovative economic development programs, community art projects, and investments in diverse, family-friendly neighbourhood planning. She has led efforts to defend the rights of tenants to obtain affordable and decent standards of rental housing and helped create a neighbourhood association to preserve and protect heritage buildings and historical landscapes in the ward.
Laird was elected BCFED President in November 2018. He is a Red Seal Electrician and a 33-year member of IBEW Local 230. For the past four years, he chaired the BCFED’s Apprenticeship and Skills Training Working Group and is a board member of the provincial Industry Training Authority.
Leona is the Climate Action Coordinator for the Haiłzaqv nation of Bella Bella, BC. She works with a peer network of Climate Action Coordinators through the Coastal First Nations. Their goal is to collaborate on efforts to decarbonize our coast, to transition off diesel generation and reduce transportation of fossil fuels through our ecologically and culturally significant territories. Leona also collaborates nationally with 14 other FN across Canada to support ambitious community-led planning to get off diesel. The Heiltsuk Climate Action Team supports this heart work ‘by the Haiłzaqv, for the Haiłzaqv’ to protect and preserve the future of our children’s tomorrows.
Marcy has over 35 years of experience working as health and policy researcher, educator and advocate. She has published over 35 articles focusing on seniors care, health care reform and workforce equity and has been involved in social justice issues as a professional and volunteer for most of her adult life. Now retired, Marcy is increasingly interested in promoting resiliency in older adults and supports this interest through her volunteer roles with the United Way, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the BC Health Coalition
Markiel Simpson is a high-level athlete turned community advocate, who is actively working towards having Canadian Black History taught in schools across BC. Markiel is on the steering committee of the BC Community Alliance, a local non- for profit dedicated to breaking down systemic racism, especially as it affects BC’s Black community. Markiel is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers’ Vancouver hub, and co-Director of Diversity for the BC NDP’s Young New Democrats. Markiel was born in Montreal, but raised in East Vancouver, he has been drawn to politics and creating systemic change his whole life and is always one to stand up and speak out for those unable to speak for themselves.
Nadine is a community organizer, local activist, and Councillor for the City of New Westminster. She has worked on issues relating to housing, public spaces, reconciliation, public engagement, and childcare. For her work in the community, Nadine was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year at the Chamber of Commerce Platinum Awards. She co-owns a consulting company called Ablaze and has a masters in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Naia was drawn to climate work through shared visions of a more just world. As an organizer with the local and national climate movement, she has trained young people and mobilized thousands to the streets – while continually witnessing the power held in relationships and community. Currently on a gap year and working as a Communications Coordinator for the Youth Climate Lab, Naia uses her passions for sharing stories and scaling local action to contextualize the need for climate justice.
Elected as an MLA in 2020, Niki Sharma’s prior roles focused on representing Indigenous people, including residential school survivors, as a lawyer, and as an advocate on climate policy. She has also been recognized for her work on combatting racism. Niki was elected to the Board of Vancity Credit Union and served as Chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. Raised in Sparwood B.C., Niki is a mother of two and has lived in East Vancouver for over 15 years.
Nikki is a public engagement and campaign expert with over 20 years of experience in politics, strategic communications and government relations. Currently a Principal and Partner at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, Nikki’s previous roles include Director of Labour Participation at United Way of the Lower Mainland and Director of Organization for the BC NDP. Nikki is the volunteer Co-Chair of the United Way Period Promise campaign.
Owen is a climate activist and community organizer. He founded Youth Empowerment Canada to promote student involvement in politics and serves on his local Electoral District Association. Owen understands the need for youth voices at the decision-making table; to amplify said voices, he has launched an initiative that aims to reimagine the relationship between school administrators and students. He hopes to establish a new education framework that takes into account the needs of all students. Next year, Owen will attend Harvard, where he plans to continue his service and advocacy.
Patti was elected to the Vancouver School Board in 2008, 2011 and 2014, topping the polls each time. She was also the longest-serving chair of the VSB, and has played a key role in getting B.C.’s seismically high-risk schools upgraded or replaced, first as a parent advocate, and later as a trustee. Since leaving the VSB, Patti has been writing a weekly education column for the Georgia Straight, and she continues to be a passionate advocate for public education.
Paul is a career educator who has served as teacher, teacher educator, and dean in five of the United States, in the Mideast, and in Canada at SFU where he is professor emeritus and former dean. Shaker created Friends of Simon, an outreach to immigrant children that provides university students as tutors. He also hosts Your Education Matters, a community engagement project supporting British Columbia education. Paul is the co-author of Reclaiming Education for Democracy and numerous articles.
Ravi was elected as the MLA for Delta North in 2017. Born and raised in Victoria, Ravi was introduced to Field Hockey by his father and grandfather. He is a two time Olympian in the sport for Team Canada and has been inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to his election as an MLA, Ravi spent seven years in banking, and another six years working with the New Democrat Caucus as Director of Stakeholder Relations.
Rhiannon (she/her) is Musqueam and a much-sought-after speaker who is well known for asking tough questions in a manner that encourages engagement and dialogue. She is actively working to create a more equitable world for all. She has been working with children, youth, and families for over 20 years in a variety of roles. Professionally, she has worked with Indigenous youth and families, with overarching themes of her work being Decolonization and Reconciliation. In 2014, she was the first Indigenous person elected to the Delta Board of Education. While not successfully re-elected, she was inspired to launch a consulting firm with her running-mate, Andrea Hilder, to continue to do the important work.
Rik is a Nelson, BC city councillor and the founder of the Climate Caucus, a network of 240+ councillors and mayors from across Canada focussed on climate change. He’s also a member of the BC Municipal Climate Leadership Council and the UBCM Climate Action Committee, where he works on municipal and provincial climate policy. Rik is a software developer and entrepreneur with patents in community organizing technology and is the creator of Nudj, a software platform for building high-impact social networks.
Rosa Elena Arteaga has been working in the anti-violence field for over twenty years supporting self-identified girls, women and femmes who have experienced gender based violence. In her role as Manager of Direct Services and Clinical Practice with Battered Women’s Support Services, she oversees a number of programs such as stopping the violence long-term counselling, community-based victim services program, and the legal services and advocacy program. Since 2008, Rosa Elena has researched and addressed the issue of battered women being wrongfully arrested. Rosa Elena holds a Master’s degree on Narrative Therapy and Community Work and she works from a decolonizing, feminist, anti-oppression, practice. Rosa Elena is a trauma informed narrative therapist and her work is informed by the thousands of hours supporting self-identified girls, women and femmes who experience gender-based violence.
Seth served for 22 years (1996-2018) as the founding British Columbia Director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a public policy research institute committed to social, economic, and environmental justice. He is now a freelance researcher, writer, consultant, and speaker, and an adjunct professor with Simon Fraser University’s Urban Studies program. He is the author of A Good War: Mobilizing Canada for the Climate Emergency, published in September 2020
After resettling in Canada in 2012, Sharmarke cast his first vote on October 20, 2018, and at the same time was elected as a Victoria City Councillor. Sharmarke’s passion and commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity and his work for immigrant and refugees at the local and national level has earned him a reputation as a respected community leader and voice for human rights.
Shuirose lives in Mackenzie-McLeod Lake, BC, she acknowledges that she has been a settler for 12 years, on the lands of McLeod Lake Indian Band (Tse’Khene Nation). Currently Vice Chair for SD 57 (Prince George), her goal is to build Equity in the Education system through actions, not just in a tokenistic way. She has been involved in the PAC as Chair and Vice Chair for both elementary and secondary schools. She has three beautiful daughters, one currently in the public school system.
Stephanie is the first woman elected president of the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU), representing 80,000 members at 550 different employers and B.C. government ministries. Stephanie was elected BCGEU president at the union’s convention in May 2014, and was re-elected for her second term in June 2017. She is from the non-government sector, reflecting the diversity of BCGEU’s membership base. Stephanie has already made her mark on the union, meeting with members around the province and being consultative and connected with the union’s elected officials, members and staff.
Sussanne chairs the Columbia Institute’s board of directors and is a well-known social justice advocate and queer-and-human-rights activist. She was elected as the BC Federation of Labour’s Secretary-Treasurer in 2018 and has been a member of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) since 1997, serving in nearly every elected position—from steward to executive vice president. By profession, Sussanne is a training analyst in the Court Services Branch of the Ministry of Justice where she worked for more than a decade. She is also the Treasurer of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) and Vice President of the BC NDP. She represents a generation of labour leaders working to grow the labour movement to meet today’s most pressing challenges.
Tanvi is a writer, facilitator, and community organizer living on the unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Both her organizing and creative work are centred around migrant justice and anti-oppression. Recently, she helped organize the #LostVotes campaign to advocate for permanent residents to receive the right to vote in municipal elections. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at UBC and is Prose Editor at PRISM international.
Trent is proud to be from the Gitxsan Nation. He was recently elected as Board Chair for School District 57. He is known is his community for advocating for Youth at Risk, poverty reduction and equity for those in need. His two businesses were the first in Northern BC to take the Period Promise Pledge by providing free products for his staff. As a small business owner, he believes in the importance of working closely with local labour to better the community at large.
Trudi is a co-founder of The Feminist Campaign School, a director on the board of Women Transforming Cities, an active community organizer, and a member of the accountability committee for the Poetic Justice Foundation. Trudi likes to lead from the back, and elevate others every chance she gets. She is fueled by curiosity, laughter, music, and shine theory.
Yusuf is the General Secretary of the BC Muslim Association, and runs public relations for Islam Unraveled – an Anti Racism Initiative. He is also the Chief Operation Officer at A.I. Forte Solutions.
’Qátuw̓as (pronounced Gahtuwos) is proud of her Haíɫzaqv and Nuučaan̓uł existence that continues to ground her in her work with Indigenous language and cultural revitalization, as well as climate action advocacy. She holds a degree in Environmental and Indigenous Studies from the University of Victoria. Currently, she is working for the Haíɫzaqv Climate Action Team as the Community Engagement Coordinator. The team is creating a “community-led” clean energy plan. Her role is based on educating and engaging with the Haíɫzaqv community to ensure ownership of their collective climate action work, ‘climate solutions for and by Haíɫzaqv people’. She is also a Haíɫzaqvḷa Immersion student actively working to reclaim one of her ancestral languages and is humbled to speak with you all.