VIDEA's Youth Conference 2022

Join us for two full days of inspiring, informative, and incredible speakers! VIDEA’s second annual Virtual Youth Conference, Resist and Reclaim Our Power, is scheduled for October 19th and 20th, 2022. Tailored to youth and students grade 9 and up, the conference is free to join and will take place over Zoom.

We invite Indigenous youth from Turtle Island (Canada), Zambia, Uganda and Ghana to join us to celebrate, share and dream big!

The theme of this year’s conference is sexual and reproductive health rights and climate justice – two incredibly important and interconnected topics. We will be joined by some amazing keynotes, including Tony TooSick, Chelazon Leroux (of Canada’s Drag Race season 3), and so many wonderful speakers who we can’t wait to share with you!

Participants will learn about important issues included in curriculum across the country, including the interconnection of social justice issues, worldviews, power, culture and community, global interconnectedness and climate justice. You can join us for one session (maybe one of the incredible keynotes) or multiple!

Due to time zones, earlier sessions will allow you to share space with students joining from across Uganda and Zambia, and, as we move later in the day, sessions will be geared towards youth joining from across Turtle Island.

We will be announcing some VERY EXCITING guests over the next few weeks! Make sure to check back or follow VIDEA on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!

Presenter Bios

Toosick

Indigenous Hip-Hop Artist and Grassdancer

Toosick is an Indigenous recording artist emerging from Calgary AB. He grabs his audience’s attention with inspiring lyrics and catchy melodies as he tells real life stories of growing up as a young Indigenous male in the projects of inner city Edmonton AB. Toosick has collaborated with some of western Canada’s top artists such as Cloude, MaykOne, Ak-Slim, Black$tar , Roney, R1CO and more. Toosick has recently developed a new sound by pulling inspiration from his real life scenarios as well as influence from other prestigious artists that inspire his vision. In his adult years he has made a real effort to reconnect with his aboriginal roots and works to draw attention to traditions, local communities and causes that he is passionate about such as the MMIW movement.

Toosick has had the privilege of opening for artists such as Rich Homie Quan, Bhad Bhabie, 88GLAM , Houdini, Merkules , Yung Tory, Lil Windex and more since he began performing live in 2018 and has truly become an artist to watch in the Calgary and Canadian music scene.Toosick works full time as an audio engineer has credits recording and mixing for such artists as Sick Ppl, Murda Beatz, Roney, Cloude, and more. Music is truly his passion, he incorporates it into every facet of his life by producing his own music projects as well as working full time to help other local artists develop, promote and record their own sound as well as participating in local events to push the local music scene to the next level.

Chelazon Leroux

Drag Artist (Canada’s Drag Race Season 3)

Chelazon Leroux is Layten Byhette’s stage name.

Chelazon (she/he/they) is a two- Spirit Dene First Nations Multidisciplinary Artist and appeared on Canada’s Drag Race (third season).

Chelazon’s artistic pursuits include: Drag, stand-up comedy, and social media content creation. Chelazon uses her Indigenous identity— as a status member of Buffalo River Dene Nation (Treaty 10) and family ties to Fond Du Lac First Nation (Treaty 8) —as the foundation for her creative works. Chelazon is best known for her Auntie persona and Tiktok posts. Chelazon uses her social media influence to educate and entertain audiences worldwide.

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Mission Statement

My goal is to utilize my responsibilities as a Two-Spirit multimedia artist to bring Two-Spirit’s historical role into the modern world.

To educate and entertain audiences worldwide on the experiences, stories, and beauty of Indigenous identity. Services

Layten can do live performances as Chelazon Leroux in drag which incorporate traditional drag shows (lip-syncs) as well as hosting and comedy. In addition, they can also do stand-up comedy out of drag in the “Auntie” persona in which they are quite well known on social media.

Layten can also do sponsored content on TikTok and Instagram in or out of drag.

Lumba Siyanga & Margaret Tuhumwire

Women for Change &  Environmental Women in Action for Development (EWAD)

Women for Change is a Zambian gender focused non-governmental organisation (NGO), working with communities, especially women and children in rural areas to contribute towards sustainable human development using Popular Education Methodologies (PEM).

EWAD is a non-profit organization located in Entebbe, Uganda. EWAD is dedicated to helping children and the most vulnerable persons in the communities through its programmes, which included working with small-scale artisanal miners to eliminate child labour. EWAD is also very involved in community organization and education specifically on sustainability issues.

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Bio: Lumba Siyanga is the Executive Director of Women For Change, a gender-focused non-government organization in Zambia that works to build the capacities of rural women to climb out of poverty. Lumba is committed to the development and education of women and girls. She has a passion for promoting gender participation and inclusion in everything she does. Lumba will be presenting on sexual and reproductive rights

Bio: As the Executive Director of EWAD, a National Non- Governmental Organisation, Margaret Tuhumwire has a leading position in Organisational Development, providing overall management, guidance and supervision. Margaret is passionate about programs and projects leading to greater community development and transformation, driven by interest and professionalism. She is responsible for resource mobilization, initiating and developing project proposals for funding, as well as coordination and collaboration with local and international organizations, and stakeholders. Interpersonal skills that have enabled me to bridge relationships between EWAD and many organisations like UNICEF, USAID, UNDP/SGP, Comic Relief, Videa of Vancouver, Canada, Grandmothers of Vineland, Ontario, Canada, Fairtrade Foundation, Fairtrade Africa, Hivos/Stop Child Labour, National and International Rotary Clubs, to mention but a few.

I am proud to have Strong leadership; Advocacy and Lobbying; Resource mobilisation and fundraising; effective team building; good interpersonal skills, intercultural competence; and making friends, especially for children.

Inonge Wina

Operations Director – Marie Stopes International, Zambia

Inonge is the Operations Director heading Marie Stopes Zambia (MSZ) Health Services Department. She joined the MSI-Zambia Senior Management Team from the Programs department where she led the Adolescent and Disability portfolio providing technical support to service delivery teams to improve uptake of contraception for young people and Persons with disabilities by ensuring that services are safe and non-judgmental, gathered evidence and insights to inform programming and reduce policy barriers to accessing contraception. She has worked with MSZ since 2014 where she started as the Marketing and Communications manager.
Inonge has 13 years of experience in Marketing Management which includes seven years of experience working in Sexual Reproductive Health. She has extensive experience in external networking and national relations; developing and maintaining effective partnerships that work to increase the status and level of recognition for MSI-Zambia’s work and mission. She sits in the national Family Planning and National Adolescent Technical Working Groups influencing removal of access barriers to women/girls and informing policy change. She has over the last three years represented MSI in donor relations both globally and nationally significantly contributing to funding opportunities for the Zambia program and ensuring that donors experience high-quality interactions with the organization to foster long- term engagement and investment.

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Using Human Centred Design (HCD), she has supported MSZ teams to design, Innovate and Invest in creative and inclusive solutions that help girls take charge of their sexual health and own their futures. This resulted in the design and evolvement of MSI-Zambia youth Centre core elements into scalable and cost efficient public youth Centres. Marie Stopes Zambia recognized her as the most innovative employee with drive and passion for adolescents and youth.
In March 2019, she was recognized by IDEO.org, a global design company which creates positive impact through design, as one of the bold women they have worked with in designing solutions for girls’ adolescent health in Zambia.
She is part of the Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Technical Assistance Coordination Mechanism, WHO Family Planning Accelerator Project which supports the WHO to review country proposals for Adolescent health.
Inonge is a member of the Global Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Panel, MSI’s advisory body for all matters relating to diversity, equality and inclusion. The Panel is instrumental in communicating DEI perspectives, providing experiential advice and forming recommendations for MSI Senior Leadership and Executive teams on how to meet and sustain our DEI objectives.
She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Edith Cowan University in Australia and a Masters in Corporate Communications from the University of Zambia.
When she is not working, she loves to take photographs and try out new cooking recipes.
Topics to be covered:
1.Teen pregnancy & contraception
2. Menstrual hygiene

3.Dreams and aspirations

Brian ‘B’FLow’ Bwembya

Talent development, Social Entrepreneurship and Decision- Making

Brian Mumba Kasoka Bwembya known professionally as B Flow (B’Flow or B-Flow), is a Zambian dancehall and hip hop artist, media personality, humanitarian, philanthropist, social justice advocate, and founder of Music For Change. He served as Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS and Social Commentary (HASC) committee of the Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) from 2014 to 2017, before being elected to the position of Publicity Secretary in 2018.
He is the global ambassador in the fight against HIV/AIDS for American organization AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and also the first Zambian artist in the world to launch an album at a US Embassy. The event was sponsored by the United States government through the embassy.
The stage name B Flow was inspired by people who loved his ‘flow’. B Flow also took a new direction with his music, changing his genre to what is now known as “KaliDanceHall” (A mix of traditional Zambian Kalindula music and Dance Hall). In November 2016, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) named B Flow as one of the 16 voices of activism against gender-based violence around the world.​

Adrianna Douglas-Bear

Jingle Dress Dancer/Model

Se:ko

Hello, my name is Adrianna, but most know me as Aj. I come from Six Nations Ontario Canada, but I also reside in Big River First Nation with my husband. I am of the mohawk nation, and my clan turtle. I am a jingle dress dancer that advocates for young women in multiple areas, rather that’s hair loss, mental illness, bullying, MMIW, Self Harm, fitness, body positivity, infertility, etc. If you need a notice, I will be that voice. I have many areas of study, but my most recent was health sciences at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. I currently work as a support worker for disability children of all cases. The message I share to the youth in to never be afraid of being different, and I express that through my dancing. I hope to help children be comfortable in their own skin.

Shirley Alphonse

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Shirley Alphonse is an Elder at T’Sou-ke Nation and Advisor to the VIDEA Climate Justice Team and we love her.

Rick (Patrick) Lightning

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Rick (Patrick) Lightning is a Mosom/Elder from Maskwacis, raised in the traditions of Plains Cree, Nehiyaw. He is a third-generation residential school survivor. Through his consulting company, Lightning Camp and Associates, Rick has facilitated cross cultural training, youth workshops, grief recovery, and program assessments. He is certified as a mental health therapist/counsellor and is trained in suicide and gang intervention. Rick also has mediation, negotiation and restorative justice certification.
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As a policy technician, he had assisted with the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples for approximately 25 years. He also has been a cultural advisor to Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, Wilton J. Littlechild.


Rick has been a Cultural Support Worker to the Indian Residential Schools (IRS), Mental Health, Aboriginal Youth Communities Empowerment Strategy (AYCES), and the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) programs at Maskwacis.


Currently, Rick is the resident Elder, or Mosom, as he prefers to be called, for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta.

Jack Iyerak Anawak

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Jack Iyerak Anawak is an Inuk activist. He was born in Naujaat, Nunavut in a fur tent that was on the brink of collapsing due to a snow storm. He is a very proud father and grandfather of many, and he currently resides in Iqaluit. He was a Canadian politician, he represented the electoral district of Nunatsiaq in the House of Commons of Canada from 1988 to 1997. He sat in the house as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Dr. Emily Sikazwe​​​​​​​

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Emily brings a wide range of work experiences in governance and gender subjects, in Zambia, across Africa and globally. Her deep work has been in the fields of citizen engagement, democracy and governance issues, community development and social mobilization, women’s rights and participation, dispute resolution, conflict mitigation and mediation; and the electoral process and monitoring. Her insights as the founder leader in Women for Change Zambia established two decades of programming for a rights-based approach to programming for women and advocacy on women’s rights. Emily is and has been a Board member at many levels: in her own country on the NGO Coordinating Committee; on several Africa-wide initiatives such as FEMNET, Gender Links, mama Cash as well as globally on Social Watch International, Gender Justice Network, CUSO Canada and Oxfam Novib and Oxfam UK. Emily has been an educator at Coady International Institute, and most recently, Vice-Chairperson of Elections Commission in Zambia.

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Emily also has a long history of working in governance, inclusion, deep and electoral democracy especially in high risk environments. She is passionate about citizen engagement, democracy, community development, and women’s participation. She is an exceptionally dedicated professional with a long history of strategic planning and organizational leadership, who can be relied on to adapt quickly and consistently to deliver positive results.

 

Currently Emily chairs Nyapachuma Memorial Foundation, a non-profit organization in Zambia, she founded in 2013, inspired by her Grandmother and Mother. Nyapachuma means “the one who holds the treasure of inter-generational wisdom.” Nyapachuma’s mission is to preserve and pass on lasting legacies of women and girls from generation to generation through research, apprenticeship, dialogue, and collective social action, while ensuring that the livelihoods and development of the youth.

Emily Kitabire Kiremire​​​​​​​

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Emily Kitabire Kiremire Works as Secretary General EWAN, also very business oriented, and currently running an outside catering business (EMDO catering services). Happily married to Mr. Donny Kitabire, a mother of three biological children and so many more. Passionate about youth and women empowerment, giving life, hope and meaning to these people gives her so much joy. Sharing her life experience and encouraging the youth and women to get the most and very best out of them.

Sara Cadeau

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Sara Cadeau is Anishnabe French and Celt on her mother’s side. Raised away from her culture, her family is registered to Garden River Ojibway First Nation in Ontario. Her father is Ashenazi. Sara is an abuse survivor who has over 30 years of study in the reclamation of women and queer medicine bundles. On her healing path she has gratefully managed sixteen years of recovery and abstinence from substance addictions. She has been working as an emotional wellness practitioner across Indigenous communities for over 10 years. Her focus is on the creation of safe spaces and trauma release. Sara is a community organizer, singer, storyteller and holder of individual and group healing and transformational spaces. 

Elder Elsie Paul

Connecting to the Land: Storytelling with Global Elders

Elsie Paul is a Métis-Cree Elder from Wolf Lake, a former Métis settlement in Alberta northeast of Edmonton. Elsie is a 78-year-old retired social worker who utilizes the social media platform of TikTok to spread knowledge of her Indigenous culture to younger generations. Known by the nickname Techno Kokum, the Edmonton resident has amassed more than 64,000 followers- many of whom are Indigenous youth. Her videos have teachings on everything from the significance of the eagle feather to the traditional understanding of kinship in her culture. Soon after retiring at the age of 65, Elsie started the Kokum Kisewatisowin Society, a group of retired professional Indigenous women who work to reclaim the traditional ways of kokums. The Cree word kisewatisowin translates to “the unconditional love of grandmothers.” Through the group Paul organizes event sand camps that focus on passing down values, language, kinship teachings, traditional legends, storytelling, craft making, and more.

DJ Erycom

International DJ Based out of Uganda

One of Uganda’s most popular DJs / music promoters, and he goes by the name of DJ Erycom, a veteran of local African music and dance, with a degree in Information Technology and multimedia with sound engineering.
Born on 9th October 1989, youthful DJ Erycom has spent years fine-tuning his music winning formula, in the only way he knows how, by jet-setting around the globe and feeling the vibe at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, dispensing musical epiphanies wherever he plays. A native of Kampala, Uganda, he always knows how to harness the sun, beach and the clubs in order to get the the very best out of his audiences, and DJ Erycom’s evolving appreciation of the “Strictly Local Music”, has brought him commercial success globally.

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DJ Erycom started his deejay career in 2007, in the dance clubs of Kampala, playing gigs at different places. Erycom became resident DJ at club Diplomat in 2008 and until he joined Club Volts in 2009 as a house DJ spinning every Friday and Wednesday. In the year 2009 after working with NBS Tv, DJ Erycom 87.7 Kampala FM where he served as the Programmes Manager until 2014 when he resigned to concentrate on his Deejaying career. Erycom also worked for TV Africa as a music analyst and VJ.
He won the East Africa DJ Award in September 2008 beating over 9 contestants and in 2009, DJ Erycom contested in the Africa DJ awards and he was beaten by Nigeria’s DJ Kennel. While in Egypt in March 2010, Erycom contested with 3 other DJs from Uganda and he won the Nile Spin master award which he later lost to Egypt’s DJ Alish in march 2011.
Luck was on his side and he later made it in South Africa mid 2011 as East Africa’s DJ of the year in the Africa DJ awards representing Uganda. Erycom has therefore turned out to be one of Uganda’s remix masters who spices up artistes songs and turns them out to be more exciting and sweet. DJ Erycom has So Far Been a Guest DJ in 37 Countries such as USA, German, Canada, Monaco, Taiwan, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, France, Norway, Singapore, Austria, Sweden, Tanzania, South Africa, UAE, Rwanda, Qatar, UK, Turkey, Russia, Burundi, India, Ethiopia, Belgium, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Denmark, South Sudan, Malaysia, Japan, Congo, China, Kenya, Thailand, Jamaica etc. DJ Erycom has always had successful international tours, and in October 2017, Erycom made history when he became the first East African DJ to hold sold out shows in Malaysia, Japan, China, Oman and Qatar under his One Man - One Night - One Show #AsianTour2017. Erycom, who recently announced that he's soon retiring from this DJ Business, is apparently embarked on farming and his other businesses, but he holds only two shows every year in Uganda

Cindy Paul

Singer, Songwriter, Artist

Stories & Songs of Mother Earth.

Cindy explores our significant and fragile connection and reciprocal relationship we hold with Mother Earth. Cindy interprets the parallels between past and present day societal accepted norms towards our environmental footprint, our family unit and how it ultimately is a reflection of ourselves.

  1. how getting in touch with the land has the power to heal
  2. how land-based learning relates to reconnecting with
  3. cultural identity
  4. how we can use our knowledge to elevate and create
  5. change.
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Bio: Northern Cree/Metis songbird, Cindy Paul is a recording artist, established songwriter, visual artist and an experienced natural health and cultural educator. Cindy was honored with multi-nominations which include New York’s Native American Music Awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards and

her original composition, He Can Fancy Dance is recognized internationally and used for educational and cultural awareness. Cindy facilitates workshops across Canada and is an advocate for health & healing through natural therapies, music and art.

Heather Poitras

Cree-Sioux- Métis Elder Heather Poitras, BA in Native Studies, Sawridge First Nation, Treaty 8

Elder Heather Poitras will share Matriarch teachings and the importance of our youth. She will humbly share her personal journey of healing and gaining spiritual knowledge. Having to deal with the impacts of the Indian Residential Schools, she does what she can to balance the two worlds to maintain her identity and advocate for the Indigenous peoples.

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Bio: Elder Heather Poitras, a member of the Sawridge First Nation (Treaty 8 - Alberta), grew up by the Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty 6 - Alberta). Proud of both her First Nation and Métis culture, she has dedicated her 25+ year federal career to Indigenous awareness and culture.

Elder Heather Poitras, a descendant of Big Bear, comes from a long-line of leaders. Her chapan (Cree for great- grandfather) J.F. Dion, one of the founders of the Métis Nation of Alberta, ensured that the Métis in Alberta had land base. The only province to do so.

Elder Heather strives to ensure that her people, the original people of this country, are included in every aspect of society. She has been dedicated to creating awareness of Canada’s true history, to help with the healing process of reconciliation, and to improve relationships.

“I pray that you open your hearts and minds to a new way of thinking, because it will lead to a new way of doing.” Elder Heather Poitras, Standing White Buffalo Girl.

Moses Matovu

Executive Director of Huys Link Community Initiative (HUYSLINCI)

I am an experienced community development worker who has worked in the NGO sector for over 15 years with particular focus on Young People who are faced with difficult circumstances; I am currently the Executive Director of Huys Link Community Initiative (HUYSLINCI). An independent and non-for-profit NGO established in 1999 with a primary goal of building a society where Children and Youth enjoy their rights and take responsibility to realize their full potential. In all its undertakings, HUYSLINCI is committed to addressing the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable Children and Youth by rendering their voices audible rather than speaking on their behalf.

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Currently I supervise the implementation projects under our core program areas of Young person in Business and Young persons in Education and Life skills development. I have previously worked  as a country team leader for a program aimed at delivering a youth entrepreneurship programme for East Africa entitled ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Facility’ (YEF) funded by ILO and managed by HUYSLINCI. The programme was implemented in Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya for over 5 years and my organization as a lead agency for Uganda. The main objective was “To contribute to the creation of decent work for young Africans, both as a means of self-employment and as job creation for others”. The partnership combined with my strong background and knowledge on youth development, youth livelihood and entrepreneurship at HUYSLINCI, and Youth Entrepreneurship Facility’s experience in making grants particularly for youth entrepreneurship development purposes, as well as solid expertise in entrepreneurship development and the support of other YEF components such as (entrepreneurship culture, promotion and entrepreneurship education, access to Business Development Services (BDS) and finance and evidence based advocacy). It’s this experience gleaned from the many years of working with young people that I wish to share with like-minded people.  I hold of a Diploma in Entrepreneurship and Operation Management of Small Businesses, Bachelor of Arts in Community Based Development and Master of Arts in Development Studies (MDS)

 

Tenille Campbell

Poet and Photographer

Tenille K Campbell is a Dene/Métis author from English River First Nation in Northern Saskatchewan. She completed her MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and is enrolled in her PhD program at University of Saskatchewan. Her newest poetry collection, Nedí Nezu (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2021) is an exploration of the beautiful space that being a sensual Indigenous woman creates in life, in relationships, in the land. Her inaugural poetry book, #IndianLovePoems (Signature Editions, 2017) is an award-winning collection of poetry that focuses on Indigenous Erotica – using humour and storytelling to reclaim and explore ideas of Indigenous sexuality. She is also the artist behind sweetmoon photography and the co-creator of the blog, tea&bannock.​

Mattmac

Music Producer and Recording Artist

Blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac has harnessed his melodic pop-trap beats and inspiring story, quickly establishing himself as ‘one to watch’ on the national scene with his debut album, 20/20 — available now!

At 500,000+ streams across platforms, Mattmac’s premiere release features poppy vocals combined with hard-hitting trap beats, and thoughtfully honest lyrics that give listeners a glimpse into the mind of a blind creative as he paints vivid sonic pictures of struggle, healing, celebrating love, family and life on the rez.

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The eight-track album’s lead single “Paradise” has risen to become a popular song in the Canadian music circuit; garnering more than 150,000+ streams on Spotify, it hit #1 on the NCI FM Indigenous Music Countdown hosted by SiriusXM, and Top 50 on the Mediabase radio charts. With heavy local support from Virgin Radio Winnipeg, the song has become both a national and local sensation — including features with CBC Indigenous, CTV National News, Winnipeg Sun, and more. He recently won Rap/Electronic Album of The Year at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards 2021.

Delaney George-Anne Drachenberg and Vinyl

Intersection between disability and climate justice

Delaney Drachenberg is a 22 year old Métis person currently residing in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Delaney identifies as nonbinary and queer, and has been an activist for most of their life. They deal in human rights but give special attention to the topics of indigenous rights, LGBTQ2S+, disability, and mental health. They currently work as one of VIDEA’s gender justice leaders and sit on the Nunavut Human Rights Tribunal

Vinyl is a twenty-two-year-old white-passion Indigenous/ Latina person from Texas. Vinyl uses it/its pronouns and identifies as genderqueer and aroace. It is also diagnosed with autism as well as Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

Dr. Simataa Soonga

Youth Mental Health Professional

Dr Simataa Soonga are my names, a psychologist and counsellor as well a theologist with vast experience. I have worked with various government and private organizations    and currently working with Psychosocial counselling training institute and Armic force holding position of ED /CEO . Have vast knowledge in mental health and counselling Psychology. Also into security and private investigations in conflict resolutions.

India

India (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Ngāti Hawea, Rongomawahine, Rangitāne). Bringing a background in the Māori museums and archaeology space and lived experience of climate injustice, India draws on a broad range of experiences from UN climate negotiations to grassroots work on #landback campaigns. They have a passion for working with young Māori and Pasifika to realise their aspirations for climate justice and collective liberation. India dreams of resilient communities where everyone is safe and joyful.

Laurencia Tootoosis-Janvier

Performing with Toosick

My name is Laurencia Tootoosis-Janvier

I’m from the Poundmaker Cree nation, but live in Edmonton Alberta. I’ve been dancing ever since I was able to walk. I started off dancing fancy in my adolescents years, but old style jingle has stolen my heart and I’ve been dancing it or about 4 years now. The jingle dress is a healing style of dance; it’s originated from the Ojibwe people.

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I’ve learnt this style of dance to pray for our people, for our loved ones who have passed on and for our loved ones that are still here! Ever since I was a kid I always remember my mom telling me too dance for the people who can’t dance. For the elders who are watching; for the sickly people who need prayers & healing, and lastly too dance for myself because dancing has always been sport of my life. I always keep this teaching close to my heart because it’s important to teach the younger generations how dancing is a powerful source energy. I pass these teachings on to my own children who are dancers themselves. With that being said I’m blessed to be able to dance and showcase the category of the old style jingle dress!

HIY HIY

Henry Wasswa

Manager at Reproductive Health Uganda

Henry Wasswa is a Reproductive Health specialist with more than 8 years’ experience in designing and delivering rights-based, quality sexual and reproductive health services, health systems strengthening, advocacy, and building strategic partnerships. He has a strong passion for advancing sexual and reproductive health rights for the under-served vulnerable populations especially young people. He holds a post-graduate diploma in project planning and management, bachelor’s degree in public health – health promotion and a diploma in clinical medicine and community health. Currently, he works as the Regional Cluster Coordinator/Manager at Reproductive Health Uganda Busoga Brach, supporting the Women integrated sexual health programme that seeks to ensure equitable access to quality family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights, prioritizing the most underserved and marginalized populations (including people with disabilities and those living in hard-to-reach areas). 

Justin Young

Heart Speaker – Circle Keeper

Justin Young, aka Thunder Sky, is a heart speaker – circle keeper, walking a life of healing, self-development and so much love. Laughter is medicine and healing is a gift we give to ourselves and all around us. Justin is a community engager, facilitators and program developer living in Kamloops, BC specializing in work with Indigenous communities. He has had the great pleasure of travelling to various Indigenous communities where he speaks about healing, hosts healing circles and facilitates experiential learning activities that empower people to reconnect with their inner selves in a safe space. 

Entrepreneurs

Uganda:

Nasuru Waniaye

I am Nasuru Waniaye, I was on 08/04/2000 and i am 22 years old. I was born in Uganda the pearl of Africa in the eastern region on the slops of mountain Elgon under bagisu tribe mostly famous for circumcision in Mbale. I was in Mbale for 10 years and moved to Entebbe for my education where i am living now. I started school late when i was 11 years old and my first class was primary four at the Early learning school in Entebbe unter the support of Margaret Tuhumwire(EWAD). The reason for my delay for school was that i didn’t have money because i lost my father when i was still young and i was brought up with a single parent. She didn’t have money to educate all of us in the family of seven members. Margaret got me and my brother into EWAD. But unfortunately, my brother dropped out due to insufficient funds and there were no sponsors and Margaret also didn’t have money for both of us. I went to Victorian High school where i finished my high school and i was the only child studying sciences since the school didn’t have facilities for sciences but good enough i managed to pass and i created a way for them to start sciences after seeing my performance now, they do have sciences. I haven’t joined university yet because of fees challenges. Good enough that i got the skill of making liquid detergent at my primary school that has help me earn some money for a living. Making soap as skill has really help get some pocket money and also training others so that they can aquire the skill and now i am in Busia working the youth over 60 of them. During my study i want to become a medical worker so that i can improve on the healthy sector of our country. That is why I want to work hard to get some money to join university. I am working on my labels and trade mark so that i can sell my product all over the country to gain more Profits.

Aanyu Marion Milbert

My name is Aanyu Marion Milbert a 28 year old female entrepreneur based in Entebbe, Uganda. I am a mother of a handsome son. I was born in Kampala, Uganda and was raised by my dad (my mum passed away when I was 5 years) in Mutungo, Kampala. I am the last born of two children. I studied in very good schools and the highest level of education acquired is a bachelor’s degree in public health from Nkumba University, Entebbe. After university I started living in Entebbe as I looked for formal employment. After searching for jobs to no success I got an idea to become self-employed so I started Heritage Kids collection. I deal in second hand slightly used children’s clothes. I started this business about 2 years ago and it is steadily growing. I got into this business because I love children and people around Entebbe prefer second hand clothing so I decided to start this business. I didn’t start with much but as of this moment the business is truly growing. 

Zambia:

Elizabeth msimuko

Elizabeth – My name is Elizabeth msimuko, am 35years ,am a female entrepreneur based in lundazi eastern part of zambia.am a single mother of 4children.

I deal with boutique clothes mostly for women and men. I started my business in 2019.

Regina Mwape Muma

Regina – My names are regina mwape muma a 28-year-old female entrepreneur based in luwingu, (zambia).i deal in poultry farming specifically raring broilers and sometimes improved village chickens.  Am now two years old in this business which is slowly expanding as I am able to keep a maximum of 400 birds at once when i started with only 100 birds. Luwingu is a potential business town as it is between Mansa, kasama, chilubi, kawambwa and many others. Looking forward to sharing and learning more on how i can expand even further. Thank you

Climate Team Workshops

Three 20-Minute Workshops from VIDEA’s Climate Team

Patashi Pimms: Conversations on eco-guilt and how you’re already fighting climate change even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

Bio: Patashi Pimms (she/they) is Nlakampux and Yakama and grew up in Lytton, BC. They are a Community Climate Justice Coordinator for TLKemchEEn at VIDEA, a non-profit organization based out of what is known as Victoria, British Columbia. Patashi is very passionate about amplifying Indigenous Youth voices, Indigenous Sovereignty, and Climate Justice. Her interests include photography, videography, web design, kayaking, and sewing.

Sekwanahcahk/ Shelby Anderson: Decolonize Your Climate Anger.

Sekwan will be sharing their personal journey from climate doom to climate bloom! Anger is a gift that should be pushed aside no longer. Decolonizing your anger gives space to the many ways we try to protect ourselves. It’s time to create space in our hearts for imagining a new path, and use our anger as a guide. Join for a few tips and tricks to transmute anger and confusion into passion and a hope for a better tomorrow.

Bio: Sekwanahcahk/Shelby Anderson is an Indigenous person from Northern Alberta. Sekwan is passionate about her community, her environment, and Indigenous ways of knowing. They are currently a Community Climate Justice Coordinator at VIDEA. At work, Sekwan collaborates with others on communications, curriculum creation, and content creation. Shelby enjoys spending time in nature with her family, working in the community, and learning traditional plant knowledge. She has Metis and Cree ancestry from Gift Lake and Wabasca. Shelby always wants to acknowledge her Nookum, Mary Louise Oar, in everything they do.

Kwikws Eliza Peters: Transitioning Into Global Wellness: walk together into a fresh perspective to the silver linings of climate action

Bio: There is a lot of power within a name. I am named after my mom,
and my great-grandma: Elizabeth Carol Alexandra Peters and traditional name; Kwikws (sound it out: Kwee-ooo-Kshh), which means small in my language of Ucwalmicwts (idk how to teach that one in a single note bubbl) because my grandma Elizabeth was a very small lady (I was taller than her by the age of 8, which can also be true today but we’re talking 4’7 yenno?). And with these names I am small yet powerful and deeply loving, I don’t need to take up a lot of space in life to make a difference aye. And I do this Climate Community Justice work in honor of my ancestors who have come before me, the earth that loves me, and the generations to come after me in hopes I keep the life I love intact for them so they have something to work with and a place to call home. Thank you for your time in reading this.