Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

Is anything actually working in public education? Kristina Larkin

There’s no question our communities face major struggles within the K-12 education system in Alberta - unfunded students, overwhelmed staff, crowded classrooms, and insufficient inclusive learning supports. So is anything actually working in education? Here’s the answer key: “Yes”.

Creating a vision for a successful learning for every student is a critical part of developing our communities. Kristina Larkin advocates for change and also celebrations, and will explore school and education system successes, promising practices, and the excellent learning that takes place in Alberta schools - and ways to encourage more.

Speaker: Kristina Larkin

Kristina Larkin is a Trustee with Lethbridge School Division, Director of Community Programs at the YMCA of Lethbridge, Board Co-Chair at Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society, and Auntie to wonderful kiddos. She has worked with and cared for thousands of students through her work in schools, community tutoring and education support programs, supporting refugee students to settle in Lethbridge, working alongside Indigenous education programs, and leading social programs including child care, out of school care, academic and mental health programs, and youth drop ins. She works to make sure their voices are heard at every table.

How Can We Get More Water? Speaker Kevin van Tighem

Dams don’t make water. They store it. Water actually comes from the headwaters landscape and we are squandering our future because of a collective failure to see that the most important water management decisions are actually land use decisions. There is more water to be found, but only if we demand changes to how our Eastern Slopes are managed. And time is running out.

Speaker: Kevin Van Tighem

Kevin has worked in landscape ecology and conservation for four decades, mostly in western Canada’s national parks. His family roots in what is now Alberta go back to 1875.

Since retiring as superintendent of Banff in 2011, he has served on the boards of the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Livingstone Landowners Group and has been active in support of numerous conservation causes.

Kevin is the award-winning author of fifteen books on wildlife and nature including Our Place/Changing the Nature of Alberta, Heart Waters/Sources of the Bow River. and Wild Roses Are Worth It. He was granted an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Lethbridge in 2022 and was honoured that same year with a Blackfoot name that translates to Rough Rapid Water.

In what way are Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) experiences different in the context of rural living? with Dr. Julia Brassolotto

In a 2015 ruling, the Supreme Court of Canada unanimously voted that the prohibition on assisted death in the Criminal Code was unconstitutional. This led to Parliament passing Bill C-14 in 2016, amending the Criminal Code to allow legal exemptions for MAiD. Since its passage, MAiD usage has increased every year, with a total of 10,064 MAID provisions in 2021 alone, accounting for 3.3% of all deaths in Canada.

Public polling suggests that the majority of Canadians support MAiD, but their opinions about the service are nuanced and complex. There continues to be stigma, taboo, logistical and procedural challenges, as well as ethical and equity concerns about the practice. In debates about MAiD, very little attention has been paid to the rural parts of the country. There is of course no singular, agreed-upon definition of rural, but the concept often includes a combination of geography, culture, population size or density, and qualitative experience.

Given that rurality is a significant and often overlooked determinant of health, it is arguably important to examine the distinct conditions for MAiD in rural settings. For instance, there are concerns that in rural settings where health services often are limited, residents might feel compelled to use MAiD as a default option. Some scholars have suggested that MAiD may be seen as a good solution for rural and remote patients who want to die at home. Others have called for caution to ensure that geographically isolated individuals are not placed in a position where MAiD will be seen as their only source of respite from end-stage disease. The speaker will elaborate on her research.

Speaker: Dr. Julia Brassolotto

Julia is an Associate Professor in the Public Health Program at the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Health Sciences. She recently held a 7-year Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS) Research Chair in Rural Health and Well-being.

Julia’s research program looks at aging and dying (as they pertain to continuing care settings, age-friendly communities, and MAiD). She completed her doctorate and post-doctoral fellowship at York University in the Health Policy & Equity program. By training, Julia is an interdisciplinary social scientist and a qualitative health services researcher.

Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now with Belinda Crowson

The Lethbridge Historical Society (originally the Whoop-Up Chapter of the Historical Society of Alberta) has been publishing occasional papers/books since the 1960s. The Society’s current publication – Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now – is the Society’s 62nd publication. The book is an update of the LHS’ 1980 publication: Reflections: Lethbridge Then and Now, written by Warren Hall and Barb Goodman.

The captions in the new book were researched and written by Belinda Crowson, and the new photographs taken by Mike Jensen and Belinda Crowson. Upon Further Reflection shares the story of the grand and the mundane buildings in all parts of the city, showing how sites have changed and providing readers a glimpse into the development of some areas of the community.

Belinda Crowson will outline the LHS’ book publishing program and its role in supporting local history and historians. She will also explore the research and work that went into this publication and how the stories of local history are captured and shared by the Society.

Speaker: Belinda Crowson

Belinda Crowson is the president of the Lethbridge Historical Society, a local historian and public speaker. She has published seven books with the Lethbridge Historical Society, including the newest publication: Upon Further Reflection: Lethbridge Then and Now, as well as numerous articles on a wide variety of Southern Alberta subjects.

Indigenous Recovery: building allies in the community with Jacen Aubrey

The Indigenous Recovery Program is dedicated to proactively addressing the opioid crisis by implementing a comprehensive and collaborative approach rooted in cultural sensitivity, compassion, and harm reduction. Our mission is to reduce opioid-related deaths, raise awareness about opioid misuse, enhance access to culturally relevant, compassionate, and non-judgmental services, and forge a holistic path forward for First Nations living in urban areas.

Goals are to: Foster open dialogue on opioid-related issues to reduce stigma and encourage early intervention. Expand and enhance culturally sensitive treatment and support services for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Educate healthcare professionals and service providers in culturally competent care to ensure a supportive and understanding environment. Facilitate collaborative efforts involving community leaders, elders, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to address the opioid crisis comprehensively. Develop a holistic framework that integrates traditional healing practices, mental health support, and addiction treatment services.

Speaker: Jacen Aubrey, Director, Urban Indigenous Recovery Coach Program

With over 38 years of experience in the health care, first responder, and firefighter profession, Jacen has dedicated his career to emergency services. He has actively collaborated with Indigenous communities, demonstrating a genuine passion for assisting those in vulnerable situations. He played a crucial role in significant events, including the Slave Lake Fire in 2011, the Southern Alberta Wildland Fires in 2011 and 2012, the Southern Alberta Floods in 2013, the Fort McMurray fire in 2016, and most recently, the Kenow “Waterton” Fire. He has been recognized with both provincial and federal accolades, including the 12-22-32 year provincial service medal and the 20-30 year Federal Exemplary Service Medal for Fire. He has been honored with the Queen Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medal for his outstanding service to others. Beyond his contributions to emergency services, Jacen has a wealth of experience in municipal, provincial, and federal government. Currently serving in his third term as a town councilor in Coaldale, he continues to dedicate himself to public service. Jacen upholds the values of honesty, transparency, and integrity in all aspects of his life, embodying these principles as he serves and supports others. His insights and experiences have been shared in the documentary “Kimmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning of Empathy,” showcasing his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Moms Stop the Harm and Failed Drug Policies. With speaker Amber Jensen

While Opioid addictions and overdoses is a crisis across the country and provincially, the statistics are staggering for Southern Alberta. The speaker will provide context and put a face to these statistics. The presentation will address Policies developed to stem the tide of addiction and drug poisonings. Policies purported to assist individuals to treatment and support will be reviewed. The advocacy of “Moms Stop the Harm” and the policies and solutions the group would like to see implemented will be discussed.

Speaker: Amber Jensen

Amber Jensen is a member of Moms Stop the Harm and a social justice advocate in Southern Alberta. She has 13 years experience working in the human services field and holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Lethbridge. Amber is the co-author of “I Am the Opioid Crisis: Stories from Southern Alberta”. She also started a non-profit organization called Sweetgrass Youth Alliance that strives to support youth transitioning from youth to adulthood that are involved in the currently broken systems.

Abortion as Health Care: what does Pro-Choice Mean? with Jenn Prosser

Pro-Choice YQL’s goal is to empower individuals in Southern Alberta with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed choices about their reproductive health and sexual wellness. We are dedicated to advocating for access to safe and legal abortion services, contraception, and comprehensive sexual education.

Our vision is a future where reproductive justice is a reality for all. We firmly believe that every person in Southern Alberta deserves the reproductive care they require, free from judgment, discrimination, and stigma.

We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive future by championing the rights of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. We aim to foster a community where reproductive healthcare is readily accessible and celebrated as a fundamental component of overall health and well-being.

Speaker: Jenn Prosser, Pro-Choice YQL

Jenn Prosser is the Community Access Coordinator and WAGE Project Coordinator for Pro-Choice YQL. Jenn has two decades of experience working in the feminist movement and political advocacy. She has worked across Turtle Island in partisan politics, the labour movement and community building. Jenn lives and works across Blackfoot territory in southern Alberta, and calls the settler community of Lethbridge home.

Archaeology as the Canary in the Coalmine: Is the Treatment of Cultural Heritage a Barometer of Social Issues? Kevin McGeough

Despite its seemingly objective stance towards history, rooted in the analysis of material remains of past societies, archaeological interpretation is often contested and invoked to make arguments about the present. Archaeology acts, in some ways, as a metaphorical fault line in contemporary societies, upon which power and identity is negotiated through reference to past peoples and things. Because of this, how people treat cultural heritage can be used as a barometer for different kinds of political sentiments, from the rights of women and minorities to public mistrust of vaccines. In this talk, the speaker will explore how archaeology and the treatment of cultural heritage has related to the political and social movements from the 18th century to the present. He will discuss how Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt prefigured the extractive colonial regimes of the Victorian era.

The treatment of First Nations bodies by museums in the same period reflected genocidal policies of settler colonialism. More recently, the rise of Islamist ideologies were first evident through iconoclasm towards ancient architecture. Likewise, spurious treatments of antiquity in the mainstream media, such as crediting aliens with the construction of ancient monuments, foreshadowed the emergence of alternative media outlets and the breakdown of widespread agreement on objective facts. In the current political sphere, the rise of right-wing populism throughout North America and Europe has also seen extremist groups adopting ancient symbols and justifying their stances through reference to spurious visions of history.

Speaker: Kevin McGeough

Kevin M. McGeough is Professor of Archaeology in the Department of Geography & Environment at the University of Lethbridge and holds a Board of Governor’s Research Chair in Archaeological Theory and Reception. An alumnus of the University of Lethbridge, McGeough has excavated in Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Canada and is currently a co-director of the University of Lethbridge archaeological excavations at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, UNESCO World Heritage Site. He has been the editor of the Annual of the American Schools of Oriental Research, ASOR’s Archaeological Report Series, and is currently co-editor of the Alberta Archaeological Review.

McGeough is the author of a three-volume series on the reception of archaeology, called The Ancient Near East in the Nineteenth Century. McGeough has also written extensively on economic issues at the Late Bronze Age site of Ugarit, including two books, Exchange Relationships at Ugarit and Ugaritic Economic Tablets: Text, Translations, and Notes. He is the author of Representations of Antiquity in Film: From Griffith to Grindhouse a study of the ancient world in cinema. McGeough’s next book, Readers of the Lost Ark: Imagining the Ark of the Covenant from Ancient Times to the Present, is due from Oxford University Press in the fall of 2024.

Balancing “Competing” Interests: How Albertans Think About Energy Transition with Dr. Melanee Thomas

Energy transition — moving away from fossil fuels toward more renewable sources of energy — is well underway, even in Alberta. For example, Alberta will move completely away from coal-fired electricity by the end of 2023. Despite this, energy transition is sometimes presented as, and for some genuinely perceived as an “existential” threat to economic prosperity, particularly for provinces like Alberta. This presentation outlines public opinion about energy transition; knowing this helps explain and understand how and why energy transition is politicized by elite and partisan political actors.

Speaker: Melanee Thomas, PhD Professor - Department of Political Science - University of Calgary

Melanee Thomas is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. Her research addresses the causes and consequences of gender-based political inequality, focusing on Canadian political parties, elections, and political institutions; gender and politics; and the politics of energy transition. Her scholarship appears in Electoral Studies, Political Communication, Politics and Gender, Political Behavior, Energy Politics, and the Canadian Journal of Political Science.

Are Changes needed to Lethbridge’s existing Land Use Bylaw? Ross Kilgour

Lethbridge’s existing Land Use Bylaw has served our community since 1986. During this time, several amendments have been undertaken to this Bylaw to address market demands and resident aspirations. However, since its creation almost 40 years ago it has not undergone a comprehensive renewal. The Land Use Bylaw sets out the rules for what kind of building or activity can take place on private property and outlines the process for issuing Development Permits that give approval for new buildings and activities.

In July 2023, the City of Lethbridge initiated a project to comprehensively renew its Land Use Bylaw to address current issues faced by the community. This is a three-year project with an anticipated completion in 2026. Phase 1 of this project focuses on addressing Land Use Bylaw regulations related to various social uses such as housing with social support and social services. This presentation will provide a full overview of this project and questions will be encouraged following the presentation. Project webpage: https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/lub

Speaker: Ross Kilgour

Ross Kilgour earned his first-class honours degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute Award for the Top Final Year Graduate. He then worked in London, England, first as a planner for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea before moving to the private sector as a planning consultant with Firstplan Ltd. After immigrating to Canada in 2013, Ross joined the City of Lethbridge where he is now a Senior Community Planner, focusing primarily on the redevelopment of Lethbridge’s older neighbourhoods and the City’s heritage program. Ross’ specific passions in urbanism include sustainability, equity, planning/zoning reform, and enabling active transportation and walkable neighbourhoods. His research has been published in Planning Practice and Research journal.