Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

People with Intellectual Disabilities and the Ongoing Quest for Belonging with Marie Moyer

For nearly 60 years, L’Arche has transformed the lives of people with and without intellectual disabilities around the world. Beginning in France in 1964, at a time when countless people with disabilities in the Western Hemisphere still languished in institutions, separated from their families and cast off from society, L’Arche founders dared to proclaim that people with developmental disabilities had essential gifts to contribute to society. Since then, across Canada and around the world, L’Arche has been creating communities of friendship and belonging, inviting people both with and without intellectual disabilities to live, work, learn, and grow together in homes, day programs and social enterprises. L’Arche demonstrates that when persons with intellectual disabilities take their place at the table, they contribute to a more just, compassionate, and vibrant world for all. L’Arche Lethbridge is a member of L’Arche International and is comprised of three homes in the city.

Our speaker will outline how the mission of L’Arche is embodied in our local L’Arche community and name some of the joys and the struggles people with intellectual disabilities continue to face in our present times. In our materialistic and individualistic age, L’Arche offers a radically different way to see people and society.

Speaker:    Marie Moyer

Moderator:  Bob Campbell

Marie Moyer has been engaged with the L’Arche Lethbridge community since 2001. She currently serves as the Assistants Coordinator, welcoming young adults from close to home and around the world to live, work, learn and grow as Assistants in our L’Arche homes. Marie has strong family roots in Lethbridge and has gained a global perspective from time spent abroad in Tanzania, Central America and Chad. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology and Anthropology and has spent her adult life finding ways to make a living off the beaten path.

Petitions, Protests, and the Threat of the Shredder: Curriculum Debates in Alberta with Amy von Heyking

Our official K-12 school curriculum embodies the state’s answer to the question: What must children learn so they can function appropriately as adults in our society? Answering this question is always complicated because it is an expression of what we, as a society, value. The past decade, however, has seen public and professional discussion around curriculum reform descend into ideologically-driven, partisan conflict in Alberta. This talk will address what makes curriculum development complex and how and why the process has become so contentious in the past decade. Finally, it will suggest how we might move forward to ensure that Alberta students get the high-quality curriculum they deserve.

 

Speaker:    Amy von Heyking

Moderator:  Beverly Muendel-Atherstone

 

Amy von Heyking is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lethbridge. Her PhD in Educational Policy Studies focused on the history of Alberta school curriculum, particularly citizenship education. She is the author of Creating Citizens: History and Identity in Alberta Schools (2006). She has published books and articles on the history of Canadian schooling, curriculum studies, and history teaching and learning. She served on the Minister of Education’s Curriculum Advisory Panel in 2019-20

Domestic Violence: Why has the Silence Continued? With Maria Fitzpatrick

The speaker will discuss the importance of having this conversation now, while sharing some of her own experience.  She will identify some of the statistics (reported cases, non-reported cases, hospitalizations, deaths, affected children) and what research shows would be a huge step to stop domestic violence before it starts – looking at Mental Health and resilience, stable and positive parenting. The speaker will review what warning signs indicate a possible abusive relationship; why someone being victimized by domestic violence finds it difficult or impossible to leave, and what you can do to be part of the solution

 

Speaker:    Maria Fitzpatrick

Moderator:  Mary Shillington

 

Maria was born and raised in St. John’s, NL.  She attended Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing a conjoint degree in Education and Physical Education.  She is a mother, grandmother and a great-grandmother. Maria has worked all across Canada as well as in the United States for 45 years. She has been a teacher, recreation supervisor, coach, Parole Officer, Policy Analyst and Regional Executive Vice-President of her union. She was the MLA for Lethbridge East in the from 2015-2019. In addition to volunteering with several community groups, in June she was appointed the Advocacy Program Officer with the National Association of Federal Retirees for southern Alberta.  Maria is well versed on this topic having survived being victimized for 9 years by her first husband.

Escaping Ukraine during Putin’s “Special Military Operation”. With Alona Sinchuk

Alona will recount how she escaped Ukraine two weeks after Russia invaded her country. She fled with her two teenage boys from Dnipro to Kyiv where she had to make several arduous trips by train to Poland to arrange for visas under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) program which is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine. It offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study, and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. Once authorization was obtained, she and her sons were bused to France where arrangements were made for her family to come and settle in Lethbridge with the help of Lethbridge’s Project Sunflower Aid Society.

Speaker:   Alona Sinchuk       

Moderator: Mark Goettel

Alona was born in Vinnytsia Ukraine and lived in several cities before settling in Dnipro. She has two teenage boys, Stepan, 14, and Arsenii, 12.    She obtained a degree in Business Administration from the West Ukrainian National University in Ternopil and was the Department Director of an Eye Clinic in Dnipro prior to having to leave the country due to the war. She arrived in Lethbridge 3 months ago and is currently employed at Visual Effects - Lethbridge, Partners of FYidoctors

How Danielle Smith Became Premier – And What It Means for Alberta. With Trevor Harrison

Danielle Smith is the new leader of the United Conservative Party and premier of Alberta. She is a well-known politician and media personality, but who actually is she? How did she become the UCP’s leader? What does she believe? And where are her political beliefs likely to take the province? These are but a few of the questions the talk will attempt to answer.

 

Speaker:   Trevor Harrison

Moderator:   Colleen Quintal

 

Trevor W. Harrison is a professor of sociology at the University of Lethbridge. He is the 2022 recipient of the U of L Speaker Research Award and former director of the Parkland Institute (2011–2021), of which he was also a founding member. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of nine books, numerous journal articles, chapters, and reports, and a frequent contributor to public media, including radio and television.

SHENLA Calls for Collective Action to Address Child & Family Poverty in Lethbridge & Area with Sharon Yanicki

A recent report by SHENLA highlights that child and family poverty is an important issue in Lethbridge and area. This report was funded by the City of Lethbridge and the Government of Canada and prepared by HelpSeeker in collaboration with SHENLA. While rates of poverty have declined somewhat over the last twenty years, children 0-5 years of age continue to experience higher rates of low income across age groups. This presentation will explore which groups of children are differentially affected by poverty in our community, the impacts of poverty, and why action is needed. Child poverty is associated with a cascade of negative impacts over the life course, and a variety of negative impacts at a community level. 

Recommendations for urgent action are identified. What is the City of Lethbridge’s strategy to address poverty? The speaker will argue that a collective impact approach with broad community participation and municipal support is required to address and end child and family poverty in our community.

Speaker:    Sharon Yanicki PhD (2022)

Moderator:  Bev Muendel-Atherstone

Sharon Yanicki is the spokesperson for the Social Health Equity Network of Lethbridge and Area (SHENLA). SHENLA is an umbrella organization promoting health equity. Sharon is on the leadership team of SHENLA and is committed to collective impact to address child poverty and to promote health equity and social inclusion. Sharon is a retired academic and an adjunct assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, with a PhD in nursing. Sharon’s research has focused on: health equity, social inclusion/exclusion, social justice, child poverty, and adverse childhood experiences. Sharon is a retired nurse with many years of experience in public health.

Homelessness – A Complex Social Issue… What is the Impact of Homelessness on Encampment & City Residents? What are the Solutions?With Mike Fox

Like many other communities across the country, the City of Lethbridge is seeing an increase in individuals experiencing homelessness. Without adequate shelters, transitional and permanent supportive housing in the city, an increase in encampments is being identified throughout the city. 

Many questions, ideas, concerns, and comments have been provided over the last several months regarding the solution to encampments and homelessness. Homelessness is a complex social issue, which requires collaboration from stakeholders across the city, the province and the country. Although affordable housing and homelessness supports are the responsibility of the Provincial Government, Lethbridge City Council recently authorized additional funding allocations to provide more services, outreach support and resources to help the vulnerable population in the city. 

The speaker will explain the complexity of this issue, the jurisdiction of housing, what the city is currently doing and what the public can do to be part of the solution.

Speaker:   Mike Fox - Director of Community Services            

Mike Fox is the Director of Community Services for the City of Lethbridge, and has been in his role since March 2021. His portfolio includes Community Social Development, ENMAX Centre, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, Recreation and Culture, Regulatory Services, Lethbridge Transit, Indigenous Relations and three special Government Bodies – Lethbridge Police Services (governed by the Police Commission), and the Galt Museum & Archives and the Lethbridge Public Library (each governed by their respective Board of Directors). With more than 20 years of leadership in local government, Mike’s dynamic and diverse career has led him to municipalities across the Country before making Lethbridge his home.

A Walk-Through Growing Relationships and Growing Food: How to Create Relationships to Increase our Food Resiliency. With Mandy Sandback

Mandy will provide an overview of the Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and all of their hands-on grassroot initiatives as they relate to local food security, sustainability, community building, and reducing waste. The speaker will offer suggestions for simple ways of engaging our local food supporting initiatives, businesses, and organizations. She will discuss the importance of relationships and how this fundamental caring for one another increases our community ability to feed ourselves better while increasing our resiliency to the changing climate and political world instability. During a time where we are seeing food prices and inflation skyrocketing, we want to know that we have agency in where and how our food comes to us. Mandy will point to many local examples of projects, and groups who are making traction towards a more community secure food system.

 

Speaker:     Mandy Sandbach - Lethbridge Sustainable Living Association and SOULfully SOIL   

        

Mandy Sandbach is an ally, student and Lover of SOIL. Her goal in life is to become the richest, Teeming with LIFE, decomposing, fertility that could be found in a COMPOST pile. Her passion and gifts lay in tending to the relationships and community that will create what is required for the new Human Story. As a Permaculturist, knowledge sharer, mother, partner, small business owner, non-profit advocate, Mandy has shared many skills and experience within her community here in Southern Alberta and abroad. Skill and knowledge sharing is where you will likely find Mandy if she is not with the bees, birds, trees, worms and fungi.

Myths of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) & Belonging. Why they matter in Academic Spaces. With Martha Mathurin-Moe: Executive Director- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

The current social and educational discourse has brought to the forefront the urgent need to address systemic barriers and injustices that have historically excluded voices within academic spaces. The racial and social disparities were further exacerbated by the covid 19 pandemic which has also shown huge gaps within groups, communities, and countries around the world. Educational institutions as an agent of social change have an ethical responsibility to not only acknowledge its role in perpetuating the disparities of historically excluded groups but to be an active participant to call out and address them.

The speaker will identify key foundational and guiding principles for EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and Belonging and will make the ethical and business case for EDI. She will address the myths that continue to impact the successful implementation of EDI strategies, and discuss the importance of allyship & advocacy and the role faculty, staff, students, administrators play in championing equitable, safe, and inclusive campuses.

 

Speaker:      Martha Mathurin-Moe: Executive Director- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Pronouns: She/her

 

Born and raised in Saint Lucia, West Indies, Martha Mathurin-Moe holds a BA degree from the Universidad Central de Las Villas, Cuba; a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Regina and is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction.  Mathurin-Moe's experience consists of 10 years in Banking and Finance and 8 years in International Education.  Previous roles include Manager of Talent Development at the Public Service Commission, Government of Saskatchewan, Associate Director of Study Abroad & Mobility at UR International at the University of Regina. Mathurin-Moe work in international education has afforded her the possibility to participate in educational forums in Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and the United States. She is a skilled facilitator and advocate for equitable and inclusive workplaces for all.  Mathurin-Moe is very passionate about teaching and focuses a lot of her research on Cross Cultural Communication, Internationalization of Curriculum as well as reshaping the perceptions of Studying Abroad and the importance of inclusive teaching. Mathurin-Moe believes that learning is organic and constantly changing but being represented in the learning space is just as equally important. Mathurin-Moe’s research focuses on the shifting identities international graduate students assume while transitioning into a new educational setting. This is why she is very keen on developing learning opportunities that create an environment where all students, no matter race, gender/gender expression, neurodiversity or ethnic background feel represented in their learning space. During her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling with her partner Jared.

Treaty 7: What are the Impacts from a Blackfoot Perspective? With Mike Bruisedhead

Treaty 7 is an agreement between the Canadian government and several, mainly Blackfoot, First Nation band governments in what is today Southern Alberta. The idea of developing treaties for Blackfoot lands was suggested to Blackfoot Chief Crowfoot in 1875. Negotiations were concluded two years later and on September 22, 1877, the agreement was signed at the present-day Siksika Nation reserve, east of Calgary. Chief Crowfoot was one of the signatories to Treaty 7. Another signing of this treaty occurred December 4, 1877 to accommodate other Blackfoot leaders who were not present at the primary September 1877 signing.

The Canadian government wanted the treaty to allow them to build the railroad across Canada, but the implications for the Indigenous people after the signing of Treaty 7 were mainly suffering and hardship. The buffalo disappeared rapidly and the promised support from Canada’s government to help transition the First Nations bands into an agricultural lifestyle did largely not happen. The speaker will argue that overall, the treaty did not have the positive impact for Indigenous Peoples that they initially believed it would. When comparing the difference in cultures during the treaty negotiations, it is likely the Indigenous population was misinformed/misguided by the settlers at the time, who strongly insisted that the treaty be a written document, not an oral agreement that Indigenous Peoples better understand.

Speaker: Dr. Mike Bruised Head (or in the Blackfoot language, Ninna Piksii)

Mike Bruised Head graduated from St Mary’s High school on the Blood Reserve in 1976. Received Bachelors of Arts Degree (BA) from University of Lethbridge in 1980. Served on Blood Tribe Chief and Council 1981 to 1983. Employed at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in 1984-85 as College Administrator. Executive Director of Sikoohkotoki Friendship Center from 1986 to 1994. Convocated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from U of L.

Employed by Kainai Board of Education as a high school teacher, vice principal and principle from 1996 to 2011. Obtained a Master’s Degree (MA) from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington (2003) in Administration and Supervision. Elected to Blood Tribe Chief and Council from 2011 to 2016. Formally created Kainai Ecosystems Protection Agency (KEPA) and served as chair for KEPA from 2012 to 2016.

Serves on the Oldman Watershed Council and participates on the Crown of the Continent Roundtable Leadership Committee and Crown Partners. Involved in Kainai ceremonies and cultural events. Speaks Blackfoot fluently. Presently serving as president of the University of Lethbridge Iniskim Indigenous Alumni Chapter and Chairman of the Kainai Board of Education. Defended his doctoral dissertation at the University of Lethbridge in Cultural, Social and Political Thought (CSPT) at a public presentation on June 20, 2022.