BeCause & Effect

In this episode, we follow Abigail's inspiring journey from Nigeria to Canada at the age of 11. Abigail candidly shares her challenges and adjustments to a new country, school, and culture, highlighting how these experiences shaped her resilience and determination. She emphasizes the importance of saying "yes" to new opportunities, leading to her exploration of various afterschool programs and STEM-related activities.

To hear more stories like Abigael's, join us for the CanU Stories Gala: http://www.canucanada.org/StoriesGala

Salena Starling's journey is an inspiring example of resilience, leadership, and the power of using one's story to drive positive change. She is determined to continue making a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth in foster care and to raise awareness about critical issues facing Indigenous communities in Canada.

To hear more stories like Salena’s, join us for the CanU Stories Gala: http://www.canucanada.org/StoriesGala

In the past three episodes we’ve discussed topics that can be divisive; the trustworthiness of our institutions, a sense of belonging where being inclusive can sometime result in exclusivity, and the environment where peoples’ understandings of climate change often differ.

So today we want to engage our panel around the key elements necessary to having constructive and safe conversations, as most peoples’ experiences vary.

This episode discusses the state of the environment, how we talk about it, and how the impacts of human activity and sustainability practices are core to the long-term health of the planet and its inhabitants. This episode highlights voices in the sector who are working to make a change, and discusses how to get the climate emergency on the upcoming election agenda.

Guests include Julia-Simone Rutgers from The Winnipeg Free Press/The Narwhal, Ron Thiessen from CPAWS, and Marshall Birch from Nature United.

A sense of belonging reflects an individual’s social and environmental connections. Prior to the pandemic Winnipeggers experience an overall sense of belonging, but that figure plummeted in 2022. In episode two, we highlight different communities with varying perspectives on how to build a more inclusive Manitoba and what reforms they want to see.

Why X Matters is a four-part, limited series podcast that explores civic engagement by unpacking The Winnipeg Foundation’s Vital Signs® 2022. Join us each Thursday in September to hear from experts on the topics of Trust in Institutions, Sense of Belonging, The Environment, and The Empathy Deficit.

Welcome to Episode 1 of Why X Matters. Our first episode explores the decline in trust in institutions amongst Winnipeggers, what it’s like to navigate a culture of increased scrutiny and mistrust, and how institutions can help restore trust.

Today’s guest is Ashley Seymour, Executive Director of Volunteer Manitoba.

Ashley and I talk about community connection, Manitoba’s passion for volunteering, and how to make a difference in your community by volunteering not just money, but time and talent as well.

Today’s episode I have the honor of speaking with Salena Starling. Salena is President of Community of Big Hearts, and she’s an 18-year-old indigenous woman that’s also sharing her story about spending her entire life as a youth in care. 

We talk about her experiences as a youth in care, her family’s generational trauma, and how she’s helping to foster reconciliation through her work with Community of Big Hearts.

Demian Lawrenchuk, Executive Director of Food Matters Manitoba, talks about their work reconnecting with Northern Manitoba’s Indigenous communities, building capacity and food security in these regions, and the logistical challenges of the global food system for remote communities.

Today’s guest is Hadley Archer, Executive Director of Nature United, the Canadian affiliate of the global environmental nonprofit The Nature Conservancy, an organization working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

Hadley talks about his connection with nature, the impact humans are having on our planet, and top priorities for environmental conservation in 2023 and beyond.