My lifelong passion has been embracing and leveraging the power of diversity to respond to complex cultural challenges and ensure broad-based commitment and inclusive decision making.  

Over two decades of working with First Nations groups, organizations and individuals, I have developed a unique arts-based methodology for addressing unconscious bias and racism and building bridges of understanding.

For ten years, as the Western Director of Canadian Unity Council, my responsibility was to identify issues and challenges, existing or fomenting, that divided us as a Nation. Obvious examples included western alienation and Quebec separatism – and though we were still more than a decade away from the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, my focus was on diversity and inclusion. I am most proud of two initiatives I launched: Crossroads and Breaking the Fast. 

 

 

 

“What is a diversity and inclusion program designer?”

Time to Talk – Diversity

  (Continued from Part 1) International Women’s Forum and Reconciliation Changes were afoot at the Stampede. It remains one of the few organizations in the country that has maintained a solid partnership with Indigenous people for over 100 years. Representatives from the surrounding Treaty 7 Nations have played an important role in the annual celebrations, […]

Diversity: Breaking the Fast

Turning tragedy into opportunity was at the heart of Breaking the Fast. In 2001, immediately following 911, as the Western Director of the Canadian Unity Council, we responded to this event by designing an opportunity for Calgarians from all faiths to come together to explore the challenges and opportunities arising from this tragic event. Leveraging the […]

Diversity: Crossroads

Crossroads We piloted Crossroads in 2000 in Calgary and due to its success, reproduced it annually over the next five years in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Yellowknife and then back to Banff, Alberta with a focus on youth. In retrospect, the concept was revolutionary, bringing sixty Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women from Calgary and area together for a weekend long […]

 

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