Dignity During a Pandemic: No One Left Behind

This episode looks back on our past conversations. Thank you so much for your support and continued engagement. 

The final interview of Dignity During a Pandemic looks at dignity, identity and the realities of increased racism for many in the wake of a global pandemic. Stay tuned next week to hear a recap of all the amazing contributors! 

In this week’s episode, Wen talked to Elaine Tran, a sociology student at Macewan University, volunteer and organizer with many local community initiatives. Elaine is a JHC Roots4Change team member, working with other youth to build advocacy tools to encourage their peers to understand and claim human rights principles to push for change. Here, we learn more about Elaine's understanding of dignity and identity through her lived experience.

The tenth episode of Dignity During a Pandemic takes time to check in with the experience of COVID-19 for young people and families. We hear how quarantine has changed everyday habits and helped grow a bigger understanding of what dignity means from both older and younger voices.

Maigan connects us with her twin sister, Lana Gilday, a sexual health educator and nurse who was visiting family in Yellowknife, NorthWest Territories this summer. We caught up with Lana and the kids Sahtu, Dov, Lhasa, and Saffia over the summer while they were visiting family in Yellowknife. We were glad to include their voices and hear some reflections from the next generation.

The eighth episode of Dignity During a Pandemic hears from persons from the pan-disability community who came together to discuss the importance of dignity and what it means to them. Due to the many voices present and important perspectives raised, this will be a two part episode.

In this week’s episode, we hear from members of two local organizations working to support and connect folks with disabilities: Gateway Association and the Self Advocacy Federation. Here, we have Heath Birkholz interviewing his peers about dignity through a disability lens. Hear from Tara Mitrovic, Amy Park, Jesse Andrew, Julie Heffel, Kristen Bolduc, Barbra Oseemeemow, Daisy Stacey, and Sara Symington.

Episode seven of Dignity During a Pandemic looks at dignity, the right to mobility and the fight for free transit in Edmonton and beyond.

In this week’s episode, we hear from Wren Christianston, an organizer with Free Transit Edmonton. Wren shared their experiences as a community organizer fighting for a fare free, safe, and just transit system. Hear about how they have mobilized art in their campaign and how the intersections of art and organizing can work in tandem.

In episode six, we hear from a community advocate on realities of racism, criminalization and the importance of justice and human dignity.

Maigan talks to Mahamed Accord, a local advocate fighting for issues of justice and law enforcement reform; youth rights; victims’ rights; and against social, economic, and cultural barriers. Mahamed is the founder and CEO of Taccalusa Institute and a founding member of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights. Mahamad uses his voice to speak up for African Canadians and bring important human rights and equity issues to light.

To learn more about Mahamad Accord’s advocacy work, follow these links.

Episode five sheds light on community responses to food and housing insecurity and how these needs are made even more real by the pressures of a global pandemic.

In this week’s episode, Wen talks to Rosa Janewski (she/her), an organizer with Food Not Bombs Edmonton, frontline worker, and volunteer advocate for people sleeping rough and those who are unhoused. Listen, to hear how Rosa’s work, and her insights, based on her first-hand experiences, shape what dignity looks like for her.

Episode four of Dignity During a Pandemic gives insight into the impacts of living under quarantine for a young person with a lot of wisdom to share about children in care and education, authority, disability, and mental health.

Wen Chan talks to Sam Busch (they/them), a student, a trans person, a person living with a disability, and community organizer. Sam is also an alumni of Roots4Change, a youth led project to build advocacy tools and educate peers on human rights. Stay tuned to hear how Sam experiences dignity and how they envision a world which holds our full humanity.

Episode two honours the strength and commitment of people with disabilities to speak their truth and push for human rights and radical inclusion.

Maigan van der Giessen and Wen Chan spoke with disability rights educator, Roxanne Ulanicki (she/her). Roxanne is a former paralympian athlete, long time advocate and a person living with a disability. She’s a strong voice of advocacy, dignity and leadership on behalf of her community. Here, we talked with her about her work in disability justice and how the COVID-19 pandemic has been impacting Roxanne and her peers.

To hear more from local folks on the deep impacts of poverty, particularly for persons living with disabilities, check out these videos from the YEG Dignity Campaign 2018: