Untangling Our Roots
The Role of Community in Systems Change
December 7 to 9
2021
Thanks to all the participants, speakers, artists, and the group of volunteers advisors on the Gathering Design Team for making the Gathering 2021 happen
Program
Speakers
Before the Gathering 2021, the roots of our systems have been unearthed for all to see. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed inequities in our society like never before. Movements for urgent climate justice and for the lives of Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and other racialized communities led calls for systemic change.
You – community builders working to strengthen the social, economic, and environmental health of the places you live – stepped up to meet the needs of our communities. You supported, fed, housed, employed, helped heal, and protected communities, and so much more.
We know you are seeking to change and upend systems toward a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future. This deserves our collective attention and thought.
That’s why Gathering 2021 brought together community builders to examine the roots of our society but also to understand, sharpen, and strengthen our collective role in systems change.
2021 Speakers
Daniel Waycik
Persons Community Solutions Ltd
Operations Director, Interim Coordinator Community Safety Host Initiative
Quinton Delorme
Nigannii Wabiski Mikanak Ogichidaa
Storycatcher
Darrien Morton
University of Manitoba
Research Associate
Mary Burton
Fearless R2W
Executive Director
Kirsten Earl McCorrister
KEM Consulting
Strategic Initiatives Consultant
Kate Sjoberg
Consultant/Researcher
Meghan Brodmann-Bishop
Common Good Solutions
Consultant
Robert Nichols
Common Good Solutions
Consultant
Andrée Forest
Manitoba Research Alliance/Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Project Coordinator
Shauna MacKinnon
Manitoba Research Alliance
Associate Professor and Chair, Dept of Urban and Inner-City Studies, U of W; MRA Principal Investigator
Jesse Hajer
University of Manitoba
Allen Mankewich
Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Kalen Taylor
Purpose Construction
Executive Director
Nigel R. Mohammed
Assiniboine Credit Union
Director, Community Financial Centre
Kerri Twigg
Career Stories
Career Contentment Coach
Marianne Cerilli
Marianne Cerilli – Change Agent
Social Innovator and Consultant
Lara Hunter
Woman Healing for Change
Coordinator
Chantel Henderson
Green Action Centre
Indigenous Programs Outreach Coordinator
Amy Smith
Green Action Centre
Green Action Centre
Cesar Flores
Green Action Centre
Community Pathfinder
Jackie Hogue
J.Hogue & Associates
Trainer, Facilitator
Curt Hull
Climate Change Connection
Project Manager
Dr. Durdana Islam
Climate Action Team
Program Manager
Kahla Pretty
Winnipeg Poverty Reduction Council
Collective Impact Facilitator
Aron Skworchinski
City of Winnipeg
Special Projects and Initiatives- Poverty Reduction
Noelle DePape
City of Winnipeg, Community Development Division
Community Development Lead
Anastasia Fyk
National Farmers Union
Farmer and Board Member
Ron Missyabit
First Nations in Treaty 2 Territory
Circle Keeper-Care and Protection of The Natural World
Charlotte Lewthwaite
CleanStart BC
Chief Operating Officer
Tori Williamson
Buy Social Canada
Director of Education and Communications
Jonathan Meikle
Strength in the Circle
Founder and Executive Team Lead
Branavan Tharmarajah
The Growcer
Lead Project Consultant
Adrianne Breyfogle
Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
IOTK Project Coordinator
Jane Bisbee
Social Enterprise Fund
Executive Director
Kai Cheng Thom
Writer, performer, cultural worker & speaker
Béatrice Alain
Chantier de l’économie sociale
Directrice générale
Elder Mae Louise Campbell
Clan Mothers Healing Village and Knowledge Centre
Elder and Co-Founder
Michael Barkman
Canadian CED Network
Manitoba Network Manager
Gathering 2021 – Untangling our Roots: The Role of Community in Systems Change was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with community builders to connect, learn, and take action. Delivered virtually from December 7 to 9, the Gathering 2021 focused on the systems we live, work, and gather and their intersections with our work as community builders.
The learning and connecting opportunities of the 19th edition of the Gathering got at the root of who we are and what we do as community builders, including questions like:
- What is the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) and Community Economic Development (CED) in supporting communities, building fairer local economies, and addressing inequities?
- What is our role in addressing climate change?
- How do we challenge racism in our work and systems to build an inclusive community?
- How do we collaborate better while calling on those in power to address these urgent crises?
Check out the program, speakers, and information about the Gathering 2021 Conference – three action packed days of keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and networking breakout sessions.
