There’s no one single path to change the world, but what about roadmaps, built from those at the grassroots and on the frontlines of social transformation? Practical examples and advice for those who want to transform the world. We ask simple questions and track down folks with concrete answers.
Produced by Élisabeth-Bruyère School of Social Innovation, in collaboration with Magnéto. Sound recording and editing: Jonathan Durand Folco.
Hosted by Christopher John Gunter.
In May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by the police of Minneapolis. Huge protests for racial justice brought back the Black Lives Matter movement, and Defund The Police gained widespread popularity. What does it mean exactly? How does violence and police brutality affect black lives in USA and Canada? What are the similarities and differences between the two countries? How does police defunding look practically?
Featuring Larry Rouseau (Executive Vice-President at the Canadian Labour Congress) Tasia Cassandra Brown (National Communications Officer at AFPC, President of Canadian Association of Labour Media), and Councillor Jean Swanson (Vancouver City Councillor).
Our modern societies face a great number of challenges and crises. Unfortunately, politicians and representative governments seem incompetent or powerless to tackle these problems. Hence, diminishing confidence in our institutions. As a response, right-wing populists and authoritarian regimes flourish across the world. Is democracy dead, or in danger? If it’s not too late, how do we reclaim and rebuild democracy in the 21st century?
Featuring Joel Westheimer (professor and University Research Chair in Democracy and Education at the University of Ottawa), Ethan Porter (assistant professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs, George Washington University), Malorie Flon (development director at the Institut du Nouveau Monde), Bernadette Clément (Mayor of Cornwall).
As of mid-December 2020, the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine landed in Canada. Even with an end in sight, there is cause for concern as the second wave of the pandemic overwhelms Canada, reporting more than 464,000 confirmed cases.
In part one, we discussed the impact and future of COVID-19 with professionals in education, communications and journalism. In part two, we explore the implications of COVID-19 with professionals in food, environment, and vulnerable employment. Featuring Tania Salerno (Academic Expert and Researcher at The Firelight Group), Martin Boucher (Lecturer at Johnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy), Waheed Khan (senior advisor for Climate Change International at Environment & Climate Change Canada, National Capital Region Director of the PIPSC).
Since then, COVID-19 has drastically changed how we live in, work in, and enjoy the world around us. In this two-part series, we explore how COVID-19 has affected us through several unique lenses and experiences. For part one, we navigate this discussion from working professionals in education, communication, and journalism.
Featuring Jennifer Maddrell (instructional design consultant, college instructor and founder of Designers for Learning), JR Dingwall (instructional designer at the University of Saskatchewan), Jean-Sébastien Marier (Professor in the Department of Communication, University of Ottawa).
In part one, we heard from five people who have been involved in the arts and culture industry, and we discussed the industry’s importance for people, and explored its role in society. Building on this momentum, part two delves deeper into the issue of arts and culture in society, and how, more specifically, it can help others, the marginalized or the homeless in our shared community.
Featuring Constance Devereaux (associate professor in the School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut), Arthur Carkner (career unionist, member, producer and former president of the Workers' History Museum), Jenn Budney (professional research associate, arts journalist and former curator), Jonathan Paquette (Research Chair in International Francophonie on Cultural Heritage Policies, University of Ottawa), Helanna Gessner (curatorial, exhibits and collections manager for the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, Saskatoon).
When one thinks about art and culture, people often conjure up images of old dusty museums, paintings and objects behind hermetically sealed glass. Less imagined are spaces for community, contestation and engagement. With controversies arising from issues of representation, cultural management and repatriation, it seems that art and culture is at a crossroads. Before we can understand how to move forward, we need to understand. Why is art and culture important?
Featuring Constance Devereaux (associate professor in the School of Fine Arts, University of Connecticut), Arthur Carkner (career unionist, member, producer and former president of the Workers' History Museum), Jenn Budney (professional research associate, arts journalist and former curator), Jonathan Paquette (Research Chair in International Francophonie on Cultural Heritage Policies, University of Ottawa), Helanna Gessner (curatorial, exhibits and collections manager for the Diefenbaker Canada Centre, Saskatoon).
"Reconciliation is dead." That was the message coming out of many recent actions and mobilizations in solidarity with the Wet'suwet'en land defenders. For some Indigenous peoples and communities, reconciliation had never existed in the first place. If reconciliation is not the answer, what about resurgence? Resurgence of Indigenous culture, knowledge and power. In this episode we explore some of diverse ways in which Indigenous peoples are organizing, resisting, making change and building community. Featuring the voices of Brooke Morrow, Sophia Sidarous, Melissa Mollen Dupuis and Bob Lovelace.
**A small note on terminology. There is a rich and complex discussion about terminology – Indigenous, First Nation (Metis and Inuit), Aboriginal. Our starting point was Indigenous, but we have adapted to terminology used by those we were interviewing; thus, you may hear different terminology used at different points in this episode.
***Since the release of this podcast episode, Bob Lovelace’s claims of Indigenous identity have come under question, with many Indigenous scholars and activists asserting that Ardoch First Nation is not a recognized First Nations community, and that Bob’s own claims of American Cherokee heritage are unfounded.
The First Peoples Group recently released a report, commissioned by Queen’s University, examining the claims of Indigenous identity of several individuals connected with Queen's, including Bob Lovelace.
You can find more information about these allegations here, also read a copy of the First Peoples Group report here.
How to organize against austerity under Ford (Part 2/2)
We continue our discussion exploring what collective organizing looks like under the Ford government in Ontario. What are some of the effective strategies and tactics, and how do folks stay engaged and optimistic in a challenging political climate? Building on our conversations in the last episode with Karen Cocq (Fight for $15 and Fairness), Susan Rabb (OSSTF) we speak with Kate Logue (parent of two children with autism) and Brigit Crumley (Students Say No) to give us their take.
Featuring music/audio by CBC News, Ontario students walkout to protest education changes, April 4th 2019
How to organize against austerity under Ford (Part1/2)
Social change doesn’t happen in a vacuum - the social and political context matters. So what happens when a Conservative government comes to power, bent on destroying the very thing you're fighting for? We talk to four community organizers in the fight against Ford in Ontario to find out. From teachers, precarious workers, students and parents of children with autism - they've all been active in fighting against austerity measures brought in by the Ford government. Karen Cocq (Fight for $15 and Fairness), Susan Rabb (OSSTF), Kate Logue (parent of two children with autism) and Brigit Crumley (Students Say No) give us their take.
There was so much to say on this topic that we've broken it down into two parts. Part one features Karen Cocq and Susan Rabb, Part 2 features Kate Logue and Brigit Crumley.
Our current food system faces many challenges - environmental, social and economic. We speak with three individuals who are actively working to transform our food system to one that is just and equitable for all.
Featuring Adrienne Lickers Xavier (Our Sustenance/Queen's University), Leticia Deauwo (Black Creek Community Farm) and Gabriel Allahdua (Justice for Migrant Workers).
What are the things that we value in our current society; growth, productivity, efficiency? These are the very things that drive many of the problems we see today. If we are seeking to transform the world, we must also transform the core values and assumptions that underpin our institutions, systems and relationships. We speak with Hartmut Rosa, German sociologist and philosopher, who has written extensively on these questions and proposes a new basis for a "good life": the idea of resonance, not growth.
Starting in January you'll find 4 episodes on conceptualizing the good life, re-building our food system, organizing against Ford and Indigenous resurgence.
