9 Highlights From 2022
Now that we're 2 weeks into 2023, I want to take a look in the rear view mirror and celebrate some of the awesome things that happened throughout the year that was 2022. I know many folks like to trash 2022 for the many struggles and difficulties that came with it, but looking back, I had tons of fun this year too, learned plenty and it makes me even more excited for what's coming!
Whether it was a first time experience for me, or continuing to do something I love, here are 9 Highlights From 2022:
30 Blog Posts: If you’re reading this, you know already about my blog, but did you know that last year I published 30 different blog posts? Some of them refer to media appearances or community resources, some are more poetic or creative; but they are always 100% me. I hope to write more frequently in the coming year and encourage others to start their own blogs or write more as well!
Authored Chapter in the 2022 Winnipeg Alternative Municipal Budget: I worked with a number of folks connected to CCPA and SPCW to contribute a chapter on Indigenous relations to the alternative municipal budget earlier in the year. Closer to the municipal election in October, I turned that chapter into this one page info graphic to try and communicate the policy ideas in an easier to understand way. I hope to do more of this in 2020, making policy into pictures so more people can participate.
WE NEED EVERYONE Pre-Sale Announced: My first children’s book, illustrated by the legendary Tiff Bartel and published by Highwater Press was announced for pre-sale and will be released in February of 2024! If you would like to add your order to the pre-sale it helps the publishers know what to be ready for when the book comes out & supports a message that I hope will help improve mental health and celebrate the many gifts children carry.
Speaking In Person & Virtually: It was an honour to continue to share my energy, humour and ideas with educators, student leaders and helpers across Winnipeg in 2022, especially the volunteers with the community centres across the city. It was also a joy to travel to Alberta with special love to the folks at Stony Education Authority and my fellow author Charlene Bearhead! It was also awesome to speak virtually with groups based across Canada (including Ontario and Alberta) as well as connecting with relational activists in the United Kingdom. Speaking, presenting workshops or hosting focused gatherings inside and outside of formal education environments exposed me to hundreds of community members working hard to create the future we want for ourselves and our relatives, today and in the future, inside of systems and beyond! As always, I want to thank Angie and Dave and everyone connected to POP Entertainment and Management for supporting all the work I do!
Fearless R2W Annual General Meeting: this summer the formerly grassroots group of Fearless R2W celebrated its first years as the non profit Fearless R2W Inc at our first annual general meeting at the Ukrainian Labour Temple. We celebrated the work that had been done, ate good food and made plans on how we could better connect the funding options with the actual needs of the community as we move forward. Thank you to the staff and my fellow board members for all your hard work, please see our website for more info or check us out at one of our weekly Wednesday gatherings.
The North End Historical Society: In the spring of 2022 I reached out to a number of folks who love the North End and our vibrant history and hosted a couple of meetings to discuss the formation of a North End Historical Society. We didn’t do much work in the later half of the year, but while we were being quiet, conversations were being had about the future of a historic theatre on Selkirk Avenue.
The Palace Theatre: After being alerted by community leader Steve Snyder that a permit for demolition was filed with the City of Winnipeg, conversations were had about what that building could become if it were a community asset. Many people (like me) are dreaming of a North End arts and cultural centre, like if the West End Cultural Centre and The Park Theatre had a North End baby! There are social media accounts for NEHS and The Palace Theatre, as well as an email northendhistory (at) gmail (dot) com so that people can connect with us.
Balance: Anyone who knows me, knows I have a hard time saying no, and so when I tell you I resigned from a number of committees that are related to justice and policing so that I can focus on creative storytelling in 2023, you know that it was a difficult choice for me. I will continue to be involved to the best of my ability, but stepping away from intense commitments that were not moving forward (quickly enough for impatient me) and taking up lots of my energy will allow me to focus more on self care, on the things that bring me joy and will allow me to create more meaningful opportunities for our community.
Comedy & Acting: I did my first five minutes of stand up comedy at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival Laughing with the Stars event in 2022. I made it through, but I don’t think I did very well! I learned very quickly how it’s easy for me to be funny in serious environments, but it is much harder to be funny on purpose for five minutes straight. It was a humbling experience that I can’t wait to try again at! I also attended an acting workshop that allowed me to film a demo reel and begin networking with some of the folks who do extra work in the Winnipeg film and movie scene. I hope to find my comedic voice in the future & explore acting more to expand how I tell dynamic and impactful stories.
Shared 100+ mino bimadisiwin sweaters: Angie & I have been sharing mino bimadisiwin hoodies with folks for a couple yers now and 2022 showed us that folks are ready to represent mino bimadisiwin the good life. One of the most special things about sharing the hoodies with people is hearing from them what the good life means to them and how they are working to share that with others. We will be selling them again on our website, but if you or your organization want to make a bulk order please reach out so we can make it happen.
Thank you 2022!
Thank you to everyone who welcomed me into their space throughout the year! Whether it was as a helper on a volunteer committee, as a public speaker or host for your event, show or gathering or as a contributor/author to writing creative and inspirational words, Thanks for having me. I’m happy to do what I can to help motivate people, shape constructive policies or recommendations and do whatever trouble making I can to improve systems.
Here's to 2023 being the year that the revolution, and our individual actions add up collectively so we can have more equity, more joy and more justice in our systems and in our lives.
