Nearly half of youth incarcerated are Indigenous

This past weekend I was quoted in an article in the Canadian Press responding to this report "Adult and youth correctional statistics in Canada, 2016/2017". And even though the report focuses on overall incarceration stats going down  in Canada, the main media narrative has been that the numbers of Indigenous people incarcerated is increasing. In my work with young people I have been in many court rooms and have connected with many youth as they exit the justice system. My main points were: "I see Indigenous and non-Indigenous people literally doing the exact same crime and not experiencing the same amount of jail time, probation, etc." There is a …

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Finding Justice

Justice. Many people have been discussing this topic in light of the recent Colten Boushie case in Saskatchewan. Many people are emotional, discouraged and afraid. It has been heart breaking to see the results of the case and watching the blatant racism, division and arguments happening across social media platforms and in public spaces since …

Lets Talk

There has been a huge push in recent years to have the world recognize how important it is for us to work on and pay attention to mental health. I have been advocating on a number of topics that are important to inner city and Indigenous families and to that end, I am pleased to …

Mansplaining, Manels and Men

In 2017, Time selected the Silence Breakers as the Person of the Year. I, like many of us, applauded this decision and was excited to see this topic and these brave women get the much needed attention they deserve. In the recent months, there seems to be a tidal wave of revelations about the horrible …

MC 1 of 7 people appointed to MB Child Welfare Legislative Review Committee

I'm pleased to announce I will be one of seven appointees to a MB Child And Family Services Legislative Review Committee. There will be several forums, an online submission piece and various ways for us to hear from the kids, the families and the community. We will have a report done by March 2018, and …

Darryl Buck Releases New Album of Round Dance Songs HOPE

Darryl Buck first learned how to sing in ceremony. Hailing from Opaskweyak Cree Nation, today Darryl is sharing his love of Round Dance with the world with his new Album called simply, HOPE. Wanting to share the Cree Culture and language are motivators for Darryl, and he has experienced this first hand leading the All …

Idle No More…5 Years Later

Idle No More is a grassroots Indigenous led movement that five years ago inspired communities across the globe to stand up for mother earth. In Winnipeg, INM evolved into what we often refer to as the village. Bannock Lady Althea Guiboche inspired so many to give what they could, wherever they could, to our relatives …

Justice in Winnipeg

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If that's the case, Winnipeg really needs to give its head a shake when it comes to addressing safety and justice. Tuesday night in the North End of Winnipeg 2 scary things happened. The Winnipeg police hosted a "consultation" asking North Enders about …

Dear Selkirk Avenue

Dear Selkirk Avenue I love the way our older relatives get a twinkle in their eye when they speak of your glory days. I love that you're the place where I met so many amazing youth leaders, young people who are tough, connected to their past and motivated to create a brighter tomorrow. I've gotten …

For The Helpers

My family taught me that sometimes you can say "I Love You" through the hard work that you do. Today, it seems more than ever, our neighbourhoods and families are searching for community led responses to the never ending systemic challenges we are living through. At a time when faith in our official systems, police …