Session Speakers
Mardi Daley - Mardi Daley, B.A. is an advocate, consultant and Peer Specialist in youth mental health and homelessness in Toronto. Working from the lens of lived experience, Mardi collaborates on participatory research projects to support by-youth for-youth resources, training and ethical engagement practices. Mardi's current focus is supporting strengths-based employment opportunities for youth with lived/living experiences of homelessness and building out her startup, Lived Experience Lab.
Harmony Eshkawkogan - "Aannii, Harmony Eshkawkogan ndishnikaaz, Wiikwemikong ndoonjiba, Ottawa ndonji. Ginoozhe ndoodem, Niishdana ashi ngodwaaswi, Anishinaabe Midewiwin-kwe ndaww.
Hello, My name is Harmony Eshkawkogan, I am from Wiikwemikong and live in Ottawa. My clan is Pike and I am 26 winters old. I am a part of the 3 fires tribe and use she/her pronouns.
I am excited to share my lived experience as an urban Indigenous youth to inspire the next generations that it’s possible to learn how to live in 2 worlds. I’m currently attending Willis college for the Indigenous Community Service Worker program and weekly, Anishinaabemowin language classes by Assembly 7 Generations.
I am creating a zine with other youth about protecting the waterways by getting other artists to submit their artwork related to water, Follow us on Instagram @youthwaterleaderszine
I am working on building a digital resource for Indigenous educators and allies to bring further attention to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action that relate to Education (calls 6-12) and Language and Culture (calls 13-16). Follow us on Twitter @NishinEd"
Staci Smith - Stacie is a recent Kinesiology graduate from Saint John, New Brunswick. She completed a certificate in Health, Wellness & Recreation at Eastern College in 2014. She was the President of both the Student Association of Health & Human Performance and Vice President of the Dalhousie Kinesiology Society during her time at Dalhousie. In this capacity, she has worked to draw attention of senior leadership at Dalhousie University regarding the needs of both faculty and students within the Kinesiology program. She is also Co-Executive Director of the Young Canadians Roundtable on Health. She was the recipient of the PHE Canada Student Leadership Award in 2018-2019 for her leadership role in the School of Health & Human Performance. She is the founder of the COVID-19 Student Support Network.
Yalinee Barendra - Yalinee Barendra (she/her) is a mental health advocate. She is a member of the Frayme Family Advisory Committee. She has lived experience both as a youth and family caregiver in the mental health and substance use system. She has advised for projects involving organizations such as CAMH. She believes in the power of small changes to make an impact in systematic change.