January 7, 2025
This webinar was part of the City of Winnipeg’s Awareness & Action Speaker Series on December 2, 2024. The City of Winnipeg, Government of Manitoba, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights invite you to attend a special virtual panel discussion in recognition of: · Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20) · International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) · National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6) · 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 - December 10) · Human Rights Day (December 10) Gender-based violence (GBV) is a violation of human rights that affects all communities, regardless of background, gender, or age. In Manitoba, the rate of GBV is higher than the national average, with disproportionately high rates in rural and remote areas, and particularly affecting Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ peoples. This panel will provide an opportunity for Manitobans to engage with local experts and leaders in a critical conversation about how to combat and prevent GBV in our communities. Moderator: Levi Foy, Executive Director, Sunshine House Panelists: · Isabel Daniels, Advocate, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples and Family Member · Hennes Doltze, EmPowermen, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Inc. · Roni Dhaliwal, Systems Navigator and Community Support Worker, Punjabi Community Health Services · Karen Sharma, Executive Director, Manitoba Human Rights Commission Speakers’ biographies: Levi Foy, the Executive Director of Sunshine House and a proud member of the Couchiching First Nation. Levi first became involved with Sunshine House in 2014 and quickly emerged as a key leader, serving as one of the founding members and coordinator of Like That @ Sunshine House. His extensive professional background includes work in child welfare, homelessness, research, and administration, all grounded in a strong commitment to community organizing informed by Anishinaabe philosophies and practices. Isabel Daniels - Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people Family member, Survivor of GBV, and an advocate for unsheltered people. Hennes Doltze leads the EmpowerMen Project and as a degree in social work and non-profit management. The EmpowerMen Project is a part of the MaMaWi Centre – an Indigenous led organization - in Winnipeg and engages men and boys to prevent sexual exploitation and sex trafficking. Hennes has worked in different positions in the mental health field, child welfare and criminal justice. He is passionate about men taking a greater part in creating safer communities for women and girls. Roni Dhaliwal is a Systems Navigator and Community Support Worker with Punjabi Community Health Services (PCHS) Manitoba, a not-for-profit organization that provides culturally relevant support to South Asian communities in areas such as mental health, healthcare, community engagement, and justice. Roni has been actively involved in supporting individuals affected by intimate partner violence, offering counseling and system navigation support for those in need. He has provided direct support to individuals, couples, and families, helping them navigate complex systems and access the resources necessary for safety and healing. Karen Sharma (she/her) is a first-generation South Asian living in Winnipeg - Treaty One Territory. Karen is the Executive Director of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, where she leads promotion and protection of human rights in Manitoba through administration of Manitoba's human rights complaints system; the development of policy and research; and the delivery of human rights education. In addition to her work with the Commission, Karen co-organized Queer People of Colour Winnipeg, a collective that created programming that centered and celebrated Two-Spirit, Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, people of colour. Karen is a past chair of the Board of Directors of the Women's Health Clinic. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Manitoba Council of Administrative Tribunals and is the Vice-Chairperson of the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies.