Sexual Violence Prevention Month Community Conference 2024

Strengthening Communities: a Talk about Transformative Compassion to End Violence

Deb Singh is a Toronto-based activist, writer and consultant. Working for the last 20 years as a survivor-led Counselor and Director within the gender-based violence sector at the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre and the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres, Deb brings a unique perspective on education, equity, diversity and inclusion. Deb implores a feminist, anti-oppression politic creating innovative ideas and solutions to ending violence using the tools of neuroplasticity and transformative justice. Providing talks and panel discussions, small to large scale trainings, conflict mediation and consulting services, Deb brings nuance and complexity to the table in ways that support learning and positive cultural shifts in work places and beyond. Deb is a cisgender, working-class, queer, Indo-Caribbean mom who's a settler on Turtle Island and is polyamourous. While Deb runs with the unicorns, she also takes transit like the majority of the people.

Growing Community: Solidarity in Urban Indigenous Communities Safety and Unity

Meagan Byrne is an Apihtawikosisân (fed: Métis Nation of Ontario) new media artist, game designer, writer, philosopher and founder of Achimostawinan Games (AchimoGames), an Indigenous indie game studio out of Hamilton, Ontario. Creating digital interactive works since 2014 Meagan's designs incorporate narrative, game mechanics, sound and traditional art and are deeply rooted in indigenous futurisms, language and Indigenous feminist theory. She sees her work as a constant struggle to navigate the complexities of Indigenous identity within a deeply colonized system. Meagan uses her work to explore questions of cultural belonging, the Indigenization of media and the future of Indigenous language and culture. Her previous work has been shown in festivals such as imagineNATIVE Film Festival, Toronto; Different Games Conference, New York; and IndieCade; California. She was the first Digital and Interactive Coordinator at imagineNATIVE & developer of the iNDigital Space exhibition and Night of the Indigenous Devs showcase. She has served on the boards of Mixed Reality Performance Atelier, Dame Making Games, and Indigenous Routes. She currently co-organizes Indigenous Game Devs.

Growing Community: Solidarity in Urban Indigenous Communities Safety and Unity

Sonia Hill, is Mohawk, Lebanese, and Scottish, with family ties to Six Nations and Beirut. Sonia was born and raised in Ohrónwakon, the place in the ravine/ditch, Hamilton, ON. They are non-binary and use they/them pronouns. Sonia is the co-creator and coordinator for Kahnekanoron, an on the land sustenance learning program for Indigenous women and 2SLGBTQIIAAPP+ folks living in and around Hamilton. Sonia is a unit 1 member and VP External for CUPE 3906 and co-chairs the Prisoner Solidarity Working Group. They previous cochaired the Indigenous Solidarity Working Group for 3 years with CUPE 3906 and co-created the Indigenous Students and Studies Welcome Week team at McMaster back in 2016. Sonia is an auntie, cat mum, writer, student, teacher and community organizer.

Growing Community: Solidarity in Urban Indigenous Communities Safety and Unity

Jordan Carrier a nêhiyaw-iskwêw (Plains Cree Woman - uses she/her pronouns), currently resides in the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement in Hamilton, Ontario. She is originally from Regina, Saskatchewan and is a member of Piapot First Nation in Treaty Four. She is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, kokum and community Auntie.

Jordan holds a Diploma from Mohawk College in Native Community Care, a Bachelor of Education in Aboriginal Adult Education from Brock University and a second degree (Hons BA) in Indigenous Studies at McMaster University. She is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Engagement at Wilfrid Laurier. Jordan has worked in the urban Indigenous community of Hamilton for almost 20 years. Holding such positions as an Indigenous Youth Worker at a secondary school and in Indigenous Student Services at McMaster University. She also volunteers with many grassroots initiatives within the City of Hamilton.

The Gasworks is a wheelchair accessible venue. The conference takes place on the main floor. There will be all-gender washroom options available. Free parking is available at the back of the venue.

We will provide a light breakfast and a hot lunch. If you have dietary needs please let us know when you register.

Masks covering the nose and mouth are required when not sitting at a table eating or drinking. For folks who cannot be indoors during lunch while masks are off we will provide an outdoor space for folks to eat upon request. Masks will be provided at the event.