Day 1 – January 19, 2022
Morning | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Getting to Know You
10:00 a.m.
Opening and Message from the Heart by Knowledge Keeper Judy Pelly
Greetings and SODS 40th Anniversary message
10:15 a.m.
RAIN FALLS ON EVERYONE’S ROOF
Can metaphors in poetry be useful to end discrimination?
Sultan Ali Sadat and Anita Ogurlu
Learning outcome: While striving for diversity, equity and inclusion, learn how these concepts have existed for millennia through poetry, song and philosophy in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Turkey.
10:30 a.m.
OMAYRA ISSA IN CONVERSATION WITH EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: KIM THÚY
How might fortunate encounters in everyday life shape our journey to becoming?
Omayra Issa and Kim Thúy
Learning outcome: Discover similarities and differences through fortunate encounters lived across life trajectories. Consider how these experiences influence self-awareness and awareness of another and how this relates to being and becoming.
11:10 a.m.
FADING BORDERS
Is it possible to transcend borders and cultivate a global community?
Ahmad Majid and Dash Reimer
Learning outcome: Discover and feel the pain, challenges and joys people experience through their interconnections that traverse unique stories and origins across the globe.
11:15 a.m.
STRANGERS AT OUR GATES: IMMIGRATION IN EARLY SASKATOON
Who were considered ‘strangers’ at the turn of the 20th century in Saskatchewan?
Jeff O’Brien
Learning outcome: Discover the history of immigration to Saskatoon in the early 20th century. Learn how might our ancestors had lived and how Saskatoon has changed and evolved as a result of welcoming Newcomers then and now, into the fold.
11:45 a.m.
CITY LIFE: A METIS & FIRST NATION PERSPECTIVE
Are there different lived experiences growing up on the east and west sides of Saskatoon?
John Lagimodiere and Candace Wasacase-Lafferty
Learning outcome: Explore culture and identity around changing narratives on education, perseverance and legacy as these speakers discuss how they lift each other up and redefine their place and space in Saskatoon.
12:05 p.m.
THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING
What can we learn about an individual’s evolution through resettlement?
Sultan Ali Sadat and Michael Afenfia
Learning outcome: Experience a journey from Afghanistan to Canada. See what memories one brings and how these memories influence becoming.
Afternoon | 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Coming Together
1:30 p.m.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION: STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
What might the metaphor of a canoe have to do with becoming?
Chief Cadmus Delorme
Learning outcome: Explore further, Treaties, Truth & Reconciliation, The Indian Act and Residential Schools. Consider how understanding Indigenous Ideologies and stories help First Nations Peoples deal with past and present trauma.
2:00 p.m.
PLUCKING THE HEARTSTRINGS OF HUMANITY: SOUNDS FROM EAST TO WEST
Does music harmonize humanity across cultures?
Morris Penteluk, Kiya Tabassian, Kimintang Mahamadou Cissoko, Chris Lindgren, Yue (Tiffany) Yu
Learning outcome: Explore how music transcends time, space, culture and geography. Consider what emotions and interconnectedness these musical strings evoke.
2:15 p.m.
DISCUSSION ON HUMAN BEHAVIOURS ACROSS TIME & SPACE
How might we approach the well-being of diverse youth to realize their potential?
Jaswant Guzder and Anita Ogurlu
Learning outcome: Learn about the challenges clinical psychologists, schools and Newcomers face across time and space. Explore how we can develop and change our behaviours to accommodate Newcomer youth and their families in a new land.
2:50 p.m.
MY JOURNEY TO BECOMING: AN INTERNATIONAL CHINESE ADOPTEE’S STORY
How might an individual reconcile diverse identities?
Shelley Rottenberg
Learning outcome: Consider becoming more than what we are, through the lens of being an adopted child in an unfamiliar culture where stereotypes run amok.
3:00 p.m.
MARRIAGE: THE MEETING OF CULTURES
What are some of the secrets to a successful cross-cultural marriage?
Kim Hang Tran and Azuka (Andy) Marah
Learning outcome: Consider if marrying into another culture expands our cross-cultural understanding of other cultures. Learn what ingredients are necessary for a successful cross-cultural marriage and what we can learn from these marriages.
3:15 p.m.
WHAT IS ART?
How do the processes of creative expression facilitate cross-cultural awareness?
Madhu Kumar, Alejandro Romero, Gabriela Garcia-Luna, Anita Ogurlu
Learning outcome: Learn how artists of diverse backgrounds interconnect with their art and art practices. Explore how their art contributes to cross-cultural awareness and becoming in a new country.
3:45 p.m.
FOLLOWING THREADS
How might storytelling transcend some of the difficult conversations around identity?
Jess Richter
Learning outcome: This is another talk in the art and culture series. Learn how an artist explores folklore, folk stories and cultural motifs to cultivate a re-enchantment of her German heritage and how this process extends empathy to Newcomers today.
3:50 p.m.
ECHOES FROM THE PAST: PERFORMING IMMIGRANT STORIES
In what ways do Newcomers perform their stories and make meaning from them?
Taiwo Afolabi and Deniz Ünsal
Learning outcome: Learn about what forms of meaning making go into immigrant stories and how do these stories translate into knowing one another. Explore the role of cultural artefacts in telling immigrant stories.
4:20 p.m.
BEYOND THE FRAME
In any given story, who is included inside the frame and who is left out?
Michael Afenfia
Learning outcome: Audiences are encouraged to look deeper, search for backstories and question the story frame to see the complete picture.
Day 2 – January 20, 2022
Morning | 9:55 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Expanding Our Perceptions
10:00 a.m.
GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP: THE GOOD GENERATION
What are some of the global challenges we face and how might we fix them?
Simon Anholt, Anita Ogurlu, Jigisha, Tekenade, Evvalette, Anila, Ehan
Learning outcome: Learn about the ‘good generation’ that seeks positive global change. Consider what students see as some of the main challenges we face in the 21st century.
10:35 a.m.
BECOMING
How can we become comfortable in our own skin?
Shelley Rottenberg
Learning outcome: Consider how the negativity of discrimination, stigma and labelling might be transformed into positively embracing multiple identities.
10:40 a.m.
IMMIGRATION: GLOBAL CITIZEN OR WORLD TRAVELLER
What do immigrants have on their mind in a new host country?
Enyinna Sodienye Nwauche, Henri Biahé, Michael Afenfia
Learning outcome: Learn how the experiences of immigrants differ from one host country to another and how this might be beneficial or disadvantageous to feeling settled in a globalized world.
11:00 a.m.
OMAYRA ISSA IN CONVERSATION WITH EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: GINELLA MASSA
Why is having diversity in media important for Canada’s future?
Omayra Issa and Ginella Massa
Learning outcome: Discover the similarities, differences and experiences of fortunate encounters that shaped these two prominent journalists in their lives and careers. Understand how their experiences shape the stories they cover.
11:20 a.m.
CULTURE AND DIVERSITY IN EDUCATION AND IN THE WORKPLACE
How does education relate to employment, credential recognition, and work culture?
Dolores Wollbaum, Thevi Pather, Shauna Tilbury, Michael Afenfia
Learning outcome: Learn how cultural ideas, beliefs, worldviews, and practices influence education, and whom we consider ‘educated’, and what impact such perspectives might have on workplace culture.
11:50 a.m.
WANNA PLAY?
How might playing a new game be similar to navigating a new culture?
Saskatoon Warriors Cricket Team and the Saskatoon Rebels Baseball Team
Learning outcome: Discover how a cricket team and baseball team, meet each other in the parks that straddle 29th Street West, in West Saskatoon. Learn how trying out each other’s games leads to new friendships.
12:10 p.m.
WITH A LUGGAGE FULL OF COLOURS, TEXTURES AND STORIES
How does art give a sense of place, far away from home?
Kiela Caudillo
Learning outcome: Learn how art makes one feel connected to their cultural identity. In this continuing art and culture series, discover how art-making is central to one’s becoming.
Afternoon | 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Adapting to Diversity
1:30 p.m.
INTERLUDE: O SAIYAAN
How does song satisfy the yearning for self-expression?
Joy Sareen
Learning outcome: Appreciate how a singer expresses culture and identity through song as a means to recover from feelings of displacement and to strengthen the soul.
1:35 p.m.
OMAYRA ISSA IN CONVERSATION WITH EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: MICHAËLLE JEAN
How might experiencing extraordinary ordeals give one strength, courage and will?
Omayra Issa and Michaëlle Jean
Learning outcome: Learn about Madame Jean’s early experiences in Canada when she arrived from Haiti in 1968. Think about how experiences and encounters helped shape Madame Jean along her journey to becoming.
2:00 p.m.
LOST IN TRANSLATION
How might our knowledge of people around us get misconstrued?
Sukhman Kaur, Gabriel Horsfall-Okoh, Jinying Chen, Michael Afenfia
Learning outcome: Explore how we rely on our sources of information and how messages or conversations might be diluted or exaggerated with each retelling.
2:10 p.m.
INDIGENOUS WEDDING TRADITIONS
How might rituals, ceremonies and traditions unite people across cultures?
Candace Scott-Moore and Richard Scott-Moore
Learning outcome: Discover Indigenous cultural traditions between a Canadian Anishinaabe/Potawatomi and Yuin/Wodi Wodi Australian couple who are united in marriage. Learn how they honour their respective ancestral cultures and connect through music.
2:15 p.m.
AWAKE
How might we bridge time and space through poetry?
Taidgh Lynch
Learning outcome: Listen to the words of being and becoming from a Newcomer Irish poet who explores the atmosphere and landscapes of everyday life in his new Saskatoon abode.
2:20 p.m.
DIVERSITY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
What are some of the ingredients necessary to ensure a healthy community?
Troy Cooper and Danylo Puderak
Learning outcome: Consider how important representation in law enforcement is and if this helps members of the community feel safer, seen and included.
2:50 p.m.
FROM REFUGEE TO COUNCILLOR
How does adversity make you stronger to advocate for all?
Sharmarke Dubow
Learning outcome: Learn how refugees and immigrants struggle with identity and what role Newcomers play in bridging worlds and cultures.
3:10 p.m.
WELCOME TO MY GARDEN
How might a garden represent one’s origins?
Nelida Holman
Learning outcome: Explore what people turn to when searching for balance in a new country and how much significance a garden can have in creating new memories and fresh experiences.
3:20 p.m.
LESSONS FROM THE PAST
How does giving and receiving relate to settlement work?
Lan Doan
Binh Duong
Learning outcome: Learn what it’s like to be a Vietnamese refugee settling into Canada in the 1980s. Explore how working with Vietnamese refugees at the Saskatoon Open Door Society shape these women and their journey to becoming.
3:30 p.m.
BECOMING
What might we become?
Tyneisha Ternent
Learning outcome: A young woman tells her story through poetry and encourages the audience to be brave and courageous in how they see our ever-changing world. She invites us to never cease to become.