Faith and Social Movements

Join Hilary Henegar, Shadae Johnson, Meharoona Ghani, Kai Nagata, and more (bios coming soon), as we discuss the contemporary role of faith in movements for systemic social change.

Free admission. No need to pre-register.

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Historically, the contributions of progressive people and institutions of faith have strengthened Canadian social movements in numerous ways. For a while now, social movements have been primarily speaking to people’s material interests in an increasingly polarized world. Faith and social movements have been separated like church and state.Many questions come to the surface – have faith-based movements adequately acknowledged their role in the colonization of Canada? What role do new immigrant communities, much more comfortable in the world of faith based movements, have to offer to the discussion of the development of social movements in Canada? Can we put aside disagreement on some topics, in order to work together on issues of common concern?Is there the basis for dialogue which speaks to people’s longing for meaning and purpose, while addressing the critical social and environmental challenges of our time?

SPEAKERS:

Meharoona Ghani holds an MA in Gender and International Development from the University of Sussex.  She was the former Director of multiculturalism and anti-racism programs in the B.C. provincial government where she created EmbraceBC and 6 program areas, one being Interfaith Bridging. Meharoona’s fight against racism and sexism is informed by her interfaith approach, lived experience, and academic work in gender analysis, identity politics, history of colonization, and race theory. Today, as a published poet, she uses spoken word to express her views and connect with people. Twitter: @Meharoona

Kai Nagata is a Tyee columnist and former CTV and CBC reporter. Before he ever considered a career in journalism, donned a white robe and carried a collection plate at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver. No longer a practicing Anglican, he nonetheless believes the Church should be a powerful ally in social and environmental justice movements. In his writing, Kai has examined the Church’s response to the Occupy movement in England, refugee laws in Quebec, and the oil tanker debate here in British Columbia. Twitter: @kainagata

Hilary Henegar is a Vancouver-based writer, connector and digital media’r whose work draws strongly from her Quaker upbringing in Indiana, for which social justice, environmentalism and equanimity were the bedrock. With the goal to empower others to make positive choices for themselves, their communities and the planet, she serves or has served such projects and organizations as Modo The Car Co-op, Fractured Land, Girl Gang, W2, CreativeMornings, Vancouver Foundation and Granville Magazine. She takes the long view and believes peace, love and creative expression are the ultimate solutions for broad, sustainable systems change, reduced suffering and the survival of human life on earth. Twitter: @myloverarlo

Deborah Littman is the Lead Organizer for Metro Vancouver Alliance, a broad-based alliance of labour, community, educational and faith organizations, working together for the common good. Deborah was formerly Vice Chair of London Citizens and National Officer for UNISON, the UK’s largest public service union. As an organizer, Deborah has trained hundreds of community leaders and developed projects bringing together local faith and secular organizations around issues of common concern. Deborah has also been deeply involved in campaigning around low pay and living wage, helping to launch living wage campaigns in the UK and Canada. Twitter: @MetVanAlliance

Shadae Johnson is a Coast Salish hip-hop artist, and a local Idle No More organizer. Twitter: @shadae_johnson. Longer bio coming soon.

On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/457737354294785/

Presented by SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement, Spirited Social Change, the Metro Vancouver Alliance, the Interfaith Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements, and the InterSpiritual Center of Vancouver.