In this episode, join us for part one of a dynamic panel discussion that delves deep into the vital role of women in leadership within the non-profit sector. Featuring a round table discussion lead by Monelle Sturko (ECF’s Board Chair), Michele Okere and Yasmin Jivraj bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, offering insights into t…

Accepting the role as an executor of an estate can be a daunting prospect. Between probate and tax considerations and beneficiaries who may, or may not get along, the process can seem overwhelming. On this episode we sit down with Victoria Jones from the law firm de Villars Jones to discuss the ins and outs of estate administration. Victoria has ap…

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we go into our archives to bring you a story about two incredible community builders in our city. Nunu Desalgne and Hayat El-Ossmani were recognized for their community work at the 2022 RISE Awards. The RISE Awards are presented by Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers to recognize immigrant success in Edmo…

February 27th is International Polar Bear Day. On this episode, we’re putting on our parkas and heading out to learn about these majestic creatures. We’ll meet Dr. Andrew Derocher, a polar bear biologist from the University of Alberta to see how polar bears are faring in a changing Arctic, and we’ll hear from Dianne Johnstone one of the founders of…

On this episode, we go back into our archives to present a replay of our look at how bias in data gathering can impact representation of communities. Our guest producer, Emily Rendell-Watson, speaks with three incredible community members with experience in data research, urban planning and activism. This story originally aired in 2022 while ECF ex…

On this episode, our correspondent, Danielle Paradis introduces us to Kyle Dubé, the executive director at YOUCAN Youth Services. Kyle tells us how being relentless can make a difference. YOUCAN helps young people out of harm’s way, and onto a path of economic independence. They do this through a series of programs that empower healthy decision-mak…

In February 2023, Betty and George Screpnek created a fund to celebrate their son, Wade, on his 50th birthday. It is the Wade Screpnek Speech Therapy Fund, and it will assist families with the cost of accessing speech therapy. On this episode, we meet Betty Screpnek, donor, and Janet Tryhuba, executive director of Edmonton Down Syndrome Society. Th…

Boyle Street Community Services has been supporting people experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1971. And for many of those years, it was operating out of a dilapidated facility on 101st Street and 105th Avenue. In late 2021, Boyle Street announced it was purchasing a new building a few blocks north of their original location and they were g…

On this episode, our correspondent Theodora MacLeod introduces us to the very talented AV (Ann Vriend). We learn about the inner-city has shaped her music, and how one front-porch in the neighbourhood of McCauley has brought people together. AV was a recipient of a 2022 Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund Award. The Edmonton Artists’ Trust Fund (EATF) is …

On this episode, we meet Eric Rice, Eric recently created the Edmonton Affordable Housing Maintenance Fund here at ECF, to support people experiencing housing or income insecurity. Eric has been involved in housing and homelessness in various ways over the years. It is a complex and overwhelming issue, and the people experiencing houselessness are …

On this episode, freelance producer Emily Rendell-Watson explores new innovations in local agriculture that could impact the future of food security in Edmonton. Food security is the topic for our 2023 Vital Signs report. Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) and Edmonton Social Planning Council (ESPC) have partnered to create this report, and we’ve …

On this episode, we learn about how the Canada Cultural Investment Fund (CCIF) matches endowment donations to create a sustainable funding source for arts organizations like Edmonton Opera and Ukrainian Shumka Dancers + Shumka School of Dance. CCIF is a program created by the Government of Canada. Their Endowment Incentives component provides match…

On this episode, freelance producer Emily Rendell-Watson, explores the nuances around accessing food and why our goal should be to help people thrive, not just survive. Food security is the topic for our 2023 Vital Signs report. Earlier in August, in our Hunger Happens Here episode, we talked about Edmonton’s food security landscape over the past 1…

Death eventually comes for all of us. We don’t have a choice in this matter, but we do have a lot of choice when it comes to what happens after we pass. On this episode, Our producer, Lisa Pruden, sits down with Victoria Jones to discuss some wishes that people have for themselves and their pets when they die – and let’s just say some of these get …

On this episode, our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, takes us to Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. Bent Arrow was established in 1994 to support Indigenous children, youth and families. Their mission is to empower Indigenous people to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally. And to see them walk proudly in both Indigenous and no…

On this episode, our correspondent, Scott Lilwall, takes us to the 2nd oldest migration monitoring observatory in Canada: the Beaverhill Bird Observatory (BBO). BBO was established in 1984 and has gathered decades of datasets that help them track changes in bird populations and how they migrate. And they boast several programs to encourage educatio…

On this episode our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, explores food security in Edmonton. Food security was the subject of ECF’s very first Vital Signs report, published back in 2013. This year, on our 10th anniversary of Vital Signs, we are revisiting that topic and taking a deep dive into Edmonton’s food security landscape to see what has chan…

On this episode our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, learns about the Black Equity in Alberta Rainforest (BEAR) initiative and how the philosophy of Ubuntu (meaning: I am because we are) can help us better understand their approach to health equity. BEAR was founded by the Ribbon Rouge Foundation to strengthen health equity in African, Caribbean and …

On this episode, we hear an inspiring conversation about the power of plays and growing up in Edmonton’s scrappy theatre scene with Louise Casemore. Louise is an award-winning playwright and self-described “Prairie Nuisance.” She is a dramaturg, and in 2021 she published a national study on new play development titled “Surveying the Landscape.” Lou…

On this episode, we meet The Melisizwe Brothers. Marc, Seth and Zacary James began training in music as early as ages 4 to 7. Encouraged by their families, and with each other’s support, they have since established themselves on the music scene. The Melisizwe Brothers have performed internationally and have appeared on several television shows incl…

On this episode, our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson speaks to Professor Irshad Manji: Best selling author and founder of Moral Courage College, and a recipient of Oprah’s “Chutzpah Award” for boldness. Professor Manji is an accomplished leadership scholar whose work focuses on teaching people how to engage in constructive conversations. She wi…

Though the Supreme Court’s ruling on Vriend v. Alberta helped pave the way for equality for Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities, maintaining the road to dignity for all has been tumultuous. There have been many setbacks, followed by advances, followed by setbacks in the subsequent years. It took the Government of Alberta (GOA) 11 years to officially add…

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Vriend v. Alberta has impacted the lives of countless 2SLGBTQI+ people. Not just in Alberta, not just in Canada, but around the globe. In this episode we look at the ripple effect Vriend v. Alberta has had over the past 25 years since first making its splash at the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench in Edmonton. We also re…

The Supreme Court had ruled that sexual orientation should be read into Alberta’s human rights legislation. But the Alberta Government had one more tool it could use to deny equality to its Queer population. That option was the Notwithstanding Clause. The province slipped into turmoil as the Alberta Government debated whether or not to invoke the N…

Dewlin Vriend and his legal team returned home from the Supreme Court of Canada to find a massive crowd waiting for them at the Edmonton International Airport. Alberta was in a frenzy, and the anticipation built as the province waited for the Supreme Court to issue its ruling on the future of equality for Alberta’s Queer and Trans community. It was…

Sheila Greckol had delivered her opening arguments at the Supreme Court of Canada. It went well as she presented her submission in support of reading in sexual orientation as a protected ground in Alberta’s human rights legislation. Now it was the Government of Alberta’s turn to defend its stance. As the Province’s lead counsel took to the lecturn,…

The Supreme Court of Canada granted Delwin Vriend’s legal team the leave to appeal Justice McClung’s ruling in the Alberta Court of Appeal. As the team arrived in Ottawa, the excitement and tension was palpable. It was their last shot to compel the Government of Alberta to include “sexual orientation” as protected ground in the Province’s human rig…

With his legal team behind him, Delwin Vriend won his case at the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. Justice Russel pulled no punches in her written ruling, stating that discrimination against the gay and lesbian communities was an historical, universal, notorious, and indisputable social reality. It was a big win for Delwin and his team, however it w…

When Delwin Vriend was fired from his job at a Christian college for being gay, he had two choices; he could accept his termination, or fight back. He chose to fight. The first step was to file a complaint to the Alberta Human Rights Commission, but after the Commission denied his request it was time to take the Alberta Government to court. In this…

In the previous episode of Vriend Versus Alberta we learned how the creation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms laid the groundwork for 2SLGBTQI+ activists to begin pressing for progressive reform in Alberta. All that was needed was a cause to rally behind; an injustice that could be used to launch a challenge to the exclusion of sexual…

Vriend Versus Alberta is a special podcast series detailing the ground-breaking Supreme Court ruling that helped pave the way for equality for Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ community. On January 28, 1991, Delwin Vriend was fired from his job as a laboratory coordinator at The King’s College in Edmonton, Alta. because he was gay. Delwin’s only recourse was to …

April 2, 2023 is the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on Vriend v. Alberta. This historic decision paved the way for equality for Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ community. Vriend Versus Alberta is a special podcast series produced by Edmonton Community Foundation and the Edmonton Queer History Project. Written and directed by Darrin Hag…

On this episode, our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, takes us on a journey through the Art Gallery of Alberta‘s curatorial process, and how they create art collections and experiences that are accessible to all. We also learn about the vital role endowment funds play in helping the gallery continue its work for generations to come. The original Art …

On this episode, we meet Tina Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF). We are excited to have Tina join our team. ECF is the fourth-largest community foundation in Canada and is the largest non-governmental funder in Edmonton. We distribute more than 30 million dollars into the community annually. Tina joined our team…

On this episode, our correspondent Oumar Salifou learns about the incredible Afro X Latin Festival presented by La Connexional. The Afro X Latin Festival began in 2019 with its first #WinterIsCancelled night, and brings together a diverse representation of African, Caribbean and Latin cultures. Edmonton Community Foundation is proud to be a 2023 sp…

On this episode, our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, learns about how Edmonton’s Food Bank goes beyond food to support community members. Edmonton’s Food Bank was the very first food bank to open in Canada, and has been tackling food insecurity since 1981. They provide food and other assistance to thousands of people each month. In the course of a y…

On this episode , we discuss the challenges of living with dementia and how one family has come together to support their mom. Dementia can be overwhelming or even scary for those living with the condition and for their families and caregivers. There is still so much we don’t know about dementia. It can affect people of various ages, and each perso…

Edmonton’s population is on track to hit 2 million people by 2040. We got curious about what might be next in our city’s urban planning. And it turns out, there could be quite a bit of inspiration from the Philippines. On this episode, our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, explores the idea of participatory urban planning. This concept empowers …

On this episode, our correspondent, Aubrianna Snow, learns about the tremendous community impact of Douglas Mitchell. Douglas held countless titles and honours throughout his life. He was a leading professional in law, a football player for both the BC Lions and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and an advisor to countless community organizations. More importan…

On this episode, our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, speaks with Lloyd Cardinal: Co-Chair of EndPovertyEdmonton’s Indigenous Circle and this year’s Vital Signs Advisory Committee. Edmonton’s Vital Signs is an annual check-up that measures how the community is doing. This year’s report delves into topics including the history of racism in Edmon…

On this episode, our correspondent, Danielle Paradis, speaks with EndPovertyEdmonton about why affordable and social housing are an important investment for our city. November is Edmonton’s Housing Month, a good time to reflect on housing needs and the work being done locally. According to Homeward Trust, as of November 2022 there are 2,656 people …

On this episode, we meet Hayat El-Ossmani and Nunu Desalgne — two incredible community leaders here in Edmonton. Nunu and Hayat were recognized for their community work at the 2022 RISE Awards. The RISE Awards are presented by Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers to recognize immigrant success in Edmonton. Hayat and Nunu received The Community L…

On this episode, we speak with artist Carol Wylie about her exhibition They Didn’t Know We Were Seeds. It is an evocative series of portraiture which invites us to consider the parallels between the Holocaust and residential schools, by introducing us to 18 survivors. Understanding the intergenerational trauma experienced by both the Indigenous and…

On this episode, our correspondent Scott Lilwall finds out how an endowment fund created by the Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society will help support the Royal Alberta Museum far into the future! Links: Find out more about the Friends of the Royal Alberta Museum Society! Visit the Royal Alberta Museum. Find out more about creating an endowm…

On this episode, we look at how bias in data gathering can impact representation of communities. Our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, speaks with three incredible community members with experience in data research, urban planning and activism. ECF has been exploring the history of racism in this year’s Vital Signs topic. Vital Signs is a check-…

Note: Due to extenuating circumstances, we have had to delay the posting of this docuseries on our web show. We will be sure to update these show notes once the series is released. On this episode, our correspondent Oumar Salifou speaks with Dr. Mawien Akot, from Edmonton’s the South Sudanese community. In the fall of 2020, ECF was approached by le…

On this episode we’re revisiting the Alberta Community Bat Program, where we get up close with these fascinating nocturnal mammals. We go to the Glory Hills Conservation Site to learn more about bats in Alberta, why they are so important to our ecosystem and the white-nose syndrome that is putting them at risk. This story is a throw-back, originall…

On this episode, Our correspondent, Amal Mohamud, introduces us to musician and community organizer: Ahmed Ali, AKA Knowmadic. Teachers can play one of the most significant roles helping youth find their callings. For Ahmed, it was an ESL teacher who used Maya Angelou and Tupac Shakur to teach English that helped the Somali-Canadian poet, writer, a…

On this episode, our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, introduces us to Windmill Microlending. This innovative charity provides micro loans to help immigrants and refugees continue their careers in Canada. Great for individuals who are making a new home here, and great for our community’s labour and economic needs! Links: Find out more about Win…

On this episode our correspondent, Emily Rendell-Watson, explores long term care in Canada. In January of 2022, the Health Standards Organization (HSO)released a draft of proposed changes to Canada’s Long-Term Care Services Guidelines. The draft opened an important discussion around senior care amid the COVID-19 pandemic. How we advocate for senior…