We sit down with Shohan Illsley, Executive Director of the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, to explore how harm reduction is saving lives and restoring dignity to people who use substances across Manitoba. Shohan brings powerful insights into why compassion-based approaches are essential to addressing substance use in our communities.The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network operates 11 sites across the province, connecting people who use substances with the support they need to stay alive and thrive.

We're talking:

• The toxic drug supply crisis that has claimed over 3,000 lives in Manitoba since 2014
• How the war on drugs is actually a war on people, rooted in racism and colonial harm
• The role of manufactured poverty and homelessness in substance dependence
• Why evidence-based interventions like consumption sites reduce deaths and improve community safety

Shohan reminds us that the majority of people use substances without problem—and those who do struggle deserve dignity, connection, and evidence-based support rather than criminalization and stigma."Can we just be brave and try something new?" she asks. "What we're asking people to try are interventions grounded in evidence that have been proven to have the desired outcomes we want."

Learn more: Manitoba Harm Reduction Network

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A recent Winnipeg Free Press article revealed an uncomfortable truth: Indigenous and Black patients in Manitoba wait longer in emergency rooms and are more likely to leave without receiving care. For Dr. Marcia Anderson, these aren't just statistics – they're a reality she's witnessed firsthand, both as a physician and through her father's near-fatal experience with racist healthcare.As a Cree Anishinaabe physician from Peguis First Nation and Norway House Cree Nation, Dr. Anderson has dedicated her career to dismantling the systemic racism that pervades Canada's healthcare system. Now serving as Vice Dean of Indigenous Health, Social Justice and Anti-Racism at the University of Manitoba, she's leading groundbreaking work to collect racial, ethnic, and Indigenous identifiers in healthcare – making Manitoba the first province in Canada to systematically track these critical disparities.

We're discussing:

• How outdated and harmful theories like the "Thrifty Gene" theory were still being taught during her medical education, blaming Indigenous peoples' poor health on inferior genetics rather than addressing systemic factors
• Manitoba's pioneering work in collecting racial and ethnic data in healthcare, revealing disturbing patterns of longer wait times and worse outcomes for Indigenous and Black patients
• The critical difference between cultural safety training (which focuses on understanding different cultures) and anti-racism training (which addresses power, discrimination, and systemic barriers)
• Practical strategies for anyone who witnesses anti-Indigenous racism – from asking curious questions like "I don't understand why that joke is funny, can you explain it to me?" to marking inappropriate behaviour with simple statements like "I'm not comfortable with that remark"

Dr. Anderson's message is clear: healthcare disparities aren't inevitable, and they're not the result of individual "bad apples." They're systemic issues that require systemic solutions – from better data collection to transforming medical education to holding institutions accountable for equitable care.As she powerfully notes, while her father had a physician in the family who could advocate for him during his medical crisis, the vast majority of Indigenous people facing healthcare racism do not have that privilege. That reality fuels her ongoing work to ensure every patient receives the care they deserve, regardless of race or background. 

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We sit down with Andréanne Mulaire, co-founder of Anne Mulaire, a Winnipeg-based fashion company that has spent 20 years proving that ethical production, cultural heritage, and sustainability aren't just buzzwords – they're the foundation of a thriving business.Andréanne shares how she built a fashion brand that refuses to compromise, maintaining local production in Winnipeg, creating zero-waste collections, and offering sizes from double extra small to 6X – because sustainability should be for everyone.

We're discussing:

• How watching manufacturers throw away 4-5 garbage bins of fabric daily sparked her commitment to zero-waste fashion
• Why she chose to keep production in Winnipeg despite the financial challenges
• The six sustainability programs she's created, from refreshing worn garments to turning production waste into new yarn for socks
• How Métis heritage and family entrepreneurship spanning generations influences her design philosophy
• Why she believes every piece of clothing has a story – and why we should care about those stories

Andréanne reminds us that sustainable fashion isn't about perfection – it's about making conscious choices: "We're all responsible for our own waste. Not doing something is worse. You just have to test, try, do something."Anne Mulaire's sustainability programs include:

1. Refresh: Repairing and reinforcing garments to extend life
2. Resale: Creating entry points for new customers through pre-loved pieces
3. Revive: Upcycling and transforming existing garments
4. Zero Waste Collection: Creating 100 one-of-a-kind pieces twice yearly from production remnants
5. Downcycle: Donating fabric remnants to community members for their projects
6. Fiber Lab: Transforming production waste into new yarn for "Wasted Socks" and future fabrics

Connect with Anne Mulaire at annemulaire.ca 

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We sit down with Dan Lussier, CEO of Réseau Compassion Network, and Jennifer Rodrigue from Co-Habit to discuss their groundbreaking partnership creating accessible, affordable housing that centers dignity and community.We're talking:

• Why Manitoba's housing crisis demands innovative solutions that go beyond just "affordable units"
• How Co-Habit is reimagining supportive housing for people with profound physical disabilities who currently have limited options beyond personal care homes
• The difference between accessibility standards and true accessible design—and why Canada's building codes still fall short
• How the Le Suite Marion project became a successful model combining deeply affordable housing with wraparound support services
• Why segregation in housing (whether for seniors, people with disabilities, or any population) reinforces inequality and isolation
• The power of integrated, intentional community in combating the loneliness crisis affecting all Canadians

Dan and Jennifer remind us that housing is a human right, and true accessibility means more than meeting minimum standards—it means creating spaces where everyone can thrive with dignity, independence, and connection.

Learn more:

Réseau Compassion Network

Co-Habit

Action Marguerite St. Boniface

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We sit down with Clayton Sandy, a knowledge keeper and educator who brings decades of experience in government and Indigenous advocacy to our conversation about Orange Shirt Day and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation.Clayton shares his powerful personal story - from growing up as the son of a WWII veteran who lost his Indigenous status through enfranchisement, to his own experience in the 60s scoop, to building a career in government while facing systemic racism. His journey led him to become one of Manitoba's most respected voices on Indigenous issues and human rights.

We're discussing:

• Why his father became a "non-Indian" after serving Canada in WWII and how this affected Clayton's entire family
• The reality of experiencing racism in government workplaces
• The devastating impact of residential schools on his family
• How systems mapping and education became his tools for creating change across Canada
• Practical ways all Canadians can move beyond awareness to meaningful action on reconciliation

Clayton reminds us that reconciliation isn't just about recognizing past wrongs - it's about stepping up, taking responsibility, and actively supporting Indigenous-led solutions. His message is clear: "Take off your blinders and open up your mind. Don't be afraid to come to a powwow or a gathering."Whether you're looking to understand the legacy of residential schools, wondering how to become a genuine ally, or seeking ways to honour Orange Shirt Day beyond September 30th, this conversation offers both the historical context and practical guidance needed to move forward together.Clayton's wisdom, built through decades of education work and lived experience, provides a roadmap for how we can all play a role in the seven generations of healing that reconciliation requires.

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We sit down with Don Woodstock, author of "Unrelenting" and the grassroots activist who transformed recycling in Winnipeg. Don's journey from a farm in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica to becoming the driving force behind Manitoba's shift from 33% to 99% recycling participation is a masterclass in persistent community organizing and environmental justice.Don shares how his grandfather's simple question - "Is it bigger than you, son?" - became the foundation for taking on seemingly impossible challenges. When he arrived in Winnipeg and saw the potential for environmental change, he didn't wait for permission or funding. He made a documentary, knocked on doors, and refused to take no for an answer until people finally listened.We're talking:

• How growing up on a Jamaican farm taught sustainability lessons that urban Canada desperately needed
• Why Winnipeg reminds him of Jamaica (minus the weather) and what that means for community organizing
• The story behind getting major grocery chains to adopt reusable bags across Canada
• What it takes to keep going when people literally spit on the ground and dismiss your ideas
• How to plant seeds that will bear fruit long after you're gone - even if you never see the harvest
• The human right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment for future generations

Don's approach to grassroots change offers a blueprint for anyone wondering how to make a difference: start local, don't expect instant gratification, and remember that real change happens like farming - you plant seeds, water them consistently, and trust the process even when you can't see immediate results.Whether you're passionate about environmental issues or simply wondering how one person can create systemic change, Don's story proves that unrelenting commitment to what you believe in can literally transform a city's relationship with the planet.Read "UNRELENTING: The Man Who Turned a Local Recycling Push, Into a National Plastic Ban"

Don't miss the innovative audio version featuring Caribbean and African music inspired by the themes of environmental justice and community action!

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Heather Fast: Environmental Rights as Human RightsWhen the International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory opinion on climate change this past July, it confirmed what environmental advocates have been arguing for years - that environmental protection is fundamentally about human rights. We sit down with Heather Fast, PhD candidate at the University of Manitoba's Natural Resource Institute and policy advocacy director of the Manitoba Eco Network, to break down what this means for Canada and communities like ours.Heather explains how the ICJ's non-binding but influential decision reinforces that the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential for enjoying all other human rights. From wildfires forcing evacuations to climate refugees displaced by rising seas, environmental degradation disproportionately impacts marginalized communities who often have the least resources to adapt.We explore:

• How the ICJ's advisory opinion strengthens legal pathways for environmental protection, even though it's non-binding
• Why marginalized communities bear the heaviest burden when environmental rights are violated
• The recent LeMay Forest controversy in Winnipeg and how it illustrates tensions between private property rights and collective environmental interests
• Practical ways Canadians can engage more meaningfully in environmental policy discussions
• How federal legislation like the Canadian Environmental Protection Act is beginning to recognize environmental rights

Heather brings both academic expertise and grassroots advocacy experience to help us understand why protecting our environment isn't separate from protecting human rights - it's the foundation that makes all other rights possible.Whether you're wondering how international law affects local policy or looking for ways to get more involved in environmental issues in your community, this conversation offers practical insights into one of the defining human rights challenges of our time.

Connect with the Manitoba Eco Network

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We sit down with Jamie Paris, a University of Manitoba literature scholar whose research bridges Shakespearean drama with contemporary issues of race, gender and masculinity. Jamie brings a unique perspective to conversations about what it means to be a better man in 2025.As an educator first and foremost, Jamie's work focuses on helping foster the next generation through meaningful classroom discussions about identity, dignity, and human connection. His personal journey - growing up as an orphan, becoming a young father at 17, and finding his path through academia - shapes his approach to understanding masculinity not as something to tear down, but as something to rebuild with joy, care, and moral courage.We're talking:

• Why many young men today feel ashamed of their gender and how to move beyond "toxic masculinity" conversations
• Defining healthy masculinity: the desire to protect, care, and extend joy to others
• How Shakespeare's tragedies teach us about pride, community, and making better choices
• Why preventing gender-based violence starts with teaching consent and bodily autonomy from a young age

Jamie challenges us to move past the question of "who's right and who's wrong" and instead focus on rebuilding trust - between individuals, communities, and across differences. His work reminds us that masculinity, when rooted in love and care for others, can be a source of strength and joy rather than harm.Whether you're a parent trying to raise thoughtful children, an educator working with young adults, or someone interested in how literature connects to contemporary social issues, this conversation offers practical insights into creating more meaningful connections in our communities.

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We sit down with Michel Durand-Wood, better known online as "Elmwood Guy," a Winnipeg-based writer, community advocate, and author of "You'll Pay for This: How We Can Afford a Great City for Everyone Forever." Michel shares his journey from concerned neighbour to influential voice in municipal finance and urban planning.We're discussing:

• How noticing decline in his Elmwood neighbourhood sparked Michel's passion for municipal advocacy
• Why the 2018 Portage and Main plebiscite became a turning point in his understanding of public engagement
• The hidden connections between municipal finance and human rights - from equitable public services to housing accessibility
• How infrastructure decisions made today impact our city's ability to provide services "forever"

Michel reminds us that municipal finance isn't just about budgets - it's about creating inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. His approach demonstrates how understanding the financial implications of city planning decisions empowers citizens to advocate for more equitable and sustainable urban development.Connect with Michel:

His blog: https://www.dearwinnipeg.com/

Read "You'll Pay for This: How We Can Afford a Great City for Everyone Forever"

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We sit down with Dr. Kerstin Roger, a researcher and advocate tackling an urgent but often overlooked human rights issue: the abuse of older adults. Dr. Roger shares why this isn't just a family matter—it's a fundamental question of human dignity and rights.We're talking:

• Why age has been historically left out of human rights frameworks
• How different communities define aging differently, and the global variations in lifespan and health outcomes
• Why traditional data collection methods fall short in capturing the real scope of the problem
• Financial abuse as the newest and fastest-growing form of harm
• How we can shift from fear-based narratives to celebrating the wisdom and contributions of older adults

Dr. Roger reminds us that older adults are citizens who deserve to be equal and active participants in our communities, with the right to make their own decisions about their lives and wellbeing.As she states: "It is a luxury to age, and we have really come to see it as a possible burden to us and others... we really need to reinforce this idea that actually getting older is a luxury and a privilege."Watch the "Who Should I Tell?" awareness video in multiple languages on the A&O Youtube channel

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