Ashoka Canada: The Power of the Network

I became an Ashoka Fellow in 2019. Through that process I learned of the massive value of the Ashoka network at a Global level to support innovation and changemaking. It’s a singularly unique organization demonstrated by its mission, mandate and the high calibre of its Fellows. It truly represents hope and reciprocity. I feel Ashoka Canada is critical for Indigenous people specifically and for the planet more generally to support and scale changemaking activities. That is why I am here supporting Ashoka Canada.

Métis negotiator and entrepreneur Jeff Cyr, has over 20 years of experience in Indigenous, not-for-profit and government organizations. He is committed to an Indigenous approach to equity, equitable economies and building Indigenous finance mechanisms in Canada.

Jeff has developed a new model for Indigenous economic growth. In 2017, he and two partners co-founded the Raven Group, which includes Canada’s first Indigenous venture capital intermediary and the Raven Indigenous Impact Fund, the first of its kind in Canada. The fund provides capital, education and support to Indigenous social enterprises across the country. Prior to working at Raven, Jeff was a senior director at the Moose Hide Campaign Development Society and vice-president at Grand Challenges Canada.
 

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Joining the Ashoka Canada Indigenous Advisory is an opportunity for me to elevate the voice, knowledge, experience and energy of Indigenous youth and leaders. As an educator, my passion lies with ensuring Indigenous peoples see their potential and possibilities. I strive to support Indigenous peoples to equally and equitably participate in systems changes towards economic, social, environmental and governance matters, and to be change makers creating a better future for generations that will follow.

Dr. Mike Lickers has over 30 years of experience in leadership, cultural outdoor education, community and youth leadership development, and is well recognized for his work with Indigenous peoples in Canada and internationally. A Mohawk educator from Six Nations of the Grand River, Mike is the author of “Urban Aboriginal Leadership: The Delicate Dance Between Two Worlds,” and has published numerous articles on Indigenous epistemology, methodology, youth leadership, and non-profit management. He is also the founder and past executive director of the Ghost River Rediscovery program.

Mike currently teaches at Royal Roads University in the School of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Studies. He previously taught courses at the University of Calgary and St. Mary’s University, and holds a Masters in Leadership and Training and a Doctorate of Social Sciences from Royal Roads University with a focus on Indigenous Youth Leadership Development. Mike offers a unique combination of rigorous professionalism, wide program development, and leadership experience grounded in traditional cultural teachings.

When we change the assimilationist purposes of education in Canada, we are tearing down the structures and barriers that prevent Indigenous Peoples from entering, succeeding, and leading today’s institutions. This is an act of decolonization. We are changing the institutions.

John Fischer is the Interim Associate Vice-President for Indigenization and Decolonization at Mount Royal University as well as a Change Leader for Ashoka U. He is Cree from Cowessess First Nation; holds a Master’s in Education, Multicultural and Anti-racism Education; a graduate certificate in Executive Coaching; and spent two years pursuing an Education Doctorate in K-12 Education Leadership. He is passionate about leading institutional change and advancing Indigenous student success. He volunteers as the co-chair of the Indigenous Gathering Place Society of Calgary and as a board member of the Calgary Foundation.

Candice Lys grew up in Fort Smith in a very large Métis family, and has lived all over the world, including a brief stint on a ship in the Pacific Ocean. Candice has a Masters degree in Health Promotion and holds a PhD in Public Health. Candice is the co-founder and Executive Director of FOXY, an innovative arts-based program is helping combat extremely high rates of sexually transmitted infections, adolescent pregnancy, and sexual violence across Canada’s North. She is an Ashoka Canada Fellow, a mom to Luca and dog mom to Maple, and an avid almost-gardener.
 

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I became involved with Ashoka Canada Indigenous Advisory because I saw this as an opportunity to share knowledge but to also learn more about social innovation from the team. I believe in reciprocity, and the work that I put out, I hope in turn to benefit not just for myself personally, but those I work with and for my children’s future.

Asma-na-hi Antoine is from Toquaht Nation of the Nuu-chah-nulth lands and has resided in Lekwungen (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) traditional lands (Victoria, B.C.). Asma-na-hi is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Theory and Practice at Simon Fraser University.  She has a Master of Education in Psychology and Leadership Studies specializing in Indigenous Community Counseling as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care with a Minor in Indigenous Studies, both from the University of Victoria. Asma-na-hi is currently on a partial sabbatical from her position as Director of Indigenous Relations at Royal Roads University. She continues to utilize her variety of skills within academic institutions and other non-profit Indigenous organizations as an Indigenous counselor, family counselor, and a career adviser. She lives and works with a strong foundation of Indigenous ways of knowing that is used in how she communicates, trains, and facilitates teachings about reconciliation, decolonization, the history and current lives of Indigenous people. She walks between two worlds: Indigenous and non-Indigenous and recognizes the need to build and sustain a culturally safe place for all.

Though my time in both fields is fairly recent, with only a few years of experience in reconciliation work and social innovation, I look forward to Ashoka’s dual approach in bringing these issues forward and looking for opportunities to combine the two. I am taking part in the Advisory as I believe in Ashoka and Ashoka Canada. I have a strong feeling that amazing things will come from Ashoka Canada and this Indigenous Advisory.

Joseph Plant is an Indigenous man based in Treaty 7/Calgary area. He is currently finishing up his undergraduate degree. During his time at Mount Royal University, he has started a non-profit called, Generation Indigenous, holds multiple positions at MRU, winner of the National Map the System Challenge, and is currently a nominee for Avenue Calgary’s “Top 40 under 40.” Joe is also a musician, a writer, a cocktail bartender with social media marketing experience via Instagram, and has more than a few years experience in Ironworking/construction. He is also a youth member of the Ashoka Canada Indigenous Advisory.

Al Etmanski is a community organizer, social entrepreneur, and author. He’s been a parent activist in the disability world since his daughter Liz was born.He led the closure of institutions and segregated schools in British Columbia, and founded Canada’s first Family Support Institute. In 1989 he co-founded Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) with his wife Vickie Cammack. While at PLAN he lobbied into existence the world’s first Disability Savings Plan.

Al is a global Ashoka fellow and a member of John McKnight’s Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) network. He has received many awards for his activism including the Order of Canada and the Big Picture award from his peers in the disability movement.

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Stanley Zlotkin received his medical training at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, paediatric training at McGill University in Montreal, and he obtained a PhD in nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto. He has worked as a clinician-nutritionist and research scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children since 1980. He is Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, and past Head of the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition and Medical Director of Nutrition Support for SickKids.

In his program, the Sprinkles Global Health Initiative, Dr. Zlotkin has focused on research and advocacy to control micronutrient malnutrition in children. His current research focuses on delivery science to enhance the implementation of public health programs and products In 2007, he was awarded the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour in Canada, for his contributions to improving the lives of children globally. He is known internationally as a successful social entrepreneur for his work on home fortification and was awarded an International Ashoka Fellowship in 2007. Today, Dr. Zlotkin continues to head the Sprinkles Global Health Initiative at The Hospital for Sick Children and is an active researcher with well over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Zlotkin was appointed as Vice-President Medical and Academic Affairs at SickKids in 2010 and in September 2012 he was named as the inaugural Chief of the SickKids Centre for Global Child Health.

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Paul Born grew up as the son of Mennonite refugees. This is what has made him deeply curious about and engaged in ideas that cause people to work together for the common good.

Paul is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tamarack Institute and the Founder and Director of Vibrant Communities. He is the author of four books, including two Canadian best sellers. Paul is a global faculty member of the Asset Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) and a senior fellow of Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social innovators.

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Mary Gordon is recognized internationally as an award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, author, child advocate and parenting expert who has created programs informed by the power of empathy. In 1996 she created the Roots of Empathy program in Ontario. Her not-for-profit organization offers programs in every province of Canada, New Zealand, the USA, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Norway. In 2005, Ms. Gordon created the Seeds of Empathy program for 3 to 5 year olds in child care. She is also the founder of Canada’s first and largest school-based Parenting and Family Literacy Centres, which she initiated in 1981. They have become public policy in Ontario and have been used as a best practice model internationally.

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