Organizers have announced the speakers for TRU’s one-day TEDx conference, set for March 3.
Eight community leaders have been selected to present at the TED-like event focused on the theme of "truth."
They include:
Dr. Michael Mehta is a Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at TRU. He has held academic appointments at several other institutions before moving to Kamloops in 2010 & specializes on environmental and health risk issues, and in the field of renewable energy. He is the author of 5 books & more than 50 academic articles and book chapters. He has founded several non-profit organizations, owns the Sweet Spot Solar Company, & recently developed the Solar Compass at TRU, Canada's first solar road/path.
Sangoma Pauline is a Master Shaman, Dreamweaver, Rhythm Dancer, Spiritual Teacher and Inspired Speaker. Her Gifts are fluent in Sexual Intelligence, our Sacred Memory of the Divine Feminine and Her Blood Mysteries. Sangoma Pauline carries the Ancestral Inheritance of Snake Medicine (Cosmic Consciousness) through her matrilineal bloodline - her Ancient African Roots. She is the Mother of Twin Children, a Son & Daughter!
Jeffrey McNeil-Seymour is Tk'emlupsemc and 4th Gen. English Settler. In the current moment of the TRC Calls to Action, projects of Indigenization/ Reconciliation and the poignant & timely unsettling of LGBTQ Pride Parades internationally by Black Lives Matters, McNeil-Seymour unsettles allyships first moment of encounter with "the real" work, and its inherent performances of settler colonial moves to innocence by, of and for exalted settler subjects.
A passionate eco-entrepreneur, writer, speaker & healer, Alexandra Proctor holds sacred space for change with the awareness of each invested choice which co-creates our world. She lives her own unique truth, building conscious community, healthy soil & a biodynamic food forest on Made with Love Urban Permaculture Farm with her partner, Colin, their four children, international volunteers, interns, guests & landmates. Through madewithlove.ca, they lead the global food industry with an ethical approach to artisan groceries.
A graduate student from Pakistan, undertaking a Master of Education, Yasir has a keen interest in the realm of human behavior, social dynamics & personal development. He has conducted a number of workshops centered around personal growth & communication skills. Yasir has an unquenchable thirst for acquiring and disseminating knowledge. His ultimate goal is to inspire others to push the boundaries of their own comforts, cultivate social congruence & become the truest and most authentic versions of themselves.
Katherine McParland is the founder & manager of 'A Way Home Kamloops,' movement to end youth homelessness, an issue close to her heart as she was once a homeless youth. Most recently, Katherine was appointed to the Federal government's Advisory Committee on Homelessness. Provincially, Katherine co-chairs the BC Network to End Youth Homelessness & is helping to lead the development of recommendations for a provincial plan. Furthering these feats, Katherine is integrating her learning as a Masters of Social Work Leadership student at the University of Calgary.
Tim Shoults is the Operations Manager for Aberdeen Publishing. Over the past 20 years, Tim has worked as a reporter, editor, publisher, group publisher, regional & divisional manager, & VP of Content and Audience Development with weekly & daily newspapers across Western Canada. Tim serves his community & industry on boards and organizations including the TRU Foundation, the National Newsmedia Council, the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism Foundation & the Rotary Club of Kamloops. Tim is currently studying for his MBA.
Bio to come.
TEDx events are independently run, self organized conferences that combine TED Talks videos and live local speakers.
TEDxTRU is taking place at TRU’s Grand Hall on March 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 and will be available online.
