Our Keynote
Presenters
Angela Taylor
Wednesday, June 5th, 2024
Angela Taylor is Inspire Community Outreach’s Chief Executive Office (CEO), and Founder. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, her Post Baccalaureate in Education, focusing on inclusion and counselling, and a Masters in Disability Studies. She currently is completing her PhD in Education at the University of Manitoba, focusing on effective care of those living with complex neurology and behaviours, while supporting multiple clinical teams across Canada.
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Angela has over 24 years of extensive experience with youth with various neurological differences, including trauma and autism. Throughout her career she has gathered valuable experiences through working with families with the
Manitoba Government, caring for youth and children, working as a Clinical Case Manager, and volunteering over 20,000 hours with agencies in Winnipeg and British Columbia. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Manitoba Heroes award (2019) and the CTV Mental Health Champion Award (2020).
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Angela is a mother to 4 children, and celebrates psychological, cognitive and neurological differences within her family. She says her children have been her best teacher, and support her to learn about how each of us need additional support at different times in our lives, to use our gifts and talents to grow.
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair
Thursday, June 6th, 2024
Niigaan Sinclair is Anishinaabe (St. Peter’s/Little Peguis) and a professor at the University of Manitoba, where he holds the Faculty of Arts Professorship in Indigenous Knowledge and Aesthetics and is currently Head of the Department of Indigenous Studies. Niigaan is also an award-winning writer, editor and activist who was recently named to the “Power List” by Maclean’s magazine as one of the most influential individuals in Canada. In 2018, he won Canadian columnist of the year at the National Newspaper Awards for his bi-weekly columns in The Winnipeg Free Press and is a featured member of the Friday "Power Panel" on CBC's Power & Politics. A former secondary school teacher, he won the 2019 Peace Educator of the Year from the Peace and Justice Studies Association based at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers
Michael, Jacob, Cieanna Harris
Friday, June 7th, 2024
Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers are three siblings from Winnipeg, Manitoba who share a passion for dance, not just any dance it's all about the Red River Jig!
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Michael, Jacob and Cieanna Harris began dancing at the young age of five years old. Michael being the oldest started performing his own solo shows, Jacob followed his brother footprints and they became a duo show, Cieanna enjoyed watching her brothers perform, she learned and they became a trio group and they have been inseparable since then.
They perform traditional dances of the Red River Jig mixed with modern dancing known as the hip hop jig. Through their gift of dance they have had great opportunities to travel the world and they hold numerous achievements and awards.
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Their main focus is to attract youth through the rhythm and style of the hip hop jig. They hope to motivate and inspire people of all ages, and bring awareness that their culture is going strong and continues to be ambitious with this dance and music.
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Formally known as the Slick and Lil J Show, back in 2012 they lost one of their biggest fans and proud supporter, Grandpa Ivan Flett passed away, it was with great sadness but an honour to rename themselves the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers. Every dance they do is in honour of him.
Their show wouldn't be complete without the outfits and they give a huge thank you to their Grandma Dawn Harris-Flett who designs and custom makes all their attire. Thanks to Designs by Dawn!
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IFMD would also like to thank all of their fans and family for their continued love and support.