The speaker lineup is set for the first TEDxULeth event at the University of Lethbridge, with 11 presenters readying to take the stage on January 25, 2020 beginning at 10 a.m.
Organizers were flooded with applications in advance of the November deadline and U of L Associate Vice-President (Students) Kathleen Massey says the speaker lineup will represent the exceptional quality of people who were looking to be a part of the TEDx experience.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the interest we received, given it was a very short deadline, and I’m confident we’re going to see some outstanding talks at the event,” says Massey. “This event is also special because it was inspired by one of our students, Imogen Pohl, who is co-leading it with me.”
The independently produced event, operated under a license from TED, is organized by community volunteers and aimed at creating dialogue as well as giving people a forum to share their passions, ideas and experiences. The theme for TEDxULeth is I Am Still Learning, where presenters will speak to learning as a lifelong journey of discovery.
Launched in 2009, TEDx is a program of locally organized events that bring the community together to share a TED-like experience. Some of the best talks from TEDx events have gone on to be featured on TED.com and garnered millions of views from audiences across the globe.
For more information, visit TEDxUleth or contact Tedx@uleth.ca.
For those who did not get tickets to the event, check out the watch parties at the Zoo and Tecconnect.
Speaker List for TEDxULeth
Shandi Bleiken – How the Light Wins
Shandi Bleiken is a queer organizer and community activist in Lethbridge. The former president of OUTreach Southern Alberta and one of the leading voices behind #QueerKidsYQL, Shandi is a self-described relentless optimist who has dedicated her life to the undying belief that good will always win.
Eric Chang – Why I’ve Learned to Stop Saying these Three Dangerous Words: Don’t Give Up
An entrepreneur since the age of 12, Eric Chang is a big believer in the power of creative, entrepreneurial problem solving to tackle some of life’s greatest challenges. In his talk, he will address how a common phrase “don’t give up” may not be as helpful as one would think. It creates a mental roadblock without providing solutions or relief to help a person moving forward and getting unstuck.
Rosie Costen – I’m not an Athlete but I’ve had Hurdles A' Plenty
A third-year neuroscience student at the University of Lethbridge, Rosie Costen focusses her attention on science, leadership and volunteering. Particularly passionate about disability advocacy and education, Costen lives with a chronic neurological disorder and mental health issues. She sees her education as a vehicle to helping others with neurological dysfunction.
Robbin Derry and Saga Darnell – Understanding Non-Binary: Excerpts from a Correspondence
As a business ethics professor at the University of Lethbridge’s Calgary campus, Robbin Derry is deeply interested in questions of social justice. Saga Darnell is an actor, singer, dancer and playwright studying gender and performance at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. After Saga came out as non-binary in 2016, Saga and Robbin began a correspondence, chronicling their thoughts and understanding around transness and non-binary identity. These are a few of those letters between mother and child.
Tisha Gilbert – How to be Happy when Life is Shit
After living through a difficult divorce, Tisha Gilbert, a single mother of three, decided to turn her passion for theatre into a career and is currently in her third year of a combined Bachelor of Fine Arts-Drama/Bachelor of Education program. When life gets hard it can be tough to find reasons to smile. More than that, it can feel as though you’ll never be happy again. Gilbert explains five simple steps to help regain happiness in the midst of trials.
Uriel Karerwa – I Forget that I’m Bad at Remembering
A neuroscience student at the University of Lethbridge, Karerwa is a radio programmer and writer and host of The Eclectic on CKXU radio. He’s used his studies to better understand his life experiences. Through storytelling, Karerwa will explain how applying concepts he learned in class can reignite one’s passion.
Sandra Lamouche – The Beautiful Struggle of Life and Other Hoop Dance Teachings
Sandra Lamouche is a Cree mother, wife, hoop dancer and educator. The First Nations Métis and Inuit Success Coordinator for the Livingstone Range School Division, she helps educate teachers, staff and students on first Nations history, culture and ways of knowing. She uses hoop dance teachings to inspire others to live in balance and harmony with themselves, their friends and family, and with the environment.
Jeffrey MacCormack – Stuttering Professor: A Case for Scrappy Teachers
Dr. Jeffrey MacCormack is an assistant professor in the University of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Education. He’ll share his childhood experiences as a stutterer, along with the steps he takes when preparing to speak, which is a big part of his role as an educator. He advocates for stutterers within education, but also people with disabilities and differences more broadly. His big message is that students need to see teachers who model resilience and, more broadly, “easier” is not necessarily better.
Brandy Old – Change your Metric of Success: Why Failure Counts
Brandy Old is the Agility Manager at the University of Lethbridge. She’ll speak of one of the dirtiest words in our vocabulary, and perhaps one of the most important tools of success. That word is failure. Learning how to fail can teach us about success and how to make a difference.
LaRae Katie Smith – Roll of the Dice: Simulation Board Game and My ADHD Brain
A fourth-year student at the University of Lethbridge, LaRae Katie Smith is currently working towards completing her Bachelor of Arts with streams in English, history and linguistics, as well as her Bachelor of Education. In her presentation, Smith notes there are factors outside of the realm of control that everyone has to deal with. People living during the Great Depression didn't sign up for dust storms, and she didn't sign up for ADHD. In the end, those factors are determined by a “roll of the dice.”