Kelly Thornton is telling provocative stories through theatre. As the Artistic Director of the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Kelly and her award-winning team at RMTC have continued to find ways to entertain, educate, and start important conversations through incredible stage performance, despite a world-wide pandemic that closed everything down. I sat down with Kelly Thornton, to talk about artistic expression in a post-COVID world, the excitement about connecting with audiences face to face, a...
Sep 15, 2021•57 min•Ep. 77
Erica Daniels is an award-winning Cree/Ojibway producer, director, and founder of Kejic Productions. Her Winnipeg-based company has been winning awards and creating incredible content since 2017, and she’s a mentor to today’s youth on the value and importance of storytelling through a multitude of programs and projects. I sat down with Erica Daniels, to talk about indigenous identity, filmmaking, and storytelling, the importance of passing and preserving elder knowledge, and how we can’t know wh...
Sep 08, 2021•46 min•Ep. 76
Patricia Mainville has been working with Children, Youth, and Families in Education and community service for over two decades. Pat has been a Winnipeg Foundation Board Member since 2017, was also recently asked to be a feature essay in The Winnipeg Foundation’s Next 100 Essay series, where Winnipeggers were asked to envision Winnipeg in the next 100 years. I sat down with Pat Mainville, to talk about cultural identity and the importance of community, the education system and adapting for remote...
Aug 25, 2021•46 min•Ep. 75
Dr. Durdana Islam is an incredible advocate for many things. She’s a Project Manager at the Green Action Centre, an instructor at the University of Winnipeg, and has been involved with the NDP as Chairperson on the Status of Women, Gender Equity, and Gender Diversity Committee. I sat down with Dr. Durdana Islam, to talk about what it was like teaching through COVID-19, breaking the cycle of trauma, and why she’s fought for social equity nearly her entire life. Before we get started, a brief cont...
Aug 18, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 74
I could listen to my next guest talk for hours. Niigaan Sinclair is an Anishinaabe Author, Educator, Columnist, and Academic based in Winnipeg Manitoba. A leading voice in Indigenous teachings and knowledge, Niigaan is an incredible resource when it comes to maintaining indigenous stories, languages, and general information. I sat down with Niigaan Sinclair, to talk about his work as a professor and columnist, what we can learn from Indigenous ways of knowing, and how to have the difficult conve...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 73
Alexis Kanu knows water. As Executive Director of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, Alexis and the LWF Community make it their mission to educate, advocate, and maintain our most precious resource. I sat down with Alexis Kanu, Executive Director of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, to talk about the current state of our lakes and rivers, creating the connection between science and policy, and why we need to show respect and reverence for the water; one of our most precious resources.
Aug 04, 2021•41 min•Ep. 72
Joseph Chaeban is one of Winnipeg’s best-known success stories. After launching in Winter 2015, Joseph and his team at Chaeban Ice Cream have built a strong reputation in South Osborne as a leader in both business and community. I sat down with Joseph Chaeban to talk about his origins as a professional cheesemaker turned ice cream expert, the importance of supporting community, and what’s in store for the future as his business continues to grow and expand.
Jul 27, 2021•40 min•Ep. 71
Brent Bellamy is improving Winnipeg through design; as Creative Director at Number 10 Architectural Group, as well as a contributor to the Winnipeg Free Press, Brent is one of the leading voices in architecture and design and our city. I sat down with Brent Bellamy, to talk about how urban design can affect social equity, the debate about urban sprawl and downtown living, and how our cities can evolve to allow future generations to thrive.
Jul 20, 2021•52 min•Ep. 70
Sachit Mehra is a strong community voice that spends so much of his time giving back. As an entrepreneur, speaker, and community leader, Sachit is a leader, through-and-through. I sat down with Sachit Mehra, Co-owner and Manager of the East India Company Pub and Eatery, to talk about how business is intertwined with philanthropy, COVID-19’s affect on the food service industry, and how to deal with the collective challenges we face moving forward.
Jul 13, 2021•54 min•Ep. 69
Andrew Kussy is helping to make dreams come true. That does sound hyperbolic until you learn he works for the Dream Factory, an organization that literally grants wishes to Manitoba Kids battling life-threatening illnesses. Formerly known as the Rainbow Society, The Dream Factory has been impacting Manitoba children since 1983. I sat down with Andrew Kussy, to talk about the Dream Factory and their mission, the state of the philanthropic sector post-covid-19, and the tremendous connections and s...
Jul 06, 2021•42 min•Ep. 68
Today’s episode is a special one. For our Season Finale episode, we're joined by Sky Bridges. Sky is the brand new CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation, and joins us for a conversation about many things, including his leadership philosophy and his vision for the future.
May 12, 2021•39 min•Ep. 67
KC Adams is a well-known and highly respected educator, mentor, and social practice artist. She was planning to unveil her a new piece of public art just this week, but the event was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, however if you find yourself at The Forks in Winnipeg, her brand new piece is in place, and it is spectacular. So we wanted to have KC on the show to talk about her inspiration for the new piece, and about art in general. I sat down with KC Adams to talk about artistic intuiti...
Apr 21, 2021•50 min•Ep. 66
Darcy Oake is an internationally acclaimed magician, illusionist, and performer, who’s also been a mental health and addictions advocate for about a decade now. Since his brother Bruce lost his battle with addiction in 2011, the entire Oake family has been working towards opening the Bruce Oake Recovery Centre, the first of its kind, in Winnipeg. Now only months away from opening its doors, Darcy joins us to talk about his brother’s legacy, addiction, stigma, and how we, as a community, need to ...
Apr 15, 2021•41 min•Ep. 65
Jamil Mahmood has been fighting for a more equitable world since day one. Jamil has experience in grassroots activism, a degree in International Development studies, and was Executive Director of Spence Neighbourhood Association before recently taking the same role with Main Street Project here in Winnipeg. I sat down with Jamil Mahmood, Executive Director of Main Street Project, to talk about equity and inequality, the role of philanthropy now and in the future, and how with proper organizing a...
Apr 07, 2021•48 min•Ep. 64
Rick Frost has been the CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation for nearly a quarter century. He has seen it grow exponentially during his tenure, in staff, assets, and impact to the community. To commemorate his final days, we wanted to have Rick return to the podcast for the second time, to reflect on his life, his career, and the legacy he’s leaving behind. I sat down with Rick Frost, CEO of the Winnipeg Foundation, to talk about his philosophy on philanthropy, his wonderful history and career, and wh...
Mar 30, 2021•52 min•Ep. 63
Trevor LaForte is helping change lives in Winnipeg. As Executive Director of the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre, Trevor is ensuring that the staff and kids under the WASAC umbrella have everything they need to succeed. Not only do they focus on sport, and removing barriers, but WASAC is Canada’s largest employer for Indigenous children and youth, and helps them transition to adulthood by giving them real-world experience in a multitude of ways. I sat down with Trevor LaForte, Execu...
Mar 24, 2021•38 min•Ep. 62
For today’s show, we have two guests for the price of one! Both of the hosts of the Winnipeg Foundation’s weekly radio program “BeCause Radio”, Sonny Primolo and Robert Zirk join us today to talk about their wonderful work, telling good news stories of people making a difference in Winnipeg. You can hear the show every Thursday at noon on 93.7 CJNU here in Winnipeg, but if you’re outside the city just visit becauseradio.org. I sat down with both Sonny Primolo and Robert Zirk, hosts of BeCause Ra...
Mar 18, 2021•39 min•Ep. 61
Esyllt W. Jones is a history professor at University of Manitoba and is the award-winning author of Influenza 1918: Death, Disease and Struggle in Winnipeg. So who better to talk about the current pandemic, the parallels to the past, and the historical context of what we’re all collectively going through. I sat down with Professor Jones, to talk about the flu pandemic of 1918, COVID-19 when viewed through a historical lens, and what we can learn from the past, to avoid making the same mistakes f...
Mar 10, 2021•43 min•Ep. 60
Welcome to BeCause and Effect, a podcast form the Winnipeg Foundation, where we talk to people about the causes they care about, and the effect it has on their lives. My name is Nolan Bicknell. Today’s guest is a very special one. Very honored to welcome Dan Lussier to BeCause and Effect. He’s Director of Réseau Compassion Network, an organization that leads 15 health care communities covering all aspects of health and social care. He’s involved with several boards volunteer positions, and was r...
Mar 03, 2021•53 min•Ep. 59
To celebrate Black History Month, we’re welcoming Nadia Thompson, Chairperson of the Black History Manitoba Celebration Committee to the podcast. Nadia is an incredible advocate and educator who has been with the Black History Manitoba Celebration Committee since 2007, and is a strong voice in the community, promoting black history, culture, and diversity in our city. I sat down with Nadia Thompson, to talk about black history and the black experience, racism and representation in media, and Bla...
Feb 24, 2021•49 min•Ep. 58
Welcome to BeCause and Effect, a podcast form the Winnipeg Foundation, where we talk to people about the causes they care about, and the effect it has on their lives. My name is Nolan Bicknell. Our guest today is Jessica Miller. Jessica was made for her new role. As the new CEO of the Winnipeg Humane Society, Jessica could not be better suited to take the helm of this incredible organization. As a long-time volunteer at the WHS, Jessica knows the organization from the ground up, and knows what i...
Feb 16, 2021•51 min•Ep. 57
Joanne Kelly is many things to many people; Journalism instructor at Red River College, incredible advocate for animals, and host of multiple book clubs including The Winnipeg Foundation’s Official Book Club. Joanne is an ardent champion for the causes she believes in, and a huge supporter of local and national journalism. I sat down with Joanne Kelly, to talk about the current and future state of journalism, where she developed her love of books, and, although she didn’t start as one, how she b...
Jan 27, 2021•57 min•Ep. 56
Mitch Bourbonniere has spent his life in service of others. As an educator and community activist in Winnipeg, he’s made it his life’s mission to help others find their voices. He is a founding member of the original Bear Clan Patrol, a volunteer at countless organizations, and an incredible mentor and counsellor of at-risk youth, to help develop self-esteem, empathy, and confidence. Mitch received the Order of Manitoba in 2020, the Governor General Award for Bravery in 2019, and dozens of other...
Jan 21, 2021•47 min•Ep. 55
Phil Chiapetta has been with Rossbrook House for 40 years. As their executive director, he is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to how to assist at-risk children and youth. Beyond being a safe space for youth, Rossbrook offers alternative school programs, a young moms group, afterschool homework club, sports, music, and a healthy kitchen program that provides daily meals to participants while teaching them about healthy eating and cooking. I sat down with Phil Chiappetta, Executive Director of...
Dec 16, 2020•41 min•Ep. 54
Adele Perry is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to history, indigenous studies, and human rights. She is the Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of History at the University of Manitoba, director of the Centre for Human Rights Research and is a distinguished professor in the departments of history and women’s and gender studies in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Manitoba. So, needless to say, she knows her stuff. I sat down with Adele Perry to talk about h...
Dec 09, 2020•51 min•Ep. 53
My guest today is Karen Velthuys, she’s the Executive Director of Learning Disabilities Association of Manitoba, or LDAM. Karen is also a 2020 Fast Pitch Alum, and she is a leading voice and advocate for children and adults with learning disabilities in our province. I sat down with Karen Velthuys, to talk about how learning remotely due to COVID has affected students, the stigmas that continue to surround this area of work, and how mental health can be adversely affected if learning disabilitie...
Dec 02, 2020•37 min•Ep. 52
Paul Soubry is a devoted businessman, philanthropist, volunteer, and advocate for education and University research. He was Chair of Manitoba’s largest-ever Fundraising campaign, the Front and Centre Campaign, which raised over 626 million dollars for the University of Manitoba to help students, researchers, and our community. I sat down with Paul Soubry, President and CEO of NFI Group and winner of the Manitoba Philanthropy Awards’ 2020 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, to talk about volunteeri...
Nov 18, 2020•34 min•Ep. 51
Pulford Community Living Services has been a Manitoba mainstay assisting people with developmental disabilities. Established in 1986, Pulford is a leader in this area and has helped countless people with developmental disabilities find housing, employment, self-improvement, and self-worth. My guests today are Scott Smith, Director of Program Development and Quality Assurance, and Jeff Ward, Social Media and Marketing Manager for Pulford Community Living Services. Pulford recently launched their ...
Nov 10, 2020•47 min•Ep. 50
Dorota Blumczynska is a leader with profound empathy. As the Executive Director of Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM), Dorota and her team have helped thousands of refugees and immigrants navigate the difficult path of integration into Canadian Culture. I sat down with Dorota back in August to talk about the refugee experience in 2020, the many challenges of COVID-19, and how to inspire empathy for those less fortunate.
Nov 03, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 49
Welcome to BeCause and Effect, a podcast from the Winnipeg Foundation, where we talk to people about the causes they care about and the effect that it has on their lives. My name is Nolan Bicknell. We are back for a brand-new season of BeCause and Effect, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Isha Khan to the podcast. Isha is the new CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and only stepped into the job a couple of months ago. Isha is a human rights lawyer, former executive director and...
Oct 26, 2020•49 min•Ep. 48
