This year marks the 24th ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival. The speakers will share some of the festival’s early beginnings. What is it about, and how did it start? The abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team has, for 25 years, provided a social and recreational environment that embraces a full and active lifestyle for cancer survivors. An overview of their history and how that helped to inspire the development of the Lethbridge Dragon Boat Festival will also be discussed. Speakers: Karen Johnson and Wendy Aitkens Karen Johnson is the Festival Chair for Dragon Boat Canada, President of the Dragon Boat Association of Southern Alberta, and coaches the Coulee Cruisers and the u24 Junior Cruisers. She joined the sport as a team-building activity with other City of Lethbridge employees in the first year of the festival, 2002, Dragn’ R Butz. Finding a new passion for the sport, Karen was instrumental in starting Team ID just after the 2003 festival in hopes of paddling through a longer season and traveling to other festivals. Karen was the assistant coach of Team ID for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In 2008, the Rotary Festival made a concerted effort to improve the skills of local dragon boaters and decided to “beef up” the training provided to the festival teams. With fellow coach Dave Hunt, Karen agreed to take on the Head Coach. Karen has been the ATB Financial Lethbridge Rotary Dragon Boat Festival race chair since 2010. Wendy Aitkens was conscripted into the abreast of Bridge Dragon Boat Team in 2007. She had never even seen a dragon boat, but the first time she rode in one, she was impressed by the women around her and decided to join. She has been active on the Board and in the boat since. In her other life, she worked in the museum community at Fort Calgary and the Galt Museum & Archives, and currently volunteers at the Lethbridge Military Museum.

An inclusive and engaging journey that brought together all aspects of its internal and external communities has culminated with the recent release of the new strategic plan for University of Lethbridge — a shared vision that addresses the changing landscape of post-secondary education provincially, nationally and globally. The new plan for Iniskim; the Blackfoot name gifted to the University of Lethbridge, defines its values and commitment, and sets the course for the next 10 years. The values, as enunciated in the Strategic Plan, informs what the University does and supports strategic directions such as relationships, belonging, respect, courage, quality, access and sustainability. The speaker will discuss how the plan provides for a long-term framework to enhance academic excellence, research innovation and community engagement, setting the University on a path to continued success, one that will create an even better student experience and enrich the University’s substantial contributions to bettering society. Speaker: Dr. Digvir Jayas, ULethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor Born and raised in India, Dr. Jayas earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, and went on to complete a graduate degree and PhD in agricultural engineering at the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, respectively. He began teaching at the University of Manitoba in 1985, eventually ascending to the position of Vice-President (Research and International), which he held for 12 years. An internationally renowned researcher, Dr. Jayas studies the drying, handling and storing of grains and oilseeds, and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in the agri-food industry. From 2002 to 2009, he was a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems, and in 2009 was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. In 2018, Dr. Jayas was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is the 2023 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration in Manitoba and will be invested into the Order of Manitoba this summer, recognizing his significant contributions to the Manitoba agri-food industry.

This talk will give a brief history of Environment Lethbridge, the Living Cities initiative, the Lethbridge Living Cities Pathway (and why we need it), and Environment Lethbridge’s role in pursuing the Pathway through education and engagement with citizens in the community. Speakers: Kathleen Sheppard and Amber Murray Kathleen Sheppard joined Environment Lethbridge as Executive Director in November of 2015. Originally from southern Alberta, Kathleen has more than 25 years experience working for non-profit organizations in BC and Alberta. Prior to coming to Environment Lethbridge, she was the Executive Director for Social Planning Cowichan, located in Duncan, BC. Her previous experience includes work in land conservation, wildlife rescue, wilderness protection and environmental sustainability. Amber Murray is an Urban Watershed Ambassador with Environment Lethbridge. She has over 20 years of experience in landscape management and design in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, including turfgrass management, aesthetic gardens, edible landscapes, permaculture design, resiliency farming, deer resistant gardens, composting, plant retail, and water harvesting. When she’s not working in the dirt, she can be found writing and/or speaking about the dirt.

Lethbridge and southern Alberta are considered particularly vulnerable to a trade war with the United States, especially due to their strong trade ties with the US, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce identified Lethbridge as the 10th most vulnerable city in Canada to potential U.S. tariffs. To mitigate the negative effects on this region, a Lethbridge Region Economic Resilience Task Force has been established, focusing on developing strategies to support businesses in the region and ensure they can navigate the challenges posed by the tariffs, implemented by US President Donald Trump. The Lethbridge Region Economic Resilience Task Force is made up of nine organizations, including Economic Development Lethbridge and SouthGrow Regional Initiative, that are looking to find ways to navigate the impact of these tariffs. The speaker will define the role of that task force, including the gathering of information specific to this region and hear from industry what their concerns are. The task force will also advocate to all three levels of government for changes in policies that may help businesses overcome this crisis. Due to the dynamic nature of the current situation, as it can change on an hourly basis, the task force has to be responsive and try to figure out what is going to make the biggest difference. Speaker: Trevor Lewington CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) Trevor Lewington is the Chief Executive Officer for Economic Development Lethbridge. Together with a 31-member volunteer Board of Directors, Trevor is proud to work with a talented team that develops and delivers on initiatives to promote the Lethbridge region as an excellent place to live, work, experience, invest and do business. Trevor holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Human Resource Management, completed a Change Leadership Certificate with Cornell University and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) through CPHR Alberta. He also holds a Certified Logistics Professional (CCLP) designation from the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation as well as the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. With over 20 years of executive management experience in the food processing industry, in addition to many years living the trials and tribulations of a small business owner combined with additional roles in the public sector, Trevor strives to provide a broad-based perspective and collaborative approach which will enhance initiatives that drive continued economic growth in southern Alberta. Trevor was recognized by Economic Developers Alberta for “outstanding dedication and service” to the profession as “2019 Economic Developer of the Year.” Trevor is very engaged in his community and currently serves in the role of Mayor in the Village of Stirling.

Many Canadians may be seeing red, but nearly as many are seeing blue. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Mark Carney will form a new minority government in Canada after his Liberal Party secured the most seats in parliament in the recent federal election, completing a remarkable political turnaround amid a growing confrontation with President Trump and the United States. Although opposition leader Pierre Poilievre lost his own seat, the Conservatives grew their proportion of the popular vote substantially and made inroads in Ontario with 44 per cent of the vote there. In Saskatchewan and Alberta, only a few Liberals were elected and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has already amplified her hostility towards Ottawa. The speaker will evaluate the election results and speculate on whether or not Mark Carney can keep the minority independence movement in the West from gathering steam. Speaker: Dr. Duane Bratt Duane Bratt is a political science Professor in the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alberta). He teaches in the area of international relations and Canadian public policy. His research interests include Canadian nuclear policy, Canadian foreign policy, and Alberta politics. Recent publications include: co-editor of Blue Storm: The Rise and Fall of Jason Kenney (University of Calgary Press, 2023), co-editor, Orange Chinook: Politics in the New Alberta (University of Calgary Press, 2019), co-editor, Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy: Classic Debates and New Ideas 3rd edition (Oxford University Press, 2015) and author of Canada, the Provinces, and the Global Nuclear Revival (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012). Current projects include a book on the politics of covid in Alberta. Duane is also a regular commentator on political events.

The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and proclaimed 21 March the annual World Day for Glaciers. Related initiatives are highlighting the importance of glaciers worldwide, including their role in freshwater supplies and sea level rise, and the increasing threats of glacial hazards, while illustrating the impacts of climate change on the critical role that glaciers play in our Earth’s systems. Professor Hester Jiskoot will present the trends and future projections in receding glaciers and ice sheets worldwide and the related implications for humanity. Examples of vanishing glaciers will be exposed, as well as ways to slow down the melt and to ultimately preserve glaciers. She will also speak to the sheer beauty of the cryosphere and the importance of snow and ice for the Canadian identity, all while mourning several iconic Canadian glaciers that are now drowning in their own tears. The presentation will be richly illustrated with photos. Speaker: Dr. Hester Jiskoot Dr. Hester Jiskoot is Professor of Physical Geography & Glaciology in the Department of Geography and Environment at the University of Lethbridge. With a BSc and MSc from the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands) and a PhD from the University of Leeds (UK), her main research interests are in glacier-climate-landscape interactions, with an emphasis on ice flow dynamics and glacier edge effects. Since 1991, Prof. Jiskoot has been a member and leader of glaciological expeditions to Arctic and Alpine regions, while in 2019 she sailed the Northwest Passage on a historic ketch. At the University of Lethbridge, Professor Jiskoot leads the Glaciology and Geoscience Lab and teaches courses in physical geography and the geosciences. She has been funded broadly, is well- published and collaborates with glaciologists worldwide. Currently Chief Editor of the International Glaciological Society’s scientific publications Journal of Glaciology and Annals of Glaciology, Prof. Jiskoot has previously been in various executive functions of national geographical associations. Prof. Jiskoot is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Tea’s origins are widely believed to be in China, with the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, native to the southwest of the country, particularly the Yunnan province. It’s an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia Sinensis. While tea has been initially considered as a “beverage” it is no longer considered just a “beverage” by itself but rather a drink with medicinal value. The speaker will introduce the history, tea manufacturing process, the types of genuine tea varieties, and the distinction between these genuine teas and “non-tea” types. Speaker: Dr. Sampath Walgama Sampath is originally from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), a country famous for the quality teas it produces. He graduated from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka specializing in Environmental Science and pursued his studies at the University of Queensland, Australia to obtain a PhD in Agriculture with a focus in Entomology. He worked at Sri Lanka’s Tea Research Institute as an Entomologist, gaining overall knowledge of Tea Science. Sampath migrated to Canada in 2010 to do a Postdoctoral Program at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Lethbridge). He made Lethbridge home and continued at the Lethbridge College as an agriculture Instructor. He then moved North to Fort Vermilion for a Research Manager position at the Mackenzie Applied Research Association (MARA). He is enthusiastic about tea and despite the fact he doesn’t have an opportunity to work on tea, he continues to study, learn and talk about tea because of his passion and enthusiasm.

At least one-fifth of all food produced in Canada is (avoidably) lost or wasted during harvesting, packing, storing, handling, transporting and processing. Lethbridge Polytechnic received grants in 2021 from different sources to study the issues and the speaker will provide evidence of promising results. Lethbridge Polytechnic was also on the receiving end of part of a large grant this year that will be applied towards using cellular agricultural research to improve food security across Canada well into the future. In particular, sugar beets will be used as an energy source for cell culture medium to facilitate this research to possibly diversify the long-term market for sugar beet producers in southern Alberta. Speaker: Dr. Chandra Singh Chandra Singh joined Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CARIE) in 2019 as the first Applied Research Chair in Agricultural Engineering and Technology. As a Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) funded research chair, Singh and his team focuses on minimizing post-harvest losses, adding value to local crops and developing products and technological solutions to meet the needs of Alberta’s agri-food industry. Raised on a small family farm in India, Singh completed an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Engineering, a master’s degree in Postharvest Engineering and a PhD in Biosystems Engineering, giving him a rare and sought-after combination of expertise in both equipment and technologies, as well as an understanding of the science of agriculture. Before arriving at Lethbridge Polytechnic, he was an Associate Professor of Engineering at the University of Southern Australia jointly co-appointed by Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Australia’s national research organization. In November 2023, Singh appeared virtually before the Senate’s Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry (AGFO) to share his expertise on grain drying and grain storage as it pertains to Bill C-234.  

This is the Question that inspires Imagine Lethbridge, a grassroots organisation of residents passionate about a prosperous and sustainable future for our community. To answer this question, Imagine Lethbridge centres its thinking, activities, and processes around a unique and fresh perspective on economic activity known as regenerative economics by academics, and affectionately called “Doughnut Economics” by communities worldwide adopting and applying its principles. Our speakers will present the core principles and visual framework of Doughnut Economics, and share perspectives from a global, provincial and municipal viewpoint on practical considerations for ethical community prosperity and sustainability. Imagine Lethbridge is pleased to coordinate its work with the City of Lethbridge’s strategic goals including being: economically prosperous, healthy and diverse, culturally vibrant, well designed, environmentally responsible and regionally supportive, but are there barriers? Lethbridge is a great place to live, and we have much to be grateful for and proud of. Can we make our city even better? What does “the Lethbridge we want” look like in the future? How can we make this happen? Today we explore how each of us can take responsibility to shape our city. Speakers: Jason Shriner & Kathy Lewis Jason Shriner owns and operates a land use consulting and commercial property management company called Impresario Inc. He is a lifelong contributor to our city. He currently sits on the City of Lethbridge Subdivision & Development Appeal Board, the U of L Senate, Food for Thought, and Art Acquisition committees, Co-Chairs the Upper Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association, and is a member of the steering committee for Imagine Lethbridge. Kathy is a long-time resident of Lethbridge. She has been an active member in the community since moving here; serving on many community boards and as a community volunteer with many organizations. She is concerned about poverty, inequity and the ‘diseases of despair’ that have gotten worse in our community over the past few years. While there are many, many positive things about Lethbridge, there is always room for improvement. Learning about movements such as Blue Zones*, Healthy Cities, Reimagine Nanaimo and the Doughnut Economy, has provided the stimulus for her to take action to work in the community to make a positive difference. She is a past board member of Healthy Lethbridge and is a founding and active member of Imagine Lethbridge.

The Land Use Bylaw is the rule book that regulates development on private land in the city and the last time it was comprehensively reviewed and rewritten was 1986. The Land Use Bylaw Renewal project is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a city and establish regulations to shape the future of Lethbridge. This presentation will examine how the Land Use Bylaw shapes where we live, work, and play, and how the new Land Use Bylaw will be created. This is a great opportunity to ask any land use-related questions and share your past experiences and ideas for the future. Speakers: Genesis Molesky and Ross Kilgour Genesis works as a community planner with the City of Lethbridge and has 8 years of experience in land use planning. She completed her undergraduate studies in urban and regional planning at the University of Saskatchewan. In her role with the City of Lethbridge, she works on all levels of long-range planning projects from guiding parcel-specific redevelopment proposals to developing neighbourhood and city-wide planning policy documents. Ross earned his degree in Urban & Regional Planning in Edinburgh, Scotland. He then worked in London, England, first as a planner for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea before moving to the private sector with Firstplan Ltd. After immigrating, Ross joined the City of Lethbridge where he is a Senior Community Planner, focusing on the redevelopment of older neighbourhoods and the City’s heritage program. Ross’ passions in urbanism include sustainability, equity, planning/zoning reform, and enabling walkable neighbourhoods.

The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen (LSK) has been serving meals to the less fortunate for the past 40+ years and will continue to do so as long as there is a need. LSK is blessed to have a great core of volunteers from many churches and service clubs in Lethbridge and surrounding area, many of whom have served for as long as the soup kitchen has been in existence. Upwards of 800 volunteers representing all ages and walks of life are gratefully doing much of the daily work to compliment the many suppliers, who provide most of the supplies needed to prepare the meals that are served three times a day, seven days a week. The speaker will account for how the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen has evolved since 1984 and speculate on its future - while giving BIG thanks to the generosity of volunteers and donors. Speaker: Bill Ginther Bill Ginther is currently the Executive Director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, a position he has held for almost 8 years, his third post-retirement job. He came to this role after having spent most of his career in International Relief and Development with a focus on food security, primarily in Eastern Africa. Prior to choosing that career path, he completed undergraduate degrees in Sociology, Psychology & Theology from the Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Bill’s REAL “Claim to fame” is that he has been married to his wife Joan for almost 55 years and is a Papa to 12 grandchildren. His deepest desire in life (other than his Christian faith) is to treat and encourage others to respect and enhance the lives of our neighbours without a place to call home here in Lethbridge.

Friday afternoons in a southern Alberta classroom, youth may be learning how to keep their troubles in check. Leaning over chess boards at the ULethbridge, teens and young adults who are at-risk or have been convicted of various crimes are taught to think, think again, then think some more as they move their pawns, kings, queens and rooks across 64 black and white spaces. The founder of Chess for Life says the program helps them learn how to accomplish short-term goals, like completing community service hours, following a curfew and staying out of trouble. In 2018, Alberta Justice approved a request to make Chess for Life an official referral program for probation officers to recommend for young offenders sentenced to community service. Since then, participants have gone on to secure full-time jobs, enrol in post-secondary education and rekindle broken relationships. The speakers will recount how that came about and argue there is a lot of opportunity to think about chess in ways that go beyond the board itself and expanding the program to correctional facilities across Alberta has been beneficial. Presenters in order of appearance: Dr. Lance Grigg: introduction and brief history of Chess for Life at University of Lethbridge, Joel Fortier (senior undergraduate student at U of L): Overview of Chess for Life sessions on campus and the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, Jade Oldfield (doctoral student in Neuroscience):current research project on the impact of Chess for Life on executive functions, program expansion opportunities across Alberta.

When we think about how storytelling shapes our understanding of community, we often turn to historians, musicians, and other public commentators to help us make sense of our shared narrative. However, the role of policymakers and journalists in shaping this understanding is often overlooked.  This presentation explores how two key institutions—the Lethbridge Herald and Lethbridge City Council—have shaped public discourse about local homelessness. The speaker will explore how their framing of this issue has influenced the community's ability to respond. Speaker: Yale D. Belanger, Ph.D.  Dr. Yale Belanger is Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge, and Member of the Royal Society of Canada, College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists (2017-2024). He has written numerous articles, book chapters, and reports about housing and homelessness.

Sustainable practices, by definition, seek to maintain the same, whereas regenerative practices recognize that natural systems are currently impacted and it applies management techniques to restore the system to improved productivity. Regenerative and sustainable actions can use essentially the same practices, the difference is the application and the management of those tools. Farmers are faced with skyrocketing input costs, declining product efficiency and industry pressure to implement sustainable and regenerative practices. The speaker will argue that revolutionary biological products have the ability to increase input efficiency, reduce reliance on chemical products, restore soil health and enable farmers to produce higher quality crops, sustainably. Speaker: Joshua Day Chief Joshua Day Chief is Chief Executive Officer of AdvancedAg (AAG). Since 2013, he has propelled the company’s growth through groundbreaking research projects that have helped redefine biological technology in the agriculture industry. Collaborating closely with dealers, suppliers, and end-users, Joshua addresses soil and water remediation with a collaborative team approach, positioning AAG as a global leader in sustainable agricultural solutions. Joshua advocates for a future where Canadian agriculture thrives sustainably. As a visionary leader, environmental advocate, and community builder, Joshua is steering AdvancedAg towards a future where innovative solutions coexist with the principles of sustainability. An unwavering advocate for environmental stewardship, Joshua’s leadership extends beyond AAG. Recognized with the Honouring Excellence – Rising Star Award in 2020 by Lethbridge College, Joshua was later elected to serve on the Lethbridge College Board of Governors, contributing to the development of future leaders. In 2018, he received the Alumni Achievement Award from the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation, solidifying his commitment to advancing environmental technologies.

There is significant interest in establishing metallurgical coal mining operations throughout the eastern slopes of Alberta. The areas residing within the Oldman watershed are no exception. Currently, there are four companies exploring potential mining operations in the region. All of the currently proposed coal mines are open-pit “mountain top removal” mines and are located in the Crowsnest Pass area. Coal mining exploration is also happening along the Livingstone Range and in the Bighorn area west of Red Deer. On May 15, 2020, the Government of Alberta announced it was rescinding the long-standing provincial Coal Policy, which was implemented by the Peter Lougheed Government in 1976. Since then, Crown coal rights have been sold on land where coal mining was previously not considered, in order to protect the watershed and wildlife. On March 4, 2022, the Government of Alberta announced restrictions on coal development in the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies. The restrictions on new development will be in place until directions on coal activities are incorporated into updated regional land-use plans. On January 15, 2025 Alberta Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean wrote to AER that he had decided to cancel three previous ministerial orders from 2021 and 2022 to reduce regulatory confusion. The letter went on to say that the AER must lift the suspension on all coal project approvals that were put on hold under the rescinded orders. Expiry dates for the approvals would also be extended to account for the time they were suspended, the letter states. Panel members: Chris Spearman, Agri Food Processing, Mandy Olsgard, toxicologist, Gavin Fitch, Environmental Lawyer, Elliot Fox, Kainai First Nation (Blood Tribe)  

Neighbourhood connections are the foundation of a resilient city. They enhance safety, well-being, and local engagement, strengthening Lethbridge as a whole. This session explores why these connections matter, insights from the Neighbourhood Engagement Project, and the role of neighbourhood associations—like the League of YQL Neighbourhoods—in fostering community. Beyond discussion, this is a call to action: whether by engaging with neighbours, supporting local initiatives, or simply being a friendly presence, small efforts make a big impact. Let’s build stronger communities together. Speaker: Jerry Firth, Community Development Officer Jerry Firth is a co-founder and the Chair of the League of YQL Neighbourhoods and the Lethbridge Uplands Neighbourhood Association. He previously worked as the Neighbourhood Development Coordinator for the City of Lethbridge, fostering his passion for connecting neighbours. Jerry now works as a Community Development Officer with the Community Engagement Branch of Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women, supporting the non-profit sector and is the President of the Rotary Club of Lethbridge Mosaic. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. Jerry enjoys dad jokes and is a street-performing mime known as “Rufus”. He is married to Tammy and has two children, Addy and Caydence. Family and community are at the heart of everything Jerry does.

Canada has experienced a disruptive start to 2025, with PM Justin Trudeau stepping down as Liberal leader, prompting a leadership campaign and a prorogued parliament . With a federal election looming, Canadians, among other problems, are facing affordability issues and to top it off, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada and 10-percent tariffs on oil and gas. Those US tariffs were set to begin Feb 4, but have been delayed by at least 30 days as the countries work together on border security and trade imbalance. However, for many Canadians, the potential for a trade war between two longtime allies continues to fuel anger, despair and confusion over what may be coming next. The speaker will try to make sense of it all, while analyzing the response from governments and political leaders including Liberal leadership contenders. Speaker: Shannon Phillips Shannon brings over two decades of experience in public policy, governance, and leadership in energy and the environment to her role as a partner at Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips. Her experience includes serving as the Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office in Rachel Notley’s government, where she was responsible for climate policy, conservation expansion, and Indigenous reconciliation efforts. She also established Alberta’s first standalone Ministry for the Status of Women. From 2015-19, Shannon was the driving force behind Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan. Phillips led the coal phase-out, renewable energy expansion, and energy efficiency programs that boosted Alberta’s GDP and created jobs across the province. Shannon also represented Alberta on the national and international stage, including leading delegations to UN climate conferences in Paris and Marrakech. Phillips won three elections as a progressive woman candidate in Southern Alberta – an accomplishment most would have dismissed as far-fetched just a decade ago. She is an experienced and successful campaigner, organizer and grassroots leader. She continues to focus on mentorship and training of a new generation of activists and candidates. Shannon is a strong communicator in both of Canada’s official languages, a skill that serves her well in her extensive policy and advocacy work on the national and international stage. Deeply committed to her community, Shannon continues to strengthen her relationship with the Blackfoot people of southern Alberta and is a Blackfoot Headdress holder and recipient of a Blackfoot name. In addition to her work in the community, Shannon serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge and was recognized as a YWCA Woman of Distinction in 2017. Shannon enjoys spending time with her two sons outdoors, particularly in the Canadian Rockies.

Since 2017, the Secure Your Food Program (SYF) has known that food prices will rise due to systemic issues. Other contributing factors such as history, war, climate change, etc., will also keep prices elevated for the foreseeable future. SYF can confidently summarize for you and your family why this is happening and why it’s important to prepare during these volatile times. SYF works at all levels of society to improve food security. Food security is your access to nutritious foods to support healthy living. SYF employs sustainable and mitigative food security solutions for individuals, families, large groups, and municipalities. The Secure Your Food Program is consulted on growing projects, designs food systems, advises on food initiatives, collaborates with local groups, advocates for vulnerable populations, and participates in academic and community research, all focused on food. Due to its wide range of activities and sought after solutions, the Secure Your Food program is transitioning to a Not-for-Profit society in 2025. The program was so successful that it has grown from a plan to a myriad of options to increase food security. Speaker: Derek Melting Tallow, Program Director of Secure Your Food (SYF) Program. Derek Melting Tallow grew up in Raymond and is ½ Blood, ¼ Shoshone, and ¼ Navajo First Nations. Derek graduated from Raymond High School and then attended the University of Lethbridge (BA - 2010) and developed an interest in public health and disaster management. Derek completed his Social Work Diploma (2017) at Mount Royal University and is a regular presenter at the IFW’s Joint World Congress on social work, social policy, and education. The presenting topic is social work and disaster management, of which Secure Your Food (SYF) was created using these perspectives. Secure Your Food was created as a sample program to address food insecurity while Derek performed his final social work practicum at the City of Lethbridge’s Community Social Development.

Recently, Mayor Hyggen presented his annual State of the City address for the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and he highlighted our rapid population growth and the challenges and opportunities. What are our current needs? What do we foresee in the near future and beyond? How do we pay for it? Who should pay for it? The speaker will talk about the issues, costs, priorities and realities. Speaker: Blaine Hyggen, Mayor of Lethbridge Blaine Hyggen was first elected to City Council in 2013 and was elected Mayor in 2021. He has owned and operated various businesses throughout the community for the past 28 years. He studied Business Law and Accounting at Lethbridge Community College. Some of Blaine’s past and current volunteer experience includes: School Councils, Lethbridge Figure Skating Club, Lethbridge Volleyball Association, Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association and The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, to name a few. Blaine’s family is his number one priority. His wife Jennifer is a Registered Nurse and they have two daughters: Jayden and Jelayna. Blaine enjoys attending local theatre and staying active by running, biking and playing hockey. As a proud parent and successful business owner, Blaine loves Lethbridge and wants to see it remain the best city for families while ensuring it is a great place to do business.

Overwhelmed hospitals. Overcrowded schools. Threats from Donald Trump. Coal mines that could contaminate our water supply. If all that wasn’t enough for Albertans to worry about, Alberta wages and living standards are also falling. Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan will explain what’s behind the disappearance of the Alberta Advantage – and what we can do about it. Speaker: Gil McGowan Gil McGowan is a passionate labour leader, advocate for workers’ rights, and dedicated champion of social and economic justice. Since 2005, he has served as the president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), Alberta’s largest labor organization, representing more than 175,000 unionized workers from diverse industries across the province. Under McGowan’s leadership, the AFL has been a powerful voice for workers, spearheading campaigns to improve workplace safety, secure fair wages, and protect public services. His leadership has been pivotal during times of economic and political change in Alberta, particularly in advocating for workers affected by the province’s shifting energy and economic landscapes. With decades of experience in labor activism, McGowan continues to inspire and lead efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive Alberta, ensuring that workers have a strong voice in shaping the province’s future.