On Friday, Nov. 3, Abbotsford participated in its fourth TEDx event. Held at UFV’s Evered Hall, over 100 locals joined to listen, network, and learn from some of the region’s brightest individuals. Two of the presenters, Dr. Luisa Guiles and Jelena Brcic, are UFV professors.
TEDx is an offshoot of the world-famous TED conferences, organized independently by local community members. According to TED’s website, these grassroots events are organized by “passionate individuals who seek to uncover new ideas and to share the latest research in their local areas that spark conversations in their communities.” The organizers of TEDx Abbotsford are local entrepreneurs Johann Roduit and Jason Matte.
Conversations ranged from exploring our evolving relationship with AI, to the risks of air pollution, to the values and ideals that can aid us in managing stress — even on the moon. The event closed out with Dr. Gwendolyn Point, a B.C. First Nations Knowledge Keeper who has strong ties to UFV as an educator, curriculum coordinator, and former UFV Chancellor. In her talk, “What Every Canadian Should Know,” she led the audience through her experiences as an Indigenous person in Canada, including a childhood lived under oppressive laws such as the Potlatch Ban and the Indian Act, displaying her status card to the crowd.
The event supplied the audience with ample food and refreshments during the intermission and closed with an afterparty held on the second floor of the Student Union Building. Alcohol and snacks were available for purchase and many listeners got the opportunity to mingle and have their questions answered by the speakers.
Kiara Okonkwo is a writer and creative. She received a diploma in Screenwriting from Vancouver Film School and is pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media and Communication Studies. Kiara values self-expression and authenticity.