Oh, how I love being a woman, and in all the different ways my femininity manifests, I feel the most empowered when listening to the experiences of other people who identify with womanhood. As such, I am grateful to have been able to attend UFV’s panel for International Women’s Day, highlighting local leaders who use their lived experiences as catalysts for change. Convened under the concept of intersectionality, the conversation was aptly titled Untying the Knots: Where Personal Action Creates Systemic Change.
The panel was made up of four individuals in different stages of their personal and professional lives. Each panelist was able to touch on a facet of womanhood tangibly: Dr. Shahana Alibhai is a mother, family physician, mental health advocate, and leader at Foundry BC; Eryn Braley is a Cree woman and UFV alumni tackling systemic inequalities in the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples; Ray Kelly is a current UFV student and president of the Pride Collective, working towards queer inclusion and educational competencies, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer and COVID-19 emergency response leader, who has faced numerous barriers as a woman in STEM.
The event began in a good way, opened by knowledge keeper John Williams and elder Denise Douglas. Dr Alicia Webb, vice president, students, led the event as a moderator, guiding the audience and panelists through a conversation that was consistently interrupted by catcalls from the few protestors posted outside Evered Hall.
Dr. Joanne MacLean, UFV president and vice-chancellor, lent me a few minutes after the event where I asked her about UFV’s lecture circuit. “The President’s Leadership Lecture Series has been this fairly long-standing opportunity to bring speakers to campus who can help us to have that conversation to learn to think about new things, or to think about things in a different way,” said MacLean.
Additionally, I offered her my congratulations on having Dr. Henry at UFV, which for me was a pretty cool experience. “What an unbelievable leader she is,” said Maclean, “What a great role model for our students, for our faculty, for me, for everybody! So great to have her here and to hear her ideas and learn a little bit more about her story.”
I also got an opportunity to chat with Eryn Braley who, besides being dedicated to improving health and wellness for her people, is really charismatic and funny. I asked Braley about how UFV served as a jumping off point for her master’s degree at UBC and a career in public health.
“I think it was the place where I realized that I wanted to do health as a career path,” said Braley. “Towards the end of my experience at UFV was when I was really wanting to connect with who I am as an Indigenous person, and so it started me off on that path and that journey towards my future in health, and providing the opportunities. I got to work with BC Cancer’s Hereditary Cancer program.”
I wanted to know Braley’s thoughts on the future role of women in healthcare, especially in Indigenous healthcare, and where she ultimately sees herself.
“I think that there’s so many opportunities for women and Indigenous women in all levels of the healthcare system,” said Braley, “whether it’s point-of-care, working with Indigenous patients to create safe spaces, or in leadership positions, making the big decisions [that] impact and improve the health and wellness of Indigenous people. There’s so much room for it, and there’s such a need for it, and our voices are growing.”
I left the event feeling inspired by the stories of these individuals and the conversations I had with new people as we mingled over coffee and sandwiches. The Leadership Lecture Series won’t be back until the fall, and International Women’s Day may be over, but there is no wrong time to engage in dynamic conversations and move towards change.
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.
