Executive Director of the Carrefour d’aide aux nouveaux arrivants, Isabelle Saine has an atypical academic background, combining business administration and religious studies. Once a specialist of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, she has been working in the community sector for the past ten years. She is passionate about improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable, helping others and living-together.
Directrice générale du Carrefour d’aide aux nouveaux arrivants, Isabelle Saine détient un parcours universitaire atypique qui jumelle l’administration des affaires et l’histoire des religions. Autrefois spécialiste du conflit israélo-palestinien, elle se consacre au domaine communautaire depuis une dizaine d’années. Elle est passionnée par l’amélioration des conditions de vie des plus vulnérables, l’entraide et le vivre-ensemble.
Zohreh Gervais, a Winnipeg-based musician and concert producer, is a versatile artist known for her soprano and violin skills. She has curated multimedia concerts as an independent artist and creative director of Polycoro. Highlights include hosting “Red Haus Live,” performing experimental works, and featuring as a soprano soloist in Handel’s Messiah. Zohreh has released three albums, including “My First Songs and Rhymes” and “The River” with Hay Fever. Trained in violin and voice, she’s a sought-after soloist and collaborator with a passion for baroque and early music.
Michael Afenfia is a remarkable Nigerian trained Lawyer and Author whose literary brilliance has captivated readers across the globe. Currently residing in the enchanting province of Saskatchewan, Michael has masterfully crafted a literary career that stands as a testament to his immense talent and unwavering passion for storytelling.
Beyond his impressive literary achievements, Michael is a visionary whose commitment to his craft and dedication to the art of storytelling shine through in every aspect of his work. His unique perspective, honed by his multicultural background, infuses his narratives with a rich tapestry of cultural nuances, giving voice to untold stories and shedding light on diverse human experiences.
Gerard Weber has performed across Canada, the United States and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. Gerard is currently based in Saskatoon as a performer and private instructor and is currently completing a PhD in Musicology at the University of Western Ontario. In Saskatoon, Gerard frequently performs with a number of musical organizations, including the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, the Strata Festival of New Music and the SaskTel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.
Dr. Eileen Antone, Emeritus, University of Toronto is a member of the Oneida of the Thames First Nation-Turtle Clan. She is the former Director of Aboriginal Studies/Centre for Aboriginal Initiatives at the University of Toronto. Dr. Antone served as a faculty member in the Department of Adult Education, Community Development, and Counselling Psychology, as well as the Transitional Year Programme. Eileen currently sits on the University of Toronto Elders’ Circle.
Vishal Bedi, a flute player from Toronto, specializes in playing the Indian flute (Bansuri). After receiving professional training from his Guruji, Vishal Bedi has been captivating audiences for the past ten years in both India and Canada. With his masterful skills, he delivers a thrilling experience by seamlessly blending Indian classical music with the lively rhythms of Punjabi and Bollywood tunes. His performances leave listeners spellbound and mesmerized.
Mr. Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer at Little Canada, an experience focusing on education and entertainment. With over 35 years of senior executive experience in retail across Europe and North America, he previously held leadership roles in the investment sector, notably with Good Energies Inc. and Fossil Canada. Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer earned his Marketing degree from St. Eligius College, Antwerp, Belgium in 1984. He now resides in Oakville, Ontario, with his wife and four sons, where they have lived since 1999.
Shumaila Hemani, Ph.D. is an Alberta-based Sufi singer-songwriter, acousmatic composer, and community-engaged artist sculpting with the sounds of the environment and addressing climate crises with Sufi poetry from South Asia. Her debut album: Mannat is an immersive experience of deep listening to soundscapes of climate change, the havoc it is bringing on cultures and traditions, and prayers rooted. While opening for Sun Ra Arkestra in 2023, the Sled Island Festival stated, “Hemani had the room in a trance…with her beautiful melodies.” Women in Music Canada inducted Hemani in the 2023 Honor Roll for emerging female voices.
Arriving in Canada in 2011, Hervé Stéclebout has been the CEO of Cité des Rocheuses since 2012. Hervé holds both French and Canadian citizenship and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Since 2017, he has been actively involved in establishing services for newcomers. Hervé is committed to ensuring that francophiles and francophones in Calgary and its region have access to services in French and can participate in artistic, cultural, and community events in French.
Lily Monaghan, a blues/folk singer-songwriter, was born and raised in Edmonton. With her warm and distinctive tone, she captivates listeners by infusing her songs with personal experiences. Having graduated from Grant MacEwan University with a Bachelor of Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music, where she specialized in vocal performance, Lily continually strives to enhance her abilities and embrace new musical techniques. Her debut EP, released in February 2023, has garnered significant attention, earning her recognition such as the coveted title of “Best New Act of 2023” by Alternative Nation Magazine.
