SKILLS SOCIETY EMPLOYEE EDUCATION AWARDS

People with disabilities, like all citizens, have the right to choose and be rooted in their culture and spiritual traditions. Barbara is a kind and gentle soul who deeply values relationships, spending time talking with people and listening to their stories. For Barbara it is important that she be connected to her culture and participate in ceremony: “This is part of honoring my ancestors and remembering them”.

Barbara has been working for several years as an Action Lab host, and recently took on a new role supporting the Action Lab in keeping the spirit of Treaty alive in the space. With the change of each season, Barbara leads a smudge to cleanse and thank the Indigenous artifacts in the space. As part of the smudge ceremony, she teaches our community about Indigenous culture, often sharing her own experiences, stories and family traditions. Barbara is a valued member of the Action Lab team, and we are grateful for her leadership in supporting Action Lab in being a welcoming and inclusive space. As a self-advocate, Barbara also collaborated with Skills Society on a mini-documentary around rights. You can hear more from Barbara about her experiences and culture by watching The Rights We Want! video available on our website.

As a citizen making positive change in the world, Barbara identifies as a Dreamer, reimagining new ways of being in the world.

This past year we launched the Skills Society Employee Education Awards with the purpose of fostering leadership development by supporting employees in participating in formal postsecondary education programs that further their learning and growth in the field of disability studies and/or leadership. With an aim of equity, half of all Employee Education Awards are reserved for employees who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC). Skills Society values diversity, equity and social justice. As part of this value we strive to boost and support BIPOC leaders within our community, continue to learn and work together on anti-racist allyship, and actively participate in systems change initiatives.

Jade Asangbe-Atawah

Award supports their pursuit of a Master of Social Work, University of Calgary

Stephen Dufe

Award supports their pursuit of a Bachelor of Social Work, University of Manitoba