005 - Global Heroes Vol.2 - Issue 2

THE POWER OF POSITIVE, SOLUTION-BASED JOURNALISM.

P.K. SUBBAN

A HERO ON AND OFF THE ICE

EXPLORING THE

LOVE LIVES ON IN LOCKDOWN

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PK SUBBAN: A HERO ON AND OFF 08 THE ICE YOUTH HEROES

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The Opportunity Of A Lifetime

24 26

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Courage, Culture, and Candor: Tracie Léost

INDIGENOUS

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Master Corporal Natalie Forcier’s Wellness Journey Julie Angus, CEO And Co-Founder Of Open Oceans Robotics The Fight Against Period Poverty: Days For Girls Canada Takes Charge

HEALTH & WELLNESS

34 36 37 38

A Look Inside The Wellspring Cancer Community What Is COVID Antibody Testing, Anyway?

Leveraging The Power Of Health Voices Heroics Are Not Always About Saving Lives

How To Observe Great Lakes Awareness Day Water Is Life: Stand With Neskantaga

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE

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Celebrity Mothers Making A Difference The Story Of Seema’s 5n2 Kitchens

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A Spark to Ignite New Ideas To Disrupt Cancer Care

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The Look Good Feel Better Guide To Self-Care

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 41 42

The Power Of Yoga

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Meet Ricardo: Because Of You, Ricardo Can Play Sports

EDUCATION

56 58

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Corporate Impact Investing Is A Critical Part Of Solving Global Problems Putting Mental Health Into Focus

Chapman’s Ice Cream: Supporting Canadian Communities

Fulbright: Celebrating 75 Years Worldwide And 30 (+1) Years In Canada

FOOD & FARMING

59 60 61

Eat, Grow, Share: Growing A Greener Future Nutrition Connections: Families And Food

Scientists In School

A Movement Of Everyday Heroes

ANIMAL HEALTH

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Safe, Effective Medicines Are Key To Pet Health & Welfare

BBQ Ontario Leg Of Lamb White Bean Dip Three Ways Butter Chicken Naan Pizza Peach PB&J Energy Bites Peach Bellini Cocktail Blender Pancakes

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Mother’s Day Gifts That Give Back Canada And Impressionism: New Horizons Celebrating Toronto’s Ravines Best Canadian Road Trips

5 Reasons To Choose Organic

EVERYDAY HEROES

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ART, TRAVEL & LEISURE

Find The Engineers Of Tomorrow With Better Stories Today

Vince Carter Launches Scholarship Program

How Sheep Are Mitigating Climate Change

FEEL-GOOD RECIPES

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St. Lawrence Market

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Exploring The Beauty Of Ontario’s Cottage Country Wander Women: Journey For Women, By Women Kenya’s Wildlife Tourism Love Lives On In Lockdown

Letter from the editor

Denise Koprich Shirazi

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ever have I longed for my flip-flops and sun lotion more. Fortunately, summer is around the corner, and the promise of warmer weather and vaccinations brings with it a new sense of optimism. Restaurant patios will be welcoming guests again, and parks will be alive with families and friends safely meeting outdoors.

Verifiably, people who spend time in green spaces live healthier, happier lives. We are blessed to live in a city that boasts one of the most extensive ravine systems in the world, offering boundless trails for hiking and biking. Toronto’s watershed and waterfront trails and parks are vital city assets and natural wonders to be explored and enjoyed by all.

If you crave a natural retreat within the city, take a stroll through the Lower Don Trail and immerse yourself in Evergreen Brick Works’ Don River Valley Park Art Program, or plan ahead to next spring and experience the first-of-its-kind exhibition at The National Gallery of Canada. Keeping 2022 travel plans in mind, consider Wander Women: Journeys For Women,

by Women, with Insight Vacations. Their trips provide enriching experiences that cater to the diverse interests of female travellers while celebrating women’s achievements.

In this issue, we shine a light on women of influence who make a difference through advocacy, innovation, and charitable work. Julie Angus, CEO and Co-founder of Open Oceans Robotics, shares how her vessels are transforming the future of ocean research. Toronto’s own Seema David is feeding the food-insecure, and the Days For Girls Canada team is leading the charge on period poverty.

We also say thank you to arguably the most important lady in our lives—our moms—with a helpful Mother’s Day gift guide. From stylish accessories to tasty treats, we have selected socially-conscious Canadian products that you can feel good about gifting.

Join us as we celebrate our cover star, NHL star PK Subban, a hero who is as passionate about giving back and enriching his community as he is about hockey. His desire to help families of children suffering from illnesses led to establishing the PK Subban Foundation, and later, his charity, Blueline Buddies, which was founded to create unity between police officers and underprivileged youth. PK understands that the roles he plays on and off the ice are parallel as he strives to inspire positive change in everything he does.

The past year has brought on a whirlwind of changes, and while not all of these changes have been welcome, some have had a positive impact on us and the world we live in. We have witnessed an uptick in acts of kindness, and for a short time, there even seemed to be a respite from some daily stressors like traffic, pollutants, and hurriedness. We learned that life doesn’t have to be a constant hustle—it’s okay to stop and smell the flowers. Be sure to set aside some time to enjoy the magic of the season’s blooms.

“Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be.”

—Unknown Stay safe. Stay well.

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COVER PHOTO © ALEXANDRA TOULCH PUBLISHER Amir Shirazi EDITOR IN CHIEF Denise Koprich Shirazi EDITOR Raye Mocioiu CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sergio D. Spadavecchia GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kelly Laufer SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Allie Murray FINANCE DIRECTOR Marie LaVoie CONTRIBUTORS Alex Carter SALES DIRECTOR Stephen McDermott ADVERTISING Adam West Jacquelyn Brooks Nazeela Ahmed Jacqueline Stewart PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Susan Mestchian Headquarters 2660 Sherwood Heights Drive, Suite 202 Oakville, Ontario • L6J 7Y8 Office: 905-815-1500 info@globalheroes.com

Find out if you had COVID-19.

Testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is available now.

LifeLabs.com ©LifeLabs 2020

P.K. SUBBAN:

AON HERO AND OFF THE ICE P

ERNELL-KARL SYLVESTER "P. K." Subban is more than a hockey player—the AllStar NHL defenseman for the New Jersey Devils is an entrepreneur, producer, and fashion enthusiast, among many other passions. His success on the ice has enabled him to pursue achievements outside of hockey—and he has set his sights on philanthropy, working tirelessly to create positive change wherever he goes.

The Toronto-native made his debut in the NHL in 2011 and finished his rookie season ranked among the top 25 defensemen in scoring. In 2013, Subban was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy and was named to the NHL All-Star team in 2013 and 2015. In 2017, the star athlete led the Nashville Predators to their first-ever appearance in the Stanley Cup finals.

In 2019, Subban was acquired by the New Jersey Devils and continues to be one of the NHL’s premier players.

Throughout his professional career, Subban has been passionate about using his platform to make a difference, relentlessly pursuing charitable initiatives that support his community’s well-being and enrichment.

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His desire to inspire positive change led him to establish the P.K. Subban Foundation, and since its inception in 2014, the foundation has helped thousands of families across Canada and the United States. We sat down with the star athlete to talk about where his philanthropy started, where it will go, and how he plans to use his platform for positive change.

GH: IN 2015, YOU MADE A $10M COMMITMENT TO THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THROUGH P.K.'S HELPING HAND, THE LARGEST PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT BY A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE IN CANADA. WHAT INSPIRED THIS ALTRUISTIC DONATION? P.K.: I had a meeting with the hospital in Toronto, and they presented the idea of doing something bigger. After I signed my contract with the Montreal Canadiens, we met again to further expand on our conversation. They shared how many children and families I could help, and I couldn’t say “no” knowing how many people we could impact. I knew I had to help any way I could.

GH: LET'S START FROM THE BEGINNING! CAN YOU TELL US THE STORY THAT INSPIRED YOU TO START THE P.K. SUBBAN FOUNDATION? P.K.: Before I started my foundation, I was rarely home for the holidays. The idea began when I started visiting children at the hospital on Christmas Eve, bringing gifts to the kids and spending time with the staff. I built a great relationship with everyone and continued to visit as much as I could.

Specifically, early in my career, I met a young boy named Alex Shapiro. He played hockey in Toronto, and I became very close with him and his family. After a battle with cancer, he passed away at 11 years old. It inspired me to make a difference, and I started my foundation.

The Montreal Children’s Hospital called the donation “the biggest philanthropic commitment by a sports figure in Canadian history,” and the act inspired the hospital to name the atrium after him. Less than a year later, he was traded to the Predators but that didn’t stop him from giving back to Montreal.

In 2018, when the Predators were in Montreal for a game against the Canadiens, Subban and six of his Predators teammates went back to the hospital to spend time with some of the children and their families. The following August, Subban hosted a hockey camp in Montreal for children, with the proceeds going to the hospital.

During that experience, he decided to start P.K.’s Helping Hand, a foundation established to provide financial support to families with children suffering from illnesses.

However, his philanthropy didn’t end there. In September 2015, the star defenceman announced his $10 million commitment to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, pledging his support for sick children and their families.

GH: YOU’VE HAD A LOT OF “CAREER-DEFINING” MOMENTS—BEING ON THE COVER OF NHL ‘19, WINNING THE NORRIS TROPHY (AWARDED ANNUALLY TO THE NHL’S TOP DEFENCE PLAYER WHO DEMONSTRATES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON THE GREATEST ALL-AROUND ABILITY IN THE POSITION), PLAYING ON TEAM CANADA IN THE WORLD JUNIORS AND SO MUCH MORE. WHAT STICKS OUT TO YOU AS A HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? P.K.: I am very thankful to have played with great players and amazing teams—it has led to a lot of individual success.

My ultimate dream is to win a Stanley Cup, and that is the goal I will continue to work towards.

When Subban was traded to the Nashville Predators, he took his philanthropic spirit with him, launching the Blueline Buddies program.

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At every Predators home game, Subban would host a member of the Metro Nashville Police Department and an underprivileged youth, providing them with a chance to form positive relationships. Since being traded to the New Jersey Devils, Subban took the Blue Line Buddies initiative with him, continuing to spread joy in a new state.

GH: YOU DONATED $50,000 TO GEORGE FLOYD’S DAUGHTER’S GOFUNDME PAGE, AND AFTER REACHING OUT TO THE NHL AND COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN, THEY MATCHED YOUR DONATION. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR THE SPORTS WORLD TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT AND SPEAK AGAINST RACIAL INJUSTICE? P.K.: I am extremely thankful for the NHL, Kim Davis and Gary Bettman for stepping up. I am honestly not surprised as they have historically made an extreme effort to be supportive!

It is important because sports connect us all. I believe that we, as players, owners, commissioners, etc., have a responsibility to set the right example for how we want to influence communities across the globe.

GH: DURING YOUR TIME IN NASHVILLE, YOU STARTED THE BLUELINE BUDDIES INITIATIVE, AIMING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN AT-RISK COMMUNITIES AND THE POLICE. IN TODAY'S RACIAL CLIMATE, THESE BONDS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM THIS INITIATIVE?

In light of COVID-19, P.K. Subban and the P.K. Subban Foundation have remained headstrong on their mission to bring light and positivity to communities and families in need—and they’re not stopping anytime soon. For the past five years, PKSF has supported countless programs for children, including “Lire Imagine Read,” a literacy program that has distributed 12,500 books in 30 languages to kids of all ages. Subban looks forward to the future of his foundation and the incredible impact that will come from using his platform for good.

P.K.: We absolutely have seen communities benefit from Blueline Buddies. Specifically, Nashville and New Jersey have embraced the program. I have witnessed law enforcement step up outside of the program and continue their relationship with the kids. In some cases, they will bring the kids back to games on their own time and money, continuing positive interactions with these communities.

As someone who strives to use his platform for good, Subban not only recognizes but prioritizes the importance of athletes serving as role models. This responsibility is not one he takes lightly and is why he strives to be a part of the solution to social issues.

GH: WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST GRATIFYING MOMENT THROUGHOUT THE WORK OF THE PKSF AND PK'S HELPING HAND? P.K.: It is not about gratification; it is about responsibility.

When you take ownership of your responsibility, you do not look for gratification in what you do. I am proud to see the people who have stepped up make a difference and help us achieve our goals—making a positive impact in communities.

“MY JERSEY MIGHT CHANGE, BUT MY MESSAGE WILL ALWAYS STAY THE SAME; KIDS, I'LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.”

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HELPING CHANGE THE LIVES OF OTHERS

ONE CHILD

ATATIME

Change the game, join the

movement by supporting P.K.'s helping hand fund fondationduchildren.com/en/fundraising/coup-main-helping-hand-5

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME CWY-JCM IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE GLOBALLY

In 1997, I had the opportunity to travel from my small town of St-Anthony, Newfoundland, to Costa Rica through a placement with Canada World Youth – Jeunesse Canada Monde. Like other CWY-JCM alumni, I knew it was the experience of a lifetime. For three months, I lived with the most wonderful family. I worked on a little farm about 10 minutes walk from my host family’s house. I played soccer on the community fields in the evening and took cold showers in the morning.

BY: SUSAN HANDRIGAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO

For three months, I got to experience what it was like being Costa Rican. My view of the world was completely changed. I realized how interconnected we all are and how my experience could have a direct impact in shaping the future. This is not just my story—it is the story of 50,000 other young Canadians that have participated in our programs and had their lives changed in the process.

For the last 50 years, CWY-JCM has been a leader for young people. Over the next 10 years, CWY-JCM plans to continue to focus it’s impact within four key pillars, while still keeping youth at the center.

Empowerment & Experience for Indigenous Communities Guided by the recommendations of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and in partnership with Indigenous organizations, CWY-JCM has promoted a collaborative relationship with Canadian Indigenous communities and incorporated Indigenous values into our methodology. We work with young people to promote education and sustainable livelihoods through experiential learning to broaden their perspectives and empower Indigenous Communities around the world.

Environmental Sustainability CWY-JCM knows that environmental change begins in our own backyards.

In partnership with governments and environmental sustainability groups, CWY-

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JCM promotes green entrepreneurship and empowers youth to become leaders in promoting environmental protection, preservation, and conservation.

Empowerment of Young Women & Girls Gender equality is a right, and every country has work to do to close the gap.

Addressing this issue is a critical part of ending poverty and inequality in Canada and around the world. CWY-JCM programming addresses barriers preventing gender equality and empowers young women and girls to move past them.

Sustainable Livelihood & Entrepreneurship CWY-JCM has almost five decades of experience addressing the needs of youth, teaching them to build sustainable livelihoods through employment skills and entrepreneurship training, and empowering youth to secure meaningful employment or start businesses. Within CWY-JCM programming, young people are not only beneficiaries but also key innovators and impact contributors.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it is that we are all interconnected, and investments made in programs like ours are the best way to connect and develop partnerships that will empower young people.

As we embark on our next 50 years, we are calling on alumni to support us in creating programming that will continue to be innovative to train the next generation of leaders. We need alumni to share how CWYJCM has impacted your life!

For those who are hearing about CWYJCM for the first time, our programs have been credited in part to the tremendous reputation Canadians have when traveling overseas. We have helped Canada’s priorities abroad, in business and development. This year specifically, we are seeking private investments to put Canada at the forefront of the COVID rebuild worldwide.

Share your story and get involved at CANADAWORLDYOUTH.ORG

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF EMPOWERING YOUTH. CALLING ALL ALUMNI: JOIN THE CELEBRATION!

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YEARS EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR COMMUNITIES

2,000,000

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LIVES CHANGED BY CWY-JCM PROGRAMMING

COUNTRIES HAVE PARTNERED WITH CWY-JCM

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE WITH US CANADAWORLDYOUTH.ORG

COURAGE, CULTURE, AND CANDOR: TRACIE LÉOST AMPLIFIES THE VOICES OF INDIGENOUS

YOUTH

BY ALEX CARTER

Métis youth are using sports as a platform to spread awareness about Indigenous issues while creating a space for Indigenous youth to “get up and rise” to explore and celebrate their identity and culture.

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@ WHOLE CREATIVE

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hile attending high school, Tracie Léost learned that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. An Indigenous studies assignment and a personal challenge would carry her on a journey that would shed light on a deliberate human-rights issue and change the course of history in Canada.

As a Métis—a distinct Indigenous people recognized by the federal government— Léost grew up embracing her Indigenous culture and identity, despite being raised in a predominantly white neighbourhood in Manitoba, resulting in a sense of never fitting in. However, when Léost was in grade ten, she participated as a runner in the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). There, Léost recalls her first experience being in a space supportive of her Indigenous identity and talent, “it was really empowering…I always say, ‘that’s where that seed was planted.’’’ Her participation in NAIG gave Léost the courage to explore more of her Indigenous history and culture.

@ TRACIE LÉOST

Her mission to empower Indigenous youth came full circle in 2017 when Léost was a participant at the NAIG games. Growing up, sports was a passion, but as she got older, running evolved as an outlet for her to spread awareness. Her three medals in running are testaments to other Indigenous youth that barriers can be broken, “being a successful athlete is only another barrier for Indigenous people in Canada,” she says, “a barrier we must break.” Léost’s enthusiasm for sports has given her the endurance necessary to coach youth hockey while attending the University of Regina, where most of the participants are Indigenous youth. Léost encourages youth to participate in sports and use it to break through society’s preconceived notions.

Today, Léost’s newest venture is supporting other Indigenous youth by creating spaces where they belong. “Waanishka,” which is a Michif command for “get up and rise,” because, “there’s nowhere to go but up from here,” Léost explains. This non-profit seeks to create safe space while uplifting the rise of Indigenous youth, Canada’s youngest and fastest growing demographic. For her tireless efforts, she’s been awarded both the Order of Gabriel Dumont, the Métis Nations highest honour bestowed upon a civilian, and the Indspire Award, the highest honor

the Indigenous community bestows upon its own people. On her accomplishments, Léost explains, “I want to do everything that my people never could, and if that means walking with people, or creating a new path and trailblazing, so be it, but I don’t want anyone who comes after me to feel like they cannot do something or that these are spaces they do not belong in.” She continues to coach and assist others in creating safe spaces to uplift Indigenous youth. @ BRANDON HARDER

Using her passion for running, Léost built awareness for the thousands of MMIWG2S with a 115km run from her home in Oak Point, MB to Winnipeg.

The run was long and physically demanding, with Léost opting for moccasins after the first day to protect her painfully blistered feet. But she knew she had to push through, “anytime I felt like giving up, there was just this feeling of so many women being with me, I felt like my soul and my spirit weren’t alone.” Léost raised over $6,000 for the Families First Foundation and sparked international attention.

to both. The public needs to be made aware of these issues, “knowledge is what flourishes activism,” Léost explained.

Léost hasn’t finished shedding light on this situation, nor breaking barriers for Indigenous youth and women.

@ WHOLE CREATIVE

@ TRACIE LÉOST

Being one of only a handful of Indigenous students at her school, she often felt an invisible barrier between herself and peers. With her newfound confidence, Léost enrolled in an Indigenous studies course. After completing an assignment shedding light on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited (MMIWG2S), Léost was shocked to learn the situation was not a priority for the federal government—over 4,000 women and girls since 1980. She didn’t understand why more wasn’t being done, her teacher responded with, “you have the ability and voice to make a change, so why don’t you?” Those words lit a fire within Léost, shifting gears from education to advocacy and awareness.

In 2016, the federal government launched the National Inquiry into MMIWG2S, which concluded a deeper, systemic problem going well-beyond missing and murdered women. It includes the Residential Schools and Sixties Scoop— federal policies designed to assimilate the Indigenous population, more specifically, children. However, wide-spread abuse and genocide-like actions performed by the federal government called for an end

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© BIGSTOCKPHOTO / VITALHUMAN

HOW TO OBSERVE GREAT LAKES AWARENESS DAY The Anishinabek Nation celebrates Great Lakes Day on April 22.

© ARIANA KAMINSKI UNSPLASH

Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie. Together, these Great Lakes comprise the largest body of freshwater, making up more than 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater supply, and stretch 1,200 kilometres from east to west, bringing drinking water to approximately 40 million people and providing a home to over 4,000 species of plants and wildlife.

© ISTOCKPHOTO/RANKRAMSPOTT

PLAN A LAKESIDE ADVENTURE WITH YOUR FAMILY OR SOCIAL BUBBLE!

Celebrate the beauty of the Great Lakes with a safe stroll along the water’s edge.

The Anishinabek Nation Chief Water Commissioner, Autumn Peltier, reminds us that water is the Lifeblood of Mother Earth.

“Our first water teaching comes from within our own mother. We literally live in water for nine months, floating in that sacred water that gives us life. We can’t live in our mother’s womb without water. As a fetus, we need that sacred water for development. The sacred significance is that my mother comes from her mother’s water, my grandmother comes from her mother’s water, and my great grandmother comes from her mother’s water.

Flowing within us is original water, Lifeblood of Mother Earth, that sustains us as we come from this land. Mother Earth’s power is in the Lifeblood of Mother Earth, which is our water. Mother Earth has the power to destroy us all, and if we keep harming her, one day she may decide to destroy everything.”

LEARN ABOUT ISSUES THE GREAT LAKES FACE, AND FIND WAYS TO GET INVOLVED AND PROTECT THE LAKES.

There is a current threat to our precious freshwater being posed by the Line 5 oil pipeline running through the Straits of Mackinac that connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Officials have said that properly maintained pipelines can last indefinitely, but the industry’s history of major spills in Michigan and across North America proves otherwise. Today, much of the oil flowing through the Line 5 pipelines (90 to 95 per cent of it) is coming from Canada and taking a shortcut through Michigan and the Straits of Mackinac before crossing back into Canada near Port Huron. Line 5 has spilled 33 times and at least 1.1 million gallons along its length since 1968.

SAVING THE GREAT LAKES IS NOT A ONE-PERSON JOB. JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO SAVE THE GREAT LAKES!

TO LEARN MORE VISIT OILANDWATERDONTMIX.ORG 16

Treaty Education for Everyone!

Dakota talks about Treaties

Written by Kelly Crawford Illustrations by Don Chrétien

Alex shares his Wampum Belt

Written by Kelly Crawford

Illustrations by Don Chrétien

WATER IS LIFE: STAND WITH NESKANTAGA It’s winter. It’s cold, and you’re cooking dinner for your family.

Imagine if, instead of turning on the tap, you had to load buckets into your truck, head a mile to a small, outhouse-like building, and wait in line to fill them?

Now imagine that you’ve lived without tap water for the past 25 years.

That’s the story of Neskantaga First Nation.

They live in one of the more remote—and spectacular—parts of northern Ontario, on the shores of Attawapiskat Lake. It’s a region ironically rich in freshwater and possibly the largest intact boreal forest remaining in the world. But, because of government neglect and mismanagement, the community has recently passed a grim milestone: it’s been 9,500 days without clean water flowing to the 357 people that call this place home.

Last November, the community was evacuated due to dangerously high contamination levels that saw children break out in skin infections from contact with tap water. It was the second such departure in just over a year.

Despite the water crisis, planning for a massive mining development known as

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the “Ring of Fire” is underway. The project requires a new all-season road through Neskantaga territory. The Ring of Fire is located within Ontario’s vast expanse of soggy muskeg and peat bogs, dotted with black spruce, jack pine, and white birch. It’s a globally significant wetland and a massive carbon storehouse believed to annually sequester the equivalent of one-third of Ontario’s total carbon emissions.

Indigenous communities, like the Neskantaga First Nation, have contributed the least to world greenhouse gas emissions and have the smallest ecological footprints on Earth, yet are among the most impacted by climate change. Reeling from the twin crises of COVID-19 and the lack of clean water, leaders in this small Anishinaabe community are saying, “Enough.”

They are headed to court to challenge the government for failing to fulfill its duty to consult and accommodate in a way that respects and honours the community’s own Anishinaabe protocols for making decisions of this magnitude. The case also argues that the main north-south mining road being built to the “Ring of Fire” is a major industrial access road that will fragment intact boreal ecosystems and bisect Neskantaga territory.

“We believe it is our duty to protect the Attawapiskat River watershed,” says former Chief Wayne Moonias.

McFaulds Lake, the site of a proposed mining development area, is connected to the Attawapiskat river. The watershed provides Neskantaga families with summer to winter fishing. Says Moonias, “We harvest many fish; each spring

© ALLAN LISSNER

and fall, we hunt geese. People from my community also use the land all throughout our traditional territory.

We hunt and trap and gather plants and medicines. Our territory sustains us.”

While the Neskantaga community struggles, there IS a place along the Attawapiskat River that has enjoyed an uninterrupted flow of clean water: the DeBeers’ Victor Diamond Mine. It is a stark inequality and an indictment of the politics of neglect that continue to impoverish First Nations in Treaty 9.

While hundreds of millions of dollars are being mustered for the complex mining infrastructure, the stewards of the lands and waters of this boreal region have been persistently denied the basic necessities of life. “While they don't want to be overburdened with other things while they're suffering, I don't know one community leader who would forfeit [the] right to proper consultation to free, prior and informed consent,” shares Riley Yesno, a research fellow at Yellowhead Institute and a member of Eabametoong Nation.

Says Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, “This continued water crisis goes beyond boiling contaminated water. The bigger issue is that people’s basic fundamental human rights are being contravened and continually ignored.”

The community is under pressure to hurriedly green-light development that will forever change the Neskantaga way of life. In response, the community is turning to the courts to demand due process, as part of a

broader vision to restore the integrity of the entire Attawapiskat River watershed.

The Neskantaga are standing up for their rights: the right to safe drinking water and the right to determine their own futures on their homelands.

Legal challenges are expensive: that’s why RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) is joining forces with Neskantaga to fundraise for this important cause. The goal? To raise $100,000 to help the community access justice and to protect precious intact boreal forests.

To support Neskantaga, donate to RAVEN: fundraise.raventrust.com

“We believe it is our duty to protect the Attawapiskat River watershed.”

—former Chief Wayne Moonias 19

SHANIA TWAIN GIVES BACK THROUGH CONCERTS AND CHARITIES

CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE

CELEBRITY MOTHERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we’re putting the spotlight on celebrities who are not only heroes to their fans, but also to their children!

These celebrity moms are supporting life-changing initiatives, raising awareness for important causes, and sparking positive change across the globe!

Country superstar Shania Twain is a mother in more ways than one! Shania Twain founded Shania Kids Can to support underprivileged children living in similar circumstances to those she faced as a child. SKC provides children with one-onone consultations, academic support, group activities, and nutritious snacks and meal programs where needed, all while in the safe, confidence-building environment of the Shania Kids Can Clubhouse. Throughout the pandemic, SKC transitioned to an online model and with kids back in school, have modified the program to be able to support the children while ensuring proper protocols are in place.

“I feel luck saved me from falling through the cracks as a child and believe it’s neither wise nor fair to leave the destiny of any child to luck,” shares Shania.

In the meantime, Shania Twain is eagerly awaiting to return to her residency show, Shania Twain “Let’s Go!” The Las Vegas Residency at Zappos Theater, where $1 from every ticket purchased and 100% of merchandise proceeds go toward Shania Kids Can!

© ALEXANDER E HARBAUGH

Outside of SKC, the reigning Queen of Country Pop spent time raising money for COVID-19 relief. Shania opened for Canada Together: In Concert, a five-night broadcast presented by ET Canada and the Canadian Country Music Association Foundation. All proceeds raised from the broadcast were donated equally between Food Banks Canada and the Unison Benevolent Fund, supporting Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To learn more and donate, visit ShaniaKidsCan.com

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The former First Lady of the United States has announced ‘Waffles + Mochi,’ a new children’s cooking show that follows the two titular characters who want to escape ‘The Land of Frozen Food’ to become chefs, with their dreams becoming a reality at a whimsical new supermarket.

Waffles and Mochi will travel to kitchens, restaurants, farms, and homes worldwide, cooking up recipes alongside renowned chefs, home cooks, kids, and celebrities. The show is looking to open up conversations about cooking, healthy eating, and connecting through food.

Michelle took to Instagram to share: “It’s all about good food, discovering it, cooking it, and of course, eating it. These two will take us on adventures worldwide to explore new ingredients and try out new recipes.

“Kids will love it, but I know that adults will also get plenty of laughs—and some tips for the kitchen.

“In many ways, this show is an extension of my work to support children’s health as First Lady—and to be quite honest, I wish a program like this had been around when my girls were young.”

© WENN.COM

MICHELLE OBAMA LAUNCHES NEW COOKING SHOW FOR CHILDREN

As part of the show’s commitment to helping families during the pandemic, Michelle Obama and her new friends Waffles and Mochi are working with Partnership for a Healthier America to provide over 1 million meals through meal boxes to families in need.

Recently, Michelle Obama took a charity trip with actress Lana Condor, visiting Lana’s native Vietnam to retrace her beautiful adoption journey.

“It was such an amazing experience, and we got to do that right before travelling stopped due to COVID-19. I was very grateful,” Lana shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan.

“It was just beautiful,” she added. “I like to share these stories in case anyone out there is even thinking about adoption, or it’s a tiny voice in their head. It’s a beautiful thing, and I am nothing without my family. They are my everything.”*

KELLY ROWLAND HOSTS WOMEN’S HEART HEALTH LIVESTREAM Kelly Rowland had a chat with her “other mother,” Tina Knowles Lawson, as part of an online conversation about heart health.

The popstar, whose mother Doris died after suffering cardiac arrest, hosted the chat on behalf of the American Heart Association on her Instagram account.

“I’m so excited because I’m gonna be able to have a conversation with my Mama T about everything that goes with the heart and the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement,” Kelly raved.

“It’s just gonna be conversations how we, as Black women, are leading the numbers when it comes to heart disease...This is something that sits really close to me and I just feel the need to talk to more women about it. I just want to encourage them to take care of themselves right now.”

Kelly, who moved in with her Destiny’s Child bandmate Beyonce and her family before they found fame, previously praised Tina Knowles Lawson.

© BANG SHOWBIZ

“I remember the first time I went to Tina’s salon in Houston, Texas, and seeing a strong, Black woman with her own business. She was so beautiful and glamorous: a role model.”* * Reuters

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5 LOAVES, 2 FISH, AND A DREAM:

The Story of Seema’s 5n2 Kitchens When

Seema David immigrated to Canada in 2007, starting a community initiative was the furthest thing from her mind. Her focus, much like many new immigrants, was on creating a life for her family and managing her new home. But on her daily commutes into the city of Toronto, she couldn’t help but notice the number of food-insecure and homeless individuals on the city streets. At the same time, she met other new immigrants in Scarborough who were struggling to feed their families. She knew she had to make a difference to help her community, and so, 5n2 was born.

“There is this story in the book of Mathew in the Bible,” Seema says, “Crowds follow Jesus to the countryside to listen to Him discourse.

At the end of the day, they are tired and hungry, and there’s nowhere to get food from. One little boy has 5 pieces of bread and 2 pieces of fish, which he brings to Jesus. He prays over this food, and the disciples then serve it out to the men, women, and children, and gather the leftovers in 5 baskets. When I was looking for a name for the kitchen, it was as if God was telling me to put in whatever little I had to offer and He would multiply it.”

And over the years, Seema has seen the kitchen expand to serve multiple locations, even opening the Free Food Pantry in 2020, where clients can access food supplies on an appointment and referral basis. But the path to creating a community initiative like 5n2 was not an easy one.

With a dream in her heart, Seema spoke with her church leadership about opening up a soup kitchen, but was stalled for about six months.

“I was naive and thought, well, I just want to prepare pots of soup and serve it out, not comprehending all that it would take to serve food to the public.”

It wasn’t until Seema met Ravi Kumar at a hospitality event at George Brown College, where she worked, that 5n2 was able to come to life.

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Kumar was interested in her vision and offered the public health approved kitchen at the East Scarborough Storefront, where he worked. At the same time, a local food bank run at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church partnered with 5n2 to receive soups and meals. The Global Kingdom Ministries Church agreed to the use of their kitchen, and Seema was able to get the kitchen approved

by Toronto Public Health, kicking off a fruitful partnership. It was like all the pieces of the puzzle were falling into place.

Three days a week, Seema and her team began serving soup to 30 senior citizens at the Global Kingdom Ministries Church kitchen, 40 children at the Storefront, and 30 clients at the St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church Food Bank.

In early 2019, 5n2 moved into its own space, continuing to expand its operations in order to keep up with the growing issues surrounding food insecurity.

Now, 5n2 serves over 3,500 meals each week at 11 different locations across Toronto and supplies much-needed grocery hampers to the city’s more isolated residents.

Alongside the kitchen, 5n2 runs additional programs, such as the 5n2 Food Pantry, Meals4U, and the 5n2 Community Garden.

The 5n2 pantry provides free food supplies to community members who are in need of additional support. The supplies from the pantry include a variety of non-perishable and perishable items, so recipients are able to prepare meals at home. The 5n2 Gardens facilitates interactive workshops, where community members can learn about environmental food

systems, including how to grow, maintain, and harvest crops.

The goal of both the 5n2 Pantry and Garden is to reduce the stigma surrounding food insecurity and food banks and provide an additional food resource in a community where so many families are food-insecure.

Seema’s story proves that it doesn’t matter where you start from or what you start with; as long as you have a dream and you are willing to share it with others, you have the power to make a difference.

Whether it’s having conversations about hunger and the need for food support in Toronto and its surrounding communities, writing to local lawmakers and corporations to strengthen their support programs, pledging donations, or even donating your time, every action has the power to inspire positive change.

“I have come to believe Canadians have a big heart, are generous and willing to help others, even at a cost. I mean, can you imagine, we’ve been serving over 2000 meals/week for seven years, no funding support and working with no staff, only volunteers?”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, 5n2 has remained open to meet the increasing needs for fresh meals and food support to the more vulnerable and isolated in our communities. Their current challenge is finding a new location to house their expanded operations.

Learn more about 5n2 and get involved in the fight against food insecurity by donating at

5N2.CA/DONATE

Your monthly donation helps provide meals for vulnerable and isolated community members.

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A HERO

MASTER CORPORAL NATALIE FORCIER’S

WELLNESS JOURNEY After a 14 year career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a medical technician, MCpl (Ret’d) Natalie Forcier discusses her military career, her struggles with transitioning to civilian life, and how support from True Patriot Love has helped her along her journey.

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© COURTESY OF TRUE PATRIOT LOVE

A HEALER

In 2004, Natalie was posted to a small health-services clinic in Winnipeg, working alongside highly-skilled doctors and learning to treat medical conditions that she had never encountered before.

As a small-town girl living in Northern Saskatchewan, Master Corporal (Retired) Natalie Forcier was initially attracted to the idea of joining the Canadian military because it offered a chance to travel, explore, and of course, serve her country.

Little did she know that her time in the military would take her on a 14-year journey of growth and self-discovery.

Her travels took her from Montreal to Winnipeg, to France, and so many places in between.

All the while, Natalie found adventure in the new experiences she was facing on a daily basis, from navigating a big city to meeting her platoon-mates in the gargantuan-sized Mega... a major shift

In 2008 and 2010, Natalie was deployed to Afghanistan, first working at the Primary Care tent in Kandahar Airfield KAF as a Role 3 medic, and working at Camp Nathan Smith in Kandahar city as a dismounted or Role 1 medic during her second tour in 2010. During her second tour, she recalls, at 26, being one of the oldest members in her group. Thinking back on that tour, Natalie remembers feeling the pressure of keeping up a facade of being a happy and optimistic person, while on the inside, she was struggling with depression.

“There were times when you’d pick up a stretcher and realize ‘this is too light to be an adult, this is a child’. Those are the moments where it gets tough.”

Natalie fought through mental health challenges following her medical release from the military and was chosen to participate as a Veteran in the True Patriot Love Women’s Expedition to Baffin Island.

The first-of-its-kind adventure brought together a group of all-female Veterans and business leaders from across the country as they snowshoed across the Arctic Circle, traversed the Akshayuk Pass, and visited the northern section of the Owl River Valley.

Throughout the journey, Natalie gained

valuable mentorship from business leaders, which motivated her to start her own business to help Veterans in need.

"Getting out of the military, I felt alone, I felt empty, I felt like this great thing I had done before no longer reflected who I was," said Forcier. "That's where True Patriot Love gave me a reason and a cause to do something bigger for myself. It made me realize that I’m not small and I can do great things. Having the business mentors there to help us and guide us along the way was incredible and crucial to keep going."

True Patriot Love inspired Natalie to open the Prairie Veteran Wellness Corp in her hometown of St. Isidore-de-Bellevue, Saskatchewan. With the help of her business partners, the centre is able to provide support to her hometown, with a special focus on Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Natalie has since moved to the Edmonton area, where there is a greater veteran population, and is working to open an integrated clinic for veterans, first responders and their families.

Natalie also collaborates with Can Praxis and the Edmonton Veterans Association Foodbank, aiding in their mission to help Veterans get the help they deserve.

“It’s all these little pieces that you put together to make yourself whole again. True Patriot Love helped me regain my voice, my purpose, and a sense of determination. I don’t feel so small anymore.”

It was their duty to protect us, now it’s our duty to help them. Learn more and donate today at TruePatriotLove.com

© COURTESY OF TRUE PATRIOT LOVE

from her small town of 100 people! She spent 10 weeks doing basic training in the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu.

© COLIN ANGUS

© COLIN ANGUS

© JON HAYDOCK

© ARI ROBINSON

EXPLORING THE

OPEN OCEANS Julie Angus, CEO and Co-Founder of Open Ocean Robotics, Talks Climate, Marine Robotics, and Women in Business

© TIM RICHARD FOR CREATIVE DESTRUCTION LAB

are full of information— THE OCEANS from data that can help protect at-risk species, to the most fuel-efficient routes

for ships, to measuring changes in the oceans so that scientists can better understand the effects of climate change. However, much of the ocean's data remains unknown—it is estimated that more than 80 percent of our oceans are unmapped and unexplored.

A lifelong adventurer and the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland, Julie Angus co-founded Open Oceans Robotics to help explore the unexplored using autonomous energy-harvesting boats equipped with sensors and cameras. These boats, produced by Open Ocean Robotics, are used to make oceanic observations and instantly relay them safely and efficiently, transforming the way we explore and understand our oceans.

We sat down with Julie to talk about how she got started, where marine robotics is headed, and what we should all know about our oceans.

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TAKE US BACK TO WHERE IT ALL STARTED! HOW DID YOU GO FROM PLANNING SOLAR-POWERED BOATS TO EXPLORING THE OPEN OCEANS?

Creating a digital ocean is about collecting data autonomously through technology like our robot boat Data Xplorer. Our boats can travel the ocean for months at a time, powered only by the sun, and send back the collected data by satellite. We can also work with submersible drones that collect underwater data or aerial drones that take measurements from the sky. This gives us the ability to create a 3D picture of what is going on in the ocean, from the seafloor to the sky. We help combat climate change by offering an emission-free solution to collecting this data, reducing the need for traditional ships or aircraft, and collecting data essential to mitigating the impact of climate change.

© COLIN ANGUS

In 2005/2006, my fiancée, Colin, and I rowed across the Atlantic Ocean from Portugal to Costa Rica. Little did we know it would turn out to be the worst hurricane season on record, and we were hit by two hurricanes during the five-month journey. Being in a rowboat in a hurricane hundreds of kilometres from land is both terrifying and eye-opening. I came to two realizations on that voyage: the ocean can be a very dangerous place for humans, and it is a vastly complex ecosystem that needs to be protected.

Unfortunately, the challenges of being on the ocean and its sheer vastness also makes it difficult to understand and protect. My time on the ocean made me realize that human-less boats could do many of the tasks currently being done with big ships at a fraction of the cost, more safely, and with a vastly smaller environmental footprint. Our robotic boats do just that, collecting data necessary to protect and understand the oceans, which includes protecting against illegal fishing, monitoring endangered whale populations, and mapping the seafloor.

YOU'RE WORKING ON CREATING A DIGITAL OCEAN USING OPEN OCEAN BOATS. WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND MAPPING THE OCEANS? HOW DO OPEN OCEAN VESSELS CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE?

For every choice you make, you will have people telling you a “better” way to do it, and if you try pleasing everyone, you’ll end up with a bucket of lukewarm water.

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WHAT HAS BEEN THE PROUDEST, MOST GRATIFYING MOMENT SO FAR? That’s a tough one; there are so many gratifying moments. At the top of the list would be spending time with my two boys and sharing my love of the ocean with them. They are six and ten now, and there’s nothing that gives me more pleasure than watching them grow and develop. I particularly love to see their curiosity and desire to explore the big world around them. Outside of my family, I think two of my proudest accomplishments are completing my fivemonth row across the Atlantic Ocean and the incredible team we’ve built at Open Ocean Robotics.

YOU RECENTLY WON THE INNOVATOR WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARD—CONGRATULATIONS! WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WOMEN IN BUSINESS?

I feel AI is one of the areas with the greatest potential in our field.

Everything from our collision avoidance system to data analytics can be improved using machine learning technologies. We’re at a very exciting time right now with many new technologies being developed that we will get to take advantage of. Another exciting development is low earth orbit satellites providing broadband internet anywhere in the world. Soon our boats will be able to voyage to the remotest corners of the planet while streaming video, acoustics, and a ton of other data in real-time.

WHAT'S ONE THING THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OUR OCEANS? The number one thing I want people to know about our oceans is that they are vital to our planet’s health and our economy, and if we don’t ensure their sustainability, we will all lose. Our oceans produce 70% of the oxygen we breathe, more than 3 billion people rely on the ocean for their livelihood, and the ocean economy is 3.5% of global GDP. Yet, it’s imperilled from climate change, overfishing, biodiversity loss and pollution. Some 8 million tonnes of plastic is dumped into our ocean every year! © FOREST KEATING

© COLIN ANGUS

Thank you! The number one piece of advice I would give to other women in business is to stay steadfast to your decisions if you feel in your heart it is right. For every choice you make, you will have people telling you a “better” way to do it, and if you try pleasing everyone, you’ll end up with a bucket of lukewarm water. Make sure to listen to advice, consider it carefully, but do not heed it if it doesn’t make sense to you.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR OPEN OCEAN ROBOTICS? WHAT KIND OF IMPROVEMENTS AND INNOVATIONS DO YOU SEE COMING IN THE MARINE ROBOTICS FIELD?

THIS MATTERS TO US ALL. IT’S TIME WE PAY ATTENTION TO OUR OCEANS. LEARN MORE AT OPENOCEANROBOTICS.COM

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DAYS FOR GIRLS CANADA TEAM

THE FIGHT AGAINST PERIOD POVERTY: DAYS FOR GIRLS CANADA TAKES CHARGE

BY JILLIAN JOHNSTON, CANADIAN ADVOCACY COORDINATOR

She

DAYS FOR GIRLS KITS ALWAYS MAKE THE GIRLS CHEER!

said, “They’re washable.” The anticipation in the crowded room was palpable, and nearly a hundred pairs of eyes were on me, awaiting my response. One of the girls had brazenly bolted from her seat to shout out her exclamation, and Jenny, my Haitian translator, had just told me the meaning of the Creole words the girl had shamelessly shouted. I was holding up a Days for Girls Menstrual Hygiene Kit for them to see, and now in the total silence of the room, in response to the one voice that had put all of their hopes into words, I answered those inquiring eyes. “Yes,” I nodded, “They are washable.”

There was no need for translation. There was an explosion of joy in the room as the girls cheered, waving their arms and grinning enormous grins. They knew that the DfG Kits would be life-changing!

By the end of our session, every girl in the room had her DfG Kit. They carefully counted components and practiced folding and inserting liners into shields. They delighted in the new panties and the clean new washcloth. They marvelled at their new ability to change pads at school and keep the soiled ones in the small leakproof bags. Then they ever so carefully tucked everything back into position in their new drawstring bags.

AND THAT’S HOW IT IS WITH DAYS FOR GIRLS. EVERY GIRL. EVERYWHERE. PERIOD. 30

Period poverty, the inability to access affordable menstrual products, is a big concern in Canada and worldwide.

In 2015, Canada eliminated the tax on menstrual hygiene products, which cost, on average, $6,000 in a lifetime. However, removing the GST from these items does not make them significantly more affordable, and the high cost of menstrual products still causes these essential items to be out of reach for homeless, low-income, and marginalized women.* Women in rural communities can pay double the price for the same products found in larger cities, such as Toronto, and ⅓ of Canadians under 25 struggle to afford period products.** Menstruation represents eight years of period days in a lifetime, and 70% of Canadian women say that they have missed school or work because of their period. So why are menstrual hygiene products treated more like a luxury than a fundamental human right?

For the longest time, menstruation has been treated like a dirty secret that is only talked about among those who experience it, instead of a natural, beautiful, and powerful process. Breaking down these misunderstandings and removing barriers to accessing menstrual products are fundamental to the goal of normalizing periods and menstruation.

Founded by visionary Celeste Mergens in 2008, Days for Girls International (DfGI) has been actively advocating for menstruators ever since. The movement has spread around the globe, taking a firm hold in Canada.

As of January 1st, 2021, we have reached over 2.1 million girls in 144 countries. Ours is a volunteer organization, and our members systematically cut, fold, and sew every month to create our Days for Girls Supreme Menstrual Hygiene Kits.

Team London, ON, is one of 75 in Canada and has created and distributed 3,744 kits since they began in 2015. London was also the first city in Canada to provide free menstrual products in city-owned facilities! By following precise patterns and instructions to ensure quality, each DfG Kit

THIS TEAM IS DEDICATED AND EXTREMELY MOTIVATED

is made to last at least three years. Therefore, Team London’s 3,744 beautiful kits have helped reclaim 673,920 Days for Girls! That means 3,744 girls can attend school and carry out the routine responsibilities of their lives without missing a day, even when they are menstruating, all because of one team!

Multiply that effort by 75, and it’s clear that Days for Girls Canada is making a difference across the globe.

With the help of global supporters, DfGI is doing all we can to end period poverty worldwide. Days for Girls Canada is also working specifically to focus on Canadian menstruators who need our help. We know that period poverty is a significant problem right here at home and one that must be faced head-on.

The Canadian Government has begun to take steps to address the needs of people who menstruate, especially as more and more people learn of the problem, but we have a long way to go to keep pace with Scotland and New Zealand. DfGC advocates for all Canadian menstruators, especially those in marginalized communities. We add our voice to the growing call for universal access to affordable Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH).

DfG Canada recently has begun to benefit from corporate partnerships as well, including World Vision Canada (WVC), which enables DfG Canada to send kits to

countries where WVC has workers to receive them, and Save the Children Canada, which stores our kits in preparation for emergencies in Canadian communities.

With North American menstruators’ diverse needs in mind, DfGI has introduced Hybrid Kits, and Days for Girls Canada is creating them for Canadians in marginalized communities where our help is needed. These kits introduce our hand-sewn products and contain a selection of disposables, and in some cases, a Diva Menstrual Cup, supplied by Diva International, another of DfG Canada’s corporate partners. Our goal is to give choices to Canadian menstruators in communities where our washable, reusable kits are not an ideal solution.

Despite the pandemic, Days for Girls Canada is making headway against period poverty, internationally and right here in Canada!

You don’t have to menstruate to donate!

To learn more and help end period poverty in Canada, visit daysforgirls.org/canada

*THIS DATA DOES NOT CAPTURE THE EXPERIENCES OF TRANS MEN AND GENDER NON-BINARY PEOPLE. ** SOURCE: PLAN CANADA 2019 GENDER STUDY 31

A SPARK TO IGNITE NEW IDEAS TO DISRUPT CANCER CARE A

single idea can change cancer forever.

Progress is born out of thinking boldly, doing differently, taking chances. This is how we give Canadians hope for a life that is bigger than cancer.

Each year, the Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) Daffodil Campaign raises funds to improve the quality of life of people affected by all cancers and bring them hope. A key part of this is supporting the groundbreaking work of cancer researchers across the country—the dreamers and the innovators, the knowledge-seekers and the risktakers whose bold ideas could transform cancer care and help save lives through new prevention and early detection strategies.

Imagine if a temperature check on your skin could tell you if that new spot is skin cancer. Right now, researchers are developing a highly sensitive, nano-sized thermometer to detect small, e melanoma skin cancers based on slight differences in skin temperature. This tool would allow doctors to diagnose the cancer much earlier, improving the odds of treatment success.

Or what about a breath or sweat test that could detect lung cancer? It might sound far-fetched but that’s exactly what researchers are doing by looking for cancer-specific chemicals present in the breath and sweat. The end result could be a fast and easy test performed in your doctor’s office to screen for lung cancer, giving people earlier access to treatment and boosting their chances of survival.

These projects are just 2 of 27 innovative ideas funded by Spark Grants, a joint $4 million research initiative from CCS and its partners, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Brain Canada. The goal is to apply cutting-edge technologies to address key challenges in cancer prevention and early detection.

“By disrupting the status quo, these projects have the potential to revolutionize cancer care and save lives,” says Dr. Stuart Edmonds, Executive Vice President, Mission, Research and Advocacy at CCS. “With nearly 1 in 2 Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we urgently need new approaches so that more cancers can be prevented or detected earlier, when treatments are most likely to work.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL RESEARCH, VISIT CANCER.CA TODAY.

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When daffodils bloom, hope grows.

Every spring, the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Campaign rallies Canadians to support those affected by cancer. And with nearly 1 in 2 Canadians diagnosed in their lifetime, almost all of us are impacted in some way.

For the second year in a row, we’ve had to suspend our face-to-face fundraising activities to keep everyone safe – so we need your help more than ever before.

Your support can ensure that no one faces cancer alone.

From funding groundbreaking research to enabling a nationwide support system, together we can make a real difference for people affected by cancer.

Donate today at cancer.ca/daffodil and make hope grow.

A LOOK INSIDE THE WELLSPRING CANCER COMMUNITY

L

A Wellspring member and volunteer shares the story of her cancer journey.

iving with and recovering from cancer is mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging. Wellspring offers a lifeline that many with cancer might not even realize they need. Wellspring provides programs and services that help those affected by the disease to take an active role in controlling their cancer experience and improving their quality of life.

In 2001, at the age of 31, Alyssa was diagnosed with a slowgrowing, incurable form of lymphoma. Alyssa’s chemotherapy treatment started in 2002, and over the next 15 years, she received treatment twice more, all the while working and starting a family.

But Alyssa’s challenges were far from over.

“In 2017, I had a significant recurrence and the lymphoma transformed into an aggressive form, requiring immediate treatment followed by a stem cell transplant,” shares Alyssa. “It was an incredibly stressful and intense period, and it took me a lot longer to recover physically, mentally, and emotionally than expected.”

With locations in Alberta and several within Southern Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, including a virtual centre for online programs that serves all of Canada, Wellspring helps meet the psychosocial, emotional, physical, and practical needs of those living with any cancer at any stage in the journey, and for their loved ones, all at no charge and without a referral.

Wellspring is where Alyssa and so many others found the support, the compassion and the strength they needed to move on with their lives.

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One of the benefits of having a network of community-based centres is that Wellspring is in tune with what the cancer community needs. While diagnosis and treatment are discussed in detail, post-treatment discussions are often scant. Wellspring changes this by providing support programs for every stage of a person’s cancer journey, from understanding their initial diagnosis to support throughout and after their active treatment.

“Cancer centres do an incredible job of supporting cancer patients and their families through diagnosis and treatment, but once treatment ends, recovery tends to be up to the patient to navigate,” Alyssa adds. “Some symptoms don’t have an obvious medical solution. Fatigue, for example, can be challenging and last indefinitely.”

©ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF WELLSPRING

Alyssa reveals that initially, she was reluctant to visit Wellspring.

“I wasn’t on active treatment, I didn’t look “sick,” and I wasn’t sure it was the right place for me,” she shares. “What I learned is that the wide range of programs, information, and people who share the cancer experience meant that I could get help at every stage. Initially, I joined a yoga class, but over time, I participated in support group discussions, Cancer Exercise, as well as other supports, and it has been a lifeline for me.”

“I couldn’t put my life on hold and wait for the uncertainty to pass; that might never happen,” Alyssa recalls. “Instead, I had to figure out how to live well despite the uncertainty of what was ahead. Treatment options are continuing to develop at a rapid rate. What might feel like the end of the road could change as new trials and treatments become available.”

“This year in May will mark the 20th anniversary of my original diagnosis, and I will have doubled the original life expectancy of 10 years that I was given. Miracles do happen! ...It’s a testament to the significant advancements in medical care that have occurred, as well as to the incredible support I received from Wellspring to help me throughout my cancer journey.”

Wellspring programs provide members with professionally-led and well-researched programs that identify issues and share strategies for managing future post-treatment challenges, with coaching support from someone who has experience with cancer, either as a patient or caregiver. Like all Wellspring services, these programs focus on the person, not the disease, creating an empowering, compassionate and respectful community that helps its members successfully transition back into their lives.

Wellspring is funded solely through the generosity of everyday heroes and sponsors. Support the cancer community today at Wellspring.ca

Alyssa has been a Wellspring member and peer-support volunteer for 20 years, more recently coaching community members who are recovering from their active cancer treatment.

The most precious light is that which touches those during their darkest hours.

“I was so glad I got over my initial hesitation, as Wellspring had resources for me for things I didn’t even realize I needed. It may sound cliché, but the biggest step I’ve taken is to try and just focus on today; shut out the noise and worries about the future and simply focus on how to make today a really great day.”

Wellspring Cancer Support Foundation 105 Wellness Way, Toronto, ON M4N 0B1 Telephone: 416.480.4440 Email: donations@wellspring.ca Charitable Registration Number: 89272 8940 RR0001

Become a Wellspring Luminary and be that bright and positive light in the lives of those living in the darkness of a cancer diagnosis.

Your donation will deliver evidence-based programs that will light the path to wellness and well-being for individuals and families living with cancer.

Please help us achieve our $2.5 million goal.

The greatest gift is one that helps others living with cancer move past their illness.

The path forward begins with you. wellspring.ca/luminarycampaign

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WHAT IS COVID ANTIBODY TESTING, ANYWAY?

A

COVID-19 serology (or antibody) test is a blood test that shows if you have recently been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) – even if you never had any symptoms. Currently offered

by LifeLabs, the test does not diagnose active COVID-19 infection, but rather suggests whether you have previously been infected by detecting antibodies in your blood that are reactive to SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins.

WHO IS ANTIBODY TESTING FOR? Getting a COVID-19 antibody test can be an effective tool to help you make better decisions about your health. Antibody testing may be helpful if you: •

Were previously exposed to or infected with SARS-CoV-2, even if you were asymptomatic,

•

Have signs or symptoms of COVID-19, but have repeatedly tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by the molecular test, or

•

Display long-term symptoms of COVID-19 but have never been diagnosed by a molecular test.

Antibody response varies from person-to-person and can take up to 3-4 weeks after you’ve first experienced symptoms or after you’ve first been exposed to be reliably detectable by antibody tests.

WHAT DO MY RESULTS MEAN? A ‘Reactive’ (positive) SARS-CoV-2 antibody result means you have antibodies that are reactive to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which typically means that you very likely had a COVID-19 infection in the recent past. It is important to note that having a positive result does NOT infer immunity or protection from re-infection. Physical distancing and proper personal protective equipment are still required.

A Non-reactive (negative) COVID-19 antibody test result means that antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were not detected in your blood sample. This could occur if: •

You have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2, or

•

You were infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the past but your antibody levels were too low for the test to detect, or

•

You have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, but there has not been enough time for antibodies to develop.

Please note: The COVID-19 antibody test currently offered by LifeLabs cannot be used to detect anti-viral antibodies following vaccination. The test detects antibodies against the nucleocapsid (N) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while vaccines illicit antibodies to the spike (S) protein of the virus particle.

Detection of antibodies in response to vaccination requires a test directed towards the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein.

HOW TO ORDER:

The antibody test can be ordered online at LifeLabs.com for only $75.

Alternatively, if your physician signs an OHIP requisition, it must contain “SARS-CoV-2 Total Antibody” in the Other Tests section and

you will pay the $75 fee during your LifeLabs visit. You can also access our online virtual care partners on the LifeLabs’ my results™ portal. Be sure to follow up with your physician afterwards to discuss your results

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHETHER ANTIBODY TESTING IS RIGHT FOR YOU, VISIT LIFELABS.COM/COVID19 36

LEVERAGING THE POWER OF HEALTH VOICES C

OVID-19 gave us all a big wake-up call: we need to pay close attention to the interface between humanity and the rest of the natural world. Using this planetary health lens to communicate about environmental issues with people across the political spectrum, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) advocates for legislative change to protect the health of people and the planet.

Leveraging the power of health professionals’ voices, CAPE encourages our members to reach out to politicians and take initiatives in their local communities!

CAPE’s work in 2021 engages physicians, medical students, and other CAPE members to advocate on two critical issues: climate change and toxic exposures.

The World Health Organization identified climate change as the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. To ensure Canada takes action on climate change that aligns with our global responsibility as a wealthy,

high-emitting country, CAPE advocates for strong federal climate accountability legislation and strengthened emissions targets.

Research released in our Healthy Recovery report found that meeting our climate targets would save more than 112,000 lives in Canada between 2030 and 2050 from air pollution improvements alone; this is one of many co-benefits of taking decisive action to address climate change today.

In addition, CAPE is advocating for the protection of all people in Canada from toxic exposures. The government must rapidly move forward with reform of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Sources of pollution and our scientific and ethical understandings of risks have changed dramatically since CEPA was last updated in 1999, but we still rely on this outdated framework.

Exposure to toxics is a public health and environmental justice problem; CEPA must be reformed now to protect the health of people in Canada. This shift is particularly necessary for people who are made vulnerable in our society, including Indigenous peoples, women, children, workers, and racialized communities.

CAPE is engaged in campaigns on fracking, active transportation, phasing out coal, air pollution, and the nature-health connection.

Our regional committees are active in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland.

In the context of the climate emergency, a global plastic pollution problem, and a respiratory illness pandemic, CAPE supports physicians and other health advocates with first-hand knowledge of the human health impacts of environmental degradation to advocate for change.

As a CAPE member, you provide us with the support we need to leverage the power of the health voice, and we provide you with the tools you need for effective advocacy.

Become a member today at cape.ca— because there’s never been a more critical time to take action.

JOIN US TODAY AT CAPE.CA

HEROICS ARE NOT ALWAYS ABOUT SAVING LIVES—BUT SAVING QUALITY OF LIFE. THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONVERSATIONS. “It’s not just about the end of life; it’s about a time when we may not be able to communicate for ourselves, and having others understand us well enough to make healthcare decisions that we would make for ourselves.”

Dr.

Kenneth Hook retired after 44 years of family practice. He got to know his patients and their families—in his office, in their homes, in the hospital during crises, in nursing homes, and at the end of life. He came to understand that often there was an essential conversation missing, and sometimes tragically so.

“In our experience we found that some patients got to the end of life with comfort, dignity, and respect. But we also saw others receiving treatments that seemed brutal and did not give them the life they wanted or the opportunity to close their life in a meaningful way— by completing important tasks, or saying goodbye to people who mattered to them. That can have a huge impact on those who are left behind. Sometimes for life.”

Dr. Hook, with his colleagues at the Star Family Health Team, began holding seminars for patients and their families to help them

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understand about Advance Care Planning (ACP)—the clinical term for something that is very much about love and quality of life.

By law, in Ontario, people can’t make advance health care directives. Instead, a Substitute Decision Maker (SDM), usually a family member, is asked to make healthcare decisions when a patient is unable to communicate. ACP is about talking to your SDM and making sure they understand what’s important to you in terms of quality of life. Healthcare decisions can’t be anticipated, and they aren’t always as cut and dried as “Do Not Resuscitate.”

“ACP is uniquely personal and very dependent on your stage of life. It’s important for both the patient and the SDM to talk often. It helps prevent feelings of stress, lingering doubts, and guilt for family members.”

GET ACP GUIDANCE SPEAKUPONTARIO.CA

© SHAPECHARGE

HPCO

Hospice Palliative Care Ontario

Who Will Speak For You?

Health can change in a second. In Ontario, you can’t give advance consent. If you can’t communicate, someone will be asked to make healthcare decisions for you.

Find out who and what they need to know at speakupontario.ca

Advance Care Planning is an essential conversation.

THE LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER GUIDE TO SELF-CARE SKINCARE TIPS

SUN PROTECTION TIPS

■ Keep your skincare routine as simple as possible—use a gentle cleanser, a moisturizing cream, and protect with sunscreen.

■ Choose a sunscreen that delivers both UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection in SPF 30 or higher.

For almost 30 years, Look Good Feel Better has been helping women and teen girls facing the difficult cancer journey feel more like themselves again.

■ Look for skincare products that are hypoallergenic & fragrance-free.

■ For sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens may cause less irritation.

MAKEUP HYGIENE TIPS

■ Apply sunscreen daily and liberally to all exposed skin, including lips, ears, scalp, sides and back of the neck, and the chest.

Body image is a critical psychosocial issue for patients with cancer because they often undergo significant changes to their appearance. Hair loss, skin changes, and scarring can all have negative implications on short-term and longterm quality of life.

At the heart of the Look Good Feel Better program are complimentary workshops which address the appearance-related impact of cancer and its treatment while offering women a welcoming sense of community, where they can connect with other women facing similar challenges.

Self-care is important at all times, and especially during times of increased anxiety and stress. Connecting with friends through programs like Look Good Feel Better is a great way to unwind, share stories, insights, and even laughter during a difficult journey.

Read on for Look Good Feel Better’s must-know sun, makeup hygiene, and skincare tips!

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Your skin can go through many changes during treatment, so you may need to change your regular routine.

■ During treatment, your immune system is not as strong, so makeup hygiene essential. Keep bacteria out of your products by using disposable applicators such as cotton balls, sponges, cosmetic pads or mini spatulas.

Sunscreen is a must for every day–whatever the weather. Sunscreen is even more important when you are in treatment, as some drugs make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

■ Apply at least 20 minutes before going outside.

■ If you moisturize first, wait 5 minutes or until the moisturizer is absorbed before applying sunscreen.

Feel more like yourself again.

Join the complimentary

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER workshops for women and teens facing cancer.

Visit LGFB.CA for more resources and to register.

@LGFBCanada | LGFB.CA | 1.800.914.5665

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER® | REGISTERED CHARITY #13374 0316 RR0001

O

NE of the most challenging aspects of a cancer diagnosis is the loss of identity that comes with it. For a woman, she is no longer the daughter, sister, friend—she is the cancer patient. It can rob her of her sense of self.

THE POWER OF YOGA: ACHIEVING SELF-CARE THROUGH A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

©PHOTO COURTESY OF POWER YOGA CANADA

Coming out of hibernation and a lengthy lockdown, we could all use a little boost!

Spring is the season of new beginnings, so why not step outside of your comfort zone and try a yoga routine that benefits both your physical and mental wellbeing? Often when we think about yoga, we only consider the physical practice—the deliberate movement of our bodies as we switch from pose to pose; but as a discipline, yoga is so much more than that.

Kinndli and Pauline of Power Yoga Canada are a dynamic duo who opened their first studio in Oakville, Ontario, in 2009, adopting the very popular yoga method Power Vinyasa Yoga. This modern style of yoga incorporates Asana (physical), Dhyana (meditation), and Niyama (inquiry).

Don’t let the ancient sanskrit intimidate you, they want you to know that yoga is for “everyBODY,” where anyone of any skill level is welcome. This style of yoga is intended to be adaptable for all ages and fitness levels; movement is slow, and your body is listened to. It follows the natural laws of the body, so students get all the benefits of the more traditional methods, while still leaving room for creativity and play.

Kinndli and Pauline share that, at a PYC centre, “yoga is not the focus,” but rather

“the medium,” in which one is able to achieve prosperity, so long as they have the willingness to try. On the mat, barriers will be broken, and breakthroughs will be made.

As a result, stress will dissolve, and anxiety will be reduced, creating new possibilities for each practitioner so they can discover the magic and potential of their life.

“Self-care isn’t necessarily pretty and won’t always feel like a spa day,” the duo shares, “it’s about getting real and looking at your in-authenticities and asking yourself, ‘what is not serving me?’

Only from answering this enlightening question is the truth uncovered.”

When the pandemic struck, Kinndli and Pauline knew they had to pivot in order to deliver the services to their community.

Without skipping a beat, an extensive schedule was released on Instagram, followed by a ‘30 day to level-up’ program to maintain routine. Since, programs have been continually added to welcome as many people as possible to the community, including front-line working finding moments of refuge.

sense of accomplishment in the daily improvements quickly became an important tool in my self-care kit.”

—Vanessa Koprich, Hamilton Paramedic Service PYC is a community existing nation-wide, where everyone is welcome and assisted on their journey to achieve the best version of themselves. There is an overwhelming sense of belonging in the community Power Yoga Canada has created.

There is no need to wait!

Begin your yoga journey today.

"At the start of the pandemic, I was exposed to COVID-19 on the job and became symptomatic.

Self-isolating made me feel anxious and vulnerable. On the darkest days, yoga sharpened my focus and helped me find purpose.

As I continued to practice, the

•••

GLOBALHEROES.COM

•••

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Meet Riccardo BECAUSE OF YOU, RICCARDO CAN PLAY SPORTS!

R

iccardo is a 5-year-old boy who is a patient of Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada. He was diagnosed with bilateral clubfoot at 20 weeks gestation and has been with us ever since. When Melissa received the news that her son would be born with feet that could not lay flat on the ground, her first reaction was shock. She had never heard of clubfoot before and was unaware of the implications it would have on her son’s life. In the 27th week of her pregnancy, Melissa boarded a flight from Alberta to Montreal for their first appointment at Canada Shriners Hospital.

It was not long before Melissa realized that she was in good hands. At her first appointment, Dr. Benaroch (orthopedic surgeon) told her something that would stick with her throughout her entire experience.

He said to her, “this will be the least of your

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worries.” Looking back on this moment, five and a half years later, she admits he was right. She did not have to worry. Clubfoot is the most commonly-treatable orthopedic condition among newborns, and she was in the right hands at the right time. “The treatment plan was not always easy,” she explains. “It consisted of serial casting, night boots and bars, as well as the numerous surgeries. Having the right attitude and positivity is everything.” Melissa firmly believes that if you demonstrate to your child what it is to be strong and remind them that everything will be okay, they will feel it and believe it themselves.

Today, Riccardo is proud to talk about his clubfoot journey and experiences. He is a thriving young boy who loves to play sports, run, and play with his friends. Melissa is incredibly grateful for the care, support, and love that she and her son received. It has allowed Riccardo to be able to do what any other 5-year-old boy can do—and more.

At Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada, we pride ourselves on being there for our patients and families every step of

the way. No matter what age they embark on their journey with us, our goal is to make sure they can reach their full potential as soon as possible.

Every journey begins with a first step. To learn more about our exceptional patients like Riccardo and how you can be a part of their journeys, visit

ShrinersEveryStep.com

Every journey begins with a first step.

At Shriners Hospitals for Children – Canada, we are there

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

At Shriners Hospitals for Children - Canada, our mission is centered around one goal:

to change and improve the lives of children.

By providing innovative pediatric specialty care and conducting world-class research, we can ensure that every patient that comes through our doors has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Learn more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/montreal/ways-to-give

FULBRIGHT CELEBRATING 75 YEARS WORLDWIDE AND 30 (+1) YEARS IN CANADA Very rarely does a person get an opportunity that will change the course of their life the way that Fulbright Canada does. It opens up a path that helps propel one’s personal growth by being immersed in a new setting and being exposed to great minds. It helps build future leaders, and sustains, strengthens, and broadens the already strong relationship between Canada and the United States.

—Fadi Masoud, Canadian Fulbright Student 2010-2011

@FULBRIGHTCANADA 44

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n August 1, 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the act that launched the Fulbright Program. For 75 years, Fulbright has been a mainstay of U.S. public diplomacy, strengthening binational relationships, enhancing mutual understanding, and forging lasting connections. Today, Fulbright is a global public sector—private sector partnership dedicated to supporting the best and the brightest by offering exchange opportunities for dynamic and accomplished students, scholars, artists, teachers, and professionals of all backgrounds.

Of our 400,000+ alumni from more than 160 countries, 39 have served as heads of state or government, 60 have received the Nobel Prize, 16 have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and 88 are Pulitzer Prize recipients. Notable alumni include microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus, electrical engineer and sound innovator Amar Bose, Canadian physician, humanitarian activist, and former president of Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) James Orbinski, award-winning McGill professor of moral philosophy and intellectual history Charles Taylor, and so many more. Teachers, scientists, community organizers, and champions of human rights and social justice all share their passion for advancing knowledge across communities and improving people’s lives worldwide.

“The goal of the Fulbright exchange program is to direct the enormous power of human knowledge…and expand the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy, and perception.”

—J. William Fulbright

In September of 1990, the governments of Canada and the United States signed a treaty establishing the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America, aka Fulbright Canada, charged with administering the Fulbright program in Canada.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Fulbright Canada remains committed to excellence, diversity, and inclusion. Having supported thousands of extraordinary individuals, engaged and supported our world-class universities, and provided a truly transformative experience for our grantees, we are enthusiastic about our collective future. We are delighted to announce the opening of our west coast office on the beautiful campus of the University of British Columbia. We are also excited to share the news about our two 30th-anniversary signature initiatives.

THE POST-COVID CHALLENGE Conceived and funded by Fulbright Canada board member Ajay Royan and supported through generous contributions from both governments, the Fulbright Canada Post-COVID Challenge enhances our commitment to encourage, celebrate, and support bright young leaders with diverse perspectives and unique ideas.

They will present their unique and bold proposals to address health and human wellness challenges, digital transformation, social justice, and economic recovery. Our goal is to tap into the creativity and imagination of young people in Canada and the United States, especially those from underrepresented populations. The program will allow youth participants to offer their solutions to the current crises. More details can be found at fulbright.ca/post-covid-challenge

HONOURING NATIONS CANADA In collaboration with our founding partner, the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness, and our supporting partners Indigenous Works Canada Luminary Network, the Canadian Mountain Network, and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development at Harvard’s Kennedy School, Honouring Nations Canada will support and celebrate Indigenous people’s accomplishments and Indigenous ways of knowing, provide support for policy research on Indigenous issues, and create new opportunities for Indigenous youth. This program will be Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed with a circle of advisors made up of prominent Canadian Indigenous leaders.

Honouring Nations Canada will be led by Fulbright Canada West Director Robin McLay, who pursued graduate studies at Harvard as a Fulbright Scholar and served as the Executive Director of the Harvard University Native American Program.

“These new initiatives will allow us to focus on the promise of youth, and, at the same time, engage and support Indigenous peoples.”

—Michael Hawes, Fulbright Distiguished Chair 1999/2000 President and CEO, Fulbright Canada The Foundation is governed by a high-profile independent board of directors representing universities, the two governments, and private sector partners in both countries. The Foundation receives core funding from both governments and support from university partners, other foundations, and private sector donors. The current chair of the Board of Directors is Daniel McCarthy.

Please consult our website (fulbright.ca), engage us on social media, or just pick up a phone and call us.

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WE ARE INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PROBLEM SOLVERS AND GAME CHANGERS COME JOIN US!

Engineers of Tomorrow is recruiting. If you’re an engineer, EIT or engineering student who’s passionate about engineering, we’d love to have you become part of our team of volunteers!

We are also seeking organizations to partner with us and power our innovative outreach work. If you hire engineers or STEM professionals, we can energize and engage your teams!

DONATE

VOUNTEER

BECOME A SPONSOR

Help support Canadian kids’ educational experience by donating to Engineers of Tomorrow.

Create positive engineering experiences for a local class.

Be a part of something big! Our sponsors are thought leaders that want to make a difference.

ENGINEERSOFTOMORROW.CA

FIND THE ENGINEERS OF TOMORROW WITH BETTER STORIES TODAY

B

efore she chose engineering, Rebecca White was a kid attending a STEM daycamp in her hometown of Kingston, Ontario. Now, the mom of three is inspiring thousands of future engineers.

“I’m living proof that STEM outreach programs work,” she explains, “but not everyone has access to them.”

That’s part of the reason White, a chemical engineering grad with a decade of experience in pharmaceutical and food manufacturing, became CEO of the nonprofit organization Engineers of Tomorrow (EoT): to provide every Canadian kid with positive engineering experiences.

For her classmate Erica Lee Garcia, who founded EoT, the choice to become an engineer was a “happy accident.” She recounts of her 17-year-old self, “I hoped engineering was a way to use my math and science skills to help people, but I wasn’t sure.”

Lee Garcia credits math intimidation, along with a lack of awareness around engineering, for an abundance of missing talent from the profession. “Engineers aren’t as visible as doctors or lawyers—we don’t have our own show! I want to make sure all kids ‘get the memo’ about engineering. It was a great choice for me and I almost didn’t do it.”

EoT’s work is powered by a few thousand volunteers who tell their own engineering stories, after being coached in EoT’s philosophy. White explains, “We tell them, start with your WHY. What made you choose engineering? Lead with your emotions, and connect to your audience on a human level. That approach is strategic and it matters.”

To White and Lee Garcia, who met as

undergrads instructing at Queen’s University’s Science Quest camp, the work goes beyond delivering fun workshops. They insist that the outreach process—the way EoT does it—can be transformative for the kids and the volunteers alike.

JULIA KAVUMA, VOLUNTEER

“Our volunteers are truly top-notch. They take time out of their busy lives, mostly they do it for the kids. But time and again, we see a cool thing happen: they reconnect with their purpose and get pumped about how cool engineering is. You could say that fall back in love again.”

“It doesn’t stop there,” Lee Garcia enthuses, “They take their excitement back to their workplace, which in turn fuels higher motivation, creativity, and connection to the purpose of their company.

ALAN HAM, EOT STAFF

EoT volunteers are as diverse as engineering itself, and consistently 30-40% female: employed by internet startups, engineering firms, manufacturing companies, banks, and robotics firms.

EoT has created several successful corporate partnerships, receiving glowing reviews: “Energized is the word we hear over and over again,” Lee Garcia avers.

“By volunteering [with EoT], I am part of a solution and ensuring that others have more skills and more confidence to pursue their contribution too,” says EoT volunteer Jonique Gardien.

JONIQUE GARDIEN, VOLUNTEER

To date, EoT has delivered 359,000+ in-class engineering experiences, and in 2021 they’re reaching K-12 students across Canada.

“Engineering is about more than crunching numbers and it’s often poorly understood due to stereotypes.” White concludes, “We’re all about breaking that down—one story at a time.”

ERICA LEE GARCIA, FOUNDER AND REBECCA WHITE, CEO

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Vince Carter Launches Scholarship Program Amidst a Very Challenging Time for Many Located in Canada’s hightech capital city of Markham, Ontario, J. Addison School is honoured to announce the Vince Carter Scholarship & Mentorship Program, in partnership with Paris Media Group and the NBA Legend himself, Vince Carter.

Former Toronto Raptor and NBA legend Vince Carter first called Toronto his home in 1998. He quickly rose to stardom and became an inspiration to many Canadians.

“The Carter Effect,” as some call it, has left a lasting impact on Canadians to this day.

The scholarship program was launched in Toronto as a tribute to where VC began his illustrious career. The groundwork and foundation are being laid for the program to be replicated in the additional 7 U.S. cities VC called home throughout his career.

The $25,000 scholarship provides access to high-quality education to any student with a dream to attain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, which will significantly facilitate their post-secondary and career goals. These scholarships are available to all

high school students worldwide between the ages of 16-18 who will be entering grades 11 and 12 in September 2021 and each year forward! This is an exciting opportunity, and students who have a passion for sports, music, film, fashion, broadcasting, media, science, technology, engineering and math are encouraged to apply.

of having students dive into world issues, being mindful that we live in a constantly changing society reinforces the need to be open to continuous learning and adaptation. Our teachers engage students by incorporating social justice initiatives into extra-curricular clubs and everyday classroom lessons.

Since our inception in 2002, J. Addison School has taken pride in empowering students to become independent, confident, and compassionate thinkers of tomorrow.

Our campus is about 30 minutes north of Downtown Toronto and has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s premier private boarding schools with modern classrooms, spacious dormitories and stateof-the-art facilities. We complement the Ministry of Ontario Curriculum with our “Focus For Success™” adaptive program, where students receive personalized academic support and are provided opportunities to learn and explore new ideas according to individualized interests and potential. We also encourage students to develop their self-identity, where they can unravel and understand local and global social justice issues. With the aim

Most importantly, students are inspired to reach new academic heights and positive character development. The school’s boarding program accepts students in grades 7 to 12, while the day program caters to K-12. Proudly boasting a 100% post-secondary success rate, we continuously endeavour to provide an inclusive learning environment that fosters intelligence, creativity, integrity, innovation and leadership, and effectively supports the development of globally responsible and respectful young adults.

For more information, visit jaddisonschool.com Submit your application for the Vince Carter Scholarship & Mentorship Program today at www.Parismedia.org/community

JADDISONSCHOOL.COM | (905) 477-4999 | 2 VALLEYWOOD DRIVE, MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, L3R 8H3 48

© SARA POURNADER (THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN PRE-COVID-19)

SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOL IS HELPING TO RAISE THE NEXT SCIENCE LEADERS AND INNOVATORS

As

we become more dependent on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) every single day, raising scientificallyliterate children is increasingly important. However, most children don’t have enough opportunities to see science as exciting, fun, relevant and accessible, and often decide early that science is too difficult or boring. That’s where Scientists in School comes in.

Scientists in School is a leading STEM education charity. They provide children in Kindergarten to Grade 8 with opportunities to understand the importance and relevance of science in everyday life and help build confidence in their STEM skills. Since 1989, over 10 million children in Canada have become scientists through workshops that engage them in hands-on exploration and discovery. In a recent post-workshop survey of 5,000 teachers, 92% said Scientists in School was very to extremely effective in enhancing their students' interest in STEM. In a typical Scientists in School workshop, an expert scientist guides children in person through a series of hands-on STEM investigations. Due to COVID-19, the charity now offers their hands-on STEM workshops and Family Science Nights virtually to classrooms, community groups, and for at-home learning. Workshops spark exploration in rich, fun and engaging ways, and every child receives an individually packaged Mini Science Bag filled with scientific materials, shipped ahead to use during their virtual workshop and long after.

WHAT PARENTS AND EDUCATORS ARE SAYING “Very fun, very engaging, like a treasure box with instructions to follow. My son said he would definitely tune in for science if it was like this every day!”

“My experience with Scientists in School was amazing. My Grade 1 students were actively engaged in testing materials, used their critical thinking skills to design a puppet using fasteners, and experimented while designing structures to span, support, and contain. We revisited the activities multiple times after the workshop because the students were so interested in the learning.”

EQUITABLE ACCESS TO SCIENTISTS IN SCHOOL A prosperous and innovative Canada is one where every voice is represented in our workforce, research and scientific discoveries. With the support of visionary partners, Scientists in School puts a laser focus on increasing equitable access to their workshops. Approximately 30% of their total reach in 2019 was to children attending schools serving low-income communities— that’s 190,800 children out of 711,000.

However, more work is needed.

Addressing access barriers for less-affluent students has become even more important as the pandemic has affected students in already vulnerable situations the most. You can help to ensure that all children in Canada continue to have opportunities to explore the wonder of STEM and envision a future in science.

To learn more, book a workshop, or become a donor visit scientistsinschool.ca

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A Movement of Everyday Heroes

Around every corner of our city you will find an everyday hero. In fact, one in two Torontonians is a volunteer.

As passionate activists, community leaders, and good samaritans, they bring vibrancy to our city, whether in the midst of a pandemic or not.

Week after week, stories continue to pop up about volunteers helping their communities during the pandemic or fighting for human rights, some stepping up for the first time, others with a legacy of support. They are mask sewers, volunteer drivers, protest organizers, online advocates, connection-builders, and neighbours helping neighbours. The pandemic has sent our global community into

a shock, the likes of which have not been seen since the Great Depression, and yet there is more interest in giving back than ever before.

To meet growing community needs, volunteers have found new ways to help others. They’re evolving our social fabric because they want to help when they are needed most, working beyond the traditional volunteerism our society has facilitated in the past. Volunteer Toronto, Canada’s largest volunteer centre, shares that nearly 100,000 people have stepped up to support new or grassroots efforts during the pandemic. There are so many more waiting to be tapped for the right role, or waiting to come across the right cause.

The landscape of volunteerism is evolving and the effectiveness of mutual

aid, grassroots organizing, and digital community engagement are not specific to today. They are the future. COVID-19 has sparked the reimagining of giving back, shepherded by a new wave of everyday heroes who want to make a positive impact in their communities today.

There is an opportunity ahead. An opportunity to weave a new, stronger society led by the examples of those who responded in our community when we needed them most. The role of volunteers is being reimagined right now—how will you be a part of it?

Get involved at volunteertoronto.ca

“[Volunteers] are an integral and important part of community support. Yet it is when we face our most difficult challenges, we truly realize the need to be there for one another and the unique spirit of those who choose to volunteer,”

“Whether or not you understand what someone is going through, there is a joy in knowing you helped them.”

“Giving back is not just about donating to charity. It’s about physically giving time, giving energy, and giving of ourselves.”

—Maryann Istiloglu,

—Bernard Laryea,

—Angela Singer-Butler,

Board Chair and volunteer with Volunteer Toronto.

Founder of the Dare to be Different Mindset Program

Volunteer & Project Sunshine Board Member

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It’s who we are and who we need to be.

A city of helpers.

A city of volunteers.

Thank you to the 1.6 million volunteers, Toronto’s volunteer managers and community organizers, for your commitment to strengthening our city.

Toronto needs us more than ever.

National Volunteer Week 2021

Safe, Effective Medicines Are Key to Pet Health & Welfare

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ccording to our recently released 2020 pet survey results, only 85% of dogs and 58% of cats in Canada see a veterinarian at least once per year – a trend that has remained unchanged for over ten years.

data to ensure they are safe and effective. After a product is marketed, these safety assessments continue, and manufacturers have veterinarians on staff who are responsible for reporting adverse reactions. This forms the basis of an essential and continual exchange of information between animal owners, veterinarians, the animal health industry, and government regulators.

Pets are an integral part of many families, but the total number of annual checkups, as reported by pet owners, does not equal the number of dogs and cats in our care. According to our 2020 survey of Canadians conducted by Kynetec, 58% of Canadian households have at least one dog or cat, giving us an estimated population of 7.7 million dogs and 8.1 million cats.

CAHI continues to advocate for better access to innovative veterinary products to ensure life-saving medications are available and accessible for all animals. In doing so, we also partner with you and your veterinarian to provide your pet with health care options to ensure a long and healthy life.

Veterinarians play a key role in supporting the bond we have with our pets. They are trusted resources for scientific information, and our 2020 data shows that pet owners feel the value they receive from their veterinarian is high. Only a veterinarian has the training and skills needed to review your pet’s needs and choose the most appropriate treatment based on their medical knowledge and experience. In turn, technical experts at CAHI member companies work closely with veterinarians to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about the medications and vaccines available to them.

Our regulatory partners also work hard to maintain appropriate oversight of veterinary medicines. All products must meet strict requirements set by either Health Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, whose scientists review the required scientific

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To learn more about our industry, visit cahi-icsa.ca/our-industry ABOUT THE CAHI

As the not-for-profit trade association representing the developers, manufacturers, and distributors of animal pharmaceuticals, biologics, feed additives, veterinary health products, and animal pesticides in Canada, CAHI is the unified voice and information source for the animal health industry in Canada. CAHI is a national association, whose members are responsible for the sales of approximately 95% of the animal health product market in Canada.

Dedicated to preserving animal health Because animal health affects us all 160 Research Lane, Suite 102 - Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 5B2 - 519-763-7777 - www.cahi-icsa.ca

Corporate Impact Investing Is a Critical Part of Solving Global Problems

As

the deadline for the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approaches and challenges like poverty and climate change grow in urgency, corporations have an important role to play in supporting real change.

The current business model of “profits above all else” is no longer sustainable.

World Economic Forum Founder Klaus Schwap describes corporations as social organisms that can bring the world closer to achieving shared goals. By investing in solutions to today’s problems, corporations can lead the creation of a new model where positive social impact and prosperity aren’t mutually exclusive.

The rise of impact investing Impact investing—investing in companies or funds with a strong social mission—is starting to gain traction among global corporations in recent years.

“There is far greater demand today from investors to find products that are aligned with their social values,” says Leah Nguyen, investment director of the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, a $100-million fund investing in

companies focused on driving a positive social impact. Impact investing, guided by positive social principles, can directly fund the potential solutions to ongoing social issues.

“Solving for the root cause of these critical societal issues requires innovation and disruption, and impact investing is the fuel that drives it,” adds Nguyen.

Breaking ground in a new industry Because impact investing is nascent, corporations pursuing the model are leaders in a new way of building business.

The TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good focuses its investments in healthcare, economic inclusion, agriculture, and cleantech—core areas of the business that are deeply entrenched in the company’s social purpose values. These values are a “natural extension” of the corporation, says Managing Partner Blair Miller.

“We see a vast pool of opportunity arising from the need to drive social change and solve global problems through technology; the market is a critical mechanism to drive that change,” adds Miller.

As impact grows, so do businesses For companies with a social mission at their core, it is possible for revenues to grow alongside the impact they create in people’s lives with the proper capital, changing how for-profit companies tackle complex issues.

Raven Capital is an Ottawa and BCbased fund that invests in Indigenous entrepreneurs. Raven was founded to remove funding barriers and support economic reconciliation.

As the first Indigenous-owned and led fund in Canada, they can start from a place of trust with entrepreneurs in a way that others can’t.

“We are experiencing a pivot towards Indigenous ways of knowing and being in the investment world,” says Paul Lacerte, managing partner of Raven.

“We’ve clearly seen that business can be a force for good, and we think it’s an imperative and an obligation now,” says Miller.

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CAPITAL PARTNERS

PUTTING MENTAL HEALTH INTO FOCUS. If there’s ever been a time when it’s ok to not be ok, the time is now. We’re all dealing with various levels of stress, anxiety and uncertainty. It’s time to shine a spotlight on mental health and to actively get involved in ways to support mental wellness.

Almost seven million Canadians experience a mental illness every year, according to Canada’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). That number means that every Canadian is impacted, either directly or indirectly, by mental illness: either you or someone you know well, is living with a mental illness.

In light of this “unseen” epidemic, Canada’s leading digital imaging retailer and fourthgeneration family-owned business, Henry’s, is putting mental health into focus with the Henry’s Foundation. The Henry’s Foundation is a Canadian Registered Charity created to support the millions of Canadians who live with mental illness.

“We are focusing on improving mental health for all Canadians and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Our goal is to make a long-lasting impact and unify support for mental health initiatives across the country.” says Amy Stein, Executive Director of the Henry’s Foundation.

To this end, the Henry’s Foundation has created partnerships with six organizations who are leaders in the field of mental health in Canada. Through donations made to these organizations, Henry’s Foundation helps to support the important work and outreach efforts being made from coast to coast, assisting those in need with services and funding research initiatives.

Another way Henry’s Foundation is putting mental health into focus is through their #Uncapturedmoments campaign—an initiative that invites people to share photographs of some of their less glamorous, more everyday moments in their lives.

Follow us @thehenrysfoundation

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“The pandemic has given us a greater appreciation of our vulnerabilities and our need to work together,” says Amy Stein.

“We so often see people posting only their best moments on social media, which is not always an accurate reflection of their lives.” But there is so much going on in the background. The Henry’s Foundation is encouraging people to share their #Uncapturedmoments and to help foster a community where there is no longer a stigma surrounding mental illness.

That’s why the Henry’s Foundation is encouraging the community—people like you—to upload and share photos that show what mental health means to them using the hashtag #Uncapturedmoments.

Photos can be uploaded on henrysfoundation.com or by tagging #Uncapturedmoments on Instagram. A selection of images will be posted on the Henry’s Foundation Moments webpage.

It’s ok to not be ok.

PHOTO CHALLENGE GIVEAWAY Submit your #Uncapturedmoments

by May 16, 2021 for your chance to be selected to get a Creator Bundle (Value $560).

Prize Pack Includes: • Smartphone Gimbal • MobiFoto Ring Light • Thronmax MDrill USB Mic Kit • Thronmax Webcam

our partners:

FORCING OUT A SMILE I’M TIR ED OF BEI NG TIR ED Photo Credit: SANDE R WEETE

Photo Credit: BROO KS LEIBEE

I’M SCAR ED TO TAL K

LING

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it: AN UR AK

our partners: F O N D AT I O N F O U N D AT I O N

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PO NG PA TIM ET

FOND AT IO N F OUN DA TION

Visit henrysfoundation.com to make a difference

CHAPMAN’S

ICE CREAM Supporting Canadian Communities Chapman’s has been making delicious ice cream and frozen treats since 1973.

In that time, they’ve also donated millions to build medical centers, save schools, protect Canadian wildlife alongside Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), and have even gone above and beyond to help their community during the global pandemic.

Chapman’s has created a community of Canadians that care, and their ongoing dedication to developing innovative products has earned them numerous national and international awards.

After 48 years in operation, Chapman’s is still a family-run business—the only shareholders are people in the Chapman family, which means each and every one of their decisions is made by a Canadian family, for other Canadian families.

Even in the face of losing the Chapman’s factory to a fire in 2009, a major setback that would have closed most businesses for good, Chapman’s pushed forward, rallying community support to start producing ice cream again within weeks—without a single paycheque missed.

Chapman’s Ice Cream knows that their success comes from generations of Canadians who have grown up with their ice cream and frozen treats, so they make an ongoing commitment to giving back!

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In recent years, Chapman’s has donated $1 million to the construction of a new hospital in Markdale, Ontario! In 2015, Chapman’s Ice Cream donated $1 million to build a new Residential Hospice in Owen Sound, Ontario, allowing more patients to receive end-of-life care.

When a rural school in the Municipality of Grey Highlands was set to close in 2017, Chapman’s joined negotiations with the school board and local government, committing $2M to save the local school.

With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out in Canada, Chapman’s has once again stepped up to be part of the solution, working with local contacts in Ontario to provide sufficient cold storage for the PfizerBioNTech vaccines, as well as thousands of PPEs to Health Units across the country.

As a corporation that values community so highly, Chapman’s has long-known that in the event of a pandemic, they would do whatever they could to help, including offering up their facilities to allow for a nationwide vaccine distribution program.

Today, Chapman’s continues to keep community values close to their hearts, continuing to produce 280 varieties of highquality frozen treats at family-friendly prices.

Choosing Chapman’s means choosing to support Canadian communities. To learn more, visit CHAPMANS.CA

EAT, GROW, SHARE: GROWING A GREENER FUTURE IMAGINE the hustle and bustle of a kitchen… the noise, the jostling, the exuberant and joyful energy, the eager grabbing of fresh fruits and vegetables. Now imagine that these excitable chefs are children between the ages of 6 and 12, reading recipes, safely handling knives, hot pans on the stove, and pans in the oven. It all comes to a resounding finish when everyone, children and mentors alike, eagerly sit down to eat the meal together.

By the end of the 10-week Growing the Future program:

Thanks to Greenest City, these children and youth mentors are now ambassadors with foundational food skills. And it’s not just for kids!

The success of Greenest City’s past programs has shown the myriad of benefits from engaging youth in learning about ecological gardening, food security, and community leadership. In one case, a pair of youth were so enthralled by their new ability to grow their own food that they began sourcing seeds in the community and teaching friends how to grow in windowsills.

Greenest City is a local, small but mighty not-for-profit, with food growing, connecting people to food, each other, nature, the earth and sustainability at heart. Greenest City works with over 4500 people of all ages each year, building healthy, inclusive neighbourhoods through education and empowerment to preserve, protect, and improve the environment.

From community gardening to programming centred around learning to grow and cook food, to community events like the seasonal Good Food Market and the Harvest Festival, Greenest City encourages climate action and healthy eating.

In youth programs like Growing the Future, children will learn about food from seed to table—starting seeds, planting and harvesting, food preparation, including food-handling skills, knife skills, and different cooking methods. They learn how to cook from scratch, using local ingredients, the importance of fruits and vegetables, and get to try new and healthy meals!

Growing the Future focuses on local, sustainable food growing, environmental stewardship, and learning to grow, cook, and eat healthy food in an educational and fun way! The program emphasizes learning about nutrition, instilling curiosity about food and caring for our earth in a way that lasts long after the session ends.

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90% of the children requested healthy snacks from their parents.

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Every child listed a vegetable and fruit as a healthy food.

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Every child and their family had access to healthy food weekly.

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75% of the children went home and cooked a healthy meal for their family.

With rapid climate change impacting the most vulnerable people in our communities, we need tangible ways to take action in our own lives while building resilient neighbourhoods. Growing the Future connects children and youth to the earth and our food—building solid foundations for our future climate action leaders.

Greenest City is about sharing a love of food and our earth, forming a strong sense of community through informational and engaging programs for all ages.

THE FUTURE IS LOOKING GREEN! LEARN MORE ABOUT GREENEST CITY AT GREENESTCITY.CA

NUTRITION CONNECTIONS: FAMILIES AND FOOD

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egetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet, but studies show that Canadians are not consuming adequate amounts.

If Canadians are not eating enough fruits and veggies, what are they eating and why?

from health professionals such as registered dietitians, and organizations like local public health agencies and OPHA’s Nutrition Connections.

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EAT TOGETHER AS A FAMILY: A healthy eating

4

TAKE ACTION ON FOOD INSECURITY: Support policy

The Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) is concerned that ultra-processed foods and beverages make up a large portion of the diets of children and youth, which can compromise health. Ultraprocessed foods are commercially prepared foods that are typically high in sodium, sugar, or saturated fat, including fast food, sugary drinks, cookies, and chips.

Food insecurity (not enough money for food) makes it more challenging for families to access healthy options. Due to COVID-19, more families with children are experiencing food insecurity.

What can be done to help keep children healthy? OPHA’s Nutrition Connections centre recommends these four things to support children and families:

1

2

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IMPROVE FOOD LITERACY: Supporting food literacy

opportunities that teach parents how to read food labels will help them make healthier choices for their families. Research from Nutrition Connections-OPHA and Ipsos shows that less than half (48%) of Ontario families report reading the nutrition label, and only 45% report reading the ingredients list.

ACCESS THE RIGHT INFORMATION: With Nutrition

Connections-OPHA and Ipsos research showing that 49% of parents are looking for food and nutrition information for their families online, parents need to be able to navigate the complex information available, and identify reliable advice

environment, such as eating together with the family, is especially important for mindful eating and for children to learn from parents as role models. Eating as a family and away from TV and screens is associated with eating more vegetables and fruits and less sugary beverages. Nutrition Connections-OPHA and Ipsos research showed that in Ontario, 43% of families consumed meals and snacks at the kitchen or dining room table, but a sizable amount of eating and snacking happens in the family room or in front of the television or other screens. interventions that improve the income of vulnerable households to effectively address food insecurity. Statistics Canada found that food insecurity increased during COVID-19 and was greater in households with children (19.2%) compared to those without children (12.2%). Food insecurity has a significant negative impact on physical and mental health.

OPHA’s Nutrition Connections is committed to promoting food literacy and healthy eating and raising awareness about policies needed to address food insecurity, in support of optimal health for all.

FOR REFERENCES AND TO FIND OTHER INFORMATION ON HEALTHY EATING, NUTRITION AND FOOD INSECURITY, VISIT NUTRITIONCONNECTIONS.CA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OPHA, JOIN, OR DONATE TO SUPPORT OPHA’S CHARITABLE WORK, VISIT OPHA.ON.CA

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Reasons to Choose ORGANIC

Want to make choosing healthy choices for your family easier than ever? One easy way to do that is to look out for the Certified Canada Organic Logo!

This logo represents quality and healthy organic foods that are good for your health, your community, the animals, and even the Earth!

Organic is built on four main principles: Health, Ecology, Care, and Fairness. Choosing organic food and products helps produce healthy food for all. Here are five reasons to make the change and start choosing organic.

keep GMOs 1 Organics out of our food.

food avoids 3 Organic pesticide exposure.

5 Promotes biodiversity

Genetically engineered products (GMOs) are prohibited in organic production because they have dangerous effects. Some consequences of using GMOs in agricultural production include altering the DNA of the soil and plants, wiping out beneficial crops, and causing harm to insects and pollinators.

Organic agriculture prevents all of this, reducing the risk of decreased biodiversity!

A European study that received widespread media attention showcased a family who never ate organic food, testing the pesticide residues in their urine at the beginning of the study. The urine samples contained multiple harmful pesticides in each of their bodies. After switching to an organic diet for a two-week period, the families took another urine test and the results showed that all of the pesticide levels lowered drastically or disappeared entirely!

Organic farming supports biodiversity!

Having a mix of animals, plants, microorganisms, and pollinators allows for healthy soil and a strong agricultural system that is able to naturally prevent pests. By ensuring there are no synthetic chemicals used, plants, animals, and insects can flourish in organic agriculture and result in a biodiverse system.

support 2 Organics a healthier farm lifestyle and a healthier community.

Farmworkers deserve to be protected from chemical spray, as do the animals and surrounding wildlife. There are many health benefits that come with choosing organic, including safer pregnancies and child health, as organic prohibits the use of pesticides, GMOs, and the routine use of antibiotics and growth hormones in animals!

mitigates 4 Organic climate change!

That’s right, you read that correctly! Since organics make soil health a priority, farmers produce cover crops to add more nitrogen into their soils, rotate their crops in order to avoid soil erosion, sequester more carbon, use less energy-intensive inputs and release fewer carbon emissions. Studies have also shown that organic agriculture results in less water pollution! Common organic production methods such as foraging green legumes and using green manure reduces run-off, resulting in cleaner water.

Choosing organic helps protect the earth by caring for the soil, water, and air, as well as the growers, consumers, and wildlife that are part of the organic ecosphere. Make the change today—after all, you are what you eat!

If

you are interested in learning more about how to support organic, try our 21 Days to Organic monthly themed packs! These packs include a variety of organic products and an educational brochure about the many benefits of organic shipped to your door for only $15 CAD (plus tax).

Find even more reasons to choose organic at

CANADA-ORGANIC.CA 61

BY: SAMANTHA WILES

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET:

Supporting Small Businesses and Feeding the Community

T

hrough the ups and downs of the past year, St. Lawrence Market has remained a constant for many Toronto community members.

The Market has remained open through the challenging COVID-19 health emergency to serve customers and ensure that they have access to the food that they need. For the over 120 merchants, vendors, and farmers of the Market, it has been important to be there for their customers who continue to support the market’s small independent businesses.

As the Market pushes forward into spring, we’ve discussed with merchants and customers why the Market continues to be a healthy and essential part of the routine.

THE MARKET EXPERIENCE Shopping at St. Lawrence Market is unlike any other food retail experience. “There is something special, even romantic about it,” said Nancy Manotas, owner of Manotas Latin Foods in the lower market level. Her customers tell her that people come to the Market for the personal touches that are an integrated part of the Market experience. “It’s comfortable and feels like family.”

CURBSIDE PICK-UP St. Lawrence Market has taken extensive precautions to keep customers safe and comfortable while shopping at the Market. These precautions include additional and extensive cleanliness protocols, capacity management, use of masks, physical distancing and more, all under the guidance of Toronto Pubic Health. In March 2020, St. Larence Market introduced curbside pick-up, allowing customers to place an order in advance and pick it up on Market Street without even leaving their car. St. Lawrence Market merchants endeavour to go above and beyond to support their customers, so offering a minimal contact service such as this was just another way they could support their community through the challenges of COVID-19.

DELIVERY & ADVANCED ORDER OPTIONS Many St. Lawrence Market merchants have also offered delivery options or advanced orders either by phone or online. “We’ve listed all of our products online and with a minimum order, offer the delivery for free,” said Sara Spector, owner of Everyday Gourmet Coffee Roasters who roast beans daily inside the Market. “We understand that many customers are going out less, so we wanted to ensure that we can bring their routine to them right in their home.”

EXCELLENT SERVICE AND HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCTS “The Market is known for high-quality products and expert staff who are happy to give product recommendations, even for other merchants’ products,” said Randy Simon, Manager at Mike’s Fish Market. “I think that people trust and feel comfortable with what they are getting at the Market; it’s why they keep coming back.”

To find out more about how the Market is keeping you safe and continuing to offer a fantastic food shopping experience, visit in person or online at StLawrenceMarket.com

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Open for your essential food shopping in store, for curbside pickup or delivery

Find out what’s in store

stlawrencemarket.com

HOW SHEEP ARE MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF RAISING SHEEP

D

id you know that sheep are an environmental powerhouse? Raising sheep can positively impact the environment through sustainable fibre production and the management of healthy ecosystems.

Some sheep shed their wool naturally, but most need to be shorn—or have their wool trimmed—at least once a year to keep them healthy and allow them to live comfortably. Without shearing, sheep can incur several health problems, including overheating, decreased mobility, and creating an environment for mud, manure, and pathogen growth. Shearing benefits the health and welfare of the animal and, most importantly, does not harm them.

The resulting wool is a natural, renewable fibre that makes for a biodegradable and eco-friendly fabric option. It is breathable, muti-season, odour-reducing and even flame-resistant. Wool can also be used as household insulation, and improve air quality by absorbing and retaining pollutants.

Ontario sheep farmers Romy and Ryan Schill of Circle R Lamb and Revolution Wool Company in Wellington

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County recognize wool’s crucial role as a renewable resource in supporting environmental sustainability. The wool from their farm is processed and milled into yarn and batting here in Canada, creating a truly Canadian product. They are also members of the Upper Canada Fibreshed, a network that believes in the soil-to-soil fibre movement and promotes local, sustainable textile production.

rotation is matched to regrowth. While grazing, the sheep’s hooves help mix manure with soil, adding nutrients and building organic matter. This also breaks up the soil, seeds it, and allows plant roots to go deeper—all without the need for mechanical tilling or ploughing.

Pastured grasslands are essential ecosystems for many wildlife and plant species, as well as for carbon capture.

Raising sheep has many environmental benefits in addition to wool production.

Land that is unsuitable for growing crops can be used as pastures, where livestock eat grasses and other indigestible plant matter and convert it into nutrient and protein-rich food.

Ontario Sheep Farmers have taken a step forward in mitigating climate change by joining the Farmers for Climate Solutions, a national alliance of farmer organizations and supporters who believe that agriculture must be part of the solution to climate change.

Matthew Fleguel and Liz Johnston of Prince Edward County were recognized in 2020 for their environmental improvements through pasture management on their farm, Waupoos Island Sheep, which utilizes rotational grazing. Rotational grazing involves dividing pastures into sections that are only grazed for a short time before the sheep are moved to another section; this allows grasses in grazed areas to rest and regrow for a more extended period.

Ontario’s sheep farmers have a great story to share about environmental sustainability and their commitment to the land, their animals, and producing high-quality food and fibre.

The Waupoos Island pastures are scouted regularly to ensure the speed of the

To find wool and wool products, visit the Ontario Wool Map: ontariosheep.org/wool-map

Preparation time: 10 min Cook time: 1 hour Makes: 8 Servings

BBQ ONTARIO LEG OF LAMB

LAMB DOESN’T HAVE TO BE RESERVED FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS! INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

1 leg of Ontario Fresh Premium Lamb butterflied*, 4-5lb.

1 tbsp grated orange rind ½ cup orange juice ½ cup dry white wine ¼ cup soy sauce 1 tbsp grated ginger root or 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp dried thyme leaves 2 tsp peppercorns (to top)

DIRECTIONS Combine orange rind and juice, wine, soy sauce, ginger root, thyme, and pepper. Pour over Ontario lamb in large shallow glass or enamel pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally. Drain lamb, reserving marinade. Barbecue on lightly greased grill at medium heat. Turn lamb occasionally, basting with reserved marinade. Cook for about 1 hour or until well-browned but still pink in the centre.

Slice thinly and serve immediately. *NOTE: Butterflied leg of lamb - Remove the bone and spread flat. Cooks quickly and slices easily.

Lamb meat is a good source of iron and vitamins and has protein that is rich in essential amino acids, and deserves a spot on your table any night.

It is particularly rich in vitamin B-12 and in niacin, zinc, and iron.

Just 3 oz of cooked lamb, with any excess fat removed, provides the average person with 48% of their daily protein requirements, 30% for zinc, 10% for iron, 37% for vitamin B-12 and 27% for niacin.

A good quality lamb will have a nice fat finish, which not only adds flavour to the lean meat but can also be—in the right amount—a healthy part of a balanced diet. Only one-third of the fat in lamb is saturated, the rest is mono or polyunsaturated, the "good" fat in one's diet. The majority of the fat is on the edges of the meat, which means that the excess fat is easily trimmed off, leading to fewer calories!

With barbeque season right around the corner, it's the perfect time to shake things up.

Looking to Buy Fresh Premium Ontario Lamb?

Try using our lamb locator tool at LAMBRECIPES.CA

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WHITE BEAN DIP THREE WAYS

Recipe by Chef Sous Chef Nothing tastes better than the first few springtime meals. Welcome the warmer weather with three simple and delicious Ontario White Bean dips that are flavourful, bright, and sure to be the star of your first picnic of the season.

Low in fat and packed with fibre, beans are a source of quality protein and are extremely versatile. White beans are the most popular edible bean crop grown in Ontario and are often used in soups, salads, baked bean dishes, and tasty dips like these!

SPICY WHITE BEAN GUACAMOLE

CREAMY WHITE BEAN AND ARTICHOKE DIP

BEET RED WHITE BEAN DIP

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 15 MINUTES SERVES: 4

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 15 MINUTES SERVES: 4

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 15 MINUTES SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

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•

•

• • • • •

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed (540ml/18oz) 1 avocado, diced 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1 lime, juiced 1/4 tsp salt

• • • • • • •

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed (540ml/18oz) 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts + additional for garnish 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1/4 tsp pepper 1/8 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS (REPEAT STEPS BELOW FOR EACH DIP RECIPE) 1. Place all the ingredients in the base of a blender or food processor.

2. Pulse a few times, then scrape down the sides of the blender and pulse until creamy and smooth. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Transfer to a bowl and top with additional parsley for garnish.

3. Serve with toasted baguette or your favourite vegetables.

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• • • • • • •

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed (540ml/18oz) 1 small beet, peeled and grated 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 2 tbsp tahini 1 tbsp greek yogurt 1 tbsp chopped parsley 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper

DIP TIP: Store leftover dip in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Visit betterwithbeans.ca for even more great recipes, how-to videos, and so much more.

BUTTER CHICKEN NAAN PIZZA

Explore the flavours of India BUTTER CHICKEN NAAN PIZZA PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES COOK TIME: 15 TO 23 MINUTES SERVES: 4

Experimenting with food from around the world is a healthy choice for families. It not only keeps mealtime exciting and interesting, but it also encourages adventurous eating.

In fact, studies show that children who are exposed to a variety of flavours and foods early in life tend to be more willing to try new things, allowing for a more varied and nutrient-rich diet down the road.

This butter chicken naan pizza is as scrumptious to eat as it is fun to make. Dive into the aromas of India and encourage your little ones to lend a helping hand in the kitchen— they’ll love adding the colourful toppings to this vibrant dish.

Explore more kid-friendly recipes inspired by cuisines from around the world at TASTEADVENTURE.CA

—NC INGREDIENTS • • • • •

1 jar (400 mL) Patak’s Butter Chicken cooking sauce 1/2 cup (122.5 g) plain yogurt 2 tsp (5.6 g) garlic, minced 2 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 3-4 pieces naan bread

• • • • •

2 cups (226 g) cheese, shredded and divided into two equal parts 1 1/2 (45 g) cup spinach 1/4 cup (29 g) red onion, sliced 2 cups (298 g) cherry tomatoes, halved Salt, to taste

DIRECTIONS 1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F (205°C).

2. Stir together butter chicken cooking sauce, yogurt, garlic and salt.

3. Mix 3 tbsp (45 mL) of the yogurt

sauce with chicken pieces; set aside remaining sauce.

4. Cover and marinate chicken for 15 minutes.

5. Heat pan to medium heat and cook

marinated chicken pieces for 5 to 8 minutes until no longer pink inside.

6. Spread reserved yogurt sauce over 3

to 4 naans. Sprinkle naans with 1 cup (113 g) of cheese.

7. Sprinkle spinach, onion, cherry

tomatoes (cut-side up) and cooked chicken. Top with the remaining cheese.

8. Bake directly on the oven rack for

10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

9. Remove from oven and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

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GLOBALHEROES.COM

•••

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Preparation time: 10 min

PEACH PB&J ENERGY BITES Looking for a quick and healthy snack that is sure to cure any PB&J craving? Then look no further than our Peach PB&J Energy Bites! These little bite-sized treats are packed with flavour and are a great breakfast option for those busy, on-the-go mornings.

INGREDIENTS: • • • •

2 Cups Gluten-Free Rolled Oats 1/3 Cup Crofter’s Organic Premium Peach Fruit Spread 1/3 Cup Smooth or Chunky Nut Butter 2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, Crofter’s

Organic Premium Peach Fruit Spread, nut butter, and chia seeds and mix together well with a wooden spoon or spatula.

2. Once evenly mixed, scoop out 1 tbsp of the peach oat mixture

and roll in your hands to form bite-sized balls. If you find the ingredients are sticking to your hands and it is difficult to roll, lightly coat your hands in olive oil or coconut oil and it will help the mixture not stick.

3. Continue to roll bite-sized balls until all of the peach oat mixture

is used. Store in a Tupperware container until ready to eat. Enjoy!

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Preparation time: 5 min

PEACH BELLINI COCKTAIL Hello sunshine! Celebrate the return of the warm rays of the spring sun with a bright, fruity, Peach Bellini. No need to make a peach purée, just grab a jar of Crofter’s Organic Peach Premium Spread and you’ve got all the vibrant peach taste and just the right amount of sweetness from fair trade cane sugar to make the perfect, bubbly Bellini!

INGREDIENTS: • • • • •

1 ½ Tbsp Crofter’s Organic Premium Peach Fruit Spread ¾ oz Vodka Prosecco Ice Cubes (Crushed) Fresh Mint

DIRECTIONS: 1. Begin by adding the Crofter’s Organic Premium Peach Fruit

Spread to a cocktail shaker along with ¾ oz vodka and some crushed ice. Add about 2-3 ice cubes. Shake for 20-30 seconds.

2. Strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into a glass and then top with prosecco. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint. Enjoy!

BLENDER PANCAKES VEGAN GLUTEN FREE

The only thing better than breakfast in bed? Pancakes in bed!

Treat mom to a Mother’s Day meal of fluffy, plant-based pancakes that are sure to make her smile. Even better, you can whip up the batter in a high-powered blender, so no fancy standing mixer—or gruelling arm workout—necessary.

The flapjacks are also incredibly versatile, meaning you can smother, sprinkle, or drizzle with snowfalls of whatever toppings your heart desires. Get flippin’!

INGREDIENTS: • • • • •

2 cups gluten free oats 2 ripe bananas 1 ½ tsp baking powder 1 chia egg (1 tbsp chia seeds + 2.5 tbsp water, whisked and refrigerated for 15 minutes; or egg alternative of your choice) 1 ½ cups ALMONDMILK

DIRECTIONS: 1. Combine all ingredients in your blender.

2. Blend until your pancake batter reaches a consistency smoother than freshly fallen snow.

3. Gently heat a generous dollop of coconut oil in a frying pan, and slowly ladle in the batter for one flapjack from your blender until you reach your desired pancake size. 4. Cook until bubbles begin to form, then flip the pancake and cook the other side for about two minutes, or until golden. Once cooked, remove from heat and pile on to a plate. Repeat until your batter is finished.

4. Decorate your pancake mountain with your favourite

toppings. If you need a little inspiration, give one of our recommendations below a try.

FOR TOPPING: 1. Smother your stack with warm almond butter, then sprinkle smashed frozen raspberries, sliced strawberries, and chopped almonds over the top for added sweetness and crunch.

2. Melt your favourite dairy free chocolate and drizzle over the pancakes. Next, add a handful of sliced bananas, a pour of maple syrup, and more shavings of chocolate. Finish with a Greenhouse Hangry Bites atop the stack.

3. Sprinkle a few melted frozen blueberries onto your pancakes.

Next, spoon a dollop of cardamom lemon yogurt onto the pile (simply stir together 2 tbsp of plain plant-based yogurt with a pinch of ground cardamom, the juice of half a lemon, and half a teaspoon of maple syrup), and add lemon zest for garnish.

FOR MORE PLANT-BASED RECIPES, VISIT GREENHOUSE.CA

MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS THAT GIVE BACK With Mother’s Day just around the corner, share the love by shopping local!

The only thing better than a heartfelt gift is one that makes a positive impact by giving back!

Over the past year, people all over the world have been showing their appreciation for the women who make a positive impact on their lives. From mothers to grandmothers, to nurses, teachers, friends, and everyone in between. This Mother’s Day, think outside the box—not just in the gifts you plan to give, but who you plan to give them to! Whether they like to indulge in self-care, express themselves through classic accessories, or enjoy a classic take on flowers and chocolates, we’ve got the perfect gift idea.

© ECKSAND

This year, go beyond gifting by choosing a gift that gives back to a charity, the environment, or a community initiative. Whoever you plan to shop for, these Canadian brands are sure to bring a smile to your giftee’s face.

For the self-care lover:

CARDEA AUSET Cardea AuSet is a Canadian woman-owned beauty brand that uses the power of plantbased products to promote relaxation and reinvigoration, sharing the transformational power of feel-good rituals in everyday life.

If you’re looking for a morning boost and a nightly wind-down that also lifts up the community, the Sister Mists set has you covered. Using aromatherapy, Activate combines a mix of patchouli, lemongrass and rosemary to give you an extra burst of energy in the morning or before a workout, while Calm blends frankincense and

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lavender to create stillness and quiet your mind when feeling stressed or winding down to sleep.

Keeping their sisters in mind, Cardea AuSet donates $5 to YWCA Niagara for every sale of the duo to help support leadership and skills development for women and girls. For over 90 years, the YW has provided emergency shelter and affordable housing to women and families in need.

Shop Sister Mists and more on cardeaauset.com

LUSH

Known for their colourful bath bombs and vast array of delicious-smelling skin, body, and hair care products, Lush does a whole lot of good—and not just for people! Lush uses the freshest ingredients to create sustainably made products that are never tested on animals. For an indulgent gift that gives back, treat mom to Lush’s Charity Pot lotion.

With a delicately floral perfume of ylangylang and rosewood oils in a hydrating cocoa butter base, Charity Pot will leave your skin subtly perfumed and touchably soft. This rich and generous cream contains up to seven ingredients sourced from the Sustainable Lush Fund projects that support regenerative agriculture around the world.

With every purchase of Charity Pot, Lush donates 100% of the price (minus the taxes) to small groups working in the areas of human rights, animal protection, and environmental justice. Since launching Charity Pot in 2007, Lush has sold 3.5 million Charity Pot Body Lotions, raising $50 million to support 1,850 projects in North America, and 950 around the globe...and counting. With Charity Pot, you end up with velvety, beautifully-scented skin AND you’re doing a world of good with every pot purchased.

Shop Charity Pot in-store or online at Lush.ca

For the accessorizer:

PIXIE MOOD

You can shop our website:

pixiemood.ca

Designing the most versatile bags, at Pixie Mood, we believe that style doesn’t need compromise. Styles can be trendy, functional, socially responsible—all at the same time! We obsess over making great bags that put our customers’ needs first and foremost.

Founded in 2010, Pixie Mood strives to find the most socially and environmentally responsible ways to look good while feeling great. Our entire product line has been vegan-friendly since day one, and now all of our bag linings are made entirely from recycled water bottles, we also use biodegradable packaging to package our products.

In addition, we are proud to have offset all carbon emissions that we have produced since day one, a decade ago, on our

e-commerce shipping. We are proud of the steps we have taken to date, but we’re not going to stop there!

Pixie Mood is proudly Canadian and proud to support local and female-led businesses.

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ECKSAND

Add some sparkle to your Mother’s Day gift! Ecksand is a Canadian sustainable fine jewelry brand: better for the planet with inclusive pricing.

With timeless designs, Ecksand jewels are made to last a lifetime and be passed down for generations to come. Handcrafted in a low emissions atelier in Montreal, Ecksand jewels are made with 100% recycled gold and ethical diamonds and gemstones. Add in eco-packaging that is completely recyclable and reusable, and you can feel good about an Ecksand purchase.

Ecksand’s mission and values have resonated with many around the world, most notably Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, who wore Ecksand jewels on her and Prince Harry’s tour of Australia in 2018.

In November 2020, Ecksand launched its Save Big, Big Back initiative, with a portion of every sale between November 26th, 2020 and March 1st, 2021 providing 3 meals for families and children in need. From yearly initiatives that the team holds close to their heart, Ecksand’s growth is connected to what they give out.

No matter who you’re shopping for, Ecksand has something that will make them sparkle.

Shop Ecksand’s ethical and sustainable handmade jewels at ecksand.com

For the classic giftee:

WILD NORTH FLOWERS Nothing says Mother’s Day more than a gorgeous bouquet of flowers!

Toronto-based flower studio Wild North Flowers creates seasonally inspired arrangements with 100% locally-grown Ontario flowers, focusing on fostering

relationships with awesome local charities with a focus on sustainability, building a strong sense of community.

Wild North supports charities working to protect our natural environment, human and ecological health. Wild North forms direct partnerships with 12 charities a year and provide an in-kind donation of $500+ retail value each month, so whatever time of year, your gifts are sure to give back.

Wild North also hosts a weekly giveaway program in the GTA where you can nominate someone you believe deserves some floral cheer. This is your chance to tell your local GP, passionate activist pal, alwaysfriendly barista, loyal childcare worker or favourite nurse that they are seen and that they deserve some floral magic.

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Check out wildnorthflowers.com

to learn more about Free Flower Fridays.

For the sweet tooth:

PEACE BY CHOCOLATE When classic meets sweet, it’s sure to be a treat! Since Peace By Chocolate was founded at the beginning of 2016, the Hadhad family have been fortunate to share their passion for chocolate with friends in their home of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, across Canada, and now, around the world.

They offer a range of services and products for anyone looking for delicious, fine chocolate. From classic chocolate boxes to chocolate bars offering messages of peace and forgiveness, specialty holiday items, to tasty snacks to share with friends, there’s something for everyone!

In keeping with the message of peace and togetherness, Peace by Chocolate has founded the Peace on Earth Society, donating a portion of all profits to peacebuilding projects around the world.

The society work started unofficially after the Fort McMurray Wildfires when Peace by Chocolate launched a donation campaign to support all the evacuees and their families through relief organizations.

Come check out the tastiest way to spread peace at peacebychocolate.ca After all, One Peace Won’t Hurt.

COURAGE COOKIES Give Mom the gift of Courage Cookies!

What started as a midnight snack in March of 2020 is now the must-have cookie of the GTA! With flavours like Nutella S’more, Stuffed Red Velvet, and Brown Butter Rice Krispie, these cookies are sure to be a sweet surprise.

To make this gift even sweeter, Courage Cookies has vowed that so as long as they are in the business of selling cookies, they will always be donating a portion of their revenue to support those in need.

Their first give-back goal was a modest

$10,000, and they surpassed it by far, donating approximately $35,000 since!

Courage Cookies donates 5% of their overall revenue, and once a month, they hold a 24hr Cookie Drive, donating 100% of their sales!

Try the Baker’s Choice Box for a delightful mix of flavours!

Find Courage Cookies at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst Street) and in cafes across Toronto.

Canada-wide orders can also be made online at couragecookies.ca/order-online

Canada and Impressionism: New Horizons JANUARY 21, 2022-JUNE 12, 2022

NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA, OTTAWA

Next spring, experience a fresh perspective on the reception and spread of Impressionism in Canadian art at the National Gallery of Canada.

The first of its kind, this exhibition brings together masterworks by Canada’s renowned painters, celebrating and exploring the development of Impressionism in Canadian Art from the last decades of the nineteenth century to the late 1920s.

Visitors can follow in their footsteps to discover the pioneering Canadian artists’ commitment to interpreting foreign and familiar surroundings imbued with an Impressionist vocabulary.

“The exhibition explores the multifaceted ways in which two generations of pioneering Canadian artists contributed to the worldwide phenomenon of Impressionism and the advent of modernity in their homeland.”—Katerina Atanassova, Senior Curator of Canadian Art at the National Gallery of Canada By applying stylistic innovations and modernist principles to Canadian subjects, these artists created works that responded to the local environment and to emerging discourse around nationalism in Canadian art.

EMILY CARR, AUTUMN IN FRANCE, 1911, NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA, OTTAWA

CLARENCE GAGNON, OLD HOUSES, BAIE-SAINT-PAUL, C. 1912, PRIVATE COLLECTION, TORONTO

The exhibition presents 108 works drawn from public and private collections, including 14 from the national collection.

WHAT DOES CANADIAN IMPRESSIONISM LOOK LIKE? Canadian Impressionists developed an abiding interest in landscape painting during their studies and travels abroad.

Back in Canada, artists such as Clarence Gagnon adapted Impressionist techniques to capture the colourful reflections of light on snow and ice.

Some Canadian Impressionists spent their careers abroad. Helen McNicoll’s Sunny September (1913) portrays a light and airy scene in England, demonstrating how Canadian Impressionism adapts as it travels.

Portraits of women and children demonstrate the Canadian Impressionists’ engagement with the critical and philosophical issues of their day, such as women’s suffrage and the nature of childhood.

Visitors can experience the exhibition from the comfort of their homes with the accompanying exhibit catalogue, a one of a kind publication featuring scholarly articles that critically examine the works in the exhibition. It is available in English, French, and German.

Learn more and visit the exhibition online at gallery.ca and find the exhibition catalogue at ShopNGC.ca

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January 21, 2022-June 12, 2022

CELEBRATING TORONTO’S RAVINES

ith an abundance of parks and natural areas, Toronto has long been called “the city within a park,” so it should come as no surprise that it is also home to one of the largest ravine systems in the world.

Spanning more than 11,000 hectares and encompassing 17 percent of the city, ravines travel over, under, and across Toronto, providing a natural retreat from city life, within the city!

© PHOTO COURTESY OF EVERGREEN

Your guide to a natural retreat within the city

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©DRONEBOY FOR EVERGREEN

In a rapidly growing city like ours, the importance of the ravines only increases. Toronto’s ravine system is home to almost 90 percent of its wildlife, and the majority of the city’s water infrastructure relies on ravines to absorb and filter stormwater, playing a vital role in flood protection.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY CRAFTS SMALL WORLDS FOR SMALL CREATURES: MAKE A MINI-HOME FOR OUR RAVINEDWELLING FRIENDS! ©JIM FELSTINER FOR EVERGREEN

Evergreen has been deeply connected to the ravines, with some of its earliest activities including tree planting with the community in the Don Valley. The Bricks Works, Evergreen’s headquarters, is a yearround destination where the world comes to experience sustainability in action. The abandoned Don Valley Brick Works factory was transformed in 2010 into a vibrant cultural hub and gateway into the ravine system. Since its opening, the Brick Works has welcomed visitors to the ravines and engaged them through children’s school programs, camps, hikes, rides, public markets, gardens, stewardship efforts, exhibits and public art installations. During the pandemic, the public can continue to explore Toronto’s ravines, a family-friendly adventure that allows for social distancing!

ART WALK Take a stroll through the Lower Don Trail and explore the Evergreen’s Public Art Program, taking in the commissioned artworks that respond to the Don Valley’s ecological, cultural, industrial, and Indigenous histories and future.

Find a spot in the ravines and think about who might live here.

Look and around you and begin to collect fallen leaves, twigs, pine cones, and loose materials. Build a mini-home for them. Get creative with your homes—who knows, maybe a mouse would love having a balcony and slide in their home! Evergreen Brick Works has even more family-friendly ravine activities in their Ravine Play Activity Book! ©JIM FELSTINER FOR EVERGREEN

© YUULA BENIVOLSKI FOR EVERGREEN

Cree artist Duane Linklater’s Monsters for Beauty, Permanence and Individuality—a series of cast concrete sculptures just north of Bloor viaduct along the trail—shows replicas of gargoyles adorning prominent buildings in downtown Toronto.

Toronto-based artist Will Kwan’s A Park for All mural is visible along the stretches of the industrial retaining wall of Toronto’s Don River, south of Riverdale Park. Kwan’s hand-painted text installation speaks to the endlessly differing, and at times opposing, constituents of Toronto’s public spaces, to community expectations for urban parks in general and for the Don River Valley Park in particular.

FIND ACTIVITIES, TRAILS, INFORMATION, AND MORE AT WWW.EVERGREEN.CA

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BEST

FOR STOPPING AND SMELLING THE FLOWERS

T

he sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and more importantly, the roads are clear of snow and ice. Spring is the perfect time to pack a lunch, load up the family, and take a road trip. Below are some kid-friendly parks across the country and some tips to make the journey just as good as the destination.

JACQUES-CARTIER PARK.

QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK.

This public park in Gatineau, Quebec, sits alongside the Ottawa River and provides a beautiful view of the Ottawa skyline. You can visit historic sites like the Maison des Auteurs, cycle the Maison du Vélo, and check out the events that the park frequently hosts. In previous years, events included the Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal, a beautiful horticultural sculpture exhibition.

Queen Elizabeth Park is a beautiful public park located in the center of Vancouver. The park is known for being a horticultural jewel with stunning flora and fauna in the Bloedel Conservatory.

Park-goers can walk or cycle the paths, lawn bowl, play tennis, and more.

CADDELL RAPIDS LOOKOFF. Located about an hour outside of Halifax, Caddell Rapids Lookoff is a lovely stop for lunch alongside the Shubenacadie River.

It boasts an amazing view of the sunset and is the perfect perch for birdwatching.

Visitors have often spotted bald eagles on this convenient riverside pit stop.

JACQUES CARTIER PARK

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BANFF NATIONAL PARK. Located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Banff is Canada’s oldest national park.

This scenic drive is complete with turquoise waters, a picturesque mountain town, abundant wildlife, and stunning Rocky Mountain peaks. Visitors can catch glimpses of bighorn sheep, deer, bald eagles, and even black and grizzly bears!

BRUCE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK

BRUCE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK. Located in Ontario between Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, this scenic peninsula is home to clear blue waters, exciting hiking trails, and a bird observatory. Hikers can experience cliff diving in the turquoise waters, or even spot rare reptiles hidden in the rocky expanses. Just a few hours north of Toronto, this park makes for a great day trip.

The Bruce Peninsula is a peninsula in Ontario, that lies between Georgian Bay and the main basin of Lake Huron. To set yourself up for a relaxing, stress-free vacation, try some pro tips. Pack an emergency firstaid kit to ensure little bumps and bruises are covered and avoid unplanned trips to the drugstore. Bring snacks and food for the journey—this is both cost-effective and keeps everyone well-fed and happy.

—NC BANFF NATIONAL PARK

MUSKOKA BOB CLARKE

C

onsistently named one of the best places to visit in the country—and the world— Muskoka is considered to be the Hamptons of Canada, but is also simply and affectionately known as cottage country. Muskoka has been the place to unwind since the 1800s, when the first resorts were built.

Nestled in-between Georgian Bay and Algonquin Provincial Park, Muskoka is home to Lake of Bays and the Big Three Lakes—Muskoka, Rousseau, and Joseph—generating over 14,000km of picturesque shoreline and sweeping landscapes in both summer and winter months. Over 60,000 people call this area home already, and since it is only two hours from Toronto, its proximity makes it not only the best vacation spot but also an ideal place to live. As many of us adjust to working from home, reflecting on the hustle and bustle of our “regular” lives, Muskoka offers a quiet and laid-back

EXPLORING THE BEAUTY OF ONTARIO’S COTTAGE COUNTRY

lifestyle with a short commute, if any.

Now more than ever, there are numerous reasons to make the move to Muskoka.

While house prices within the Greater Toronto Area show no signs of decreasing, properties in areas such as Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Huntsville remain affordable while also offering lower property taxes than in the city. Also, being surrounded by rich forests, the Muskoka region’s beauty is undeniable, offering a true break from the daily grind, allowing for that ideal work/life balance.

Recreation is an integral part of Muskoka life. With endless hiking trails and a boundless shoreline, every day can be a new adventure. Swimming, boating, skiing, and year-round fishing will keep you active in every season, while leisure activities help connect you with nature, easing the stresses of daily life.

Real estate in Muskoka is unique and differs slightly from the city. Whether

you’re thinking of purchasing your first property in the area, or simply relocating to another lake, avoid cottage conundrums with the help of Bob Clarke and his team.

Since 1987, Clarke and his team have been responsible for some of the most unique and prominent cottages on the Big Three Lakes. Clarke’s love for Muskoka goes further than admiration for Ontario’s natural beauty—Clarke regularly supports community initiatives, like the Muskoka Women’s Shelter, the Port Carling Community Health Hub, the West Muskoka Food Bank, and so much more.

In 2020, the Clarke Muskoka team raised over $27,000 for the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.

With a deep love for the community and over thirty years of extensive experience in Muskoka real estate, Clarke offers a reallife perspective of buying, selling, living, and building in one of the most serene places nature has to offer. Contact Bob Clarke and his team to make your move to cottage country!

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WANDER WOMEN:

Journeys for Women,

by Women, with Insight Vacations

WOMEN GUESTS WILL ENJOY WINE AND OYSTER TASTING BY THE CROATIAN COAST.

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nsight Vacations, the worldwide leader in premium guided journeys, is thrilled to launch a new 13-day itinerary, Venice & The Croatian Coast, A Women’s-Only Tour, as part of its Wander Women series of journeys created for women, by women. The trip will take place in Summer 2022 and will offer enriching travel experiences that cater to the diverse interests of female travellers and introduce guests to inspiring women in communities across Croatia.

TREADRIGHT’S ‘PLANET’ AMBASSADOR, CÉLINE COUSTEAU

The company is celebrating women’s achievements by creating an inclusive world through experiences that connect guests with women artisans, entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, and by hiring women Travel Directors, Local Experts and Experience Hosts. Also, TreadRight’s ‘Planet’ Ambassador and environmentalist, Céline Cousteau will be a special guest on the Croatia trip. She helps amplify women’s achievements as a documentary filmmaker and director.

The first women’s-only trip, Inspirational India, was launched last year and is set to depart in October 2021, which has booking availability. The Croatia journey includes three new #MakeTravelMatter Experiences designed to uplift local women in their communities and ensure Insight’s travels are used as a force for good while supporting the United Nations’ Global Goals.

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“We are celebrating women’s successes with local female trailblazers, artisans and community leaders whom we visit and support across the globe,” says Ulla Hefel Böhler, Global CEO for Insight Vacations. “Our newest Wander Women Croatia journey will highlight our meaningful #MakeTravelMatter Experiences where like-minded female guests can personally connect with outstanding local women,” she concluded.

This special women’s-only guided tour is available with limited space as a single departure date, so guests are encouraged to book early to secure their spot.

BOAT RIDE PHOTO - PIRAN MEET IRENA FONDA, A PASSIONATE AND AWARDED BIOLOGIST CARRYING OUT IMPORTANT CONSERVATION WORK IN THE GULF OF PIRAN. JOIN HER ON A SHORT BOAT RIDE TO SEE HER FAMILY’S FISH FARM AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY BREEDING SUSTAINABLE PIRAN SEA BASS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. THROUGH THEIR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND MONITORING WORK THE FONDA FAMILY PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE PROTECTION OF THE INDIGENOUS MARINE LIFE IN THE GULF OF PIRAN.

VENICE & THE CROATIAN COAST, A WOMEN’S-ONLY TOUR – 13-DAYS (DEPARTING SUMMER 2022) The new journey begins in Venice and ventures across the scenic Dalmatian coast, with #MakeTravelMatter Experiences on almost every day of the trip. Below are some examples:

EXPERIENCE THE FONDA FISH FARM IN PIRAN, SLOVENIA

VISIT THE AR ART STUDIO, GRUDA CROATIA In the heart of the Konvale region, guests will meet passionate artist Antonia Rusković Radonić at her studio, who is working to preserve the local silk traditions and embroidery techniques originating in the 15th century. She is also hosting various educational programs and is helping to re-introduce men’s and women’s traditional folk costumes.

Guests will travel to Slovenia and meet Irena Fonda, a renowned and award-winning molecular biologist who is carrying out important conservation work in the protection of indigenous species of the Gulf of Piran. They will join her on a short boat ride to visit her family’s fish farm and learn about breeding the highest quality sustainable sea bass.

EXPLORE THE DEŠA REGIONAL CENTRE, DUBROVNIK Guests will visit the workshop of DEŠA (humanitarian and peace organization), founded in 1993. DEŠA helps women and their families, including refugees, better cope with various hardships and challenges, by promoting traditional cuisine and small handicrafts through their workshops.

To book your Wander Woman Tour, visit INSIGHTVACATIONS.COM

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KENYA’S

WILDLIFE TOURISM:

A CASUALTY

OF COVID GETS

A LIFELINE

BY: KILEY PRICE,

F

rom July to October each year, millions of wildebeests, zebras and other wildlife travel from Tanzania to Kenya’s Maasai Mara region—a phenomenon known as “The Great Migration.”

The animals are not the only ones flooding the region during this time: Typically, thousands of tourists flock to the Maasai Mara to catch a glimpse of this spectacle.

But the COVID-19 pandemic did not spare East Africa. With global travel all but halted, tourists

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disappeared from the Maasai Mara—along with the critical revenue they provide to wildlife conservancies dedicated to protecting this land.

Now, these conservancies are receiving a lifeline.

Conservation International, through its impact investing fund, CI Ventures, and in partnership with the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, has established the African Conservancies Fund, a loan program helping to cover lease payments owed to Indigenous landowners who typically lease their land to conservancies for tourism operations.

PHOTOS © JON MCCORMACK VIA CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL

CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL

Not only is this program bolstering the region’s tourism industry—and the communities that depend on it—it is also helping to fund wildlife conservation efforts, explained Michael O’BrienOnyeka, who leads Conservation International’s work in Africa.

“The fallout in tourism due to the pandemic means communities are struggling,” said O’Brien-Onyeka. “These lease payments will help ensure the lands that make up the greater Maasai Mara remain wild, and that the communities that count on income from tourism are supported during this global crisis.”

For the Indigenous Maasai peoples who own this land, lease payments by ecotourism operators are typically used to fund schools and health centers and to support wildlife conservation efforts. In 2019, Maasai landowners earned more than US$7.5 million in lease payments.

“Over the last two decades, local communities and tourism investors have worked to find a way that nature and people can thrive together,” said Daniel Ole Sopia, the chief executive officer of

the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, a membership association of conservancies in the region. “Our conservancies both secure critical wildlife populations and benefit local people. This is what successful conservation looks like.”

But this conservation model, one of the most promising and innovative in Africa, faces collapse as a result of the pandemic.

According to the government of Kenya, the country’s tourism industry lost nearly US$1 billion in revenue between January and October of last year due to coronavirus lockdowns and restrictions on travel. Experts estimate that in 2020, Maasai landowners made less than half of the revenue they collected on lease payments in 2019.

© CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL PHOTO BY CYNTHIA TAPLEY

Spanning 1,737 square miles, the Maasai Mara ecosystem is home to 25 percent

of Kenya’s wildlife, including such iconic species as elephants, lions, giraffes and zebras. The conservancies that help protect the wildlife in this region support the livelihoods of 100,000 people.

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This loss of lease income—and uncertainty on when tourists may return—could force the Maasai people to sell or convert their lands to farms, putting wildlife in the region at risk, experts say.

funding to offset the revenue loss from COVID-19. The loans will be repaid out of future tourism returns and conservation fees that the conservancies collect from tourism operators.

And as recent reports indicate a surge in poaching throughout Kenya since the pandemic began, wildlife conservation in this revered ecosystem is more important than ever, O’Brien-Onyeka explains.

The loan fund was set up and structured at record speed to quickly support the communities impacted by a loss of revenue in real-time. The initial bridge loan disbursements were received by the Mara North Conservancy and the Ol Kinyei Conservancy in early December.

These are the first of many conservancies participating in the program.

“There is no insurance policy, there is no social safety set; tourism has always been their only avenue to make money,” O’Brien-Onyeka said in a recent BBC podcast. “People [are] raiding nature to survive out of desperation.”

Through the loan program, conservancies across the Maasai Mara can secure short-to-medium-term

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Conservation International worked with conservancies and with the Maasai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association to incorporate their vision and priorities into the loan program to help ensure that these efforts are effective and long-lasting. As

a condition of the financial support, the conservancies are required to implement governance, financial and operational strengthening activities to help ensure their long-term sustainability and build resilience against future external shocks, such as disease outbreaks or natural disasters. For example, some groups have already created requirements for Indigenous women and youth members to be represented on a conservancy’s council or board of directors to increase inclusivity during decision-making processes.

Further, stakeholders across the Maasai Mara are actively exploring opportunities to diversify revenue streams for this landscape.

“Most immediately, the funding will provide a bridge of support for the conservancies and local communities

that face global challenges outside of their control,” said Agustin Silvani, who leads the conservation finance program at Conservation International. “As tourism returns, revenues are expected to be available to pay back the impact investors while providing enough flexibility to weather downturns and ensure the longterm stability of the conservancies. We want the Mara to remain a thriving place for generations to come.”

More at Conservation.org/CIVentures CI Ventures is the impact-investing arm of Conservation International. As a revolving fund, CI Ventures invests in companies that generate positive social, environmental and financial returns over a specified period of time. The principal and earned interest returned to the fund are used for new investments in green enterprises.

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© JENNIFER SEE STUDIOS

Love

Lives On

inLockdown Canada's First Pop-Up Chapel

Planning a wedding is hard—planning a wedding in a pandemic is harder still.

Fortunately, there is a new solution for couples who are lost when it comes to planning a wedding in a global crisis.

The Pop-Up Chapel Co. is Canada’s leading shared wedding planning company that marries up to 10 couples per day—that’s one couple on the hour, every hour, for 10 hours straight!

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© ROB LLOYD PHOTOGRAPHY

© RACHEL HUNT PHOTOGRAPHY

After serving the wedding and event industry for a decade, the team behind The PopUp Chapel Co. made a realization—the wedding industry was undergoing a major change. Couples were eschewing the traditional life sequence to follow their own paths, like pursuing careers, having children, or prioritizing travel, all before marriage.

Today’s couples are less interested in following traditions that don’t feel authentic and more interested in simplifying their lives using technology, embracing the sharing economy, and saying no to brands that don’t reflect their modern values.

“We were committed to filling the white space between a city hall wedding and a traditional banquet hall wedding with hundreds of guests, as well to provide an answer to this changing shift in values and needs, and that’s how The Pop-Up Chapel Co. was born.”

Lynzie Kent, Founder of The Pop-Up Chapel Co.

“Couples deserve to celebrate their vows this year, and many have different reasons why getting married sooner rather than postponing is important to them. This pandemic has affected a lot of people’s financial situations, some couples are eager to start a family, and others have elderly family members who want to see the nuptials—we are eager to provide a solution,” shares Kent. “The Pop-Up Chapel Co. gives couples an affordable option to continue their wedding plans in a slightly altered version, surrounded by close family and friends, many of whom they have not seen in months, as well as giving couples the option to live-stream their ceremony, making it easier for them to celebrate virtually with friends and family from around the world.”

With strict health and safety procedures that adhere to all legal requirements, The Pop-Up Chapel Co. offers ample support through the couple’s wedding planning journey, ensuring it is safe, simple, and stress-free.

For an affordable rate, couples and up to 20 guests can enjoy an all-inclusive package in some of Canada’s most desirable wedding venues across the country, like Vancouver, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, or Winnipeg. In addition, couples support their community through their booking, with $300 from every spot sold going to local charities.

“Since our first Chapel in August of 2017, we’ve married over 170 couples, hosted 21 Chapels, and raised over $57k for charity.

We’re an ambitious bunch, so our dream is that by the end of 2021, we’ll have married 300 couples, raised over $80k collectively for local charities, and are completely single-use plastic-free,” shares Kent.

The inaugural Chapel in Vancouver is taking place on October 1, 2021, at Hycroft Manor and will be supporting Covenant House Vancouver, a local organization providing love, support, and hope to Vancouver’s homeless and at-risk street youth. © ALICIA THURSTON PHOTOGRAPHY

© CORYNN FOWLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Wedding planning can be stressful as it is, but factoring in lower guest counts,

social distancing, and general uncertainty regarding gatherings in 2021 requires even more thoughtful consideration.

The Pop-Up Chapel Co. has successfully taken the ever-changing health and safety guidelines in stride, allowing couples to share their nuptials with their 20 closest friends and family members, and live-stream their ceremony so they can celebrate virtually with guests around the world.

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ALL PHOTOS © CORYNN FOWLER PHOTOGRAPHY

LOVE LIVES ON: RACHEL AND ANGELA’S WEDDING STORY Angela and I were married with The Pop-Up Chapel Co. on October 9, 2020, at Evergreen Brickworks. For a while, we struggled with the planning process of our wedding, trying to decide between the beautiful intimate ceremony that we wanted, and the large, traditional ceremony that we thought was expected of us. We ultimately decided to book a time slot with PUC, and looking back on it, we couldn’t be happier with our decision!

The day of our wedding was nothing short of perfect, and even with our 30 guests being socially distant and wearing masks, it still felt like the day that we had imagined for nearly two years. The Love By Lynzie (LBL) Team who oversaw our ceremony’s design and execution was incredible. Even though ten other couples were getting married the same day, we still felt like the ceremony space had been set up just for us.

Perhaps the most special moment was that PUC made it possible for my 87-yearold Grandma to be in attendance for the ceremony via FaceTime when COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible for her to make the trip to Toronto to be at the ceremony in person. The LBL team made sure that our friend was able to FaceTime my grandma in and ensure that she was able to be a part of this incredibly special moment for Angela and I. CAN YOU HEAR THE WEDDING BELLS? LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED AT POPUPCHAPEL.CA

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VINCE CARTER SCHOLARSHIP & MENTORSHIP PROGRAM In partnership with Paris Media Group and the NBA Legend himself, Vince Carter, the $25,000 scholarship is available to all high school students worldwide!

This is an exciting opportunity and we encourage all to apply. For more information applicants are directed to www.Parismedia.org/community.

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OUR PROGRAMS • Montessori Casa + Lower Elementary • Ontario Curriculum Elementary & Secondary • Summer Day Camps & Credit Courses • Full Time Boarding School (Gr. 7-12) info@jaddisonschool.com | jaddisonschool.com | (905) 477-4999 2 Valleywood Drive, Markham, Ontario, Canada, L3R 8H3