Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

12- 1:30pm There is widespread debate in academic, advocate, and public spheres regarding the legal status of the sex trade. Governmental policies concerning sex work vary from country to country and from state to state, ranging from prostitution being entirely illegal in some areas to a wholly decriminalized system in others. This presentation will outline the differences between legalization and decriminalization, and provide information on governmental policies in Canada, the United States, and Overseas. Furthermore, it will highlight the very real and immediate effects such policies have on the day-to-day lives of sex trade workers, effects that often are disregarded in the hallowed halls of government. By considering an array of legislative policies, the speaker will aim to provide the public with a broader understanding of sex work and the law, and to highlight the repercussions of legislation on the lives of sex workers. Speaker: Tamara Larter Tamara Larter was born and raised in the Edmo

12-1:30 PM The rising rates of obesity and sedentary living among aging Canadians is a major public health issue. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation recently reported that the next generation of seniors may be the first to experience a relative decrease in quality of life compared to previous generations. Although it seems we often hear about the importance of physical activity for children and youth, we don’t hear as much about the vital role physical activity plays in successful aging. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic disease, problems with mobility, and loss of independence - yet, less than half of Canadians meet recommended guidelines for physical activity and adults over the age of 65 are the least active group of all. Join us in learning more about this important topic as the speaker explores the difference between life-expectancy and dependence-free life expectancy, the role of physical activity in successful aging, and the barriers we all face to maintaining an active lifestyl

12-1:30 PM The rising rates of obesity and sedentary living among aging Canadians is a major public health issue. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation recently reported that the next generation of seniors may be the first to experience a relative decrease in quality of life compared to previous generations. Although it seems we often hear about the importance of physical activity for children and youth, we don’t hear as much about the vital role physical activity plays in successful aging. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic disease, problems with mobility, and loss of independence - yet, less than half of Canadians meet recommended guidelines for physical activity and adults over the age of 65 are the least active group of all. Join us in learning more about this important topic as the speaker explores the difference between life-expectancy and dependence-free life expectancy, the role of physical activity in successful aging, and the barriers we all face to maintaining an active lifestyl

7-9pm Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery In 2006-2009, a wretched place for a construction worker in Indonesia was to be on a “humanitarian” tsunami reconstruction project in Aceh, Sumatra. Instead of receiving benefits from the largest, most generously-funded humanitarian operation in history, tens of thousands of Javanese construction workers were arguably victims of human trafficking and falsely recruited for exploitative use and/or involuntary labour, under conditions defined as “human trafficking” or “modern slavery.” The social disaster throughout Aceh and Java was borne mostly by Javanese laborers, some of whom died in Aceh because of abuse. The speaker will contend that disproportionate numbers of trafficked victims were from larger projects managed by Red Cross, U.N., development banks and NGO’s. The more remote a project site was, the more likely workers would be trapped and would eventually walk or hitchhike trying to escape. Witnesses have testified in every affected community visited,

7-9pm Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery In 2006-2009, a wretched place for a construction worker in Indonesia was to be on a “humanitarian” tsunami reconstruction project in Aceh, Sumatra. Instead of receiving benefits from the largest, most generously-funded humanitarian operation in history, tens of thousands of Javanese construction workers were arguably victims of human trafficking and falsely recruited for exploitative use and/or involuntary labour, under conditions defined as “human trafficking” or “modern slavery.” The social disaster throughout Aceh and Java was borne mostly by Javanese laborers, some of whom died in Aceh because of abuse. The speaker will contend that disproportionate numbers of trafficked victims were from larger projects managed by Red Cross, U.N., development banks and NGO’s. The more remote a project site was, the more likely workers would be trapped and would eventually walk or hitchhike trying to escape. Witnesses have testified in every affected community visited,

12- 1:30pm Do we want others to think that landscapes by the Group of Seven are representing Canadian Art? Or is it Northwest coast totem poles by the native Gitxsan people? The Vancouver Olympic Committee certainly seemed to think the later and art by First Nation people truly represented Canadian identity, judging by the design of the opening ceremony at the 2010 Winter Olympic. The speaker will suggest that such was not always the case. In fact, during the early Twentieth Century, the Canadian government actively rejected that native people’s culture represented Canada. Canada was European, if not just British. The policy of the Canadian government regarding native people was assimilation. “Indians must become Europeans” was the dictum. Cultures, languages, and religions of First Nation people were made targets of eradication. Native art was totally rejected. In fact, some artistic forms of art such as dance were made illegal. However, Europeans found immense artistic value in Native art at a Paris

12- 1:30pm Do we want others to think that landscapes by the Group of Seven are representing Canadian Art? Or is it Northwest coast totem poles by the native Gitxsan people? The Vancouver Olympic Committee certainly seemed to think the later and art by First Nation people truly represented Canadian identity, judging by the design of the opening ceremony at the 2010 Winter Olympic. The speaker will suggest that such was not always the case. In fact, during the early Twentieth Century, the Canadian government actively rejected that native people’s culture represented Canada. Canada was European, if not just British. The policy of the Canadian government regarding native people was assimilation. “Indians must become Europeans” was the dictum. Cultures, languages, and religions of First Nation people were made targets of eradication. Native art was totally rejected. In fact, some artistic forms of art such as dance were made illegal. However, Europeans found immense artistic value in Native art at a Paris

Housing options remain limited for Aboriginal people in Lethbridge. Ongoing research shows that NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) may be regularly practiced by landlords, and plays a central role in denying Aboriginal renters access to accommodations. In this presentation, the speaker examines the systemic nature of what can be described as the NIMBY Gauntlet. Lethbridge landlords, under the guise of the NIMBY Gauntlet, arguable use this mechanism to bring about discrimination against potential Native tenants. The NIMBY Gauntlet, as described, perpetuates what one scholar proclaims to be municipal colonialism, which in this case is characterized by landlords systematically filtering out potential Aboriginal tenants. The speaker will outline some possible remedies aimed at ending such discrimination. Speaker: Yale Belanger Dr. Yale D. Belanger (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor of Native American Studies (NAS) at the University of Lethbridge (Alberta). Trained as a political historian, his doctoral work at

7-9pm The Lethbridge Action on Racism Circle (LARC) has undertaken several initiatives to address racism and discrimination in Lethbridge. Their work has been informed by dialogue with over 100 community members at potluck meetings. Through this process, varied and creative recommendations for action at several levels were gathered and published in two reports which have been widely disseminated. A screening of a special series on racism by CTV''s Dory Rossiter will precede the panel presentation. The panel will then highlight key recommendations from its reports, and share stories of personal experiences of racism and discrimination. An opportunity will be provided for questions and answers, and further dialogue following the presentation. Panel Speakers: Dr. Joanne Fiske, Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Lethbridge Dr. Trudy Govier, Dept. of Philosophy, University of Lethbridge Kayress Dela Cruz, Lethbridge Immigrant Services Sarah Sweet Grass, Communications Dept., Blood Tribe Administ

12-1:30pm Population aging is much in the news, with talk about health care and pensions as the Canadian population ages. We ask in this talk, based on the speaker''s current research in Canada and the US, the extent to which population aging is indeed a challenge. We further ask whether population aging is an equal challenge in Canada and the US. How does the current economic situation affect the picture? What about diversity, inequalities and changing family/household living arrangements? The specific focus in this talk is on the circumstances of those aged 45-64 in Canada and the U.S. in the late 1990s and 2000''s, how their lives look as they grow older and what policy challenges are posed. Data come from a wide range of sources, and include analysis of two waves in each country of nationally representative surveys, as well as qualitative interviews conducted in late 2009 and 2010. We find that demographic aging per se matters far less to the prospects of those presently in mid-life in the two cou

12-1:30pm Population aging is much in the news, with talk about health care and pensions as the Canadian population ages. We ask in this talk, based on the speaker''s current research in Canada and the US, the extent to which population aging is indeed a challenge. We further ask whether population aging is an equal challenge in Canada and the US. How does the current economic situation affect the picture? What about diversity, inequalities and changing family/household living arrangements? The specific focus in this talk is on the circumstances of those aged 45-64 in Canada and the U.S. in the late 1990s and 2000''s, how their lives look as they grow older and what policy challenges are posed. Data come from a wide range of sources, and include analysis of two waves in each country of nationally representative surveys, as well as qualitative interviews conducted in late 2009 and 2010. We find that demographic aging per se matters far less to the prospects of those presently in mid-life in the two cou

12- 1:30pm There is a deafening silence around women''s issues in Alberta, the only province in Canada with no ministry for the status of women, no policy secretariat, or no advisory council on the status of women. All other jurisdictions have some kind of formal voice, within government, for women. The speaker will present evidence from various sources, including Statistics Canada and other national data sources, that women in Alberta still experience disproportionate levels of poverty, low wages and high levels of economic inequality in comparison with men. Such data are contained in a report produced by partnership between Parkland Institute based in Edmonton and Womanspace Resource Centre, Lethbridge. The speaker is a key figure in the creation of the report. Issues addressed in the presentation will include concerns that, for women, Alberta is the most unequal place in Canada. An Alberta woman working a full-year and full-time earns, on average, 60% of a man''s salary. By contrast, Quebec women earn,

12- 1:30pm There is a deafening silence around women''s issues in Alberta, the only province in Canada with no ministry for the status of women, no policy secretariat, or no advisory council on the status of women. All other jurisdictions have some kind of formal voice, within government, for women. The speaker will present evidence from various sources, including Statistics Canada and other national data sources, that women in Alberta still experience disproportionate levels of poverty, low wages and high levels of economic inequality in comparison with men. Such data are contained in a report produced by partnership between Parkland Institute based in Edmonton and Womanspace Resource Centre, Lethbridge. The speaker is a key figure in the creation of the report. Issues addressed in the presentation will include concerns that, for women, Alberta is the most unequal place in Canada. An Alberta woman working a full-year and full-time earns, on average, 60% of a man''s salary. By contrast, Quebec women earn,

12- 1:30pm Transgendered persons in Alberta face significant discrimination as a result of their gender identity. The Alberta government decided last year to stop funding gender reassignment surgeries, a move that the Ontario government has had to retract after losing at a number of human rights tribunals. In St. Albert, substitute teacher Jan Buterman was fired when he revealed he was transitioning from a woman to a man. The Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board will soon be facing the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal on Buterman’s complaint. These two cases are high profile but much of the discrimination against trans people is less blatant and can be traced to the lack of public understanding of gender, generally, and trans(gender) specifically. Mickey Wilson works to educate the public and advance equality for queer and trans people. His presentation will explore some of the misconceptions about gender and what it is like to be trans or queer in Alberta. Speaker: Mickey Wilson For over 25 years,

12- 1:30pm Transgendered persons in Alberta face significant discrimination as a result of their gender identity. The Alberta government decided last year to stop funding gender reassignment surgeries, a move that the Ontario government has had to retract after losing at a number of human rights tribunals. In St. Albert, substitute teacher Jan Buterman was fired when he revealed he was transitioning from a woman to a man. The Greater St. Albert Catholic School Board will soon be facing the Alberta Human Rights Tribunal on Buterman’s complaint. These two cases are high profile but much of the discrimination against trans people is less blatant and can be traced to the lack of public understanding of gender, generally, and trans(gender) specifically. Mickey Wilson works to educate the public and advance equality for queer and trans people. His presentation will explore some of the misconceptions about gender and what it is like to be trans or queer in Alberta. Speaker: Mickey Wilson For over 25 years,

12-1:30pm This presentation will provide first-hand insight into the challenges of command during a demanding and complex mission, as well as the advances being made by Canadian soldiers and civilians in spite of the difficult conditions in the heart of Kandahar Province. The Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Kandahar Province are comprised of about 200 Canadian soldiers. They are largely responsible for the training, development and mentoring of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 1st Brigade. Through experiences by the speaker, you will learn how Canadian Forces are assisting the Afghans in sustaining a more secure environment to facilitate development, reconstruction and law and order while preparing the ANA to assume responsibility for their own security as the NATO nations prepare to leave the scene. Speaker: Colonel Gregory Burt G.D., OMM, CD Col. Burt recently returned from Afghanistan where he served from Feb. to Nov. 2009 as Commander of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OML

12-1:30pm This presentation will provide first-hand insight into the challenges of command during a demanding and complex mission, as well as the advances being made by Canadian soldiers and civilians in spite of the difficult conditions in the heart of Kandahar Province. The Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT) in Kandahar Province are comprised of about 200 Canadian soldiers. They are largely responsible for the training, development and mentoring of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 1st Brigade. Through experiences by the speaker, you will learn how Canadian Forces are assisting the Afghans in sustaining a more secure environment to facilitate development, reconstruction and law and order while preparing the ANA to assume responsibility for their own security as the NATO nations prepare to leave the scene. Speaker: Colonel Gregory Burt G.D., OMM, CD Col. Burt recently returned from Afghanistan where he served from Feb. to Nov. 2009 as Commander of the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OML

12- 1:30pm Post Secondary Education: How Will It Benefit Today’s World? The second annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 13 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event. Students addressed the question: What is the value of post-secondary education in today’s world? Much of the debate has focused on the need for such education to be utilized promoting much more critical thinking regarding sustainable (world) development, i.e. be the change you want others to adopt. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the University of Lethbridge. Four initial sessions with two speakers each have successfully been held and the first semifinal session on Tuesday Feb 23 matched James Falconer and Keith McLaughlin, with the latter coming out ahead. The following week, Keith Gardner and Kate Nesbitt squared off, with Kate moving on. Selin Bilgin, Cashe Erskine, Vanessa Lodermeier and

12- 1:30pm Post Secondary Education: How Will It Benefit Today’s World? The second annual Student Speaker Challenge kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 13 with a total of eight students competing in this year’s event. Students addressed the question: What is the value of post-secondary education in today’s world? Much of the debate has focused on the need for such education to be utilized promoting much more critical thinking regarding sustainable (world) development, i.e. be the change you want others to adopt. The Student Speaker Challenge is a collaboration of SACPA, LPIRG and the U of L Students Union, with financial and promotional support from the University of Lethbridge. Four initial sessions with two speakers each have successfully been held and the first semifinal session on Tuesday Feb 23 matched James Falconer and Keith McLaughlin, with the latter coming out ahead. The following week, Keith Gardner and Kate Nesbitt squared off, with Kate moving on. Selin Bilgin, Cashe Erskine, Vanessa Lodermeier and