Over the last several years, I have become increasingly passionate about several issues we face as a society. Taking a closer look at issues such as racism, homophobia, misogyny, and other forms of discrimination that add to societal inequalities, it can be seen that they are rooted in colonialism. Growing up in a family that fled a former British colony, I have seen, heard of, and experienced the continued effects of European colonialism. These experiences lit a flame in me to continue the work of decolonizing all spaces by amplifying perspectives from groups that continue to experience the effects of colonialism. The causes I am most passionate about include youth engagement, fighting religious intolerance, removing institutional barriers for racialized and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, increasing access to decision-making spaces, and empowering official language minority communities while advocating for the importance of Indigenous cultures, languages, and nations.

My communities have been instrumental in fostering my ability to make a difference by helping me blossom into who I am today. Firstly, my communities have given me the confidence to be my most authentic self. Despite being insecure about my intersectional identity growing up, the encouragement I received from the Franco-Albertan community pushed me to create Les Francos oublié.e.s. In this podcast, youth from marginalized communities could speak boldly and authentically about unspoken issues within the Francophone community. Other youth allowed me to gain the necessary leadership skills, knowledge, and experiences by putting their confidence in me to serve as the Chair of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, where I found a community of mentors. Finally, when I needed comfort, my family and spiritual community had my back and taught me how to be resilient and strong. All these communities have stood by me and fed my passion for making a difference.

To me, partnership and collaboration are synonymous with empowering and uplifting one another with the common goal of collective well-being. It is thanks to this empowerment and upliftment that I received from other members of my communities that I have been able to realize my passions and reach my potential.