HSPC Saskatchewan: Embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Safer Workplaces

Date/time: May 7, 2024 11:30 am–1:30 pm Saskatchewan Time
Location: Online/Virtual (please register to receive meeting link)
Cost: Free

This presentation offers an inspiring blueprint for dismantling systemic oppression, bridging social divides, and paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future. We would like to thank our major sponsor WorkSafe Saskatchewan for their support with this Safety and Health Week event.

Anthony Johnson implores us to understand and accept our shared responsibility to our planet, each other, and ourselves. Through this acknowledgement, he believes, we can bring about transformative change. Anthony blends researched knowledge on the socio-economic and environmental challenges wrought by corporate irresponsibility, government policy the systems of oppression. He argues that these global threats compound the issues that Indigenous communities face, exacerbating their struggle for economic and social equality. Throughout his discussion, Anthony Johnson urges us to deviate from our current trajectory. He advocates for the cultivation of unity, compassion, and forgiveness to counter the divisive and oppressive systems that persist. By fostering a shared perspective on social change and advocating an equality-centred approach to the human experience, Anthony contends, we can reorient our reality to align with our collective purpose.

•   Speaker biography: Anthony Johnson

  Anthony Johnson (Diné) is a proud Two-Spirit, LGBTQ2S+, and Indigenous advocate, born in the Navajo Nation of North Phoenix, Arizona. Presently, he occupies the role of project consultant and coordinator at Kehewin Health Services in Northeast Edmonton, where his partner, Dr. James Makokis, runs a medical practice in the community. Their combined advocacy for LGBTQ2S+, Two-Spirit, and Indigenous people took the global stage when they won Amazing Race Canada Season 7, further fueling Anthony's resolve to champion racial and gender equality.

  Strongly connected to his traditional history of the Navajo Nation, Anthony Johnson lives by his cultural teachings through Diné values and lifestyle. This way of life shapes his daily actions and interactions.

  Diné refers to the people who are commonly known as the Navajo. It is the term that the Navajo people use to refer to meaning "The People" or "Children of the Holy People" in the Navajo language. Diné" is reflective of the spiritual, physical, and deep cultural connection for Anthony Johnson, representing the complex social, political, and spiritual systems that govern Navajo life. It encompasses the customs, traditions, and way of life that the Navajo people follow, including their clan system and the principle of "walking in Beauty" which is living in harmony with all living beings and the earth.

  Before moving to Canada, Anthony Johnson developed a diverse skillset as a consultant, contractor, and representative in the Navajo Nation, as a community councillor and coordinator, assisting youth and families with issues surrounding identity, acceptance, and mental health. As a Harvard graduate with a B.A. in Economics and Social Anthropology of East Asia in Shanghai, China, where he became fluent in Mandarin.

  These educational experiences brought to light the grim injustices suffered by his people and all First Nations due to colonialism and systemic discrimination. This profound realization ignited a desire to counter such injustices, propelling him to advocate for his people and help them rediscover their cultural identity.

  As a youth, Anthony struggled in his community and in Western society, understanding the challenges of growing up on a reserve and the challenges Indigenous people face in Western society. Through education and by reconnecting with his culture, and family and on a path of self-discovery, Anthony became curious about the teachings he was taught in the Western education system and the teachings that were brought to him through his Elders.

  This led Anthony to travel around to different nations, study the history passed on through elders and discover the truths of the impact of colonialism on many different First Nations and tribes on Turtle Island. His extensive travels around the globe have been instrumental in enriching his understanding of Indigenous cultures and fostering stronger ties with these communities and himself.

  Anthony Johnson is known for his unique contributions to the art world. Notably, he has conducted a live installation and performance piece at the National Archives in Washington DC. Situated mere steps away from the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, his artwork was a tribute to Indigenous peoples, veterans, and prisoners, and a celebration of the liberating power of creativity.

  Anthony’s multifaceted career has seen him excel in various roles, including those of a consultant, culture documentarian, artist, podcaster, film producer, poet, photographer, community leader, project manager, fundraiser, social justice advocate, and teacher. He has been involved with many social impact start-ups, community programs and continues to dedicate himself to his people. Passionate about cultural preservation, Anthony Johnson has dedicated his life to revitalizing Indigenous traditions and customs.

  At Kehewin Health Services, he's spearheading efforts to restore traditional Cree practices. His work aims to not only preserve Indigenous history but also promote its integration into contemporary practices, thus painting a picture of a future where Indigenous knowledge is valued and employed in concert with Western medicine.

  Anthony’s advocacy extends beyond professional confines. He recognizes the power of storytelling in effecting change and utilizes it to instigate dialogues about racial and gender equality. His narrative encompasses his journey of self-discovery, his struggle against adversity, and his quest for cultural preservation. Through his narrative, Anthony underscores the importance of embracing our diverse identities and fostering unity to effect positive change.

  In his current role at Kehewin Cree Nation, Anthony Johnson focuses on revitalizing traditional Cree birthing practices, medicines, and ceremonies, all in alignment with the Cree 7 Stages of Life philosophy. An avid believer in transformative adventure, Anthony is of the conviction that achieving harmony between mind, body, and soul is integral to effecting change. As a budding filmmaker and podcaster, he leverages the power of storytelling to facilitate healing, spread awareness, and champion the cause of racial and gender equality.

Detailed Agenda: 

11:30 am: Sign into Meeting/Welcoming
11:40 am: Opening Remarks 
11:45: WorkSafe Saskatchewan Youth Video Contest Winners 
12:00: Dignitaries – Minister McMorris, Saskatchewan Government, Ministry of LRWS; Mayor Masters, City of Regina, and; Phil Germain, CEO, Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board
12:10 – 1:00 pm: Anthony Johnson – Making Safer Workplaces through Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 
1:00 pm – 1:10 pm: Question and Answer Period 
1:15 pm: Closing Remarks