Veteran Identities: Let’s Go beyond the Headlines

Michelle Douglas, Executive Director, LGBT Purge Fund

Michelle is a veteran, a survivor of Canada’s “LGBT Purge,” and an LGBTQ2+ activist. Michelle served as an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1986 to 1989. She was honourably discharged after being deemed “Not Advantageously Employable Due to Homosexuality.” Michelle’s landmark legal challenge in 1992 ended Canada’s formalized discriminatory policy against LGBT members of the military. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the LGBT Purge Fund.

Wendy Jocko, Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation

From 1979 to 2002, Wendy served as a supply technician for the Canadian Forces. Her time in the military included work in Bosnia, Croatia, and across Canada. In 2001, Wendy was elected as a councillor for the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. Wendy has also worked as a funeral director and embalmer, a transport truck operator, and a supporter of the Minwaashin Lodge’s Violence Against Women’s Shelter. Wendy was elected as a councillor again in 2017, and, in 2020, she was elected Chief. Wendy inaugurated the annual Remembrance Day parade and feast between the Canadian Forces and the First Nation.

Jessica Lynn Wiebe, Interdisciplinary Artist and former Artillery Soldier

Interdisciplinary artist Jessica Lynn Wiebe (she/her) is a former artillery soldier in the Canadian military. Her art centres on reflections on militarism, military life, memory, and commemoration. Her body of work investigates the mechanisms of war, including the complex politics around gender, economy, and the architecture of war, and aims to generate dialogue among members of the public, government, and those who serve. In 2018, Jessica participated in the Canadian Forces Artist Program through the Canadian War Museum, and this work will be exhibited in 2023.

Christine Wood, Retired RCAF Logistics Officer and Veteran Advocate

Christine is a retired Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) reservist and an advocate for military women and veterans. Her focus is on military sexual trauma, institutional cultural change, and levelling the playing field for all members of the defence community. She is a member of the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre’s External Advisory Council and a member of the Women, Peace and Security Network. Christine hopes that sharing her experiences will inspire people around the world to push for progressive policies within their own systems. Christine credits advocacy with allowing her to reclaim her voice and veteran identity.

Featuring seven-minute talks from:

Amanda Aziz, Immigration and Refugee Lawyer, Migrant Workers Centre BC

Max Brault, Vice President, People and Change, BDO Canada LLP

Agapi Gessesse, Executive Director, CEE Centre For Young Black Professionals

Golnaz Golnaraghi, Founder, Accelerate her Future

Samir Khan, Senior Research and Evaluation Associate, Future Skills Centre

Alexandra McCann, Executive Director, ONSIDE

Paul Taylor, Executive Director, FoodShare Toronto

Click here to get tickets for The Walrus Talks Advancing Work.