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Meet the Team

"Harmony Over Hate: Interfaith Against Racism"

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Co-Founder & Archdeacon for Justice

Jordan  Haynie Ware

Jordan is an Anglican priest who serves a multicultural congregation in north Edmonton. She is also the Archdeacon for Justice for the diocese. A few years ago, Jordan and some memebers co-founded Faith Spaces | Safe Spaces with their Muslim neighbours to build solidarity. She is excited to see our project grow and connect with more people of faith committed to the work of anti-racism. When she's not questing for justice, she can usually be found volunteering at Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Academy, reading a book, or walking her tiger-shaped dog.

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 Co-Founder & Anti-Racism Team Member for the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton

Bella Asiri-Opiyo

Bella is a Christian, a member of Good Shepherd Anglican Church, and part of the Anti-Racism Team for the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton. She created Faith Spaces Safe Spaces because she believes that Black and racialized folks in Edmonton need help in finding solutions to anti-Black racism in faith spaces. This is a spiritual concern, and requires the faith communities that offer spiritual care to racialized people to have the training and resources necessary to provide appropriate care to their members and anyone else seeking faith-based support.

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Knowledge Keeper Indigenous & Community Helper

Verna Fisher

Her name is ThunderBird Woman (Verna). She is from Treaty 4 George Gordon First Nation, SK. and she has been living in Edmonton for over 40 years. She is a Knowledge Keeper/addictions counsellor and has experience as a cultural support worker. She is currently working with elders and knowledge keepers to educate, and share, cultural land, based teachings, and to support healing and growth for her community including youth, families, two spirited, sober living homes, and those struggling with addictions through Oskya Matchetawin New Beginnings. We offer land based teachings, facilitating, consulting, workshops and direct support to Indigenous and non-indigenous people of all ages.

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President of Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action

Gail Allan

Gail Allan is President of the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action and an associate faculty member at St. Stephen’s College, Edmonton. A member of the United Church of Canada, she has worked for many years on issues of global and social justice. From 2004-2020 she was Coordinator for Ecumenical, Interchurch and Interfaith Relations in the United Church, representing the church in national and international ecumenical and interfaith groups, and supporting people engaged in dialogue and action in their local communities. She has a doctorate in Ethics from Emmanuel College of the Toronto School of Theology, with a focus on feminist theological and social ethics.

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Christian Co-Chair, Phoenix Multifaith Society for Harmony

Kevin Guenther Trautwein

Kevin is a community animator, chaplain, and pastor. As a Christian, he is saddened when his tradition and spirituality is used to promote harm. Faith Spaces Safe Spaces seeks to break the cycle of violence and calls everyone back to their authentic spiritual practices.

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Freelance Consultant & Advisor

Preet Dhami

Preet was raised within the Sikh faith, which has had a great deal of influence on her personal development as it made her aware of her social responsibility to all members of society. From serving on boards that help develop community programs to serving in her Sikh temples; all this active involvement formed a great deal of unity with community members. In her recent years her faith has become the central part of her life. She practices on daily basis which allows her to become aware of the things that matter the most which is love and peace.

Our Mission

 

At Faith Spaces Safe Spaces, we are committed to fostering unity, understanding, and social justice among diverse faith communities as we stand together to address and challenge racism in all its forms. Our mission is to bridge divides across faiths and promote an inclusive, equitable society where every individual, regardless of their background, is treated with dignity and respect.

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We believe that faith can be a powerful force for positive change, transcending boundaries to create a more harmonious world. Through education, dialogue, and collaborative action, we strive to dismantle systemic racism, challenge prejudices, and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. We are committed to building a future where the principles of love, compassion, and justice, as shared by many faith traditions, guide our collective journey toward a society free from discrimination and bigotry.

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We work to encourage individuals and faith communities to confront their biases, engage in courageous conversations, and advocate for racial equity. Together, we seek to create a world where diversity is celebrated, equity is realized, and the bonds of humanity unite us all.

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Sincerely,

Faith Spaces Safe Spaces team

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