Johise Namwira: Bringing the National Black Canadian Summit to the Prairies

Stuart Murray  0:00  
This podcast was recorded on the ancestral lands on Treaty One territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji Cree, Dakota, and the Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Matt Cundill  0:20  
This is Humans on Rights, a podcast advocating for the education of human rights. Here's your host, Stuart Murray.

Stuart Murray  0:31  
Well, this episode on Humans on Rights, we're going to be talking about Winnipeg. Why not? Because it's the host city for the fifth National Black Canadian Summit that takes place in September 18 to 20th of 2026. Joining me today is Joyce Namira, who is the communications manager at the Michel Jean Foundation and the organization that is behind this national gathering. So, in this podcast, we're going to dig into what it means for Manitoba's Black communities to host this milestone summit, the history, the momentum, and the impact it's already having on the ground here. So, Joyce, thanks so much for joining this Humans on Rights podcast conversation.

Johise Namwira  1:14  
Thanks for having me, Stewart.

Stuart Murray  1:16  
So, Joyce, tell me when I say tell me a little bit about you. You know, you've got a beautiful background and resume, and you know your TEDx talk that you did. You're obviously you love speaking, you love communicating, but just share to our listeners a little bit about your background. How did you get to Winnipeg? What's your history? What did you study, and what got you interested in becoming so involved in the Black community in Canada.

Johise Namwira  1:44  
Yeah, I've always been a storyteller at heart. I grew up in a family of storytellers, musicians, artists, and I really grew up hearing stories about where I come from, which is the Democratic Republic of Congo. My family and I moved to Canada when I was just two years old after fleeing the first Congo War that happened in 1997. So we just fled shortly after that in 1999 and found ourselves in Canada through the help of a German Mennonite couple. So we made Canada home. I was raised here. I went to elementary school in the Francophone division in Winnipeg. I did my university undergrad at the University of Manitoba, and then I had the bold, bold idea that I could apply anywhere for my master's, and I pitched far and wide, and I got into seven schools, and eventually I decided on Oxford, so I got to study African studies at Oxford, and that really gave me an in-depth perspective of what is the African story when it comes to human rights, and how can people of African descent really push forward our human rights, whether that's in Africa or across the world. And for me specifically, how can we do that in Canada? And from there, I got the opportunity to work in many different capacities, from politics to nonprofit work to advocacy at the United Nations. And I can say that at a young age, I've lived a very colorful life, and I'm grateful for every opportunity that's led me to where I am today with the Mikado Jean Foundation.

Stuart Murray  3:24  
Yeah, it's a it's a fabulously rich background that you've done. You've you've been the press secretary to Canada's Minister for Women, Gender Equity, and Youth, and you were delegate to the United Nations recently on the status of women. You know, all of those elements are, I mean, wonderful to sort of bring to who you are and what you believe in. Just before we get into talking about the the National Black Canadian Summit, Joyce, was there something that I mean to go to Oxford? You know, that's a pretty so we'll use that term. You get your peacock feathers up, right? Like it's pretty special to get into that that university and and sort of have that on your resume.

Johise Namwira  4:07  
Yeah.

Stuart Murray  4:07  
What other universities did you look at, and before you came down to choosing Oxford?

Johise Namwira  4:13  
I applied to seven, and I applied to Columbia for their Masters in Human Rights program. I was accepted there. I applied to Stanford for their masters in African studies. I was accepted there. I applied to the University College of London, to Goldsmith University, and to Carleton University, and I was also accepted at those. And I ended up choosing Oxford as a master's program.

Stuart Murray  4:38  
Yeah, congratulations. Yeah, and did you when you look at sort of your background, sort of have you came into Winnipeg? You came to Manitoba. You studied Manitoba. Got your your your university degree here, and then looking at your master's, was there anything that that you take back as a bit of a memory of the change that you saw in your life journey at coming into Winnipeg? I mean, people talk about the weather, the you know. The you know that would be an interesting part for you, but more deeply than that, Joyce, you know just your own personal experience to see what it was like to be a woman of color to come into Manitoba and then to go into Oxford. Did you did you notice any change about your views or how impact your views of the world changed when you when you went to Oxford,

Johise Namwira  5:22  
100% I think when it comes to growing up in Winnipeg, I grew up with such a strong respect and understanding for Indigenous history because they are the keepers of this land, the first ones before anyone else ever came here. So we have a shared experience of displacement. So, in going to Oxford, I really wanted to to unpack what Indigenous communities have talked about when it comes to intergenerational trauma, and use that same theory in the research I was doing there, and to be able to ground it in Indigenous knowledge and see how that also pertains to the African continent was such a privilege for me. I learned so so much. I had a wonderful opportunity to go back to Congo and do fieldwork research in Goma, and that catapulted my perspective and appreciation for survivors and the work that they do, and even more for how we tell stories when it comes to research, when it comes to human rights, when it comes to community solidarity and advocacy.

Stuart Murray  6:31  
Makes so much sense that what your role now is for the communications manager at the Mikael Jean Foundation and sort of bringing forward this national Black Summit. I think it's the fifth National Black Summit. Yeah. Okay. So you know, which is fantastic. Just to sort of talk about some of the framework on it, Joyce. Why Winnipeg? Why why is this happening in Winnipeg in September 18 to 20 of this year?

Johise Namwira  6:53  
Yeah. So that's a great question. Why Winnipeg and why now? Now we're in the fifth summit. We've done summits since the early inception in Ottawa, we then moved to I believe it was Toronto and then Halifax. We had some virtual summits, and Winnipeg was the right place to take the next one because Winnipeg is the heart of Canada, and because we have such a rich Black community here in the prairies, and it's an area that the summit has never been to before. This is the furthest out west that the summit has been held. So we're really building ground for a movement. Madame Jean likes to say that the summit isn't just a moment; it's really a movement that we want to invite people to be a part of and to help us carry the baton forward,

Stuart Murray  7:41  
and just on that basis, and and I mean, you know, Mikael Jean is such a iconic, iconic Canadian woman, a Black Canadian woman, and has done so much for for the community, for this country. When you look at some of the opportunities, Joyce, what do you see, or what's maybe the the hope or the strategy around the local impact that this can have here in Manitoba when the when the national summit of Black Canadians comes to Canada or to Winnipeg, I should say.

Johise Namwira  8:13  
I think the biggest the biggest thing is that we cannot do this work alone. So of course this is a summit for Black Canadians, but it really is a summit that invites everyone into the conversation, into solidarity and allyship. We want folks to come to the conference. We want them to learn about some of the challenges and struggles that we are experiencing. Different themes such as health, justice, technology. We really want the Winnipeg community to hear about this conference, come to this conference, tell their friends, family, community. We want to create conversations because that's really what it takes to start change.

Stuart Murray  8:54  
And and so let me just kind of just do a little pivot on that on that piece, Joyce, because you know the conversation piece and and around human rights. You know when I was at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, we always talked about the most important thing was education. How do you educate people? So that comes down to conversation. How do you feel? And and maybe even if you could talk, and if possible, on the build up of the first, second, third, and fourth, and out of the fifth National Black Canadian summit conversations sometimes seem to be harder and harder to have, and there's a lot of ways that you know roadblocks that get into it. It could be social media, it could be misinformation, and so you know just share your thoughts about the power of conversation, how you see that as such an important part of what the the summit is all about, and your personal experience, because you love, as you say, you're kind of come from a storytelling background. Yeah, just share that because I think really that is something that we talk about. But I think sometimes we have to really make a concentrated effort not to lose sight of the importance of a conversation.

Johise Namwira  9:59  
I agree. And I think when we look at the history of this summit, it was created through conversations with youth. The Mikaeja Foundation was hosting an arts workshop with youth, and they brought different themes about the challenges they were experiencing. And out of those conversations came a call to action. They needed a national platform where Black communities can get together, can talk freely, and can truly look at solutions for some of the systemic challenges and barriers that we face each and every day, and that's how this summit was born. So, going from the first summit where it was just establishing this platform for us to get together to the third summit in Halifax, where the Halifax Declaration was created and distributed in publication for the first time. Right, and that Halifax Declaration went over three main pillars, which were recognition, justice, and development. And in those pillars, there are over 100 calls to action on what we need to do as a community, what the government needs to do, what the allies need to do in order to really support Black communities with their advancement economically, socially, politically in every single sector. So the summit itself came from conversations. The summit will be filled with conversations. There will be side breakout rooms. There will be small group opportunities to connect and network with people. I think, like you said, it's it's a hard climate to be in because people are scared of having those conversations. But this is really a space where we invite people to to walk boldly and be ready to be uncomfortable, maybe challenged in respect and in kindness, and come out with maybe a new worldview on what you didn't know or didn't believe before.

Stuart Murray  11:58  
Yeah, I think the the conversations in education again, it's it's you know it always comes down to this notion about it's not about who's right or who's wrong, but just what is your view, and if our views are different, I mean it's a matter of trying to understand how do you arrive on that viewpoint and what is it that you can learn from the other person, Joyce. When you think about some of the you know your life, your journey that you've had, which is extensive. I mean, the fact that you've been in a few countries through education has taken you there. How do you see some of the challenges that you know the community, the Black community, has dealt with? And from your perspective, from a Manitoba perspective, then going to Oxford, back into Manitoba, working with a national foundation-you could even call it international because of Madame Jean's personality. How do you see some of those challenges? And just share with me and the listeners-you know-that journey. Do you see it getting better? Is it a journey, a hopeful journey. Are you are you concerned about some things that are happening? And I always sort of bring in social media into those elements. Are you concerned about that, or how do you how do you feel about where we are as you get ready to host this this National Black Canadian Summit?

Johise Namwira  13:15  
I think the biggest thing I can say is the history piece needs to be acknowledged. We cannot look at the progress of Black communities and how they can thrive without recognizing that we come from a very difficult history in this country, and that's the history of displacement from the African continent through the transatlantic slave trade. The black folks who came from the United States up to Canada through the Underground Railroad, the black communities who experienced slavery here in this country, who experienced segregation here in this country, discrimination, the communities in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and even the communities in Africville that have a deep history of Black folks gathering and thriving despite the circumstances that they faced. When we look at the prairies, we have a history here too. There was a mayor, I believe it was in Verdun, Manitoba, who at the time when there was a migration of Black people coming from the West into this into this province, the mayor told them that they had to leave, and so this is a reality that it's part of the Canadian story. It's part of the story of the prairies. It's part of Manitoba's story, and we truly need to have a better understanding of what that history is and how it has impacted Black communities in our neighborhoods and in our cities, and when we start there, we can truly start looking at solutions for how to make things better when it comes to systemic racism and barrier. In academia, in politics, in education, there is a strong presence of Black communities in Manitoba, as well as across the country. And this summit offers that perspective and platform where we can finally get together and and map out a hopeful way forward through the help of allies and collaborators and partners, and that's that's what we really want to invite people into the room for.

Stuart Murray  15:28  
Yeah, and you know, it's such a great presentation that you just sort of talked about, Joyce. You know, that understanding of the history and making sure that's kind of understood. And you know, I will tell you, Joyce, and I'm I'm not you know proud or embarrassed to say this. When I worked at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, I had never heard of Viola Desmond. I knew who Rosa Parks was. I had never heard of Viola Desmond until we did a deep dive into what was happening with Africville and all of the issues in Nova Scotia, and I mean, obviously now I'm extremely proud the fact that you know having been a member and involved with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights that we're on the $10 bill along with Viola Desmond. Yeah, but but you know just just share you know one of the challenges from your perspective, Joyce, is how do we get that level of education? As as I was one who didn't hear about a very very important part of Canadian history until I was involved in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, and so I will say I was kind of forced to. I mean, I don't that sound the wrong way. It's just that it I it became very evident that this was such a major, major story about Canada's history that we don't know about. Yeah, and you know that's one. There's many, many. I mean, the sleeping car porter, you know, story, right? I mean, there's so many stories, and I guess the question that, and again, I'm not trying to to to ask it in a way, you know, give you a chance. It's not a simple answer that you can give in this, but it's important that you have to start at the ABCs of the conversation before you get to the MNOPs, right? I mean, you cannot just drop in the middle of a conversation. How can we do a better job of getting that conversation into the books, into the education system for Canadians?

Johise Namwira  17:20  
Well, there's a lot of great organizations across the country who have been doing that work for a long time. They are creating cultural spaces where we can see that history and interact with that history. There's also organizations across the country, and specifically, I'll talk about Manitoba, who have been doing this work incredibly well. There's the Black History Manitoba, who every year, February and beyond, are educating people, are inviting them into conversation, are creating a space where we can celebrate the contributions of Black Manitobans and the history of Black Canadians in this country, and I would just encourage people to to look into what their city has to offer when it comes to organizations like that, and go to an event, do it, take a family day, and bring your kids to that event. I was involved with the Congress of Black Women of Manitoba for about five years, and I was very proud to know the National Congress of Black Women of Manitoba, the first ever meeting where the women gathered happened here in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and that sparked a national movement of Congress chapters across the country. Ours in Winnipeg just recently celebrated 645 years of Congress, and that's just incredible to see that our city birthed the national movement that still is making an impact today.

Stuart Murray  18:52  
Yeah, that's fantastic. And you know, I would say that I've been very, very fortunate to have had the time and the the opportunity to learn from so many amazing people. Angela Cassie was one of the preeminent people that that helped sort of lead the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in so many conversations, and somebody that I learned a tremendous amount from. And Nadia Thompson, of course, you mentioned Black History Manitoba. You know, Nadia is another person that always makes me feel very, very welcome when we have the Black History Month opening remarks, the celebration. You know, I mean, it's one of those things that she she puts her, you know, when I say you know, puts her arm around me. She's basically doing in a way that allows me to feel that I'm a part of a community because you know she understands that, as you say, the allyship, and the other part that I would say that is very that I've been very impressed with, Joyce, is to watch how Black History Manitoba has engaged, you know, like knowledge keepers like Clayton Sandy to come out and do sort of a land acknowledgement at the at the launch of the. Black History Manitoba's Month, or Black History-I should say Black History Month-and I just think that you know those communities working together to understand some of the challenges that they've had. That is part of our history, but the Canadians need to know that that's our history. But what's our future? You know, where are we going, and how are we going to get there? And I guess when I think about that, you know, Joyce, when you think about what's happening for the National Black Canadian Summit in Winnipeg, what's your sense of what the legacy beyond the event can be?

Johise Namwira  20:31  
So I think beyond the event, what we're trying to do, as I shared before, is really moving this movement forward. We don't want people to just say they're coming to the summit as a moment. We want it to feel like they're part of a movement that they can contribute to, that they can follow up with, that they can engage with. I can tell you, I was at the summit in Halifax when it took place, and I can tell you, I still remember what it felt like to be in that room. That was the first time in my whole life that I was in a room with Black Canadians of all shades from all industries. I even remember the opening ceremony was a drum performance between Indigenous Mi'kmaq people from Halifax and African drummers, and I thought, what a way to really showcase solidarity when you have the keepers of Turtle Island and then the keepers of the continent, with our music being in tandem. That to me was a picture that showed what this summit has the power to do, and I think that's what everyone else will feel when they come to see the summit in Winnipeg, in tandem working towards the same goal and supporting Winnipeg truly and Canada as a whole through supporting Black communities.

Stuart Murray  21:56  
Yeah, and I mean, isn't it interesting that music has such an international sort of relationship. I mean, you know, drumming. You know, I've said many times, Joyce, that if if you wanted to travel the world and you had a guitar and you knew only one song, "Hey Jude" by the Beatles, it didn't matter what part of the world you'd be in. If you started strumming that song, it doesn't matter what people's language is, or if they speak English, they're singing along with you, right? I mean, yeah, it would it might be a

Johise Namwira  22:25  
Michael Jackson song for some people too.

Stuart Murray  22:27  
Totally right. I mean, it's global. Yeah, it just it hits that sense, and people say, "I just have to be a part of this because I know it, and it just comes from. And so the drumming piece, I love that to kind of do that. How that works?

Speaker 1  22:40  
Yeah.

Stuart Murray  22:41  
I think one of the things, Joyce, that I'd love to get your thoughts on is when international or national summits come to cities, as this one is coming into Winnipeg, is that sometimes here the people hear about that and go, "Well, will Winnipeg have a chance to sort of showcase what we do, or is it going to be speakers from all over? What is that going to look like in terms of the presentation of what people, the delegates, are going to experience when they go to the when they go to the summit?

Johise Namwira  23:08  
This summit was created with Winnipeg at the center, and I think one great thing about having summits that go from city to city is that the Mikado Foundation specifically wants to showcase what the city has to offer as they bring people in. So there was a summit advisory committee that was brought in from the early of stages of this year, with people locally who are already doing the work in their communities and have expertise on what to do, who to talk to, when to get things moving. So they've been advising the foundation on that front. But outside of that, each panel has representation from Winnipeg. We're going to have a recruitment of 150 volunteers from Winnipeg that we're hoping can get involved in different areas of the summit, so if there are folks who want to, you know, broaden their communications experience and want to work with me, I welcome them with open arms. There's also many other areas to volunteer, so this summit, like I said, will truly showcase what Winnipeg is as a city, and what we have to offer, we have really great partnerships through TD first and foremost, and CBC as a media partner. But I'd also like to add the Human Rights Museum that's offering all of our delegates free access to the museum on the 18th and 20th of September. So during that conference weekend, so they will get to experience the best of Winnipeg. We've also really, really prioritized working with Indigenous leaders who can guide us through proper acknowledgements and ceremonial aspects. The opening ceremony is going to be one to remember. I am so excited for folks to experience that. I was I was talking to my team that we've been meeting with Manitowabe and their team are local legends. I would say for the work that they've done with their events and and even where we're at as a city and province when it comes to land acknowledgements and Indigenous inclusion, we're not perfect, but I would say that we have a lot of things we can lead when it comes to how we collaborate and acknowledge and honor the people who came before

Stuart Murray  25:30  
us. Yeah, no, it's that's that's fantastic, Joyce. If people are listening to this and saying, "Hey, I'd I'd love to get involved. I'd love to be a part of this, you know, we're going to put our show notes where people can go to the websites and all, but if people wanted to do that, is there something you can share right now? Somebody who's listening saying, "Oh, wow! If I wanted to get involved, what would I do? How would I get in touch with not maybe you, Joyce, but sort of the organization?

Johise Namwira  25:52  
Yes, of course. So you can follow the Mikael Jean underscore FDN on Instagram. That's where we post some of our more visual and quick updates. We have a website where you can sign up for tickets to the summit. You can also sign up to be a volunteer at the summit, and if you want to keep in touch with the foundation at large, you can follow the same website for information on our program with youth and different opportunities that we have when it comes to events and partnerships. Biggest thing I would say is if you want to sponsor a table, invite people from your community. That is a big piece of we want people to be in the room, so we welcome that too.

Stuart Murray  26:35  
So can I just for a second logistics? So when you say sponsor table, this isn't about for a dinner. It's for some of the actual breakout rooms or for the main rooms. So this would be

Johise Namwira  26:45  
for the opening ceremony. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

Stuart Murray  26:48  
Yeah. Yeah. And

Johise Namwira  26:49  
even throughout the conference, there are options to get a group ticket for folks.

Stuart Murray  26:54  
Yeah. Well, that sounds amazing. You know, from your perspective, Winnipeg has really been you know sort of generous in terms of how they've embraced this from your your perspective. Winnipeggers are feeling good about and proud about wanting to host this national summit.

Johise Namwira  27:09  
Yeah, yeah, I would say yes. We're continuing to spread the word. We're grateful from partnerships with the provincial government, the city, and I think the biggest one I can say is truly the Black community in Winnipeg is so rich, so diverse, so filled with knowledge. From working with Nadia Thompson with Black History Manitoba to Patricia Chikudi, who's the director of the Center Culturelle Franco Manitou Vene. So we really want like the Black community to shine and be present in Francophone community, anglophone community, all religions, all backgrounds and heritage. We want to see everyone there. It's truly something not to miss. The same feeling I had in Halifax is what I hope will be amplified here in Winnipeg.

Stuart Murray  28:00  
Have you, if you can talk about a choice, don't want to put you on the spot, but is there a theme to this particular summit? Are you theming it as such?

Johise Namwira  28:09  
Yes. So there is a theme that we're breaking down in the different panel sessions, but they all are pushing the three pillars of the Halifax Declaration, which is recognition, justice, and development. So they will focus on if I can go into more.

Stuart Murray  28:29  
Please, yeah, I was going to say just kind of knock through those three and give a little bit of detail on it.

Johise Namwira  28:33  
Yes, so we will go through justice specifically, systemic justice, and like how to do community-based reforms. This will come from speakers who are actively involved in the human rights sector, whether that's lawyers or activists. We also have a theme on housing and how we can support different challenges that Black communities are facing when it comes to housing. We have another topic that's on AI and technology. I'm sure lots of folks would be curious on how that's affecting Black communities and how we can be involved in the movement to have, you know, anti-bias AI. So that's a big topic right now. There is also, I said, justice, housing, AI. We also have a panel that is Indigenous and Black solidarity, so that one's going to be very interesting between Indigenous leaders and Black communities and how we can work together. There's a senator panel with senators, so there's it's going to be a really great weekend of conversation. And and the best thing is that people can kind of pick and choose where they want to go for breakouts, and feel free to be involved and engaged throughout the whole weekend.

Stuart Murray  29:51  
Yeah, I mean, it you you know as you say, being the fifth summit to you know you're building on four very successful summits. Having the fifth one, I just you know I love the fact that you know as you say you're building off the Halifax Declaration, and I know that when we sent out sort of a podcast guest forum that you fill out, one of the things that you had sort of said very clearly is you would ask people to read the Halifax Declaration because it's obviously an important document. Can I ask, did did that happen just organically, Joyce? Do you recall, or was that planned to have a declaration come out of the Halifax summit? It

Johise Namwira  30:31  
was definitely something that was planned, communicated beforehand. The folks who were at the summit and folks who were involved in leading the summit, knew that it was time for us to have a document that outlines what we need for our communities by different government officials, by different community folks. So there are over 100 calls to action, as I said. So it does really represent the diversity of the Black Canadian experience. I really encourage folks to read the declaration. I think it's very eye-opening and informative. The way that it even starts with the Sankofa bird from Ghana, which is a bird that is holding an egg, and it's an idea of looking back but still moving forward, and that's the hope when it comes to this declaration, and that's the hope when it comes to this summit and every summit that will follow.

Stuart Murray  31:30  
Yeah, it's such a great sort of foundation to work off of, you know, to have that declaration. And you know, one, it may be that during this summit there may be some things that get it added in or get kind of look at and kind of see where things are at. Because I, I do think that one of the important things of these summits, if there is things that are foundational, you can do a bit of a report card to check in. How are we doing? And it's again, as you say, it's not a matter of perfection. It's really a matter of sense of are we moving together as a community? Are we getting some understanding out there? Are we building some bridges to you know kind of get a work to make this a better a better country all around right I mean we're all citizens here and how can we make that a better country you know I just think that you know somebody would say and you I want to make sure I'm going to ask you a question I want you to come at it again because I think it's you do such a great job of answering this question, but if somebody were to sort of say, "Well, I'm listening to to what Joyce is saying. It sounds interesting, but I'm not sure it's for me. So how do you kind of just like put that one in a position where you can sort of say to somebody, "It it absolutely is, and I mean, you know, better coming from you, Joyce, than for me.

Johise Namwira  32:39  
Yeah, it is. It is for you. It is for everyone around you. It is for everyone in front of you. Everyone behind you. This summit is not just for Black Canadians to carry forward. It's impossible to do this work alone. It's heavy work. It's draining work. It's emotional work to unpack racial injustice and systemic inequality, and the the truth of what Black Canadians face, until we start seeing one another for who we are and what our histories have been, that is truly when we'll start accepting and respecting one another's. So we can say what we need, but we need people to do it with us beside us. Just like the African proverb says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. And so we really do invite people to come together with us in this movement to come to the summit. If you're in Winnipeg, we want to see you at the RBC Convention Center. And in fact, if you're a young person listening to this podcast, tickets are free for youth under 30 years old.

Speaker 2  33:49  
Wow!

Johise Namwira  33:49  
So there should be no reason why you don't come to the summit if you can and you're able.

Speaker 3  33:56  
Yeah, we want to see you in the

Speaker 2  33:57  
room.

Stuart Murray  33:58  
Yeah, no, listen, and I love how you frame that, and that's why. Because I, I just think sometimes people, you know, they hear about things and they're not sure, and they're saying, "I'd be interested, but I'm not sure if it's for me or what does that look like. And I think you gave a beautiful answer to that, and I know that we'll we'll use this on our social media to really sort of promote it and pump it up. Because can you give a sense, Joyce, of of how many people you might be anticipating, or what other summits have have brought in terms of attendance?

Johise Namwira  34:29  
Yeah, the last summit had over 12,000, 1200, sorry, 1200 people in Montreal. So that was a big summit in Winnipeg, where the numbers are rising quite quick. I think the the tickets will will continue to grow close as we get closer to the summit, but we're expecting a a pretty large group here in Winnipeg as well.

Stuart Murray  34:54  
Not that we're territorial, or not that we want to sort of get into the competition choice, but you know if Montreal did 12. We're going to do 12 101 and two and three and four. We're going to build on it and just make it that that kind of summit. Joyce, one of the things that I always want to make sure when I talk to my guests, you know, when you were preparing for this podcast conversation, is there any question that I didn't ask you. That I went. Oh man, I really want to talk about, or I wish he would have mentioned such and such, or asked me about something. I mean, just kind of a wide open. Is there something that I didn't ask you that you want to share with any listeners who are listening about about the summit, about you, about who you are, what you do? Because I think you do amazing things, and and just a chance to get to have a conversation with you has been a real privilege. But just to kind of get a sense if there's something that you'd like to share with any of the listeners about something I didn't ask, please over to you.

Johise Namwira  35:55  
Thank you so much, Stuart. It's been an honor to be connected with you and also joining you on this podcast, I think what I want folks to to know is that this is a movement, as I said, that's happening in Canada, but also across the world. The summit has been a big advocate for the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent. Our federal government recently extended that decade to now go into the second decade, and for people who want to understand how this impacts other movements on on a global scale, I really encourage them to read into that decade for people of African descent and the work that's been done in other countries. Maybe there's even things we can learn or teach from what we're doing here, and apart from that, my biggest message is to the young folks who are feeling discouraged in the climate that we have today. Our foundation, the Mikado Foundation, always says that youth are not the leaders of tomorrow; they're the leaders of today, and so I want the youth to really feel empowered that the work that they're doing matters. You don't need to be in office as a politician or an executive to make change. Youth are already making change on the ground through your community work, through the sports teams. If you look at what's happening in Winnipeg, the African Cup of Nations, for example, led by a young Congolese man Gode Katembo here in Winnipeg. We have so many great things. There's the Roots and Harmony Choir led by Mwanza. There is Black Artists Winnipeg led by Olivia Cassie. There is so so many things that I'm just naming things. Keisha, who does Soul Supreme, different networks for artists and creatives through Creative Circle, and that's Olamide. Winnipeg is thriving, and it's a place where youth and Black folks and community members are actively building momentum. So join us on the movement. Join us at the summit, september 18 to 20th, 2026, at the RBC Convention Center.

Stuart Murray  38:09  
So you know what? I hope Joyce that you get as much media coverage as you can get. I hope they put you in front of the cameras. I put put you wherever because you are you're so passionate. You explain things so well. I mean, just how you engage in this conversation, your belief, and and I think it's important that we don't look away from some of the challenges. I mean, the Canadian story needs to be understood. Yeah, but you understand that, and now you understand why where we are. But as you say, it's about the leadership. It's not about tomorrow. It's about today. 100% And you know, if there was anybody leading, you know, I would have to say it would be you. You know, you've done a great job of of making this happen. I know that you have a great reputation. I spoke to when we were trying to figure out who we would get on to talk about. You know, the fact that the National Black Canadian Summit is coming. It was hands down saying, "Oh, you you got to get Joyce. She's fabulous. She's amazing. She's wonderful. And you've you've proved that point in spades, Joyce. So thank you so so very very much for that. Thank you.

Johise Namwira  39:15  
And I want to I want to say that that kind of knowledge wasn't born. It was created. I grew up with a community that was so rich, and I watched my dad be the president of the Congolese community in Manitoba. So my early childhood memories were speaking at protests, were going to protests. They were really being in community and supporting elders. And I think if more people had that kind of exposure, we would have much more solidarity than disagreement.

Stuart Murray  39:48  
Yeah, listen, Joyce Nawira, thank you so much for this. I really appreciate your time, and it's going to be a great summit. I know it is. I just feel the the energy coming through. This conversation. So, thank you for taking the time to jump on this Humans on Rights podcast, and we'll make sure we do whatever we can to to promote the summit. And then I think we're hopefully going to maybe have somebody like Angela Cassio on at the end of the summit to kind of get a sense of rapid and see how it went and where things went and and all of the good that came out of it and some of the next steps, which is always a great place to be. So, so Joyce, thank you so much for your time. Appreciate it.

Matt Cundill  40:27  
Thanks for listening to Humans on Rights. A transcript of this episode is available by clicking the link in the show notes of this episode. Humans on Rights is recorded and hosted by Stuart Murray. Social media marketing by Buffy Davy, music by Doug Edmond. For more, go to humanrightshub.ca.

Tara Sands (Voiceover)  40:48  
Produced and distributed by the Sound Off Media Company.