In this Q&A-style episode of the HER-Health Podcast, we feature highlights from Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head’s thought-provoking AVA webinar, “Reclaiming a Sovereign Imagination: Meaningful Assessment in Higher Education from a Blackfoot Perspective.”

Dr. Weasel Head (Tsapinaaki), a member of the Kainaiwa Nation and Associate Professor in Indigenous Studies at Mount Royal University, shares insights into how Blackfoot ways of knowing challenge dominant academic paradigms and offer a more relational, ethical, and inclusive approach to assessment in higher education.

Join us for a critical and inspiring conversation that urges us to rethink the foundations of education through the lens of sovereignty, transformation, and inclusion.

Let's get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZM4Qyb_t6E

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

In this episode of the HERHealth Podcast, we spotlight Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head’s powerful AVA webinar, “Reclaiming a Sovereign Imagination: Meaningful Assessment in Higher Education from a Blackfoot Perspective.”

Dr. Weasel Head (Tsapinaaki), a member of the Kainaiwa Nation and Associate Professor in Indigenous Studies at Mount Royal University, offers a transformative vision for assessment rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems. Drawing from Blackfoot worldviews, she challenges dominant academic paradigms and invites educators, researchers, and institutions to reimagine how we relate to knowledge, learning, and one another.

This episode explores:

• How cultural paradigms shape our understanding of knowledge and reality

• The limitations of Eurocentric assessment models in post-secondary education

• What meaningful, relational, and ethical assessment can look like from a Blackfoot perspective

• How to begin creating space for Indigenous ways of knowing in institutional contexts

Join us for a critical and inspiring conversation that urges us to rethink the foundations of education through the lens of sovereignty, transformation, and inclusion.

Let's get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZM4Qyb_t6E

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

In this Q&A-style episode, host Alexandria Lozowchuk sits down with Andrea Silverstone, CEO of Sagesse, and Carrie McManus, Director of Innovation and Programs, for a powerful conversation about how innovation can reshape the civil society sector to better meet today’s increasingly complex challenges.

Together, they make a compelling case for shifting to an innovation framework to ensure the sector’s continued impact and relevance.

Tune in to hear how two changemakers are driving meaningful systems change and what it really takes to build a future rooted in equity, safety, and innovation.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N25LCGaaEOE⁠

Learn more about Sagesse here:⁠https://www.sagesse.org/⁠

Watch the Innovation at the Back of the Bus: Author Q&A here!

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In today’s episode, we explore why innovation is no longer optional in the civil society sector.

Adapted from a live webinar hosted as part of the AVA Webinar Series, this episode features two thought leaders from Sagesse: Andrea Silverstone (CEO) and Carrie McManus (Director of Innovation and Programs). Together, they examine how organizations must evolve to meet the increasingly complex needs of the communities they serve.

Andrea shares insights from her decades of leadership, including her work disrupting systems of abuse and advocating for legislative reform, while Carrie highlights innovative approaches to breaking down barriers in rural and underserved communities. Together, they make a compelling case for shifting to an innovation framework to ensure the sector’s continued impact and relevance.

Tune in for a bold and practical conversation about what it really takes to adapt, survive, and lead in today’s changing world.

Let's get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N25LCGaaEOE

Learn more about Sagesse here:https://www.sagesse.org/

Watch the ⁠Innovation at the Back of the Bus: Author Q&A here! ⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

In this special AVA Conversations episode of the HerHealth Podcast, we sit down with Karen Mason and Dr. Paul van Donkelaar, co-founders of SOAR (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research), for an engaging Q&A that builds on their recent AVA Webinar.

Together, we dive deeper into:

• The personal and professional journeys that led them to focus on intimate partner violence-caused brain injury (IPV-BI)

• How IPV-related brain injuries continue to be overlooked in health and social systems

• Their vision for trauma- and brain-injury-informed care, and how communities can better support survivors

• What gives them hope — and what still needs to change

Let's get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N25LCGaaEOE⁠

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠⁠⁠1-866-403-8000⁠⁠⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

In this episode of the HerHealth Podcast, we explore the often-overlooked intersection of brain injury and intimate partner violence (IPV-BI). Adapted from the May 28 AVA Webinar, this episode features powerful insights from Karen Mason and Dr. Paul van Donkelaar, co-founders of SOAR (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research).

Learn about the prevalence of brain injuries caused by concussion and strangulation in survivors of IPV, how these injuries impact neurocognitive function, and why trauma- and brain-injury-informed care is essential for proper diagnosis and support.

By the end of the episode, you'll be able to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of IPV-related brain injury

• Understand its impact on survivors’ cognitive and physical health

• Advocate for better-informed, survivor-centered approaches to care

Let's get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N25LCGaaEOE

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠⁠1-866-403-8000⁠⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

Welcome to the HerHealth Podcast! In this episode, host Dr. Sarah Yercich an early career researcher with AVA, Co-Director of the Freedom Center for Research on Violence Against Women, and faculty in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Capilano University, sits down with Femi Akinsanya, Co-Director of the Training, Resource, and Education Centre at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA).

Femi is a nonprofit and public sector leader advancing systemic change in the response to gender-based violence. With a background in psychology and health sciences, she brings years of experience in education, advocacy, and institutional partnerships. Together, Sarah and Femi explore trauma-informed care through a public health lens centering survivor voices, advancing equity, and driving meaningful change across sectors.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on advocacy, education, and creating systemic solutions to sexual violence.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: ⁠https://youtu.be/s3PUQR2UZkw?si=9_iQGtXwqEVZzsjG⁠

CCASA Contact Info

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: ⁠⁠Support and Information Line⁠⁠ Phone: ⁠⁠403-237-5888⁠⁠

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠⁠1-866-403-8000⁠⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.

This episode is adapted from a live webinar held on Wednesday, May 14, as part of the AVA Webinar Series: Sexual Violence and Trauma-Informed Care – A Public Health Approach.

Our featured guest is Femi Akinsanya (she/her), BSc, Co-Director of the Training, Resource, and Education Centre at Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse (CCASA). A dedicated leader in the nonprofit and public sectors, Femi brings over five years of experience advocating for systemic change in the response to gender-based violence.

With a background in psychology and health sciences, Femi has led cross-sector collaborations across healthcare, government, post-secondary, and corporate organizations to transform responses to violence. In this episode, she explores trauma-informed care through a public health lens—centering survivor experiences, building institutional accountability, and advancing meaningful, lasting change.

Tune in for a powerful conversation on advocacy, education, and creating systemic solutions to sexual violence.

Let’s get started.

🔗 Watch the full webinar here: https://youtu.be/s3PUQR2UZkw?si=9_iQGtXwqEVZzsjG

CCASA Contact Info

Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: ⁠Support and Information Line⁠ Phone: ⁠403-237-5888⁠

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence

Phone/Text: ⁠1-866-403-8000⁠

At AVA we are working together to make things better.

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linktree:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AVA Resources & Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@avatraining_ca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alliance against Violence & Adversity (AVA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe now and be part of the movement to transform health for women and girls at risk.