Part 1: "Rooted in Belonging: Lived and Living Experience Leadership for Community and Systems Change"
Format
Hybrid (Virtual Webinar via Google Meet + Live In-Person Watch Party with Free Lunch!)
In-Person Watch Party Location
Fredericton Downtown Community Health Centre
Hosted by
Jenica Atwin
Event Overview
Join us for the official kickoff of SUN ARC Community Hub Inc. and the launch of our 6-part series, The Co-Creation Project: Atlantic Conversations for Change. Real systems change happens when we move beyond consultation to true power-sharing. In this opening session, we’ll dive into what happens when lived experience leads at the decision-making table, and how that shift can unlock deep, transformative impact across our communities!
Featured Panel & Hosts
In-Person Watch Party Hosts: Steve Colwell & Cassandra LeBlanc Greene
Webinar Host & Welcome
Jenica Atwin
Moderator
Sandi MacKinnon, Greater Fredericton Social Innovation
Panelists
Rev. Russ Daye
Faith & Community-Based Leader, Wilmot United ChurchEvan Sacobie
Indigenous Teachings & Relational Governance, St. Mary’s First NationDr. Tommy Brothers
Physician and Health Systems Researcher, Dalhousie UniversityJill Harnum
Peer Leader & Regional Advocate, Substance User Network of Atlantic Regions (SUNAR)
Discussion Arcs
1. Rooted in Belonging: Identity, Experience & Leadership
Exploring what it means to truly belong in our communities and the systems that serve us. This conversation will consider how lived and living experience is recognized—not simply through sharing personal stories, but through meaningful opportunities for leadership, expertise, and participation in shaping decisions and solutions.
2. Shared Understanding: Power, Trust & Working Through Differences
People come to conversations about substance use, mental health, and community care with different experiences, perspectives, and concerns. Together, we'll explore how stigma, tokenism, institutional barriers, and past experiences can affect trust and relationships—and what it takes to listen, learn from one another, and build more meaningful partnerships.
3. Connected in Action: Co-Creation & Community Change
Looking ahead, this conversation will focus on how people with lived and living experience, families, communities, service providers, researchers, and decision-makers can work alongside one another. What could stronger, more connected approaches to care and support look like across Atlantic Canada, and how do we turn shared understanding into practical action?