Sigourny was born and raised on the territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council in Whitehorse, Yukon. The majority of her work experience has been in the gender justice sector where, using an intersectional lens, she has explored how to challenge inequitable systems. Sigourny currently works as a Project Coordinator at a small, feminist nonprofit called the Yukon Status of Women Council. For the last year she has been coordinating a Reproductive Justice project focused on increasing access to reproductive and sexual healthcare in the Yukon.

Sigourny is excited to attend the AWID international forum as it provides a unique experience to connect the issues facing women and gender-diverse folks in the Yukon to those on a global scale.

In her spare time, she can usually be found on some kind of outdoor adventure!

Kaylin (she/her) holds a bachelor’s degree from UVic in Gender Studies and Political Science, and currently works at the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria supporting newcomer children, youth, and families as they find their footing in Victoria. As a mixed-race woman she embodies the memories, wisdom, and labour of her ancestors, and is inspired by all the women who have shown her the power of boldness, love, and persistence in the collective commitment to gender justice.

Over the years, Kaylin has engaged in research, advocacy, and frontline work to support women migrant workers across Asia, women leaving abusive situations, and newcomer families. She strives to honour the lived experiences and embodied knowing of the individuals and communities she serves, utilizing trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and intersectional frameworks. Kaylin is deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend the AWID Forum in Bangkok, and is looking forward to immersing herself in stories and experiences of women in all of their diversity.

Dastu Omer is a first-generation Canadian and proud Oromo woman with family roots in Ethiopia. As a graduate of the University of Regina, where she majored in Computer Science with a minor in Psychology, Dastu is passionate about using her skills to create positive change. Currently, she works in marketing for a tech startup in Regina, Saskatchewan, where she is the only woman on her team.

Dastu's journey is shaped by her family’s immigration to Canada and her commitment to breaking barriers, being the first woman in her family to graduate from both high school and university. Her community involvement reflects her dedication to causes she cares deeply about. She actively supports organizations such as Muslim Aid of Saskatchewan, addressing food insecurity, the DFIC Youth Club, where she promotes Islamic values of equity and women’s rights, and the Islamic Relief Regional Team, fundraising for war-torn countries.

Dastu also plays a key role in TEDxRegina, where she advocates for the power of ideas and innovation to inspire change. She believes that challenges should be seen as stepping stones and is excited to continue her work in amplifying voices and driving conversations for a better future.

Valérie Séguin is a human rights activist from Tiohtià:ke(Montréal). Creative and curious, she strives to do everything she sets her mind to, driven by an urgency to live, discover, learn and devote herself to the realization of gender equality. She is currently the Fund Development and Communications Coordinator at Equitas - International Centre for Human Rights Education in Montreal, where she popularizes the importance of human rights education as a powerful tool for change and empowerment through written and visual language.

Recently, she completed an international cooperation mandate in Benin, where she was involved in women farmers' rights advocacy projects. Engaged in the performing arts world, she is an artist and member of Tête de l'Art, a multidisciplinary feminist art organization aiming to promote and stimulate art as an instrument against injustice. With a bachelor's degree in literature and a certificate in women's studies, Valérie believes in the seditious and subversive power of language, art and colors to foster open-mindedness.

Her participation as a Youth Delegate for the ICN at the AWID Forum is rooted in a passionate desire to challenge her knowledge, to push the thinking further and to learn about radical and dissenting actions undertaken across the world to dismantle inequalities.

Aija-Simone White (she/her) is a dedicated advocate for gender health equity and women’s rights, passionate about creating meaningful change in how Black, Indigenous, and women of color (BIWOC) access and experience health care. With a Bachelor of Health Studies from York University, her academic journey deepened her commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting social justice.

In her public policy role with the Ontario government, Aija-Simone has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing transformative policy initiatives, from reforming social assistance delivery to improving long-term care programs and enhancing healthcare access for Ontario's most vulnerable populations. Her work is rooted in the belief that impactful policy must center diverse lived experiences, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots community engagement and the creation of culturally affirming spaces to drive meaningful and inclusive policy development.

Aija-Simone’s advocacy extends beyond policy work. As a former Director of Advocacy for the York United Black Student Alliance, she championed initiatives that celebrated cultural identity and student empowerment. She continues to build bridges across communities through her involvement in the Black Ontario Public Servants and Women in Government Networks, amplifying the voices of BIWOC in the systems that shape their lives.

Boozhoo Aniin, my name is Rose Fontaine I am 25 years old from Sagkeeng First Nation. I grew up in Child and family services and for parts of my life I lived with my family. Since I was a kid I knew that I wanted to break cycles of addiction and Intergenerational Trauma within my family and create a loving. Happy, healthy life for the next generation.

This strive for a good life has lead me to where I am today, working volunteering and trying to create change when and where I can. I am so proud of myself and my siblings for breaking the generational cycles.

My family has been heavily impacted by addictions and 5 of my family members have been murdered. Which is a huge issue in Canada that I will always raise awareness about. I want to attend AWID to share my life experience and learn/collaborate with other Youth.