Dr. Durdana Islam brings a wealth of experience in natural resources management, climate action, social justice advocacy, and gender equity. Growing up in Chittagong, Bangladesh, within a close-knit family, she was captivated by the stories passed down through generations. Her Dadu’s (grandmother) tales of the 1952 Bengali Language Movement and the 1971 Independence war ignited her passion for personal history and cultural identity. Upon immigrating to Canada, Durdana pursued her PhD in Natural Resources at the University of Manitoba, immersing herself in the narratives of Indigenous fishermen and their communities.

As the Former Chairperson of Manitoba NDP’s Status of Women, Gender Equity, and Gender Diversity Committee, Durdana recognizes the importance of preserving marginalized voices. She is a resilient advocate for social justice, particularly for marginalized women facing gendered racism and domestic violence. Dr. Islam was nominated for the Empower Women Award by the Government of Manitoba in 2022. She founded the Waverley Climate Action Team and is instrumental in propelling positive change through her active involvement on the Boards of the Islamic Social Services Association (ISSA). Dr. Islam's commitment to addressing climate action, gender-based violence, and social justice deeply resonates with Kahanee's mission of sharing untold stories and nurturing empathy.

As a proud member of the Kahanee Board, Durdana is dedicated to amplifying forgotten narratives. She hopes to build connections and create a space where authenticity and history can coexist. Durdana envisions a future where we empower each other to reclaim our identities and our stories.

Bonface is an African artist, storyteller and multidisciplinary practitioner working with at intersections of theatre-based processes, peacebuilding and healing-centred approaches to social transformation. Since 2004 he worked with Amani Peoples’ Theatre, the Green String Network and has now founded Mama Afrika Theatre Lab for Peace and Imaginable Futures. He holds an MA degree in peacebuilding, a Certificate in Use of Arts in Peacebuilding as well as being a certified holder ofTheatre of the Oppressed and Playback theatre trainer qualifications. He’s currently in a PhD program in use of Expressive Arts in Conflict transformation. He has worked in Kenya, South Sudan, South Africa,Netherlands, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, US and Canada among others. He has served as a committee member for the Cultural Humility and Diversity Committee of the North America Drama Therapy Association, member of the board for the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed as well on the International Expressive arts Association committee. He’s currently serving on the executive board of IMPACT an international organization working on role of the arts and culture on conflict transformation and has newly joined the Artizen group within the UnRival Network as a facilitator to support the wellbeing of artistes and peacebuildlers worldwide.

The birth of Kahanee reminds me of my own heritage of holding sacred intergenerational oral stories as an African. Our lands are written in stories. Nigerian playright  Ben Okri says:“Stories can conquer fear, you know. They can make the heart bigger.” this quote is amplified by feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie who says the following about herself: "I’m a storyteller. And I would like to tell you a few personal stories about what I like to call “the danger of the single story.”. We're a people made of thousands of different stories and using them to weave our world together with other people who join in our struggle. This is how I see Kahanee: As a large human metaphor and mirror for connection.

Keziah was born and raised in Winnipeg and comes from a long line of Mennonites. She brings with her an understanding of the importance of social action, conflict transformation, crisis communication, trauma response processes, and responsible research. 

Keziah is a graduate of University of Winnipeg in Conflict Resolution Studies and is currently engrossed in the Circumpolar Studies program at University of Trent. She has worked with local non-profit organizations such as Shameless Circle and Ricky’s Room and has experience in board membership, policy development and program delivery. Today, Keziah works in 911 Emergency Communications in Winnipeg.

I appreciate the critical importance of storytelling in all areas of life. From personal healing to large scale conflict transformation, storytelling in all its forms is a powerful conduit for social change. Kahanee understands the significance of storytelling in contributing to the social fabric and seeks not to insert itself into the storytelling world but rather to uphold it. Kahanee supports story tellers through responsible, informed approaches, and protects the storytelling space that has been established by storytellers of the past. Kahanee’s multi-faceted and considerate approach to the storytelling world is unique and timely, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what lies in Kahanee’s future.

Meaghan an experienced Mediator, story-listening, and facilitator of dialogue. As a Project Director at a Planning firm in Winnipeg, Meaghan’s work brings together deep understanding of our collective pasts and leveraging stories to walk into the future together. Meaghan is completing her Masters in Conflict Analysis and Management. Her research interests center around storytelling as a framework for conflict transformation. Meaghan lives in Winnipeg with her son and their two dogs. Meaghan’s practice is driven by curiosity and respect for other ways of knowing and being. She holds the perspective that not everything can be wrenched through the same lens of analysis or engagement and retain its dignity, and that stories are most often the spaces that can hold the “both, and" that is so crucial to transformation.

Through her work, she recognizes that not everything can be brought into conversation under the same lens of analysis or engagement and retain its dignity, and that stories are most often the spaces that can hold the “both, and” that is so crucial for conflict transformation, so Kahanee is a natural fit, and an opportunity to support storywork with friends and colleagues, new and old.

Inspired by her parent’s entrepreneurial spirit, Val started my own business in 1984. Her personal vision and compass that guides me in life is to live by soul, not ego.  As a woman, a daughter, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother she continues to hold those teachings with gratitude.

Val is a published author of numerous articles and the book “Abuse”, which has been used extensively in university courses, social service programs, and as a resource in developing treatment programs responding to PTSD. Val was a faculty member with The William Glasser Institute, facilitating counselling certification programs and providing practicum supervision. In another role as Director of Family Programs at Pine River Institute, Val worked with adolescents recovering from addictions. Most recently, Val has been instrumental with Clan Mothers Healing Village & Knowledge Centre as Director of Programs, sharing her knowledge and insight into family systems and generational trauma, offering experiential healing processes.

Val also has an extensive background in business succession planning, communication program design & delivery, mediation, facilitation, leadership coaching, and system improvement processes. These experiences have amplified for her the importance of communication and collaboration amidst the complexities of life.

The vision that Kahanee carries into our global community is essential for us all to integrate into our daily lives. I have come to recognize and believe that we are all more alike than we are different, All people are born with the same needs and yearnings for love, acceptance, respect, and peace. Simply put – I want to be an active advocate for peace within, peace between, and peace amongst.