Just Participation

S. 2 Ep. 4 | Democracy in Action: Land Without Borders

Season 2 wraps up by exploring Indigenous political and land governance, resurgence, civic engagement, and activism. It centers conversations on sovereignty, self-determination, and the enduring relationships between land, governance, and community. In this episode, co-hosts Nadim, Daniella, and Sarah sit down with three influential voices working across Indigenous governance, policy, advocacy, and research: * Kathy Walker, Treaty Commissioner for Saskatchewan, reflects on her work advancing Treaty education and strengthening relationships between Indigenous communities and broader Canadian society. She discusses gaps in public understanding of Treaty history, the importance of decolonizing ideas of land, borders, and democracy, and offers advice on navigating institutional and governmental barriers while pursuing advocacy and leadership roles. * Matthew Wildcat, Professor and the Director of Indigenous Governance in the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta, shares insights from his work on relational governance. He discusses the Relational Governance Project, the challenges Indigenous communities face within participatory and democratic institutions, and how Indigenous governance traditions can offer alternative pathways toward political participation and self-determination. * Shady Al Hafez, Professor and Associate with the Yellowhead Institute and former Policy at Toronto Metropolitan University, reflects on his work with Indigenous organizations and governments across Canada. He explores how movements such as Land Back and broader anti-colonial resistance are deeply connected to Indigenous governance systems, while also sharing advice for students balancing community knowledge with academic and institutional expectations. Together, they examine how Indigenous governance traditions continue to challenge colonial systems, reclaim political agency, and create new possibilities for democratic participation rooted in community, responsibility, and land-based relationships. The conversation highlights the importance of Indigenous-led approaches to governance and the lessons they offer for building more just and inclusive democratic futures. Have a listen and share your thoughts with us here or via our social media platforms (@justpartpodcast) using ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/justparticipation].

S. 2 Ep. 3 | Democracy in Action: Voices from the Ground in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Season 2 continues in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city of striking natural beauty, vibrant culture, and deep social contrasts. Beneath its iconic beaches and mountains lie persistent urban challenges: socio-spatial inequalities, informal settlements, struggles over land rights, and the ongoing pursuit of democratic participation in complex urban environments. In this episode, co-hosts Nadim, Daniella, and Sarah sit down with three powerful voices working at the intersections of grassroots democracy: * Priscylla Joca, instructor and researcher, who shares insights from her work on participatory governance, legal assistance to rural and urban rights movements, and socio-environmental justice in Brazil. * ·Salome Nduta, feminist organizer and human rights defender, who shares insights from her work across Kenya and South Africa, highlighting how gender justice, climate organizing, and housing struggles are deeply interconnected. * Leoonardo Barros Soares, researcher and practitioner in participatory democracy, who reflects on civic engagement, community-driven governance, and the challenges of fostering inclusive democratic spaces in Rio de Janeiro. Together, they explore how grassroots movements and participatory institutions are reclaiming decision-making power, reshaping urban governance, and building democratic futures from the ground up, with lessons that resonate across Brazil and beyond. Have a listen and share your thoughts with us here or via our social media platforms (@justpartpodcast) using ⁠⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/justparticipation].

S. 2 Ep. 2 | Democracy in Action: Voices from the Ground in Cape Town

Season 2 continues in Cape Town, South Africa, a city shaped by breathtaking coastlines and deep histories of resistance, while still grappling with the lasting spatial legacies of apartheid, housing inequality, and topics of land and belonging. In this episode, co-hosts Nadim, Daniella, and Sarah sit down with three powerful voices working at the intersections of grassroots democracy, urban justice, and human rights: * Fiona Anciano, professor and urban researcher, who reflects on participatory governance in marginalized urban spaces and what community occupations reveal about alternative models of democracy and urban citizenship. * ·Salome Nduta, feminist organizer and human rights defender, who shares insights from her work across Kenya and South Africa, highlighting how gender justice, climate organizing, and housing struggles are deeply interconnected. * Sadi Motsuenyane, social justice advocate and scholar, who offers reflections on post-apartheid reconstruction, the unfinished work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and how spatial inequality continues to shape poverty and exclusion. Together, they explore how grassroots movements are reclaiming land, reshaping decision-making power, and building democratic futures from the ground up, with lessons that resonate across South Africa, Kenya, and beyond. Have a listen and share your thoughts with us here or via our social media platforms (@justpartpodcast) using ⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/justparticipation].

DHR Conference Interview with Omri Grinberg | Ep. 7

Omri reflects on expanding human rights work through new models and perspectives, including the role of archives in shaping more inclusive and creative forms of advocacy.   Have a listen and share your thoughts with us here or via our social media platforms (@justpartpodcast) using ⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/justparticipation].    We are recording from the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

DHR Conference Interview with Ernest Ako | Ep. 6

In this episode, Ernest describes an inclusive human rights framework and shares how grassroots activism in Ghana is reshaping democratic accountability and awareness.   Have a listen and share your thoughts with us here or via our social media platforms (@justpartpodcast) using ⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/justparticipation].   We are recording from the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.