Citizenship Highlights 2023 AGM Report
Below we’re sharing stories of engaged citizenship that were featured in this year’s annual report
What do we mean by citizenship?
For many of us, citizenship is something we take for granted. It can be defined in many ways, but at its core citizenship is our sense of value and belonging. This sense of citizenship doesn’t always extend to people with disabilities. That’s why Skills Society was formed - to provide people with disabilities with the same opportunities and choices, the same ability to share their gifts and talents, and the same sense of belonging that we all enjoy. Citizenship is what we strive for every day - and it encompasses the following:
Everyone in our Skills community has a role to play in shaping our imagined future - a community where all individuals are valued citizens
Our AGM theme this year is both a call to action and a time to look forward and imagine the future we want to build together. To help us imagine better, we are using three lenses that are often referred to in change making as the 3 Horizons of Innovation. The 3 Horizons are a helpful way of sorting the types of strategic thinking and futures we can make (learn more about each horizon and what they entail here).
Using the 3 Horizons of Innovation, we invited our community - including the folks whose stories are below - to explore the type of change maker they identify as. The types of change makers include:
The Actioner who finds joy in making real world action happen now
The Innovator who finds joy in being a trailblazer and pushing systems to be better
The Dreamer who finds joy in reimagining new ways of being in the world
Stories of engaged citizenship
Having opportunities to share one’s unique gifts and talents with others is an important part of citizenship. Scott is a talented artist who has spent decades honing his craft and engaging in art activism. As an artist Scott is inspired by new and imaginative ideas and ways of being: “Most of the time it is out of my own head, it’s imaginary but I make it come out like a real thing…I bring them to life”.
This past year Skills Society commissioned Scott, through the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts, to develop and paint a mural in our main office. Scott shared that the main theme is community - people being together, everyone having something to contribute and being valued for that.
“It’s all partners working together on the same thing. There’s no right or wrong, everybody can do their own style. It’s all about friendship, getting along with your neighbours, doing things together”
This was Scott’s first time developing a mural and with support from the Edmonton Arts Council he had the opportunity to be mentored by artist Emily Chu. Scott loved the process, sharing that he enjoyed working collaboratively on the concept and that it allowed for people to witness his creative process in action, often stopping by to ask questions or watch as the mural came to life.
As a citizen making positive change in the world, Scott identifies as a Dreamer, imagining and illuminating new ways of being in the world through art.
Scott painting the mural at the Skills Office
Belonging, feeling valued and an important part of society, is an important part of citizenship. Brian, Evan, and Mathew are engaged citizens who experience belonging to their community. Friends and roommates, this past spring they have been growing seedlings to sell to fellow eager gardeners in their community. In April, perched on their front lawn, they had their inaugural seedling sale selling an assortment of vegetables and herbs. Friends, family, community members and neighbours (including their furry companions) came out and purchased plants. This is just one example of how Brian, Evan and Mathew creatively build connections and contribute to their community. For Brian, Evan, and Mathew being a good neighbour is about helping others and being friendly and welcoming – helping others to feel they belong to the neighbourhood. Mathew helps neighbours by shoveling their walks in the winter, Evan connects with neighbours at the park, and Brian is a long-time volunteer with the City of Edmonton Green Shack program: “I like helping out and doing things in the community”. Plans are in the works to host a harvest party at the end of the growing season, where they’ll sell vegetables and invite the CommuniTEA Van to set up a pop-up block party!
As citizens making positive change in the world,
Evan identifies as an Actioner making real world action happen now,
Mathew an Innovator, being a trailblazer and pushing systems to be better, and
Brian a Dreamer, reimagining new ways of being in the world
Brian and Mathew selling seedlings
Evan watering the seedlings
Brian, Mathew and Evan
Barbara leading a smudge in the Action Lab
“tân’si!”
– Barbara (tân’si is Cree for hello)
People with disabilities, like all citizens, have the right to choose and be rooted in their culture and spiritual traditions. Barbara is a kind and gentle soul who deeply values relationships, spending time talking with people and listening to their stories. For Barbara it is important that she be connected to her culture and participate in ceremony: “This is part of honoring my ancestors and remembering them”.
Barbara has been working for several years as an Action Lab host, and recently took on a new role supporting the Action Lab in keeping the spirit of Treaty alive in the space. With the change of each season, Barbara leads a smudge to cleanse and thank the Indigenous artifacts in the space. As part of the smudge ceremony, she teaches our community about Indigenous culture, often sharing her own experiences, stories and family traditions. Barbara is a valued member of the Action Lab team, and we are grateful for her leadership in supporting Action Lab in being a welcoming and inclusive space. As a self-advocate, Barbara also collaborated with Skills Society on a mini-documentary around rights. You can hear more from Barbara about her experiences and culture by watching The Rights We Want! video available on our website.
As a citizen making positive change in the world, Barbara identifies as a Dreamer, reimagining new ways of being in the world.
Neighbours Gabby, Richard, Michelle, Sheila, Elizabeth, Jodie, and Cory in front of Jewell Manor Apartments
This spring Jewell Manor was closed for re-development. Jewell Manor holds a special place in Skills Society history, as it is where the organization began and in 1980’s, housed the Skills’ main office. The first Skills employees supported the tenants living at Jewell Manor, all of whom had recently moved there due to the closure of the Hillside pilot-project, which had helped move people from institutions back into community.
For many of its most recent tenants, Jewell Manor Apartments has been a long-time home and community. As neighbours they have built strong relationships with each other, other community members, and local businesses through a variety of creative community building approaches. For example, during the pandemic they ‘filled the walls with love’ by writing messages of gratitude for their neighbours on paper hearts and posting them throughout the building. Caring for their community annually this group showed up as engaged citizens to participate in a community clean up and built a shared garden outside their building. Through various events like door decorating contests, summer BBQs, and holiday parties, where neighbours, friends and family were invited to join, they nurtured a sense of community. Elizabeth shared fond memories of spending time with neighbours who have become friends, having coffee and sharing important moments, such as birthdays, together - “I really enjoyed living at Jewell Manor. Going for picnics in the park with my neighbours was a highlight”.
While Jewell Manor residents have had to move out, this group of stellar citizens have hopes to bring their creative community building approaches to their new neighbours and communities! As citizens making positive change in the world, this group of neighbours are an example of Actioners, making real world action happen now - highlighting the intention and care that goes into fostering relationships and building community.
