Join us as we continue our mini-series focused on the intersection of homelessness and belonging. This time, we've invited Erin Dej and Jason Webb to the table to unpack the collaborative creation of "From Roots to Home," an art piece born from the shared experiences of those who've known life without a stable place to call their own. Erin, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology at Laurier, brings her critical criminology lens to the discussion, while Jason, the senior policy researcher at the BC First Nations Justice Council, shares insights from both his professional expertise and personal journey. Listen in as our guests and advisory group members - Deborah Hill, Simon Lazanja, and Barb McPhee - weave a narrative that is as heartwrenching as it is hopeful. Their stories, imprinted onto the canvas of "From Roots to Home," mirror the resilience symbolized by a maple tree, portraying the growth from the tangled roots of hardship to the canopy of a nurturing home. Through the voices of our guests, we explore how the collaborative process not only sheds light on the hardships faced by individuals experiencing homelessness but also sends a resounding message of hope and the possibility of transition into a life of stability and peace. Discover the transformative power of art and storytelling in shaping research, policy-making, and the public consciousness towards a future where homelessness is not a defining, nor permanent, state. This episode was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Click here to see the image called "From Roots to Home" that we discuss in this episode.
More about our episode co-hosts:
Erin Dej is an associate professor in the Department of Criminology at Wilfrid Laurier University. Erin is a critical criminologist who has been researching homelessness for 15 years. Erin received a PhD from the Department of Criminology at the University of Ottawa and an MA in Legal Studies from Carleton University. Before joining Laurier, Erin held a SSHRC funded postdoctoral fellowship with the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, York University.
Jason Webb is the Senior Policy Researcher at the BC First Nations Justice Council. He's developing a pre-arrest diversion program for Indigenous peoples experiencing homelessness in Prince George, BC. Jason earned a PhD from York University and held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Wilfrid Laurier University. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on topics ranging from criminalization, homelessness, and citizenship. With his extensive background in qualitative research, Jason contributes unique insights from a critical sociological lens to the policy domain.
A thank you to our advisory group members who lead the storytelling in this episode:
Barb McPhee: Lived experience expert for over 50 years providing communities, families and individuals facing challenges in their lives with supports and direction. Focusing on the poverty pillars of housing, food and health insecurities using care and kindness.
Deborah Hill: is a mom of four. She is a survivor of substance use, domestic violence, and homelessness. Deborah is an Indigenous who has returned to school and received a diploma and an undergraduate degree in Community Services. She is determined to advocate for the vulnerable population experiencing mental health and substance use.
Simon Lazanja: Was a former football player at high level. Built a tool and die company from nothing. Recovering alcoholic.