Dialogue with Drake and Daboo Sweta Daboo and Emma Drake

It’s our last episode for 2021 and we’re doing things differently this time! This episode is divided into 4 parts: The #PEIPOLI roundup, the gifts panel for last minute shopping, a list of places to donate to this winter, and finally, things to do on the sandbar these next few weeks. Thank you for tuning in these last months, we'll see you next year!

Healthy democracies rely on transparency and accountability to keep the public informed of government policies and programs. For specific information, folks can submit an Access to Information request to have access to government files and records. When talking about transparency, PEI has furthermore seen heavy discussions around NDAs in the last few weeks. To talk to us today about everything access to information, from the process, and costs to its importance, as well as NDAs, with us today is Provincial Affairs Reporter, Kerry Campbell.

The power of journalism can be best explained by its informal title, the Fourth Estate, giving it as much power as the other three estates: for olden times, these were the clergy, nobles and the commoners, while for modern times we tend to see the first three estates as the three branches of government, or the legislative, executive and judiciary branches. Investigative journalism includes in-depth reporting and detailed investigative pieces, beyond every day happenings. In November 2021, an investigative article was published on CBC PEI, entitled “Rash of drink-spiking incidents goes unchecked by police in Charlottetown”. This article uncovers survivors’ experiences with drink tampering, sexual assault, and access to justice. Nationally, CBC’S Fifth Estate produces a number of documentary-format news reports that provide a detailed perspective on a number of issues. To chat all things investigative reporting, with us today is author and journalist, Kate McKenna.

Today we will be talking about Truth and Reconciliation. We discuss the mandate and role of the organization L'nuey,  the 94 calls to action in the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report, the meaning of the September 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Residential schools, Bill C-15: the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, Treaty Rights, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and two-Spirited people, Mi'kmaq History Month, and more. Our guests are Jenene Woolridge, Executive Director of L'nuey, and Julie Pellissier-Lush, Knowledge Keeper with L'nuey.

The climate crisis is not new to PEI. High winds, waves, tides, and changes in sea level, are contributing to coastal erosion and coastal flooding. This means PEI is especially vulnerable to the climate crisis - but it also means PEI is in a strong position to lead the country in research and policy action. There is however an underexplored component to climate action on PEI: the intersectionality with climate justice, and anti-oppression movements. Our guest today is a PhD candidate at UPEI, researcher with the UPEI Climate Lab, and Board member with BIPOC USHR: Stephanie Arnold.

Anti-racism work on PEI has been going on for decades, but only really gained traction, and legislative support, as from summer 2020 when the Black Cultural Society and BIPOC USHR tabled a petition with a number of recommendations to the legislative assembly of PEI. One of these recommendations was the creation of a provincial anti-racism advisory position that would analyse all legislation from an anti-oppression lens.

In September 2021, this advisor was finally hired, and additionally, an anti-racism table was created to provide on-the-group perspectives and expertise to the executive council.

Here to talk about all things anti-racism and the path forward, with us today is PEI’s Anti-Racism Advisor, Human Rights Commissioner, co-founder of BIPOC USHR, and community organizer, Danté Bazard.