Virtual Fair – Reaching people on both sides of the divide

Description

Panelists from three organizations that provide public legal education with and for their communities will share reflections on the impact of the digital divide on the communities they serve, how the digital divide influences the work of their organizations, and how it informs their decisions about delivery channels and learning strategies.

Links: https://justiceeducation.ca/ ; https://www.cplea.ca/ ; http://www.lfchvgb.ca/home/ ; https://yplea.com/

Speaker Bio

Baird Makinson (Moderator)

Nora Bergh (she/ her) As Assistant Director of BC and Digital Programs at JES, Nora oversees program and project operations, managing staff, deliverables and budgets. She ensures project achieve measurable impact, supporting JES legal education and legal information initiatives in BC. As a non-practicing lawyer, Nora brings content expertise and plain language skills to help British Columbians learn about the law and our justice system, assisting them to be more able to deal with their legal issues. Nora embraces the JES mission, empowering people to access and deliver justice in BC. She brings strong interpersonal relationships skills to her interactions with others, contributing to a positive, respectful and inclusive work environment. Nora works collaboratively with her team and with BC justice stakeholders, supporting JES to achieve its strategic objectives.

Holly Williams (she/her) is a dedicated Inuk leader, community advocate, and incredibly proud mother of four. She serves as the Executive Director of the Labrador Friendship Centre, where she works tirelessly to support the urban Indigenous community through cultural programs, social services, and advocacy across the big land. With a Bachelor of Community Studies and a Master of Social Work, Holly has spent her life and has dedicated her career to championing community-led initiatives, particularly in the areas of women's empowerment, family support, and grass-roots programming. Before stepping into her current leadership role, she gained extensive experience working at a women's centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, where she played a key role in developing programs for women in the community and across Labrador, facing housing insecurity, gender-based violence, and systemic barriers. Holly is deeply committed to uplifting Indigenous voices, fostering community resilience, and ensuring that Indigenous traditions and knowledge remain at the heart of her work. Her leadership is guided by her lived experience and passion for creating safe and inclusive spaces for all in the rural and remote region of Labrador.

Jeff Surtees has been the Executive Director of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta since 2016. Prior to that he practiced civil litigation and worked on the management teams of two environmental conservation organizations.  He lives in Calgary, Alberta where he can usually be found wandering happily around in the mountains on weekends.