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The folks at the Rural Development Network (RDN) have been on the pod previously, but much has changed since that time (January 2023). Nearing the end of 2025, urgent issues have shifted for rural communities, and RDN has shifted to serve those priorities. When new President and CEO Melissa Fougere reached out to me in late October about having some of her team on the podcast, it took us a little bit to find a date and time that worked for all. Summary In this episode, I spoke with Sydney Stenekes, Director of Homelessness Initiatives and Mary McGuire, Program Manager from the Rural Development Network about their initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness, supporting aging populations, and fostering inclusive communities in rural Canada. They discuss the importance of community engagement, the challenges faced by rural communities, and the innovative approaches taken to provide support and resources. The conversation highlights the significance of data collection, storytelling, and collaboration in creating effective solutions for social issues in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Takeaways * Homelessness in rural areas often manifests as hidden homelessness. * Community engagement is crucial for identifying needs and solutions. * Funding opportunities are available for communities to address social issues. * Aging populations face unique challenges in rural settings. * Data collection helps understand housing needs and service gaps. * Veterans experience unique challenges related to housing insecurity. * Storytelling is vital for advocating for community needs and securing funding. 00:00 Introduction to the Rural Development Network 03:29 Community Engagement and Funding Models 08:21 Addressing Urgent Issues in Rural Communities 14:08 Connecting with Organizations and Community Needs 18:36 Rural Immigration and Community Support 22:58 Understanding Homelessness in Rural Areas 28:34 Data Collection and Amplifying Voices 42:41 Conclusion and Future Directions Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you to those 3 or 4 folks who tuned into this live video! It was an experiment, and while I could edit it before I post it, I’m not going to. You know why? I have zero s***s and zero f&cks about perfection. This was raw, real, off the cuff and that’s the vibe of this new season. No fluff, no pretend toxic positivity, it’s too late for that. Rural Canadians have to organize, unite, be inspired and connect with one another not just online but in REAL spaces like the grocery store and the dentist, but authentically. When you ask how someone is, you actually wait and listen for the answer and give a genuine reaction. Or when asked how things are, you have the courage to say if you need help or things aren’t ‘perfect’. Hence the rawness of the video. This is the vibe of season four. REAL. Thanks for your patience as I took the time to heal and grow (still in progress by the way) but basically just to exhale, and get ready for the next chapter, ‘cause from all reports, we’re in for a rough ride! See you real soon, before the end of October! Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

I was fortunate enough to have a tour of the Fusion Youth Centre in Ingersoll, Ontario last month. Craig Boddy has been with the organization for over a decade and seen many transitions. The building is a former school, purchased by the municipality, when youth crime was a burgeoning issue. The centre was established in 2006 to provide a safe space for kids after school. It offers a wide range of programs and facilities, including a gymnasium, lounge, kitchen, recording studio, and tech centre. The centre has seen changes in its age group, membership fees, and programming to adapt to the evolving needs of youth. Craig shares success stories of youth who have benefited from the centre and emphasizes the importance of community support and partnerships. He also discusses the challenges of keeping up with youth trends and the positive impact of the centre in preventing youth from engaging in negative behaviors. Takeaways * The Fusion Youth Center in Ingersoll, Ontario, provides a safe space for kids after school and offers a wide range of programs and facilities. * The center has evolved over the years, including changes in its age group, membership fees, and programming to meet the changing needs of youth. * Community support and partnerships have played a crucial role in the success of the center, with organizations like United Way Oxford providing funding. * The center has had a positive impact in preventing youth from engaging in negative behaviors and has seen success stories of youth who have benefited from its programs. * Challenges include keeping up with youth trends, such as technology and cyberbullying, and the limitations of being part of a municipality in terms of funding and decision-making. During our conversation, Craig mentions a study and paper that was authored and produced through the University of Guelph. The two authors were Heather Cross and Al C. Lauzon. You can find it online here: Fostering Rural Youth Wellbeing through Afterschool Programs: The Case of Fusion Youth and Technology Centre, Ingersoll, Ontario (2015) Fusion Facebook page Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Summary I met Helen Tremethick, a rurally-based Regenerative Business Designer and Holistic Business Coach, through her workshop for the Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce and it was her workshop's title, "Sustainability is B******t" that caught my and so many others' interest. In this episode, Helen discusses her approach to disrupting business coaching and the importance of redefining success. She emphasizes the need to consider how our businesses are running for us and the impact they have on our ecosystem. Helen also highlights the challenges and benefits of being a rural resident and business owner. She shares her insights on somatic therapy and its role in decision-making and self-care. Helen concludes with advice for entrepreneurs, encouraging them to connect with their bodies, define their own version of success, and focus on their own journey rather than comparing themselves to others. How to connect with Helen: Website: helentremethick.com Motorcycle Club: helentremethick.com/club IG: instagram.com/helentremethick Free Gift: bit.ly/beyondsustainable Book A Chat: tidycal.com/helentremethick/cuppa Takeaways * Consider how your business is running for you and the impact it has on your ecosystem. * Connect with your body to make better decisions and prioritize self-care. * Redefine success based on your own values and priorities. * Focus on your own journey and avoid comparing yourself to others. Sound Bites * "How is our business having an impact? And ideally, what we want to do is create an impact that is net positive, has a net gain for everyone involved." * "We need to factor in future care, present care, and the fact that your mortgage broker doesn't take fresh baked bread." * "If you have a community where you can exchange time or energy or attention, then great, then you don't need to have money as part of that equation." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and the Concept of Regenerative Business 02:59 Redefining Success: Beyond Traditional Measures 06:24 The Impact of Our Businesses on the Ecosystem 09:22 Somatic Therapy: A Tool for Better Decision-Making 25:36 Finding Joy in the Outdoors and Parenting 27:25 The Love and Badassery Motorcycle Club 32:34 Advice for Entrepreneurs: Redefine Success and Focus on Your Journey Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

April Lindgren, a former journalist and current professor, discusses the state of local journalism in Canada and the challenges it faces. She shares insights from her research on the decline of local news outlets and the emergence of new models. Lindgren emphasizes the importance of local journalism in building communities, holding power accountable, and combating misinformation. She explores the role of digital mapping in understanding the landscape of local media and highlights the need for multiple revenue streams to sustain local news organizations. Lindgren also discusses the potential role of philanthropy in supporting local journalism and the importance of collaboration among newsrooms. Takeaways Local journalism plays a crucial role in building communities, holding power accountable, and combating misinformation. The decline of local news outlets in Canada has led to a lack of verified, timely, and independent local journalism. Digital mapping can provide insights into the state of local media and track the opening and closing of news outlets. Sustaining local news organizations requires multiple revenue streams, including advertising, membership models, philanthropic support, and events. Collaboration among newsrooms can lead to more impactful journalism and a diversity of voices in local communities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:14 The Decline of Local News Outlets 05:51 Understanding the Local Media Landscape 09:01 Sustaining Local News Organizations 14:05 The Role of Philanthropy in Supporting Local Journalism 28:59 The Future of Journalism 32:55 Conclusion Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Andrew Button - MashUp Lab I first met Andrew Button from MashUp Lab over the phone. He was inquiring about the national conference the organization I was working with, Community Futures Ontario, was hosting and how he could become a speaker. That was in the throes of the pandemic. Andrew and I caught up again recently to chat about how he’s supporting entrepreneurs in rural Canada (and the US), what is missing for many rural communities and some of the opportunities they have at the start of a New Year. After a 15-year career working in rural communities with various innovation, businesses, and economic development organizations, Andrew founded Mashup Lab in 2014. Mashup Vision: A world where EVERY person in a rural place has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Identifying a gap in resources and a need for support in his community, Andrew has since launched a community of 3 co-working spaces for freelancers, entrepreneurs and independents in the south shore under the brand WorkEvolved. Andrew is from a small rural community in Newfoundland and married a girl from a small rural community in Nova Scotia that they now call home with their two boys Summary Andrew Button from Mashup Lab discusses the challenges faced by rural and remote communities in Canada and the US. He highlights the importance of addressing equity and systemic barriers and shares his personal growth journey in understanding and addressing these issues. Andrew also talks about the role of co-working spaces in rural communities and the potential of social innovation and social business models. He emphasizes the need for open-mindedness, collaboration, and taking small steps to create positive change in rural communities. The conversation explores the importance of taking the first step and the potential for surprising ourselves with what we can achieve. Takeaways Addressing equity and systemic barriers is crucial for supporting entrepreneurship in rural and remote communities.Personal growth and learning are essential for understanding and addressing these challenges.Co-working spaces can play a significant role in fostering entrepreneurship and collaboration in rural communities.Social innovation and social business models offer opportunities for solving social challenges in a sustainable and profitable way.Open-mindedness, collaboration, and taking small steps can lead to positive change in rural communities. Success stories often start with one person taking the first step.Opportunities arise when we take action without expectations.We can achieve more than we think in a short period of time. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mashup Lab 03:01 Challenges Faced by Rural and Remote Communities 06:33 Equity and Systemic Barriers 10:53 Personal Growth and Learning 13:41 Healing Communities through Personal Growth 16:25 Barriers and Opportunities in Rural Communities 20:21 Co-Working Spaces in Rural Communities 27:22 Understanding Social Innovation and Social Business Models 33:17 Bartering and Mutual Aid in Entrepreneurship 40:18 Progress in Rural and Remote Communities 44:25 Goals for 2024 46:06 Finding Opportunities in Your Community 48:28 Taking the First Step 49:03 Surprising Ourselves Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Elder Cindy Crowe - Sacred Circles This is the third time I have had the pleasure of speaking with Elder Cindy Crowe for a podcast episode, however, I speak with her often as she is my mentor, a dear friend and my chosen family. Cindy is an Anishinaabe Grandmother Elder, a Knowledge Keeper, a Lodgekeeper, a Pipe Carrier and a Drum Keeper. Cindy is from Opwaaganisiniing close to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. She is called to connect Indigenous & non-Indigenous folks, as well as support the relationship between Spirit & our human experience. Through her Anishnaabe lens, Cindy holds space for belonging & interconnectedness through vulnerable storytelling & unconditional acceptance. I have had the benefit of participating in one of Cindy’s Sacred Circles for almost a year. It is a weekly date I rarely miss. And it has literally healed me and changed my life. Cindy is now hosting virtual circles twice a week and we talked about what circles are, what makes them sacred, who can host them and how they can heal communities. Summary In this conversation, Cindy Crowe, an Identity and Purpose Coach, discusses the concept of sacred circles and their significance in creating a sense of belonging and connection. She explains that sacred circles provide a space where individuals can feel loved, accepted, and free from judgment. Cindy emphasizes that anyone can host a sacred circle as long as they approach it with an open heart and the belief that everyone is equal. She also explores the roles of knowledge keepers and lodge keepers in facilitating circles and highlights the importance of inclusivity in community healing. Cindy encourages individuals to focus on self-healing and love, as well as to foster a sense of unity and collaboration within their communities. Takeaways Sacred circles provide a space where individuals can feel loved, accepted, and free from judgment.Anyone can host a sacred circle as long as they approach it with an open heart and the belief that everyone is equal.Knowledge keepers and lodge keepers play important roles in facilitating circles and passing down wisdom.Inclusivity is crucial in community healing, and circles should be open to people of all backgrounds.Focusing on self-healing, love, and fostering unity within communities can lead to positive change and a brighter future. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

The Coxes: Rural Ontario in Colour This episode, I again handed the microphone to folks who share a lens I do not have. This is an intergenerational conversation, from a mom and son, whose experience and perspective is, as people of colour, who once lived in urban settings and now have moved to the country. Mojdeh and her son Darius talk about safety, access to cultural food, infrastructure, climate and agriculture among a number of other topics. The two have recently gone into business together with their consulting agency, Cox & Co, a full scale values-driven firm providing strategic advisory services, training and skills building, and specializing in ethical governance and deep anti-oppression. Mojdeh Cox is an award-winning consultant, convener and facilitator who is nationally recognized for her expertise in anti-oppression and human rights.  For over a decade, Mojdeh has coached organizational and community leaders, businesses and not-for-profit organizations across all sectors on re-imagining their work through a heightened equity lens rooted in social justice, from organizing and convening the largest equity-based lobby on Parliament Hill on Indigenous rights and justice for the Canadian Labour Congress, to facilitating consultations leading to the co-creation of the Community Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (CDIS) for the City of London.  Most recently, Mojdeh’s thought leadership on Radical Accountability has been nationally recognized in her tenure as President and CEO of Pillar Nonprofit Network.  Mojdeh currently lives in the county with her partner, their four children (including Darius) and their not-so-mini Mini Goldendoodle, Leo. Darius Cox was born and mostly raised in London and is currently a King’s University College, Western University student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Sociology.  With a passion for learning and leadership, Darius has been a leading delegate in the North Meets South Exchange where youth create a policy framework to draw attention to issues facing Indigenous peoples in Northern Ontario after learning first-hand of the culture and experiences.  Darius has also been a delegate at the Smart Start Youth Summit centred around developing leadership and ethics competencies to work on building your future.  During highschool he had a leading role in a program called “MANUP”, addressing toxic masculinity and emphasizing respect towards others, especially women. He also sits on the board for the Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario as the youth chair. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Organizing and Activism in Rural Canada As a response to injustices that happen around the globe, protests and demonstrations have always been a way for people to express their views in a public way. We’ve all seen big protests and demonstrations depicted on television news and increasingly on social media. But many of those displays of solidarity happen in big cities. I believe that there are progressive folks, looking to get involved in social movements in smaller rural and remote communities across Canada too but many don’t know where to start. David Alton is a queer organizer and community facilitator. They co-founded GroundUp Waterloo Region (GroundUPWR) in 2020 to help fill gaps and build bridges in the grassroots world of Waterloo Region. What started as a twitter account has now grown into a network of 100 local organizers.  David is an urban planner and community facilitator, who is passionate about humanizing public discourse, overcoming stakeholder conflicts and advancing societal values. Roy Mitchell grew up in Northern Ontario and escaped to be gay, make films and videos and…  trouble in Toronto.  He is now back in Northern Ontario where he is a community organizer and runs the Hybla Artist Residency. After 10 years, he still can’t believe he is living rurally and loving it! I met Roy through our mutual involvement in the Drag Storytime Guardians and that group’s counter protests at drag storytimes in rural Ontario this summer, but Roy has become a great friend and mentor to me and I am grateful to have benefited from his wisdom. Both he and David share insights into what folks across rural Canada can do to form their own grassroots movements and organizations. Special mention to the Blueprints of Disruption podcast with Jessa McLean, as that’s where I heard about David and GroundUp. It was a suggestion from Roy! You can reach David and the folks at GroundUpWR at [email protected] You can reach Roy Mitchell at [email protected].  **Roy mentions a video that illustrates the creation of a movement. You can watch that here.*** Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Racism: Rural vs Urban - A Gen Z Perspective Racial inequities exist in Canada, and particularly in rural, remote and northern Canada. I have heard the stories. Just one example is a Black woman entrepreneur in rural Alberta, who told me of the racism she experienced at her local Chamber of Commerce. She’s the reason I enlisted the help of post secondary students (from the Venture for Canada Intrapreneurship program) from racialized and marginalized communities to create the report: How Inclusive are Canada’s Chambers of Commerce? A Report Card and the Words 2 Action: DEI Mobilization Map that followed. As a white settler, am I the right person to facilitate a conversation about race? I again enlisted the help of students from the Venture for Canada program. This time, I asked the students to help me rethink the podcast. What more could I be doing to bring attention to contentious and uncomfortable topics in rural Canada, like racism? Yvonne Wang and Uttej Mannava, both Western University students, took on the challenge of planning a podcast episode about racism from a rural vs urban perspective. Yvonne’s studies are currently around health and Uttej is studying data science. They hosted Kirsten Schmidt from the rural perspective. Kirsten is a research assistant with the Rural Development Network and a student at the University of Alberta. She grew up in rural Alberta. From the urban perspective, Cedric Richards, a local travel influencer from London, Ontario added his lens to the conversation.(You can follow his awesome newsletter/blog here!) I listened ‘backstage’ and it was really evident to me, because Yvonne, Uttej and Cedric are all people of colour,  there was so much more context, richness and fullness to the conversation. I am so grateful to all of them for taking this on. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

This Rural Canadian History Moment was created by Christian Doran as part of the University of Guelph Diarist course project in 2023. The course was taught by Catharine A. Wilson, PhD, F.R.S.C. / Redelmeier Professor in Rural History / Department of History / College of Arts at the University of Guelph. From the Diary of Thomas Alexander Loghrin (1878-1936), Downie Township, Perth County. Courtesy of his descendants. You can also access the full diary on the University of Guelph Rural Diary Archive. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Dispelling Period Stigma with Free Periods Canada - Zeba Kahn and Niki Oveisi As our rural Canadian communities grapple with conflicting views about gender identity and the right to live freely as authentic people and simply exist, if we take a step back, often conversations around periods and menstruation along gender lines (and generations) can be strained and awkward at best. Why is this? Why does the very mention of the word period make people uncomfortable? Including those of us who menstruate? Why has the onus fallen on typically woman-identifying members of families to educate, and often gate keep, those conversations? And if we can’t even have the conversation, how can we ensure rural menstruators get the products they need?  When I was in Whitehorse, Yukon recently, attending the Equal Futures Conference, I met two incredible women doing work around menstrual and healthcare equity. ​​Zeba Khan founded Free Periods Canada in 2016, a grassroots non-profit based in Western Canada. But the organization started out as a university club. Zeba grew up in Bangladesh and relocated to Canada in 2015 as an international student. She is a staunch believer in equal access to healthcare for all and she advocates for free access to menstruation care supplies.  Her dedication to advocating for menstrual and healthcare equity has earned her the 2021 BC Community Achievement Award, 2019 Diana Award, as well as the International Community Achievement Award by University of British Columbia four times in a row. Niki Oveisi is the Associate Director of Free Periods Canada Foundation, and has worked tirelessly to promote menstrual equity and address period poverty in the country. Niki’s participation in the menstrual equity movement gave her the power to celebrate menstruation, and disrupt barriers surrounding cultural stigma and menstruation in her community.  She is also a Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia using both qualitative and quantitative data to explore the impact of cancer treatments on the psychosocial, sexual, and reproductive outcomes of adolescent and young adult cancer patients. I spoke to these two women about their work. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

This Rural Canadian History Moment was created by Emma Rutledge as part of the University of Guelph Diarist course project in 2023. The course was taught by Catharine A. Wilson, PhD, F.R.S.C. / Redelmeier Professor in Rural History / Department of History / College of Arts at the University of Guelph. Many rural women, and the work they did, was often overlooked, many even eliminated from being counted as a person, in the Canadian Census. Diary of Jemima Ripley (1850-1919), South Crosby Township, Leeds & Grenville County. Rideau Lakes History Center Archive. You can also find the full diary at the University of Guelph Rural Diary Archive. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Lisa Gallant-McRobb - Leading Indigenous Healing Through Trauma and Triumph June is traditionally Pride Month but June is also Indigenous History month. It’s an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial. While in Whitehorse last month, I had the opportunity to speak with folks doing amazing work in rural and remote Canada. One of those incredible people was Lisa Gallant-McRobb. And she told me her story. Lisa is a Cree/Metis woman who has found her home on the traditional territory of The Kwanlin Dunn First Nation and The Ta'an Kwach'an Council.  A proud mother of 3 Tlingit children, Lisa has broken through the generational traumas that have plagued her family and she has bravely blazed her own path.  Coming from a life of addiction, abuse, neglect and violence, Lisa has risen up to become a voice for change, an advocate for our most vulnerable, and a powerful force pushing back against the systems that were designed to keep her down.  Working with victims of abuse and sexual violence, cooking with her catering company, the many many  hours of volunteer work and contributing to the various boards and committees she sits on, Lisa has become a powerful force determined to give back to the community she loves, to change her world around her and to set an example for her children and her childrens children to follow. CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNING: A content trigger warning that Lisa speaks about her experience with domestic violence, addiction, alcoholism, homelessness and generational trauma. This may trigger some of you, you may want to take breaks or you may not want to listen at all. Please take care. National Indian Residential School Crisis Line for former Residential School Students: 1-866-925-4419 Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe

Sista Patricia and the Drag Storytime Guardians Earlier this month, a Drag Storytime was scheduled in the rural town of Parkhill, Ontario. Protestors were expected but what wasn’t expected was a group of woman-identifying motorbike enthusiasts, some of which belonged to the group, Wind Sisters. One of those women was 70 year old Patricia Ginn, or Sista Patricia as she likes to be called. Sista Patricia and her friends showed up to support the folks trying to enter the Parkhill library with their children. OPP officers were there too. Things got loud. Nasty and derogatory things were said and a bullhorn was activated to intimidate. But the group locked arms and later escorted families inside. Since then, Drag Storytime scheduled in another town in the same county, was canceled, for a number of reasons but police could not guarantee the safety of the patrons so the event was put on hold. Sista Patricia is passionate about supporting members of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community and she has a very special personal story about why she says, the time is NOW for allies to show up. Her group is now called Drag Storytime Guardians. *I want to add that during our conversation, I said I have been an ally for a long time. That is true, but I wasn’t always as aware, in fact, I was ignorant. My allyship has grown over the years. ALL of us have things to learn, including me. You can connect with Sista Patricia at the email: [email protected]. She's expecting you. Get full access to clearing a new path at clearinganewpath.substack.com/subscribe