We’re bringing you an exciting line-up of keynotes to share their knowledge and experiences at Cannexus23!
12:00 – 13:00 ET (in-person streamed into virtual platform)
Canada’s Two Spirit, Diversity, Indigenous Health and First Nation Expert
Dr. James Makokis is a Nehiyô (Neh-hee-yo) two-spirit physician from the Onihcikiskapowinihk (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) in Treaty Number Six Territory. He practices Family Medicine in Kinokamasihk (Kih-no-kum-a-sick) Cree Nation in northeastern Alberta and has a transgender health-focused practice in South Edmonton. He was the inaugural Medical Director at Shkaabe Makwa (Shkaa-bay Muh-kwa) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto - the first Indigenous health centre designed to lead systems' transformation in Indigenous mental health across the country. He is also an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta.
In 2019, Dr. Makokis competed alongside his husband Anthony Johnson as "Team Ahkameyimok" (Ah-ka-may-mook) (Never Give Up in the Cree Language) on the Amazing Race Canada and won, becoming the first two-spirit, Indigenous, married couple in the world to do so. In 2020, Dr. Makokis was named one of the 30 most powerful physicians in the country by The Medical Post but believes power is a concept that should be shared amongst others. Dr. Makokis is a regular guest on the Marilyn Denis Show and a commentator in the media. Dr. Makokis is passionate about revitalizing the Nehiyô medical system, educating people about Treaty, and working toward the vision of Turtle Island, which is to live together in peace and friendship.
15:00 – 16:00 ET (virtual platform streamed into Shaw Centre)
Economist and Author
Linda Nazareth is an economist, futurist and expert on the future of work. The author of four books, the most recent of which is Work Is Not a Place: Our Lives and Our Organizations in the Post-Jobs Economy (2018) she is also a regular columnist for The Globe and Mail and CBC Metro Morning and the host of podcast "Work and the Future." As a sought-after keynote speaker, Linda’s audiences have spanned a range of audiences and have included clients such as The Economist Magazine, American Express, E & Y and the Bank of Montreal, all of whom have benefitted from the way that she can take huge ideas and distill them into information that organizations can use for their own strategic planning purposes.
11:30 – 12:30 ET (in-person streamed into virtual platform)
Founder and CEO, Peace by Chocolate
Tareq Hadhad is telling his story. He was a Syrian refugee and now living his new life in Nova Scotia. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2021 for Atlantic, named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in The Maritimes and awarded RBC’s top Immigrant Award and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020. All of this has happened since Tareq’s arrival to Canada in December 2015 as a newcomer.
In 2012 the Hadhad’s factory that housed the family chocolate-making business were destroyed which forced them to seek safety. Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched their business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East.
In January 2020, Tareq received his official Canadian Citizenship which garnered international attention and has become one of the greatest accomplishments of his life.
Tareq has spoken at several events for corporate, government and not for profit organizations both in person and online. He has done over 500 interviews with different news teams across the globe. Tareq speaks on the compelling story of his family, the positive impact of Syrian newcomers and the spirit of entrepreneurship and giving back.
12:00 – 13:00 ET (in-person streamed into virtual platform)
TBA
15:00 – 16:00 ET (virtual platform streamed into Shaw Centre)
TBA
11:30 – 12:30 ET (in-person streamed into virtual platform)
Fondateur et PDG, Peace by Chocolate
Tareq Hadhad raconte son histoire. Il était un réfugié syrien et il vit maintenant sa nouvelle vie en Nouvelle-Écosse. Il est le fondateur et le directeur général de la chocolaterie Peace by Chocolate, lauréat du Grand Prix de l’Entrepreneur d’EY 2021 pour l’Atlantique, il a été nommé l’un des 25 grands immigrants des Maritimes, en plus d’être lauréat des Prix RBC des 25 grands immigrants et du Prix de l’entrepreneuriat RBC 2020.
En 2012, l’usine des Hadhad qui abritait l’entreprise familiale de fabrication de chocolat a été détruite, ce qui les a obligés à se mettre en sécurité. Passionnée de paix et d’entrepreneuriat, sa famille a relancé son entreprise pour recréer les chocolats qu’elle exportait autrefois dans tout le Moyen-Orient.
En janvier 2020, Tareq a reçu sa citoyenneté canadienne officielle, ce qui a suscité l’attention internationale et est devenu l’un des plus grands accomplissements de sa vie.
Tareq a pris la parole lors de la conférence sur les droits de l’homme d’Amnistie Internationale et lors d’événements TEDx, et il a réalisé plus de 500 interviews avec différentes équipes de journalistes à travers le monde. Il parle de l’histoire fascinante de sa famille, de l’impact positif des nouveaux arrivants syriens, d’entrepreneuriat et de générosité.
Un long métrage basé sur l’histoire de Tareq a été présenté en première dans les cinémas Cineplex du Canada en mai.
