We are pleased to announce TEDxUAlberta’s 8th conference, Finding Light in the Darkness.

Throughout the last few years, we have been forced to adapt, evolve, and find some glimmer of light in a completely new type of world. From hard times often comes perseverance in the form of shifting your business to be virtual, teaching yourself how to learn from home, and finding creative ways to spend time with your loved ones from a distance, among so many other changes. Whether focused on the last few years, or instances of perseverance at any time throughout our speakers’ lives, we should all share in the celebration of Finding Light in the Darkness, whatever that may look like to each individual.

Join us as we learn and celebrate the many ways our speakers have found inspiration even in the most trying of times.

Saman Arfaie

“Viral Change: Self-Discoveries During Covid-19”

The impact of COVID-19 has been insurmountably undeniable: to Canada and the world over. To Saman, who is a current McGill medical student and active researcher, COVID-19 was not just a pandemic. It was a life-altering experience. Beginning his medical studies during a worldwide pandemic, he saw many patients with severe respiratory distress. He reflects on the emotional and psychological bonds humans form and how it has been affected by the pandemic. Relying on his experiences, Saman will share important lessons in self-discovery as we get ready to find our 'Light in the Darkness'.

Mariana Feijoo Ugalde

“The Only Way Out is Through”

Mariana is an international student who has suffered major surgeries. One of them happened here in Canada, and she had no family in the country when it occurred. As a result of the surgeries, Mariana deals with post-traumatic stress disorder. In her talk, she will reflect on how reaching out for help and relying on others has made her healing process easier and less intimidating; while also shining a light on the importance of facing challenges and getting through them rather than avoiding them.

Ashley Rinkel

“Surviving the Darkness: A Suicide Survivor’s Story”

As a young girl, Ashley experienced a loss caused by suicide and she will integrate these personal experiences with ideas for educational restructuring, that would better support children who have been touched by similar traumas. As a teacher, Ashley will reflect on the lessons she has learned along the way, how she was able to survive the darkness, and create meaningful discussions about how to improve the education system’s ability to support these children.

Kate Gray

“Sink or Swim: A Mental Health Journey During the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Discussion about mental health has become much more common since the onset of the pandemic, but what does this look like for the individuals currently struggling with theirs? Kate will reflect on and discuss her personal journey with mental health over the course of the pandemic, touching on topics such as receiving, managing, and coming to terms with mental diagnoses, with the hope of connecting with the audience and reminding them that they are not alone in their battles, and though things can seem awfully dark, there’s always a way back to the light.

Shereen Hamza

“Letting in the Light: Finding the Positive as a Means to Overcome Adversity Everyday”

Friends, colleagues and even acquaintances have long asked Dr. Hamza how she manages to be so optimistic. More recently, she has sparked interest because of her positive contributions to education during the pandemic. The truth is that this light is the product of profound darkness. Dr. Hamza reflects upon her early life experiences and how the bitterness, resentment and grief of those events conditioned her to cling to the positives in life in order to overcome adversity, in forms large and small. The strategies which equipped her to cope with unexpected tragedy are ones which we all ultimately possess and can enable us to each be a source of light in the darkness.

Aryan Azmi

“How to Get Yourself Out of a Bad Situation”

As a 17 year old immigrant, Aryan left his home country to start a new journey in Canada. Not knowing much about his new environment and on his own, he had to learn to adapt to a new culture, figure out a new language, and succeed in his education and career. Now an award winning & published public health professional with projects at all levels of government, Aryan will go over lessons he has learned during that challenging period of his life and talks about what he thinks can help you get out of a challenging situation.

Saniya Warwaruk

“Leaning in to Fear”

After trying every treatment imaginable to cure her debilitating insomnia, Saniya found herself sleeping even less than ever before. She was left scared, hopeless and utterly exhausted. It wasn't until she found a new perspective on what perpetuates long term insomnia that she realized the act of solving was the problem. She revisits her year long journey of fear, how she left behind the darkness and reflects on what it means to let in the light.

Jessica Vandenberghe

“Walking in a Good Way”

Being a Sixties Scoop survivor and female Professional Engineer, Jessica lives at the intersection of intergenerational trauma and being a minority demographic in a male dominated industry all within a country that still has a long journey in terms of correcting oppressive systematic racism. But through world travel, conversations with world leaders and spiritually balanced Elders and knowledge keepers, and by connecting with nature, she has learned how to Walk in a Good Way and interweave the Seven Sacred Teachings in her thoughts, actions, and behaviours. Join Jessica to learn how to stay balanced and centred, healthy and to create positive community as a way to finding the light in the darkness.

Jaime Goudreau-Riopel

“It’s Not You vs. Food”

Jaime has struggled due to societal pressures which lead to negative personal experiences with diet culture since she was 10 years old. Jaime’s goal is to bring awareness about developing healthy relationships with food and the domino effect that led to her own growth in confidence, self awareness and overall happiness.

Rovena Caster

“The ADHD Brain: A Model For The Future”"

Getting diagnosed with ADHD last summer has helped Rovena understand her experiences through high school and university. While dealing with the struggles of adapting to university, she learned that the way her brain works doesn't align with the systems in place. In her speech, she will explore how neurodiverse minds can improve education and other aspects of our society. Rovena doesn't see ADHD as something to be treated, but rather as a special gift that fosters creative thinking, a lifestyle and ideas for a better world.

Ghalia Aamer

“A Guide to Perfection from a Daughter of Immigrants”

Ghalia's parents left everything they knew in Pakistan and moved to Canada. Without their sacrifices, her life outcomes could have been very different. Ghalia feels that her parents immigrating to Canada before she was born may be her greatest privilege. 

But that privilege also came with an astounding amount of expectations - those that others put on her and even those that she has for herself. 

This talk explores her ongoing journey of navigating the fact that she can’t live up to all those expectations - no one can. 

Michael Smith

“No Excuses: You Are In Control”

Life is a complex experience that many people feel they have little or no control over. Unpopular opinion: you actually have an extremely uncomfortable level of control and can accomplish a lot more than you think. If your response is: “nothing is ever that simple”, you’re right. So what can you do? Let’s explore a collection of thoughts on the meaningness and on purpose hood.