March 6th, 2023 – Dancing Through: An Indigenous Woman’s Journey through Cancer

Join us for a special screening of this documentary following Madelaine McCallum’s journey as an Indigenous woman grappling with a cancer diagnosis, navigating the western medical system, and ultimately using the power of dance to guide her through. Following the film screening, Madelaine and other guests Warren Clarmont from BC Cancer Agency and Dr Unjali Malhotra, First Nations Health Authority will be present to talk about cancer screening, health promotion, and wellness. Opening and Closing with Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Elder Jo-Anne Gottfriedson

The topics we cover can often be sensitive or emotionally triggering. Please make sure that you are looking after yourself. If at any point you feel that you need to talk to a friend, Elder, counselor, or family member: don’t hesitate to do so. Check out our Counseling Support Page.


We would like to reiterate that everyone is welcome to our UBCLC sessions.

Our events aim to embody a safe space for everyone of all different backgrounds to have their opinions and voices equally heard.

Date: Monday, March 6th, 2023 (PST)
Time: 10 a.m. to 11:30 am
Where: Free online via Zoom

Registration: required to participate; information about this session will be posted afterwards, this session will not be recorded as per requested from our guest presenter.

Thank you for your understanding!


About the Presenters:

 

Elder Jo-anne Gottfriedson

Jo-Anne Gottfriedson, Elder and educator from the Scewepmec Nation. Joanne’s journey includes learning and sharing  knowledge of indigenous language, culture and wellness.  She credits her traditional knowledge to her parents and grandparents.
Her professional successes include a Bachelors in General Studies, a Provincial Adult Instructor Certificate and co-facilitator of the Indigenous End of Life Guide program.  Combining both traditional and modern approaches to teaching, Jo-Anne passes along her cultural wisdom and interweaves it with a passion for grief healing.  As a resident Elder for Lumara (previously Camp Kerry Society), Jo-Anne supports bereavement and shares the value of indigenous protocols, practices and ceremonies.

 

Madelaine McCallum is a gifted dancer, motivational speaker, facilitator, and MC — a true, multi-faceted creative. She is from Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan and brings passion with a gentle yet powerful presence to the stage whether she is there to share one of her inspiring Speaks or she has been asked to dance, or MC.

She has a passion for sharing her knowledge of dance and culture and doesn’t shy away from sharing her story of survival, knowing that dance has been an outlet and saviour throughout her life.

Though she is often known immediately for her Métis dance (she’s been jigging since she could walk!), she loves all forms including Pow Wow, contemporary, hip hop, and movement from the soul. She has created traditional and fitness-based dance workshops including Pow Wow Impact, Jig Fit, Pow Wow Zumba, and traditional Pow Wow and Jigging workshops.

Invite Madelaine to take you through a path of perspectives, sharing stories, and changing the way you feel about the past by offering tools towards releasing what no longer serves you and healing your life forward.

Madelaine has been a company dancer with V’ni Dansi for 16 years. She co-directed and stared in a feature documentary “Dancing Through” telling the story of her journey as a breast Cancer survivor which has reached international success with multiple awards one example is  “Best Documentary feature at Rethink Dance festival”. Her film ‘Strong Earth Woman won award for “Best Experimental Film at Festival du Film Étudiant 2021”

 Madelaine trusts that what is meant for her will come to fruition and meet her at the right time. She knows that the Ancestors have a plan and she is grateful for every experience.

   

Warren Clarmont is the Provincial Director of Indigenous Cancer Control at BC Cancer and was born and raised in the Hazelton area, which is located in the northwest central part of BC. He is a member of the Gitanmaax Band of the Gitxsan First Nation through his mother, with French and English roots on his father’s side.

Prior to joining BC Cancer in October 2018, Warren spent 14 years working for the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres leading the Indigenous health policy team. Warren is also a cancer survivor of 13 years, and currently resides in Victoria with his wife and 2 children in the traditional and unceded territories of the Lekwungen peoples, otherwise known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.

 

Dr. Unjali Malhotra, Medical Director​, Women’s Health, is from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. She completed her residency in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she created and completed a women’s health residency program after family residency. Dr. Malhotra is the Founder and former Program Director of the UBC Women’s Health Residency Program (for training family doctors in advanced women’s health skills for delivery in rural and remote communities). She is the outgoing Medical Director of Options for Sexual Health BC (five years) and the outgoing Chair of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada’s Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health (two years). She also previously served on the Board of the Federation for Medical Women. She is an author and speaker for Continuing Medical Education both provincially and nationally, In her various roles, Dr. Malhotra has co-created provincial programs that are focused on advocacy, community support, and education as much as clinical services.
Specializations: Women’s Health, Menopause, HPV, Contraception.

 


Resources

  • Dancing through – Webpage
  • BC Cancer Research – Website
  • BC Cancer’s services – Website
  • Do you have more questions about BC Cancer services? Please feel free to email: Warren Clarmont (warren.clarmont@bccancer.bc.ca) or Ashley Turner (ashley.turner@bccancer.bc.ca)

The topics we cover can often be sensitive or emotionally triggering. Please make sure that you are looking after yourself. If at any point you feel that you need to talk to a friend, Elder, counselor, or family member: don’t hesitate to do so. Check out our Counseling Support Page.

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