Speaker and Presenter Bios

The following are biographies for the different speakers and presenters at this year's Solidarity Summit (in order of appearance):

Robin Gottfriedson | Opening Plenary - Indigenous Welcome (Sunday, June 6 | 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.): Weyt-kp xwexwéytep, Robin Gottfriedson ren skwekwst, te Tk’emlúps re st’7é7kwen. Robin is the second youngest child of twelve from Gus and Mildred Gottfriedson. She was born and raised in Kamloops. As a former Residential School student, she did not have the choices available today or the opportunity to learn her language. She is happy to be here today and joined by Lacey and Emma. It makes her feel good to have the chance to reconnect with her culture. Bearing witness to the revitalization of their language and culture gives her hope for the future.
Kimmortal | World Cafe: What is Grassroots Leadership? (Sunday, June 6 | 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.): Navigating between singing and rapping over layered hip-hop beats,queer filipinx Kimmortal’s artistry is defined by its subversive energy and grounded vulnerability. Their third album Shoebox (2023) chronicles their journey through healing intergenerational trauma, celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and embracing their inner child.Kimmortal’s music has extended beyond the studio, with notable sync placements, including “This Dyke” in The L Word: Generation Q and “On My Way” in Apex Legends Season 19. Their original song for Sort Of (currently streaming on HBO and CBC) won Best Original Song at the Canadian Screen Awards, and their music video for “Blue and Orange” was awarded Best Music Video at the Disorient Asian American Film Festival. Known for their powerful stage presence and multi-dimensional approach to music, Kimmortal has performed in SXSW, Junofest, Rifflandia, NXNE, Winnipeg Pride Festival, Taking Black Pride (Seattle), and Reeperbahn (Germany).
Emma Gottfriedson | Secwépemc Stories / Secwépemc Nature Walks (June 9-12 | 7:45 - 8:45 a.m.): Weytkp xwexwéytp, Emma Gottfriedson ren skwekwst te Tk̓emlúps re st̓7é7kwen. Emma has been on her language learning journey for four and a half years now. She has had many mentors and worked closely with the late Daniel Calhoun and his lovely wife Leona Calhoun. Like many of her generation, she did not grow up speaking her language. She started learning her language as an adult in earnest. She obtained her diploma in Indigenous language proficiency through an SFU immersion course. Through this program she connected with fluent speakers and developed her speaking, reading, and writing skills in Secwepemctsín. She is currently working on her Masters in Linguistics and Indigenous languages at Simon Fraser University. Kukwstsétselp.
Lacey Gottfriedson | Secwépemc Stories / Secwépemc Nature Walks (June 9-12 | 7:45 - 8:45 a.m.): Weyt-kp xwexwéytep, Lacey Gottfriedson ren skwekwst, te Tk̓emlúps re st̓7é7kwen. Lacey Gottfriedson is from Tk̓emlúps. The importance of learning Secwepemctsín has resonated with her in her adult years. Like many of her peers, she did not have the chance to speak her language at a young age. She’s prioritizing establishing herself in the language to pass the knowledge to her children with the hopes of revitalizating the language for their future. She has dedicated herself to learning the language for almost two years and have had many mentors. She obtained her certificate in Indigenous language proficiency through an Simon Fraser University immersion course. She is currently enrolled in the diploma program to connect with fluent speakers and develop her speaking, reading, and writing skills in Secwepemctsín. Kukwstsétselp.
Nicole Russell | Plenary: Organizing for Collective Power (June 9 | 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.): With 25 years in health care, Nicole Russell is a community health care worker and a passionate advocate and dedicated union representative. For over 13 years, She has served as a Shop Steward, and currently holds key roles with HEU Local 69, including lead shop steward, vice chair, and occupational health and safety representative under the Community Bargaining Association and Vancouver Island Health Authority. Nicole was a delegate in the 2022–2025 collective agreement negotiations and continues to represent HEU members at the bargaining table. Her deep health care background fuels her unwavering commitment to both her fellow workers and the well-being of the communities they serve.
Joane Stafstrom | Plenary: Organizing for Collective Power (June 9 | 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.): Joane Safstrom works as an LPN nurse team leader. She got involved in the union when she first started to organize her workplace, the Creekstone Care Centre. Joane is a skilled organizer who brought 180 of 190 workers together to join HEU and have better working conditions and protections at work. She is a dedicated HEU member, served on the Bargaining Committee to negotiate a fair collective agreement, supporting her fellow HEU members as a chairperson and JOSH committee at the Creekstone United local, and is a member of the HEU Ethnic Diversity Equity Standing Committee.
Ivan Clarke | Plenary: Organizing for Collective Power (June 9 | 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.): Ivan Clarke became an HEU member in 2019 and has proudly served his local as a member of the executive and a dedicated shop steward. In these roles, he has been a consistent voice for health care workers, championing fair working conditions, equitable labour relations, and the protection of both health care services and the vital jobs they provide. With over 20 years of experience in labour and union activism, Ivan has remained a steadfast advocate for working people and the shared values that unite them. He believes deeply that a strong public health system is the foundation of thriving communities, and that leadership, accountability, and transparency are essential to delivering the highest quality of service to all. His commitment to these principles continues to make a meaningful impact on workers and the communities they serve.
Maria Batocabe | Plenary: Organizing for Collective Power (June 9 | 3:15 - 4:30 p.m.): Maria Batocabe is a community support worker with the CSWU local of South Island Vancouver Region. She has served as shop steward from 2015, OHS representative, and Labour Management Committee. She has also been a member of Resolutions Committee for the 34th Biennial Convention. She is currently a lead shop steward and chairperson of CSWU local.