About

Mohammed Nijim

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Mohammed is a human rights activist and an advocate for Palestinian rights to self-determination. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Manitoba. He works as a case manager at the Main Street Project, assisting the most vulnerable groups in the city and is preparing to begin his PhD studies. Mohammed joined Gaser as he believes communication is a tool that can bring people together to discuss difficult subjects.

Sam Kroft

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Sam Kroft, born and raised in Winnipeg Manitoba, is a proud member of the Jewish community. Sam graduated from Gray Academy of Jewish Education back in 2015 and, in 2021, graduated with a B.A. from The University of Winnipeg, majoring in Conflict Resolution Studies. Passionate about connecting stories, building relationships and solving conflicts, Sam has worked in related field positions such as; Legal Help Centre Winnipeg Service Rep, Menno Simons College Student Association Co-Secretary & Treasurer, BBYO Advisor, Swimming Instructor and Hockey Coach. To Sam, Gaser is evidence that two “conflicting” narratives can be validated. We are all storytellers and we are all listeners. That is what it takes to have meaningful dialogue.

Zhila Naghibzadeh

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Zhila was born in Kermanshah (close to border of Iraq) in Iran. Throughout her life, she experienced and witnessed the pain, anxiety, trauma, and physical devastation caused by imperialism, dictatorship, and extreme violence resulting from the Iranian revolution and Islamic dictatorship in Iran. Zhila fled Iran 30 years ago and moved to Canada as someone passionate and outspoken on human rights. The conflict between Palestine and Israel resonates with her because she can relate to the anguish and anxiety that people in the region experience. She has decided to be part of Gaser because it aims to promote peace and resolution among people through peaceful dialogue. 

Ademola Adesola

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Ademola is a PhD candidate in the Department of English, Theatre, Film, and Media. Ademola’s teaching and research interests are African literature, child-soldier narratives, war literatures, postcolonial studies, and popular culture. His current research is on representations of child soldiers in African imaginative accounts. Ademola completed his undergraduate and postgraduate education in Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. He contributes to topical national discussions in both print and electronic media. I see in Gaser a veritable platform for the enactment of difficult conversations oriented towards the promotion of unity in diversity, harmony, justice, and peace. I am deeply convinced about the necessity and efficacy of dialogue in conflict resolution.

Izzeddin Hawamda

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Izzeddin was born and raised in a rural village just outside of the city of Nablus in the West Bank, Palestine. He has lived in Canada for over 15 years and currently works as a high school teacher. He is passionate about respecting the agency of locals in the peace-building process and about examining the role of education in the development of conflict transformation strategies. He is currently working toward a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Manitoba. Over the past year, Izzeddin has been engaged in working locally in Winnipeg to open doors to broaden awareness of the conflict in Israel and Palestine through a focus on narrative, dialogue, and Compassionate Listening. Izzeddin has been speaking publicly about the power of dialogue and the importance of sharing, listening, and respecting diverse perspectives and narratives.

Frances Ravinsky

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Frances has worked as a social development facilitator and educator for over two decades in First Nation communities and urban social service organizations.  Community art and first-person storytelling are at the centre of her community engagement practice. As a Jewish woman who was born shortly after World War II, she has always been keenly conscious of the human capacity to bring enormous suffering to the lives of those who we label  ‘the unworthy other’. The Gaser community gives her the  opportunity to confront and explore the realities of the Palestinian occupation  through open-hearted  and nonjudgmental exchange.

Samantha (Sami) Miller

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Samantha Miller is a Canadian and Israeli citizen, born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from U of M, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Landscape Architecture at UBC. Her interests in dialogue sparked in 2020, when she found herself longing to hear a different narrative than the one she had learned all her life. After attending a Jewish school from elementary to high school, she wanted to open her mind to understanding other perspectives to get a well-rounded understanding of the conflict in Israel and Palestine. Samantha has many friends and family members who have lived or currently live in Israel, and have served in the IDF. Because of this, she felt a responsibility to learn and educate herself on the injustices that currently exist and have existed for decades. After joining Bridge, she is excited to hopefully pursue her thesis in how landscape architecture can foster peaceful relations and dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.

Karen Ridd

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Karen is a mediator, teacher and public speaker with over 30 years of experience. Her human rights work with Peace Brigades International was recognized with the 1992 Governor-General's Award: 125th Confederation of Canada Anniversary Medal, the 1990 Canada YM/YWCA Peace Medal and the 1989 Manitoba Human Rights International Achievement Award. Karen excels in alternative pedagogy, and has worked in a wide variety of settings, including Latin America, South East Asia and First Nations Territories. Karen is an Assistant Teaching Professor in Conflict Resolution Studies at Menno Simons College of the University of Winnipeg, where she has worked since 1997. She is also an associate of Training for Change (Philadelphia) and Resolution Services (Winnipeg). In 2013 Karen was honoured with the “Peace Educator of the Year Award” by the International Peace and Justice Studies Association.  Karen loves the outdoors, cycling, her sons – and was a professional clown.

Micaela Crighton 

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Micaela is a co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Youth, Peace and Security (CCYPS) and currently sits on the CCYPS Steering Committee. Micaela is based in Treaty One territory and is Co-Chair of Advocacy for the Institute for International Women's Rights - Manitoba (IIWR) and is completing her term as a Research Advisor for the Canadian Council of Young Feminist, Senator McPhedran’s youth advisory council where they led research on identifying inclusive language for the council to use internally and externally as well as gaps in federal policy for LGBTQ2IA+ youth. Micaela has worked with World Federalist Movement, National Council of Women of Canada, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders and IIWR-MB as a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). She graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a B.A. in Human Rights and Theatre and Film and believes strongly in non-traditional education and discovery through sports, theatre, and outdoor education.

Leah Wilson

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Leah is a passionate human rights practitioner and avid justice activist. In 2019 she graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights (Gold Medal Recipient) and International Development Studies. Currently, Leah works on research regarding financial literacy amongst mid to low-income Winnipeggers. Rooted in principles of peace, equity and decolonization, she actively engages in community organizing and believes in the power of change through policy reform. Leah intends to commence her Master of Arts in Law and Legal Studies this upcoming September at Carleton University. Presently, Leah resides on Treaty 1 land and acknowledges that it is only with the presence of the people on the land before her, that she is here today.

Berrigan Miller Harms

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Berrigan is currently a fourth-year student at the University of Winnipeg studying Conflict Resolution and Human Rights. She has an interest in conflict transformation and human rights both locally and abroad. She is interested in the work that Gaser is doing because she believes that it has the potential to break barriers and establish relationships within the community. Not only does this impact local communities but also has the power to influence organizations and communities abroad doing similar work.