Project one
(ALONG ROAD TO PEACE DOCUMENTARY)
A Lon Road to Peace is one of the first project in Canada
We Screened a documentary titled “Long Road to Peace”, which interviewed and explored the stories of various LGBTQ+ refugees that found home in Edmonton, Alberta. It was followed by a panel discussion with several notable faces in the community, such as MP Randy Boissonnault, Lawyer Ruth Williams, Social worker Greg Lopez, Social justice Chair at St.Pauls United Church Heather Razaghi and the founder of Raricanow Adebayo Katiiti and various advocates within the LGBTQ community.
A Walk for Peace and speaking presentation at the Alberta Legislature, which included figures such as MLA David Sheppard, Elder Ed Lavallee, Adebayo Katiiti, a representative from the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers and MLA David Eggen that spoke on issues pertaining to LGBTQ refugees in Edmonton and Canada. The event finished off with a walk around the legislature grounds as a group.
Finally, the weekend of events finished off with an all-ages dance party at The Aviary in Edmonton, which was a relaxed event meaning to engage different people to share in the universal language of body movement and music including poetry.
This project advocated and raised awareness for the issues of LGBTQ+ refugees coming to seek safety and prosperity in Canada. It outlines the complex barriers that LGBTQ+ refugees face when they seek asylum or refugee status in Canada, when they arrive here and when they settle here. They efforts of these events raised necessary funds to help LGBTQ+ refugees seek council, pay for necessities and living expenses, and help cover costs of government fees.
Our goal was to start a nonprofit organization that will provide mentorship, support, and guidance to the LGBTQ refugee population. In the future, we hope to include financial support in the services offered.
And for the film to both educate the general public, and be a step towards improving the policies and practices around LGBTQ Refugees in Canada which I can strongly say that this milestone has been achieved
Supported newcomers lead to a stronger and safer community for all.
The documentary was produced by Lazy kitten production and Adebayo C Katiiti
A panel discussion with several notable faces in the community, such as MP Randy Boissonnault, Lawyer Ruth Williams, Social worker Greg Lopez, Social justice Chair at St.Pauls United Church Heather Razaghi and the founder of Raricanow Adebayo Katiiti a
