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EVENT DATE Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Human Library 2023 Event Logistics

The Human Library will take place on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023. The joint CB and SWL event will be held at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School for the 5th time, and students from Colonel By and Sir Wil will participate. Students have access to a variety of “human books” throughout the day and will sign up in advance for 30-minute sessions to have discussions with the books of their choice. Tables in the gym are colour-coded by book category. Please see our Photo Gallery for a look at the set-up for the day!

2020 Human Library- Featuring a sample of our Human Books who have already confirmed:  CEO of the Ottawa Hospitals Dr. Jack Kitts, Ottawa Health Harm Reduction Nurse Sarah Archer, Ottawa Veterinarian Victoria Bamberger, Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Al Giachino, Ottawa Hospital Oncologist Dr. Rachel Goodwin, Ottawa Hospital Clinical Pharmacist Ryan Marko, Trauma Psychologist / First Responder in Crisis situations Dr. Phil Ritchie, Indigenous Treatment Program Coordinator / Founder Healing Lodge Jenny Sutherland, Biochemistry Professor & Researcher Dr. Roz Labow, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Dr. Stanley Labow, Members of the Ottawa Police Service Tactical Unit, Aerospace Engineer / Search & Rescue + Cadaver Dog Trainer Kim Cooper, CFL Running Back for the Ottawa Red Blacks Brendan Gillanders, CFL Running Back for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Jackson Bennett, Canadian Women’s Rugby All-Star & Epidemiologist Dria Bennett, Ottawa Gee-Gee’s Women’s Soccer 2019 FISU International Champions Head Coach Steve Johnson, Survivor of multiple surgeries Pablo Coffey, Student Activist for MMIWG Skye Corey, Rapper / Slam Poet / Producer Kamal Hakim a.k.a Canon 2X, Guitarist / Multi-instrumentalist with visual impairment Lucan Haneman, CTV News Anchor / TV personality in Ottawa Leslie Roberts, War Crimes & Crimes Against Humanity legal expert Terry Beitner, Humanitarian Program Officer / OXFAM Simmi Dixit, Humanitarian Coalition Program Coordinator Lisanne Belange, National Security & National Aviation Security legal expert Susheel Gupta, Community Builder & Broadcaster Adrienne Codett, 60s Scoop Survivor / Minwaashin Women’s Lodge counselor Elaine Kicknosway, Indigenous Youth Activist / Youth Knowledge Keeper / Youth Traditional Drummer & Dancer Theland Kicknosway, Vietnam Refugee from the 1970s Boat Crisis Sang Nguyen, Special Parachutist Colonel Krista Brodie, Commercial Pilot Jay Giachino, Restauranteur & Entrepreneur Stephen Beckta, Beechwood Gastro-Pub Restaurant Owner & Chef Harriet Clunie, Mason & Heritage Building Restorator Taylor McDonald, Former Indigenous Education Director / Federal Government Specialist in Native Education / Community Leader & Activist Harvey McCue, Personal Coach for Gym Patrons with disabilities Ryan Armitage, Artist / Entrepreneur / Founder of Art in Jest & Author Brenda Dunn … and much more!  Keep checking to see updates on our website!

 

 


Schedule – Morning

8:00 – 9:00 Arrival of Guests
8:45 – 9:10 Arrival of Students
9:15 Opening Remarks & Performance

Opening Performance:  TBA

  • Short recorded message from Rick Mercer.

9:30 – 10:00 Session 1
10:00 – 10:30 Session 2
10:30 – 10:45 Break (for guests)
10:45 – 11:15 Session 3
11:15 – 12:15 Lunch Provided for all Guests (morning & afternoon)

Schedule – Afternoon

12:15 – 12:30 Performance

TBA

12:30 – 1:00 Session 1
1:00 – 1:30 Session 2
1:30 – 1:45 Break (for guests)
1:45 – 2:15 Session 3
2:15 Brief Closing Remarks and Thank You

To access a PDF printable copy of the Human Library Event Agenda, please click below!

2023 Tentative Agenda Human Library Event

All session times include travel time. There will be an announcement each session urging participants to wrap up and head to their next book.

Browse the Library


Our Welcome Video from Rick Mercer:

Quotes

I will forever treasure the moments with the students. They were engaged, respectful, and had such great questions. It is so important that I begin and keep the dialogue going surrounding residential schools and how to work toward healing and reconciliation as a Nation….I left the event with so much faith in our next generation. It was also an honour to meet so many other books.

– Jenny Sutherland

I appreciate being asked and was happy to share the journey with the students.

– Stuntman Stu

I was “star struck” by how poised you were (Taylor Griffith) and how engaged and inspiring every one of the students were. I would love to return next year.

– Dr. Jack Kitts

What a wonderful event you have put together. I was delighted to be invited to participate.

– Lawrence Greenspon

There’s something for every personality and I hope the students left feeling inspired – I know that I was inspired by them. They were inquisitive and intelligent, respectful and open-minded.

– Rebecca Potter (Risk Reduction Unit)