Episodes 7 and 8: A Conversation Between Maddy Ross and Jaden McGregor, Luisa Gonzalez, Annie Silva, Lainey Rios, and Valeria Pineda
DETAILS
These episodes are a two-part series featuring conversations between the WhyPAR Podcast’s new co-host, Maddy Ross and five youth researchers: Valeria Pineda, Lainey Rios, Luisa Gonzalez, Jaden McGregor, and Annie Silva.
In Part One, the five youth researchers reflect on their experiences in a school-based YPAR project, Youth Solidarities Across Boundaries (YSAB), a collaboration between the Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC) of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Youth Research Lab to convene Latinx and Indigenous high school students in T’karonto to understand and address the challenges youth face in schools.
In Part Two, the five youth researchers discuss their most recent YPAR project conducted in the summer of 2020 that explored the experiences of Indigenous and Latinx youth living in T’karonto during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Valeria Pineda (she/her)
I am 21 years old and I recently graduated from a Social Service Worker program for Immigrants and Refugees, and I am currently working as a Youth Support Worker at a non-profit organization. I was born in Mexico and migrated to Canada with my family at a young age and have grown up in Toronto ever since. My experience being raised as a Mexican immigrant has definitely influenced my choice to work with marginalized communities. I was able to use my desire to work in social justice, research and community with the YPAR group for Indigenous and Latinx students.
Lainey Rios
My name is Lainey Rios. I am 18 years old and identify as Latinx as my family originates from Mexico. I love to learn, spend time with family, and enjoy being involved in my community or in other programs, like YPAR. I am in my second year of the biological science program at the University of Guelph. I am currently working towards achieving high grades, expanding my knowledge in the science field and completing my undergraduate degree. I enjoy studying the sciences because it relates to everyday life and helps build my understanding of the world we live in. I have been working with YPAR for 3 years now and have really enjoyed my time with the program. Through YPAR I have learned many things through the research projects I've participated in, such as how much I love being part of research.
Luisa Gonzalez
My name is Luisa Karime Gonzalez, I am 19 years old, my pronouns are she/her. I identify with the LatinX community as my parents are both from Guatemala. Currently I am in my second year at Ryerson University obtaining a Bachelor of Social Work. I am very grateful for the opportunities of participating in multiple YPAR projects
Jaden McGregor
Hello Aniin my English name is Jaden Mcgregor and my Spirit name is Wasseyaa giiwe nibin which translates to light of the late summer. I was born in Toronto but my ancestors come from Manitoulin Island which is a few hours north of Toronto in Lake Huron. I’m also from The Island Nation Of Jamaica and therefore identify as Afro-Indigenous. Currently, I study at the University of Waterloo in the Geography and Aviation program which combines pilot training and an environmental studies degree. In my free time, I am primarily a freelance photographer who focuses on portrait landscape and street photography. Working with YPAR has been an amazing opportunity that has strengthened my research skills as well as my curiosity. I want to thank everyone who I have worked with for their passion and their curiosity. Miigwech
Annie Silva
My name is Annie Melisa Silva Borda, I am 19 years old. I identify as a Latinx, born in Colombia and then moved to Canada a couple years later. This past year I finished my first year at the University of Toronto in the Arts and Science Faculty. I enjoyed it very much, I learned a lot of new things and accomplished another goal of mine. I love playing sports, learning and being part of making a change. Having the chance to share our project and talk about it in depth has been an amazing experience and I’m glad we could shine a light on people's different experiences during COVID-19.
This episode was hosted and directed by Madeleine Ross, produced by Rubén Gaztambide-Fernández and Sarah Switzer, and supported by Youth Research Lab Assistant Naima Raza.
REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Luisa Karime Gonzalez, Jaden McGregor, Lida Valeria Pineda Flores, Lainey Rios, Annie Silva, Kaitlind Peters, Rubén Gaztambide-Fernandez, Pedro Morán Bonilla, and Michael Carlson. “Indigenous and Latinx Youth Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic.” in:cite journal 4 (2021): 64–97. https://doi.org/10.33137/incite.4.37162.
Michael Carlson. “Navigating COVID-19: A Story of Resilience. Youtube Video, 7:20. August 10, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r20B86CRm90
