Member of Parliament Blake Desjarlais and Member of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly Janis Irwin will speak on ‘the life of’ a Queer Legislator. Followed by a Q&A facilitated by Banff local Auora Borin.

Blake Desjarlais (he/him) was born inᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᕀᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Edmonton) and raised in the Fishing Lake Métis Settlement. He made history in September 2021 when he was the first openly Two-Spirit person elected to the House of Commons. Blake is currently Alberta’s only Indigenous Member of Parliament.

Prior to his election, Blake was the National Director of the Métis Settlements General Council. Blake currently serves as the Caucus Vice Chair and Critic for Treasury Board, Diversity and Inclusion, Youth, Sport and Post-Secondary Education. He is proud to call the Boyle Street neighbourhood in Edmonton Griesbach home.

Janis Irwin was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the representative for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood on April 16, 2019. Janis serves as the Official Opposition Deputy Whip and the Critic for Status of Women and 2SLGBTQ+Issues.

Prior to being elected, Janis was a high school teacher and viceprincipal in rural Alberta. Edmonton soon became home when she began working for Alberta Education as the Senior Manager, Social Studies, and then as the Executive Director for High School Curriculum.

Janis holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree in education from the University of Calgary. She has served as a board member and volunteer with many community organizations. Janis loves getting outside, biking, running, and exploring Edmonton’s beautiful river valley.

Hosted by Aurora Borin