Connecting Your Community

Lee Mein - Canadian Martial Arts Centre (Video)

Lee Mein is the Owner and Head Instructor at Canadian Martial Arts Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada.
Lee has been teaching Martial Arts for 25 years and offers classes for ages 4 and up in Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiujitsu and Mixed Martial Arts.
Accomplishments:Black Belt Kenpo KarateBlack Belt Bas Rutten MMA System2nd degree Black Belt Brazilian Jiujitsu
Lee still competes in Professional Boxing, Professional Kickboxing, Professional MMA and Brazilian JiuJitsu tournaments.
Lee is currently the oldest active fighter (53), to win a fight in Mixed Martial Arts.
Lee has trained 3 fighters from Lethbridge to the UFC.Jason Day (retired), Jesse Bongfeldt and Jordan Mein (active Bellator/UFC fighter)
Lee is a level 2 certified Arrest and Control Tactics Instructor with Harris International (San Diego, California)

Kristine Cassie - CEO Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (Audio)

Kristine Cassie has worked in the human services sector for more than 35 years with substantial experience and advocacy efforts in the areas of youth empowerment, domestic and sexual violence and housing.
Skilled at the development of programs, policy development, risk management and advocacy, Kristine has been instrumental in a number of community networks. Kristine is currently the CEO for the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre; Vice Chair for the Board of Governors at Lethbridge College; Board Trustee with Palliser School Division; and, sits on the  Sport Task Force on Gender Based Violence/Teen Dating Violence with the Coaching Association of Canada.
Kristine has her Masters in Leadership/Management, maintains status as a Registered Social Worker in the Province of Alberta and is a certified community traumatologist.
Kristine and Dennis, her husband of 35 years, reside in the Town of Coalhurst where they raised their son, Gabriel, who is currently working on his masters in political science through York.

Kristine Cassie - CEO Chinook Sexual Assault Centre (Video)

Kristine Cassie has worked in the human services sector for more than 35 years with substantial experience and advocacy efforts in the areas of youth empowerment, domestic and sexual violence and housing.
Skilled at the development of programs, policy development, risk management and advocacy, Kristine has been instrumental in a number of community networks. Kristine is currently the CEO for the Chinook Sexual Assault Centre; Vice Chair for the Board of Governors at Lethbridge College; Board Trustee with Palliser School Division; and, sits on the  Sport Task Force on Gender Based Violence/Teen Dating Violence with the Coaching Association of Canada.
Kristine has her Masters in Leadership/Management, maintains status as a Registered Social Worker in the Province of Alberta and is a certified community traumatologist.
Kristine and Dennis, her husband of 35 years, reside in the Town of Coalhurst where they raised their son, Gabriel, who is currently working on his masters in political science through York.

Vin White Buffalo (Audio)

Vin White Buffalo joins our podcast to share his experience, strength and hope. Vin has overcame great hardships. Vin and his twin brother were separated from their biological family during the 60's scoop, wherein he was placed in a non-indigenous foster home. Life had already been tough, but it became even tougher for him and his brother. At the young age, he and many of his friends became survivors of one of life's hardest trauma's, sexual assault by a family friend. We commend the courage it takes for anyone survivor to come forward and share his strength through this.
 
Fast forward a couple years Vin found himself living in a world of darkness and with little hope consumed by poly-substance use. Through assessments he had been diagnosed with FASD and despite all of these hardships, he has overcame these grave situations to share with listeners that despite what anyone has gone through, there is hope. 
 
Vin is a testimony that recovery is possible. That despite any diagnosis, you can still live life to the fullest. Vin has accomplished post-secondary education and currently works and serves those on the streets that are confined by the same darkness he found himself in. 
 
May Vin's story be a light to anyone struggling. We trust everyone who watches this finds hope, knows that despite how hard life is, there is support for you, and a community that will stand with you through this transition. 

Vin White Buffalo (Video)

Vin White Buffalo joins our podcast to share his experience, strength and hope. Vin has overcame great hardships. Vin and his twin brother were separated from their biological family during the 60's scoop, wherein he was placed in a non-indigenous foster home. Life had already been tough, but it became even tougher for him and his brother. At the young age, he and many of his friends became survivors of one of life's hardest trauma's, sexual assault by a family friend. We commend the courage it takes for anyone survivor to come forward and share his strength through this.
 
Fast forward a couple years Vin found himself living in a world of darkness and with little hope consumed by poly-substance use. Through assessments he had been diagnosed with FASD and despite all of these hardships, he has overcame these grave situations to share with listeners that despite what anyone has gone through, there is hope. 
 
Vin is a testimony that recovery is possible. That despite any diagnosis, you can still live life to the fullest. Vin has accomplished post-secondary education and currently works and serves those on the streets that are confined by the same darkness he found himself in. 
 
May Vin's story be a light to anyone struggling. We trust everyone who watches this finds hope, knows that despite how hard life is, there is support for you, and a community that will stand with you through this transition. 

Lyra - Lethbridge Needle Crisis Facebook Group (Audio)

Lyra comes onto Connecting your Community with an immense passion and desire to end the risk Children and residents in Lethbridge face due to needle debris in the City of Lethbridge. Lyra and her ally's have gathered folks outside Letbridge City Hall begging needles stay at the SCS to reduce the chance of the general public being victim to disregarded needles. Lyra has attempted to make suggestions, unite with leadership and organizations in Lethbridge yet like many residents, has gone without being heard to create a safer community in Lethbridge.
 
Lyra has been publicly shamed by municipal leadership for suggesting needles stay at the Supervised Consumption Site while also accused of creating the problem, verse being heard. Lya has also been part of various coordination of rally's bringing local citizens in the community together to stand against the epidemic and risks residents have been put in as a result of needles leaving the SCS. 
 
The question we ask our viewers is do consumption sites really reduce harm to the general population within the community? Or, has it increased crime, needle debris and the deterioration of others while encouraging and supporting illegal drug use in the city?

Lyra - Lethbridge Needle Crisis Facebook Group (Video)

Lyra comes onto Connecting your Community with an immense passion and desire to end the risk Children and residents in Lethbridge face due to needle debris in the City of Lethbridge. Lyra and her ally's have gathered folks outside Letbridge City Hall begging needles stay at the SCS to reduce the chance of the general public being victim to disregarded needles. Lyra has attempted to make suggestions, unite with leadership and organizations in Lethbridge yet like many residents, has gone without being heard to create a safer community in Lethbridge.
 
Lyra has been publicly shamed by municipal leadership for suggesting needles stay at the Supervised Consumption Site while also accused of creating the problem, verse being heard. Lya has also been part of various coordination of rally's bringing local citizens in the community together to stand against the epidemic and risks residents have been put in as a result of needles leaving the SCS. 
 
The question we ask our viewers is do consumption sites really reduce harm to the general population within the community? Or, has it increased crime, needle debris and the deterioration of others while encouraging and supporting illegal drug use in the city?

Sergeant Jim Bennett - Blood Tribe Police Officer & Indigenous Ally (Audio)

Jim Bennett is a proud father and devoted husband. He has demonstrated what true community collaboration can do to assist individuals and family’s in need.
Sgt. Bennett was the recipient of the Police of the Year award (2014) along with being the recipient of an opportunity from the Govern General.
Sgt. Bennett is an Indigenous Ally who received a Traditional Blackfoot name while being adopted by many Blackfoot family’s throughout the Treaty 7 community. He has been part of many sacred ceremonies within the Indigenous community. He also was given the right to transfer tipi's and head dresses - an honour few non-Indigenous people will ever be part of. However, Sgt. Bennett continues to promote and raise awareness on the importance of non-Indigenous people to learn to understand.
Bennett continues to build up communities throughout SW Alberta by encouraging everyone to join together. He has also taken steps to apply for grants for all year housing, he continues to feed those who may be without, while also encouraging children and youth to have the opportunity to build relationship with police.
We thank Sgt. Bennett for coming onto our podcast to speak about how positive policing can make a huge difference throughout communities.