As NextGen Month draws to a close, we present the conclusion of our series of Q&A sessions with NextGen committee members and city councillors. It’s been a great experience, and we hope you have enjoyed getting to know us as much as we’ve enjoyed seeing you at the events around the city for the past four weeks.

Andrew Knack, City Councillor for Ward 1

@AndrewKnack

How would you describe Edmonton’s next generation?

Edmonton’s Next Generation are engaged and passionate about our city.  They are very creative and completely embrace the entrepreneurial spirit we have in this city to Make Something Edmonton.

How does NextGen contribute to Edmonton’s next generation?

Before NextGen formed in 2006, the 18-40 demographic was seen as a group that did not care about what happened to Edmonton.  Although that was an unfair characterization, NextGen proved to the entire city that our generation wants to do whatever we can to make this a city that attracts and retains young Edmontonians.  Personally, it is inspiring and a bit daunting to be surrounded by so many incredible people in the same age range as I am.  Ultimately, Edmonton’s Next Generation are already leaders that help to shape the future of Edmonton and through NextGen, they will only continue to have their impact felt going forward.

What is your favourite NextGen accomplishment to date?

My role on NextGen is simply to support the incredible work that happens every day from the amazing committee that we have therefore any feeling of pride or accomplishment comes from seeing their hard work come to life.  I have been blown away by the work ethic the NextGen volunteers have as they not only organize and run great events but they also ensure that they provide the rest of the Next Generation with the opportunity to make their voices heard.  With that said, my highlight had to be the Pride Parade.  This was the first time I have ever been able to attend and I could not have asked for a better group of people to spend it with.  The energy that resonated from the NextGen float shows the entire city that the future Edmonton will be one where every person, no matter their background, will be included in everything that goes on.

And finally, what is the best thing about Edmonton in the summer?

This is an easy answer and I’m sure it’s one that every says – our festivals!  I love to eat so I’m particularly fond of Taste of Edmonton and Heritage Festival.  I know some people like to take vacations in the summer but how could someone want to leave our amazing city with so many festivals happening.  There is no way that someone would not love Edmonton after getting to spend a summer here.

Thanks for tuning in, and have a great summer!

We have many thank yous to mention to so many who helped make our NextGen Month events a smashing success!

Thanks to everyone who attended the NextGen kick off event last Wed with the proclamation from Mayor Iveson.

Check out our photos from the event that took place at Latitude 53 and featured breakdancers from United 1ne.

A big thank you to TD for sponsoring our NextGen kick off event and the Mercer Summer Super Party.

Also, special thanks to Famoso for providing free gelato at the Mercer Summer Super Party and those awesome gift cards!

And thank you to Mayor Iveson for proclaiming June as NextGen Month.

In case you missed our events, here are photos taken by David Rauch.

PKN 19

Thank you to our sponsors of Pecha Kucha Night!  And thank you to the Edmonton Pride Festival Society for partnering with us on PKN 19.

A crowd of 400 people attended Pecha Kucha Night 19 (PKN 19) on Thursday, June 5, outside in Churchill Square. Thoughtful, musical, and informative presentations were shared as well as a greeting from Mayor Iveson.

#yegpkn

Mercer Summer Super Party

A big thank you to host partners Mercer Warehouse, Make Something Edmonton, Startup Edmonton, The Culture Collective and TD.

#superparty #nextgenmonth

Pride Parade

Thanks to everyone who walked with us in the Pride Parade last Saturday. We had over 50 people who joined us in the parade!

Thanks to Mediaco, Thomas Culture, Ampersand Grey, Fabulous Balloons, the City of Edmonton and Edmonton’s Pride Festival Society.

#yegpride #nextgenmonth

Many thanks to our volunteers who helped make all these events happen!

Summer is finally here and we are two weeks into NextGen month already! There have been so many great events already, but keep your eyes peeled for more excitement throughout the rest of June. To celebrate our month, we are presenting a series of Q&A sessions with NextGen committee members and city councillors. Take a moment to sit back and get to know a NextGen-er!

Michael Oshry, City Councillor for Ward 5

@michaeloshry

How would you describe Edmonton’s next generation?

Motivated.  Involved.  Engaged.  They want to help build a better community and to contribute more to where they live.

How does NextGen contribute to Edmonton’s next generation?

They are a voice of a new generation of those willing to be involved in our City, politically or otherwise. 

What is your favourite NextGen accomplishment to date?

NextGen has so much to be proud of… I would say Pecha Kucha Night(s) are pretty cool events.  (Do the NextGen-ers still use ‘cool’?)

What do Edmontonians need to know about NextGen month?

 That there are many events scheduled and something for everyone – it’s a great time to come out and get involved!

And finally, what is the best thing about Edmonton in the summer?

 I rarely go away in the summer.  I love our summers, being able to spend more time outdoors with my family and friends.  Edmonton is such a beautiful city, so many great festivals and a great summer season.

Tune in next week for the continuation of our series!

On Friday June 6th, The Mercer Summer Super Party took place just outside of the Mercer Building. Take a a look through our photo gallery to find yourself, or to see what happened if you did not make it!

Check out the entire gallery on our flickr!

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Last night a crowd braved the wind, cold and chance of thunderstorms to attend PKN 19, which was held in Churchill Square to the sound of City Hall’s bells and the downtown buzz.  The first official event of NextGen Month was hosted by Jeff Chase and Jodi Goebel who filled the stage with energy and laughter, and the audience was also treated to a few words of introduction by Mayor Iveson.

David Rauch kicked things off with a presentation about some of the colourful pianos you may have seen around the city for his #OpenPianoYeg project. (A brief request – if it is raining and you see a Popup Piano that is vulnerable to the elements; please cover it with one of the provided tarps!)

Jason Darrah urged Edmontonians to allow our government room to try new things. Innovation and public engagement go hand and hand, and they only work when everyone is involved.

Michael Ross, of zombie survival fame showed us how “enginerding” can touch all aspects of quotidian life and as an area of study is open to anyone with “an unhealthy sense of curiosity”

Chris Floden, winner of NextGen’s Dark MAEAT event and founding member of Yegbees spoke to the crowd about Colony Collapse Disorder, the negative impact that reduced pollination has on food production and the role of urban beekeeping in communities.  Attend one of the Yegbees field days to learn more.

Wrestling as modern myth? We’re all believers now after listening to Mike Kendrick’s argument that this typically perceived low-brow sport pits good against evil and reflects cultural values as a present day morality play.

On the flip side, Omar Reyes discussed the importance of silence in our lives, something that is increasingly rare and he purports, we increasingly need.

Ian O’Donnell gave a resounding message against complacency, and highlighted architectural projects that reflect earnestness in design

Peter Woytiuk took us through his past year as an EV owner in Edmonton. We heard an objective and balanced review of driving an electric car in this winter city (it will still work in -30 degree weather!) and expressed his hope that the conversation surrounding electric vehicles will continue.

Nola Kilmartin painted a beautiful picture of what public space can look like and how to make common cityscape sights like parking garages and intersections into works of art.

And to wrap up, Blue Knox shared her personal journey which has brought her to value smallness and locality in civic action.

It was an informative and entertaining evening and we can’t wait to see what the rest of NextGen Month holds!

Photography by David Rauch

On June 4th, citizens of Edmonton gathered on a rainy Wednesday evening at Latitude 53 for the Kick-off event for NextGen Month. Here is a quick recap of the night’s events.
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