TEDxWinnipeg has officially unveiled its 2026 speaker lineup, and it is one of the most ambitious, thought-provoking, and community-rooted collections of voices the event has ever brought to the red dot.

This year’s speakers span neuroscience, reconciliation, queer identity, storytelling, education, nature, leadership, and inclusion, each offering an idea designed to challenge how we think and inspire how we live.

Meet the speakers taking the TEDxWinnipeg stage at the University of Manitoba’s Desautels Concert Hall on May 28, 2026:

• Farshid Ghiyamihoor – The Art of Brain Sculpting
  An exploration of how our thoughts and habits shape the brain, and how we can intentionally rewire ourselves for growth and resilience.
• Suzi Friesen – The Power of Reflection
  A compelling look at how slowing down, reflecting, and truly seeing ourselves can unlock clarity, healing, and stronger leadership.
• Tyler Sneesby – How Tyler Got His Groove Back
  A DJ’s deeply personal story about sight loss and redefined purpose through creativity and self-expression.
• Emily Erickson – Partners in Sovereignty: Reimagining Reconciliation in Postsecondary Institutions
  A bold vision for how universities and Indigenous communities can move from symbolic reconciliation to true partnership and shared power.
• Rizwan Manji – The Ingenious Prescription: Why the Best Doctor of the Future Has Two Brains
  A fascinating look at how medicine must combine technology and human empathy to deliver better care in the future.
• Peter Denton – Reading, Writing and Reframing: Turning the Page on AI in Education
  How artificial intelligence is transforming learning and what educators, students, and parents need to know to stay ahead.
• Frank Deer – Indigenous Spirituality and the Reconciliatory Journey in Canada
  A powerful exploration of how spirituality can guide healing, understanding, and reconciliation in a post-colonial world.
• Ian Bawa – Telling the Stories I Was Afraid To, or When I Stopped Hiding My Culture
  A filmmaker’s moving reflection on identity, courage, and the liberating power of telling your truth.
• Krista Boryskavich – Keeping Families Together: Outside-the-Box Solutions to Manitoba’s Pet-Inclusive Housing Crisis
  An innovative look at how housing policy, compassion, and creativity can prevent families from being separated from their pets.
• Celine Latulipe – You Are Going to Die: Take Control of Your Digital Legacy Now
  A provocative and practical talk on how to manage your online life, data, and memories before it’s too late.
• Jayanne English – Cosmos Canvas: Exploring the Science in Astronomy Images
  A breathtaking journey into how stunning space images reveal the hidden science of our universe.
• Xiaoxiao Du – Names Tell Stories: Why Keeping Them Is a Radical Act of Inclusion
  A powerful argument for why honouring people’s names is about more than language, it’s about dignity, belonging, and identity.
• Rebecca Krowelski – Small and Mighty: Powerful Lessons from the Hive
  A beekeeper’s talk on what bees can teach us about collaboration, leadership, and thriving in complex systems.
• Marika Schalla – Reading the Land, Healing Our Children
  A deeply grounded talk on how reconnecting with the land can support healing, education, and Indigenous youth wellbeing.
• Laura Cote – The Queer Teacher You Never Knew You Needed
  A heartfelt and eye-opening look at how queer representation in education transforms lives, for both students and teachers.

Proudly hosted by the University of Manitoba, this year’s event reflects a shared commitment to advancing knowledge, amplifying local voices, and creating a space for conversations that shape our future. Early Bird tickets go on sale February 9 and are available for a limited time. With strong demand expected, audiences are encouraged to secure their seats early.

Full speaker bios and ticket details are available at tedxwinnipeg.ca.

About TEDxWinnipeg

TEDx Winnipeg is a volunteer-led, independently organized event licensed by TED, known for surfacing new perspectives and ideas that reflect the depth and diversity of Manitoba.To learn more about TEDx Winnipeg 2026 or view past talks, visit tedxwinnipeg.ca or follow @TEDxWinnipeg on social media.

Media Contact:
Johise Namwira
[email protected]
431-556-5606