From May 11 to 13, 2026, survivors, advocates, educators, artists, mental health professionals, students, community leaders, and allies gathered at Humber Polytechnic for the Transforming Trauma Together Festival. Over the course of three days, the festival created space for meaningful conversations, film screenings, workshops, poetry, storytelling, expressive arts, movement, and community connection focused on healing from childhood sexual abuse and trauma.
The Gatehouse would like to extend our deepest gratitude to every individual who contributed their time, knowledge, creativity, courage, and lived experience to this powerful event. The festival reminded us that healing happens in community and that when survivors are given safe spaces to share their stories, transformation becomes possible.
One especially moving moment throughout the festival was the sharing of Ophelia by Andrea Robin Skinner. The song beautifully reflected the heart of this year’s festival: the importance of community healing, human connection, and creating spaces where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. Through music and storytelling, Ophelia reminded attendees that healing is not meant to happen in isolation. It happens when people gather together with compassion, courage, and care for one another.
We are incredibly thankful to all of our speakers, facilitators, panelists, filmmakers, workshop leaders, artists, and presenters, including representatives from organizations and communities across Canada:
Matt Gallagher, filmmaker and director of Prey; Cornelia Principe, Rod Macleod, Patrick McMahon; Matthew-Ray Jones, Ontario Poet Laureate; Dr. Benjamin Roebuck and Hoori Hamboyan from the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime; Tom Herstad from Empower2Recover; Carby Sum from Recovery Without Borders; Monica Riutort from Family Services of Peel; PC Cheryl Taylor from Toronto Police Service; Brad Hutchinson; Arthur Lockhart, founder of The Gatehouse; Heidi Philip; Ghrian Shine; Ramona Alaggia; Cathy Vine; Carol Vine; Thom Ernst; Mike Allan; Stewart Thompson; Kat and Luke Russell, creators of Braving Healing; Kristi White; Nathalie Cousineau; Janelle Cooper; Kristi White; Guliz Akkaymak; Beth Conklin; Master Teresa Yeung; Jacqueline Chan; Roxana Mares; Shawna Lee Campbell; Caitlin Crawford, Katia Miniovich; Dr. Aqeel Saeid and Humber Polytechnic students and faculty; Sabra Desai; Norah Shapiro, director and producer of Magic & Monsters; Emily Quint; Lola Graham representing Limits of Forgiveness film; Pramilda Zachariyas; Joe Sellors from Humber Polytechnic; Todd Carmichael, Principal of Humber Polytechnic; MP James Maloney; and Councillor Amber Morley.
A special thank you to The Gatehouse Festival Committee whose dedication and countless hours behind the scenes helped bring this festival to life: Maria, Zada, Mike, Thom, Vito, Brad, Arthur, Aqeel, and Heidi. Thank you to James Buffin for sparking Festival ideas. Thank you to The Gatehouse staff team Erin, Paula, Karen, Jasmine, Stewart, and Maria. Your commitment to survivors, community, and healing continues to inspire meaningful change every day.
We also want to recognize and thank our incredible placement students and volunteers, including Oonagh, Pemba, Muna, Isabella, Rachael, Diane Ricardo, Holly Rodrigue, Megan Allan, Arushi Gupta, Imade Edokpayi, Alexandra Ruggiero, Melanie Smilski, Diana Lawrence-Kish, Melissa Williams, Michael Ekwelibe, Mariolya Maksymiw, Shruti Nidigattu, Alice Caraccioli, Sayithan Sivarajah, Anna Antonova, Rekha Kandel, Ashley Hirst, Emilie Pontikakis, Tenzin Lekshey, Alexis Gael Gonzalez Beckmann, Beyza Corbacioglu, Daniel Melo, Jora Sidhu, Winnifred Ofosu-Manu, Sidharath Chauhan, Lucas Carroll, and others who volunteered their time and care throughout the festival. Your energy, compassion, and willingness to help created a welcoming and supportive environment for all attendees.
We also want to acknowledge and thank our sponsors and community partners whose support made this festival possible. A heartfelt thank you to Humber Polytechnic, the Humber Research Department, and the Department of Justice Canada for believing in the importance of education, healing, advocacy, and community collaboration.
The Transforming Trauma Together Festival was more than an event. It was a reminder that survivors are not alone, that healing can happen in many forms, and that community has the power to create change.
Thank you for standing with survivors and for being part of this important movement toward healing, awareness, and hope.
With gratitude,
Maria Barcelos, MA, RP, Executive Director
thegatehouse.org
