PRESENTATIONS
Timeless Journeys: Exploring the America's Ancient Marvels
Step into history, where the echoes of ancient civilizations come alive in breathtaking destinations that you can still visit today.
Machu Picchu: Hidden Jewel of the Andes
High in the mist-shrouded peaks of the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu rises like a dream—a marvel of engineering and artistry built at 2,430 meters above sea level. Constructed under the visionary leadership of Inca Pachacutec, this citadel transcends time, offering a glimpse into the ingenuity and spiritual devotion of the Inca civilization. Perched dramatically on a ridge flanked by sheer precipices, Machu Picchu stretches 530 meters in length and 200 meters in width, encompassing 172 remarkable structures. The citadel is divided into distinct sectors: the agricultural terraces encircle the urban heart, while the towering peak of Wayna Picchu looms as a sacred guardian. Within its stone walls lies a microcosm of Inca life, from the Intiwatana (the Solar Temple) and Acllahuasi (House of the Chosen Women) to kallancas (barracks), baths, aqueducts, and collqas (corn storage). The Incas meticulously divided the site into hanan (upper) and hurin (lower) sectors, with sacred spaces set apart by stone walls. Fertile terraces cascade down the mountainsides, a testament to their agricultural prowess. The fresh, flowing water from fountains—known as pacchas—still runs, connecting past and present with a gentle, eternal rhythm. A masterpiece of harmony between architecture and nature, Machu Picchu continues to captivate the imagination of travelers and historians alike. Join us in uncovering the mysteries of this hidden jewel, where every stone whispers stories of resilience, faith, and a profound connection to the cosmos. FEE: Free for Patrons SCHEDULE: Thursday, March 27 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM FORMAT: This is an online event. A link will be emailed to participants one day before the event. PRESENTER After studying Fine Arts, Maria Chester decided to go deeper and studied Art History becoming a Professor in Pre-Columbian Civilizations. From her first passion, that was Cave Art and Rock Art she developed an interest in Archaeology, and this has served as a frame for her ongoing research. She is multilingual and enjoys travelling. She taught in several South American universities as well as private institutions. Maria has served as the National Subject Adviser on American Archaeology to The Third Age Trust where she became its Chairperson. In 2015, she became a founding member of the IC-International Committee to The Third Age Trust, in the United Kingdom. In May 2016 she was elected Secretary General of AIUTA- International Association of Universities of the Third Age. She also tutors regular courses on Art History for BEA-Berwick Educational Association.
CANADIAN HISTORY
Canada Pacific: The Golden Age of Travel
The history of the Canadian Pacific is the history of Canada itself. From the daring completion of a 2,000-mile transcontinental railway in 1885 to the creation of global travel routes, the company played a defining role in shaping the nation. Beyond the rails, Canadian Pacific launched fleets of ocean liners that linked Canada to the world and built some of the country’s most iconic hotels—like Château Frontenac and Banff Springs—transforming travel into a grand adventure. Join us as we explore how this pioneering company helped connect people, places, and possibilities across the globe. Join presenter Barry Lane, author of Canadian Pacific and the Golden Age of Travel, for a fascinating look at the company’s legacy in transportation, tourism, and national identity. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Wednesday, May 7 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Barry Lane, a Regina native, studied history at the Royal Military College of Canada and served as a UN Captain in Egypt. Fluent in English, French, Russian, and Italian, he has lived in Quebec City since 1976. Co-founder of Mendel Tours, Barry specialized in academic travel and has lectured widely on Canadian railways, the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and the Caribbean. In 1991, he won the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry prize for his children's book Ce jour-là en Nouvelle-France. Now retired, Barry authored Canadian Pacific and the Golden Age of Travel and continues to lecture on cruises and trains.
Uncovering Injustice: The Hidden Stories of Wrongful Convictions in Canada
What happens when the justice system gets it wrong? Renowned law professor Kent Roach takes us on a riveting journey through Canada’s history of wrongful convictions, shining a light on little-known cases that reveal the flaws in our legal system. Drawing from the Canadian Registry of Wrongful Convictions, which he co-founded, Professor Roach will explore how these tragic mistakes occur—and, more importantly, how they can be prevented. From forensic failures to unreliable eyewitness testimony, he will outline key reforms needed in policing, investigative procedures, and judicial oversight. He will also discuss the groundbreaking legislation recently passed in Ottawa, designed to move Canada toward a more just and accountable system. Join us for this eye-opening presentation that challenges our assumptions and calls for real change. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Wednesday, June 4 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Kent Roach is a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto and a leading expert in criminal and constitutional law. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a Member of the Order of Canada, he has received numerous awards for his research, including the Molson Prize and a Trudeau Fellowship. Author of 18 books and over 275 articles, his work spans wrongful convictions, counter-terrorism, Indigenous justice, and policing. His books, such as False Security, The 9/11 Effect, and Canadian Justice, Indigenous Injustice, have earned prestigious awards and nominations. Professor Roach has served as research director for major public inquiries, including the Goudge Inquiry and the Air India Commission. He has advised on wrongful convictions, civil liberties, and Indigenous justice and co-founded the Canadian Registry of Wrongful Convictions. His upcoming book, Justice for Some, will be published by Cambridge University Press in 2025.
ANCIENT HISTORY
Rome's Most Notorious Emperors
Some Roman emperors earned their infamy not through victories, but through scandal, excess, and downright bizarre behavior. In this four-week course, we’ll explore the shocking reigns of figures like Caligula, Nero, Commodus, and Elagabalus—rulers whose antics were so outrageous they’ve become legends. From wild parties to brutal murders, these emperors pushed the boundaries of power and decadence. But were their notorious reputations deserved, or were they the victims of biased ancient sources? Join us as we uncover the truth behind the scandals that shaped their legacies. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Four Tuesdays, April 8 to 29 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dr. Heather Barkman was born and raised in Manitoba. After receiving her BA and MA from the University of Manitoba, she moved to Ottawa to get her PhD from the University of Ottawa with a focus on women in early Christianity. She then moved back home to Winnipeg and teaches in the Classics and Religious Studies departments at the University of Manitoba. When she's not teaching, she loves baseball, traveling, and having fun with her husband Sid and two children.
MUSIC HISTORY
Classical Music in Budapest:
A Legacy of Greatness
From the grand concert halls of the 19th century to the avant-garde compositions of the 20th, Budapest has long been a powerhouse of classical music. As the city where legends like Franz Liszt and Béla Bartók crafted their masterpieces, Budapest’s musical heritage is woven into its very soul, often influenced by the region’s rich folk tradition. With a strong heritage of orchestras, conservatories, and world-renowned festivals, the Hungarian capital continues to inspire and shape the world of classical music. Join Andrea Ratuski to explore the composers, performances, and historical moments that make Budapest a true symphony of culture. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Two Tuesdays, May 6 and 13 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Andrea Ratuski is best known as a music producer and host at CBC in Winnipeg, most notably as host and producer of Northern Lights. An award-winning radio documentary maker, she hosted many national and local radio music programs and wrote for the CBC websites Manitoba SCENE and CBC Music, the national music website. She teaches music appreciation classes at Creative Retirement, Manitoba Conservatory of Music and Arts, and others, and writes for a variety of publications. Andrea also enjoys hosting musical events, such as Winnipeg Philharmonic concerts and the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival.
Madness in Music: A Cultural and Historical Exploration
Madness has long been a source of fascination, controversy, and activism. This course challenges mainstream views of mental illness, exploring how culture and music express madness and serve as tools for healing. Through history and music, we’ll examine psychiatric patient activism and the ways artists—from Nina Simone to Iggy Pop—have used music for protest, resistance, and self-expression. Topics include the history of mad activism, the social model of disability, music as disruption, operatic madness, and the rise of disability arts. Join us to rethink the connections between madness, creativity, and resistance—and discover how music shapes our understanding of mental health. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Six Thursdays, April 10 to May 15 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Donna Linklater is a musician, educator, and advocate with a deep commitment to exploring the intersections of music and mental health. With a Bachelor of Music in voice from Brandon University, she has performed, written, and recorded in Toronto’s indie music scene while also teaching early childhood music. Her work as a group facilitator for the Canadian Mental Health Association allowed her to integrate music with self-care strategies for adults with lived experience in the mental healthcare system. Having completed a BA in Disability Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University, Donna brings both academic insight and lived experience to her teaching. Now back in her hometown of Winnipeg, she is passionate about examining how music serves as a tool for expression, protest, and healing.
EXPLORING THE MIND
Psychiatry in 2025
This six-session course will provide an overview of Adult Psychiatry in 2025. Starting with a general introduction to psychiatry as a medical specialty and within the range of mental health professions, we will explore the process of psychiatric assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Additional topics will include discussing the Mental Health Act, competency to make treatment and financial decisions, and controversies surrounding MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) both in general and as this may extend to those suffering from mental disorders. As an in-person course, the goal is to engage learners in discussion rather than a lecture-based format. FEE: $30 SCHEDULE: 6 Wednesdays, April 16 to May 21 from 10:00 to 12:00 LOCATION: Robert A Steen Community Centre, 980 Palmerston Ave, Winnipeg ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Dr. Michael Eleff is a senior psychiatrist who has practiced and taught in Winnipeg since 1981. After 35 years in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba and on staff at the Health Sciences Centre, he “semi-retired” to a part-time community-based practice in 2016. His professional work has focused on integrating psychotherapeutic approaches and medication treatments in the care of adults with a wide range of mental disorders.
Living Through Disruption,
Uncertainty and Conflict
We are living at a time of heightened global societal, environmental, and political shifts that are creating individual and collective unrest, instability, and general anxiety, all of which are taking a toll on our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. This session will delve into how we can respond to, and cope with, the multiple, simultaneous, upheavals we are currently facing in constructive and responsible ways that help us to manage our tension, worry, and anger effectively. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Monday, May 5 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Marianne Farag, Inner-Peace Specialist, is a speaker, author, and teacher on personal growth and transformation topics aimed at helping you live your most fulfilling life! With her diverse background including: over 20 years of leading and teaching Meditation; Mindfulness; qualifications in counselling, Reiki, and an End-of-Life Doula, Marianne is well positioned to offer insights and practical solutions to help you be in the driver’s seat of your wellbeing. For more information, see Marianne’s website, Sublimity: Pathways to Peace (http://sublimitypathways.com).
ART HISTORY
Artemisia Gentileschi: Defiance, Talent, and Triumph in Baroque Art
Artemisia Gentileschi (1593 – 1654) was a trailblazing Italian Baroque painter whose genius defied the limits placed on women of her time. Though celebrated today, her talent was long overshadowed by scandal—she was at the center of one of history’s first high-profile rape trials. But Artemisia refused to be defined by tragedy. Through her bold, dramatic paintings, she turned pain into power, revenge into art, and cemented her legacy as both a master artist and a 17th-century feminist icon. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: Thursday, May 22 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Sharon Harris had a career in education as a teacher, consultant and administrator while simultaneously pursuing a successful career as a fine-arts photographer. After taking an early retirement from education, she has been actively involved in the Academy for Lifelong Learning Toronto, where she has facilitated numerous courses and has participated in the administration of the organisation for many years. Sharon’s personal interests mainly involve various fields of the arts however she is curious about almost all subjects.
Canadian Impressionism: Part I & II
Join us for an exploration of Canadian Impressionism, a vibrant chapter in the country’s art history. This course will guide participants through the development and significance of Impressionist painting in Canada, from its early roots in European traditions to its distinct Canadian evolution. We will discuss key artists like James Wilson Morrice, Laura Muntz Lyall, William Blair Bruce and others who embraced the movement’s emphasis on light, color, and fleeting moments in nature. Through guided discussions, we will examine the themes, techniques, and cultural context of the movement, as well as its impact on modern Canadian art. This class is designed to engage participants with the artistic and historical context of the Canadian Impressionist movement, encouraging critical thinking and deeper understanding of the artists’ roles in shaping Canada's cultural identity. FEE: This program is free for patrons. SCHEDULE: PART I: Three Mondays, April 7 to 28 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM PART II: Three Mondays, May 26 to June 9 from 10:00 to 11:00 AM FORMAT: This is an online program. ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Susan Moffatt has degrees from The University of Winnipeg and The School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, England. Over the years, she has taught a creative span of art history courses, that include The Art Survey through African, Contemporary, both Dutch and Italian Renaissance, Art Between the Wars, Manitoba and Canadian Art, Prehistoric Art, Impressionism, Art Nouveau/Art Deco, and others. Her other interests include heritage buildings. She is a member of the Friends of Dalnavert Board and has been associated with Dalnavert since its inception as a museum in 1974. She has also worked for the University of Manitoba (School of Art), the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and the Manitoba Museum.