https://halena.ca/home daily 1.0 2026-03-31 https://halena.ca/about daily 0.75 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/1589753303639-RU7FN6FJ6VLBFR5TLZL5/IMG-20191007-WA0095.jpg About - Halena was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan (Treaty 4 territory) and grew up training in various dance styles including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, modern, and musical theatre. Early highlights of Halena’s dance training included opportunities to take classes from Mia Michaels, Luigi (Eugene Louis Faccuito), the Radio City Rockettes, and the Ailey School in New York City. Halena attended the University of Regina and in 2013 obtained a Bachelors of Arts Honours degree in International Development and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology. Halena expanded her education by spending a semester abroad in Norway and completing a permaculture farming practicum in Cuba, and began to work in social justice movements including human rights organizing, international solidarity movements, and food sovereignty and climate change action. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/367e465e-f779-4168-bec5-b9ee5395b56a/TG1_7132.jpg About - Halena moved to Vancouver in 2014 to attend Simon Fraser University’s Masters of Public Policy program. She graduated in 2016 with an award-winning thesis about the barriers for women running for elected office in municipal government. As a policy analyst and organizer, Halena has worked in climate change adaptation, housing, and social policy, and has professionally advocated for a living wage for all, electoral reform, and improvements to civic engagement. Most recently, for six years Halena led a non-profit society and charity that advances sex workers’ rights, health, and safety through education, policy advocacy, and community development with diverse stakeholders. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/7d7c56df-e4de-48d8-a098-a013bd221499/TG1_1207.jpg https://halena.ca/organizer daily 0.75 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/1589699796373-7TO4CWXJVYOV8LMDIV2R/IMG_20190609_215034_086.jpg Organizer - Education Master of Public Policy - 2016 Simon Fraser University; Vancouver, BC Thesis: “Running in Place: Overcoming Barriers for Women in Canadian Municipal Politics;” received Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant for this research, and was awarded with IPAC Canada National Student And Thought Leadership Award In Public Administration - Silver Winner. Bachelor of Arts (Honours), International Development - 2013 University of Regina; Regina, SK Honours Paper: “The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement for Palestine: Analyzing Involvement in Canada” Bachelor of Arts, Sociology - 2013 University of Regina; Regina, SK Minor in English Literature Northern Scandinavian Politics and Society Program - 2011 Nord University; Bodø, Norway https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/1589700424150-PZ0QJZG20VJ2D2FWLFNJ/IMG_20180912_173234_153.jpg Organizer - Selected Work Experience Executive Director (previously Director of Community Engagement), Living in Community - January 2020 - December 2025 Researcher, Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women - January 2018 - April 2020 Campaign Organizer, Living Wage for Families Campaign - August 2018 - January 2020 Research and Policy Analyst, Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT) - May 2015 - April 2018 Outreach and Events Coordinator, Regina Public Interest Research Group - April 2012 - August 2013 https://halena.ca/contact daily 0.75 2026-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/fed7aa14-d6cf-4235-98a9-c3d43809d7aa/Halena+Lou+-+Gloss+Boudoir.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/a2803317-2368-445b-b380-82ec9ab824f4/summer-rayne-photo-vancouver-boudoir-photography-studio-burlesque-halena-1.jpg https://halena.ca/producer daily 0.75 2026-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/cb239c6b-ed31-45b5-8142-5ab228beb417/History+Uncovered+IG+Squares.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/1d7c37ad-5ecf-4946-87ce-82cccdcaa620/13.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/5062ad7d-d771-4684-ac97-7ac58e60d10c/NightOut4Pal.KelliRP-197-Enhanced-NR.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/c0e4c821-60fc-49f2-ab85-1d4872efbb2e/UPDATED+SQUARE+ALT-+Justice+Laid+Bare.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/1622657587581-546N5W79S61I90RWWUWC/5D3_0099.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/1589752168463-NYY05S7ANU358Z0ZVC67/halena+additional-14.jpg https://halena.ca/writer daily 0.75 2026-01-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/256ff0be-9d34-421e-9f65-eb47d66dc143/Softer+Logo+1.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/c68e637e-f82c-4ce2-9b22-799542b7033a/MLB_7727%5B1%5D.jpg Writer - Writing & Media Op-Ed: “The fight for BC sex worker rights is far from over.” The Georgia Straight, November 2023. Podcast: “Poetry and All That Jazz!” Life in a Schell with Christina Schell, July 2023. Essay: “I Don’t Want To Know What Time It Is: Work, Rest, and Time in a Pandemic.” Loose Lips Magazine, February 2023. Essay: “A Love Letter to the People that Progressive Movements Leave Behind.” Salty, August 2022. Op-Ed: “The ‘freedom convoy’ shows why we need a long-term climate plan.” National Observer, February 2022. Op-Ed: “Our new Parliament must address every issue as a climate change issue.” National Observer, October 2021. Essay: “The Space In Between: On Spending My 30th Year Inside.” Loose Lips Magazine, April 2021. Essay: “Making art while the world is burning.” Eco-Anxious Stories, October 2020. Podcast: “Conversation about structural poverty.” Shape the Conversation by Global Shapers Vancouver Hub, Episode 1, January 13 2020. Op-Ed: “In an election about affordability, why aren’t we talking about low wages?” The Tyee, October 16 2019. Op-Ed: “B.C. child-care spending shows power of good public policy. What’s next?” Vancouver Sun, May 13 2019. Op-Ed: “Basic income must be only one part of poverty-reduction plans.” The Times Colonist, March 16 2019. Article: “Taking On Sexism at City Hall.” Herizons Magazine, Vol. 31 No. 1, Summer 2017. Article: “Not in my backyard or anyone else’s: Defending reproductive rights everywhere in the age of Trump.” Briarpatch Magazine, Vol. 46 No. 2, March/April 2017. Article: “Mobilizing for a Transition: An interview with Lliam Hildebrand of Iron & Earth.” Briarpatch Magazine, Vol. 45 No. 3, May/June 2016. Article: “The more they oppress, the less safe they feel: Bridging Palestine solidarity work with Indigenous struggles in Canada.” Briarpatch Magazine, Vol. 44 No. 2, March/April 2015. https://halena.ca/performer daily 0.75 2026-01-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/a3468c8a-0ef9-4d48-b754-cbd8c91afa49/Nectar_websize-8281.jpg Performer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/86298102-31f7-4150-a706-5a2eb283a833/IMGP9116.jpg Performer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/420fc3f5-5c06-4c1a-8709-3309640376fa/BIGSHINYNUDES-493.jpg Performer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/69e8d0fb-c8db-462e-b472-ff4609a4d6f5/5-2024-08-29-UnrealUnearthUndress_HalenaLou_Baevocative.jpg Performer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec0afd451c4b27b5ee59c5c/63e28b27-5666-4fe5-89dc-02b8da804afe/NightOut4Palestine-600.jpg Performer 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