b"COVER STORYA staunch supporter of human rights, Mona Hardy recently contributed to the development of ONWA's Indigenous Anti-Human Trafficking Engagement ReportTheSTRONG IMPACT Today, Hardy is facing one of her biggest From empowering and supporting othershurdles: she is battling kidney disease and on at the grassroots level in Canada, toa waitlist for a kidney transplant. While one more youhelping build capacity in Africa and India,would think this would slow her down, thats Hardy has impacted the world. She sharesfar from the case. Regardless of challenges, sit with theher knowledge freely, and because of hershe says, you need to go on. personal experience, has a unique way of engaging and meeting people, walkingNot even a global pandemic can curb her extraordinaryalongside them and sharing similar stories. passion and determination. While the COVID-19 outbreak has put most of her With her one-of-a-kind sharp sensework on pause (many agencies and service Mona Hardy, theof humour, and armed with years ofproviders have suspended their operations), experience, Hardy has led herself toHardy presses on building up her community a place of light and healing so she canand connecting with its members through a more you realizeprovide support to others in a non- virtual setting. She continues to uplift peoples threatening, welcoming and nurturingspirits, helping them strive to be their best way. Most recently, she contributed toauthentic self, and remains a beacon of hope she truly holdsthe development of ONWAs Journey tofor two-spirited and trans youth in particular.Safe Spaces: Indigenous Anti-Human Trafficking Engagement Report, where she is quotedThe longer you sit with the extraordinary the wisdom ofas saying the oldest living profession isMona Hardy, the more you realize she truly actually motherhood.holds the wisdom of a warrior woman. I am honoured not only to have Mona Hardy as a warriorShe has also taken on an Aunty rolemy friend, confidante and teacher, but also as within the community, and there are manymy most deadly Aunty.children that have adopted her. One such woman child, whom Hardy loved and supported,For those who want to hear more of this unstoppable shared that she allowed her to just bewomans life story, you will be pleased to know that a child. Her approach allows youth toHardy is currently writing a memoir, as well as connect with her easily. working towards her PhD in educational psychology.20Fall/Winter 2020"