Jamileh Naso
President, Canadian Yazidi Association • Social Services Leader • Survivor Rights Advocate
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Profile & Background
Jamileh Naso is a leading Yazidi community leader in Canada, serving as Co-founder & President of the Canadian Yazidi Association.
She and her family are Iraqi Yazidis who fled persecution, spent time in refugee camps, and ultimately resettled in Winnipeg, where she has since led efforts to build support and systems for fellow Yazidis, particularly survivors.
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In addition to her leadership role, she is Managing Director at Healthy Horizons.
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Advocacy & Key Work
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Jamileh has been deeply involved in efforts to reunite families torn apart by ISIS, advocating strongly for streamlined immigration and refugee processing in Canada.
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She pushes for political attention and accountability, urging both Western states and Canadian institutions to act more decisively on justice, rescue of captives, and support for displaced Yazidi populations.
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She leads community integration efforts, including working with faith-based and multi-community coalitions (e.g. “Operation Ezra”) to support Yazidis arriving in Canada.
Public Voice & Recognition
Jamileh frequently speaks in the media, gives interviews, and contributes to forums on religious freedom and refugee rights. She has been quoted in stories about captives still missing, the mental health and emotional toll for Yazidi survivors, and on the challenges and delays in family reunification.
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Her presence includes public statements such as:
“The case of the Yazidi woman found in Gaza should have been a wake-up call to the international community … it proved what many of us have known for years — that Yazidi captives have been trafficked beyond Iraq and Syria. … The world has said ‘never again’ too many times. Now, we need them to prove it.”
And:
“It’s great that they are working to clear the backlog, but we’ve heard this several times from past immigration Ministers, and some of our people, who applied years ago are still waiting.”
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Why She’s a Strong Speaker Choice
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Authentic lived experience & leadership: She combines personal connection (being from a Yazidi background, having lived through displacement and resettlement) with organizational leadership.
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Policy-oriented & strategic: She doesn’t just share stories; she engages on policy, legal, political advocacy (e.g. immigration, refugees, religious minority rights).
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Community integrator & coalition builder: Her work with multi-faith groups, NGOs, Governments in Canada shows she can bridge sectors.
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Strong communicator & public credibility: Media features, interviews, and being cited in policy documents reflect that her voice carries weight.
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Feature Articles / Media Featuring Jamileh Naso​​​​​
“Yazidis call attention to nearly 3,000 captives still missing a decade later” Religion News Service
- Jamileh discusses international trafficking networks, the need for diplomatic pressure, and rescue operations.
“Genocide survivors call for speedy family reunifications.” New Canadian Media
- Jamileh comments on delays in family reunification for Yazidi survivors, expressing caution about past promises and urging action.
“In ‘Operation Ezra,’ Canadian Jews helped Yazidis fleeing Islamic State persecution,” Jewish News Syndicate.
A feature about Operation Ezra; Jamileh speaks of integrating new arrivals and of solidarity shown by the Canadian Jewish community.
“10 Years On: Ongoing Threats to Religious Minority Survivors of ISIS’s Genocide” USCIRF Podcast Report
Jamileh, among other leaders, testifying about ongoing threats, lack of protection, and religious minority concerns.
Echoes of Genocide: The Yazidis’ Struggle to Rebuild. Freedom of Religion or Belief Women’s Alliance.
Authored by Jamileh herself, but also features her organization and leadership perspective.