Joanne Hodges

Co-Founder, Alliance of Genocide Victim Communities • Documentary Filmmaker • Human Rights Advocate

Joanne Hodges is a Canadian human rights defender and documentary filmmaker known for her relentless advocacy on behalf of genocide-affected communities. She is the founder and facilitator of the Alliance of Genocide Victim Communities (AGVC)—a pioneering coalition that unites survivors and descendants from multiple genocide-impacted communities, including Tigrayan, Uyghur, Hazara, Tamil, Tutsi, Tibetan, Yazidi, and Rohingya peoples.

Joanne is widely recognized for her ability to transform memory into movement—building cross-community solidarity and using storytelling, art, and public education to amplify survivor voices and catalyze action for justice, healing, and prevention.

Leadership and Advocacy

Organized national conferences, parliamentary briefings, and art exhibits to bring the stories of genocide survivors to Canadian institutions and the wider public.
Collaborates with legal and policy experts, parliamentarians, and human rights organizations to push for stronger accountability measures, including reforms to Canada’s War Crimes Act, sanctions mechanisms, and proposals for a Canadian Office for Genocide Prevention.
Spearheads initiatives that counter misinformation, foreign interference, and targeted disinformation campaigns faced by survivor diaspora communities.
Regularly engages with Global Affairs Canada, Members of Parliament, and international NGOs, ensuring that survivor-led perspectives are central to atrocity-prevention policy conversations.

Creative Storytelling and Public Engagement

A seasoned documentary filmmaker, Joanne uses visual storytelling to humanize complex crises and highlight resilience in the face of atrocity. Her films have been recognized for their powerful portrayal of trauma, identity, and recovery, including works such as Resilient Genius and Shingwauk’s School.

She has also developed interactive exhibits and virtual reality experiences to bring survivor testimonies to the public, particularly youth and educational audiences, fostering empathy and critical awareness.

Voice and Vision

Joanne’s work is rooted in hope, solidarity, and justice. She has said:

“Genocide leaves deep scars—not only on survivors but on the world we share. Yet from these places of pain, survivors are rising to build resilience, seek justice, and create spaces of healing and hope.”

Her voice bridges the personal and the political, showing how creative expression and community action can break cycles of silence, trauma, and hate.

Recognition and Impact

Frequently invited to speak at universities, human rights centres, faith institutions, and policy forums on topics of genocide prevention, survivor resilience, creative resistance, and trauma-informed community organizing.
Leads collaborative networks across Canada, bringing together eight survivor communities in unprecedented joint advocacy efforts.
Praised for her ability to inspire audiences with both urgency and hope, equipping them with practical tools to build safer, more compassionate communities.

Signature Speaking Topics

Survivor-led approaches to genocide prevention and justice
Building cross-community coalitions and solidarity
Trauma-informed community organizing and mental health support
Combating foreign interference, disinformation, and intimidation
The role of storytelling, film, and art in human rights movements

Why She’s a Powerful Speaker

Authenticity: Speaks from years of personal relationships and collaboration with survivor communities.
Visionary Leadership: Offers audiences a model of how grassroots advocacy can shape national policy.
Transformative Presence: Inspires empathy while equipping listeners with concrete strategies for change.
Public Credibility: Recognized by Canadian institutions, media, and human rights leaders for her groundbreaking coalition-building and creative advocacy.