Maigan van der Giessen, 37, is a Creative Lead and Education Coordinator at the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. She has been recognized as one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 for her dedication to working with at-risk youth and the disenfranchised in the community. Through her work in community organizing and hip-hop, she strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
When Mayor Don Iveson established a task force for the elimination of poverty in 2014, van der Giessen saw an opportunity for the Youth Action Project, a program she led at the John Humphrey Centre, to influence policy affecting minors. She helped a group of young people under 25 write a document with policy recommendations related to justice, security, freedom, and dignity. This group is now focused on improving relations between police and youth in the city.
In addition to her work with the Youth Action Project, van der Giessen empowers youth through various initiatives, such as organizing simulations for police and security personnel to understand the impact of criminalization, leading a leadership group for at-risk girls, and creating murals that address poverty issues. As a hip-hop artist under the name Tzadeka, she helps at-risk girls develop their rap skills, providing them with a platform to share their stories authentically.
Van der Giessen’s own life experiences, including dropping out of high school and traveling across Canada, have shaped her dedication to social justice work. As a single mother to her 14-year-old daughter Ayaela, she completed a degree in political science and committed herself to making a difference in the lives of young women in similar situations. She sees her own story reflected in the work she does, both in the community and with her daughter.
