Somia Sadiq, EP, MNRM, RPP, FCIP
Founder, Narratives Inc | President & CEO, Kahanee Inc.
Conflict transformation, negotiations, trauma-informed practices, violence prevention interventions, intergenerational learning, peace building, dialogue, identity, belonging, women's leadership, land use planning, environmental sciences, environmental planning, resource management, impact assessment,
Media
CanU Stories of Strength 2024
Stories of Strength was an incredible event hosted by CanU, where we celebrated resilience, leadership, and personal growth!
In this special event, we heard from some of the most inspiring voices in our community:
• Somia Sadiq shared her empowering insights
• CanU Alumni Oppy and CanU Rise+ Participant Konadu moved us with their powerful stories
We also want to extend a special thank you to our emcees Salena Starling and Divya Sharma.
Their dedication embodies the strength, unity, and impact that CanU fosters in its students. Through their stories, we are reminded of the power of shared experiences in overcoming challenges and achieving success
Every Conflict Hides a Story
Somia Sadiq is a peacebuilder and entrepreneur focused on Conflict Transformation. Our conversation was so wide-ranging I thought it would be worth a brief rundown of what we covered:
Resilience and Fasting
Definitions: Settler and Newcomer
Identity politics
Ancestral guilt and shame
How to approach history (and history of oppression) without guilt
The role of public apologies
The limits of apologies
The necessary components of an apology
intentionality
acceptance of harm
remorse
how it impacted you
Description of traditional mediation in Punjab (from her grandparents' house)
Highlights from William Ury's The Third Side: Community as the Conflict Management System
What makes something feel fair?
Is taking sides ethical?
How do global conflicts affect our individual experience?
What do people mean by "trauma-informed"?
The Mice and the Cherry Blossoms Experiment
Trauma vs Agency and Free Will
While it was a stellar interview, I have to say my favorite moment was her story at the end. Listen for it.
The Peacemaker | Our Stories are Powerful
As a peacebuilder and female entrepreneur of Pakistani descent, Somia Sadiq seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible in research, policy, planning, and practice, focusing on true reconciliation, one story at a time. Somia emphasizes that she's a keeper of stories, a space-maker for more women leaders who look like her, and a tenacious boundary-pusher determined to advance true peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Stories have the power to advance diplomacy, break barriers, and promote healing and we couldn't agree more. Watch until the end as Somia discusses her experience, journey, challenges, and more with Stephanie.
Narratives: https://narrativesinc.com/
00:00 - 02:50 Meet Somia
02:50 - 09:20 Becoming a Peacemaker
09:20 - 11:19 Top Qualities
11:19 - 12:57 Achievements
12:57 - 16:45 Top Tips
16:45 - 18:24 Plans for The Future
#storiesarepowerful #storytelling #shecan
Day in the life of EP® Somia Sadiq- French subtitles & ASL signs
The Pros and Cons of Rapid Business Growth
The Road to Seven, August 30, 2024Radio/Podcast
URL: https://www.theroadtoseven.com/theroadtosevenpodcast/the-pros-and-cons-of-rapid-business-growth
If your business is on the brink of rapid growth, friend, this is an episode for you. In today’s episode of The Road To Seven Podcast, I have a great conversation with Somia Sadiq, an entrepreneur who founded and built Narratives Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in territorial planning and impact assessment.
We talk about everything from what your team expects from you as your business grows, to how to find support as the leader of a company that grew incredibly fast within a five year period.
Somia and I also chatted about her leadership style, and the evolution of her leadership which I think will be especially useful for those of you who are currently experiencing rapid growth in your companies.
I know you’ll get a lot out of this episode, so pop those earbuds in and hit play!
In this episode of the Road to Seven podcast, you’ll discover:
The power of relationships for rapid business growth
How leadership styles evolve over time
The importance of leaning on mentors and advisors
Researching War, Peace, and Justice
Leiden Security and Global Affairs , January 28, 2022Radio/Podcast
Introducing a new research group to the ISGA family: War, Peace, and Justice. This podcast discusses the need for synthesised research using the three disciplines, its areas of focus, and ongoing projects.
Reintegration, Radicalization, and Prevention
Realize Radicalization, January 25, 2018Radio/Podcast
URL: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Fi3EfaCicaPLI0c76YnJU
In our third podcast, we speak about radicalization, reintegration, and prevention in our communities. We discuss what push and pull factors are at play and the importance of psychosocial readiness for any reintegration to be successful. We also touch on political sensationalization of polarizing views as being a critical factor contributing to radicalization.
Somia Sadiq: Inclusive, Transformative Change
Human, on Rights, October 25, 2024Radio/Podcast
With over 15 years of experience as a peacebuilder and certified environmental professional, Somia Sadiq the founder and CEO of Narratives Inc. has been exploring how inclusive planning and Indigenous led solutions are crucial in advancing human rights locally in Manitoba and more broadly.
In this episode of Humans, on Rights, Somia shares multiple stories and examples of how she and her team seek to find and create spaces for respectful dialogue, to teach, advance diplomacy, and real barriers with purpose driven communities.
Her personal journey, shaped by her family’s experiences during the Partition of India and Pakistan, her own entrepreneurial driven spirit as newcomer to Canada, has inspired Somia to become a leading advocate for inclusive, transformative change.
The Peacemaker | Our Stories are Powerful
Shecan World, October 25, 2024Radio/Podcast
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OvjzC6fSs8
Stories are powerful. Stories teach advance diplomacy, break barriers, and promote healing.
As a peacebuilder and female entrepreneur of Pakistani descent, Somia Sadiq seeks to push the boundaries of what is possible in research, policy, planning, and practice, focusing on true reconciliation, one story at a time. Somia emphasizes that she's a keeper of stories, a space-maker for more women leaders who look like her, and a tenacious boundary-pusher determined to advance true peacebuilding and reconciliation.
Stories have the power to advance diplomacy, break barriers, and promote healing and we couldn't agree more. Watch until the end as Somia discusses her experience, journey, challenges, and more with Stephanie.
A Trauma Informed Approach to Leadership
Startup CanadaRadio/Podcast
URL: https://www.startupcan.ca/a-trauma-informed-approach-to-leadership-with-somia-sadiq/
Somia Sadiq, Founder of Narratives Inc., discusses her work in engagement, conflict transformation, and negotiating space for marginalized voices.
Creating Resilient Workplaces: Small Changes with Big Impacts with Female Founder Somia Sadiq
Female Founder Unplugged, September 26, 2024Radio/Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Somia Sadiq, the Founder and Principal Partner of Narratives, Inc., a consultant firm emphasizing human-centric, trauma-informed story work and celebrating ancestral identity.
Somia shares her journey of navigating Canadian society as a newcomer and her transition from environmental sciences to conflict transformation. We delve into the necessity of intentional and proactive support for employees, and how storytelling can foster deeper connections and understanding within organizations.
We also discusses the power of trauma-informed leadership and transforming conflict as a tool for resilience and growth. This is a must-listen for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to create inclusive and empowered work environments through compassionate leadership and the universal language of storytelling.
Indigenous-Led Environmental Planning Can Be a Blueprint for Urban Equity
Next City, November 26, 2024Online
Op-ed: A self-government village development in Canada shows how traditional ecological knowledge can shape urban planning.
Trauma-informed impact assessment
Elgar Online, June 1, 2024Online
Meet Entrepreneur and Peacebuilding Environmental Planning Expert Somia Sadiq
The Science of Harmony: Somia Sadiq on Environmental Solutions and Conflict Resolution
Biography
With ancestral roots in post-colonial Punjab and Kashmir, Somia Sadiq is a leading Planner and entrepreneur who has developed a pioneering practice in engagement and conflict transformation. Rooted in the work of impact assessment, Somia founded Narratives Inc., an award winning planning firm that emphasizes human-centric, trauma-informed story work, lived experience, and creating space for celebration of ancestral identity. Somia is also the founder of Kahanee, a non-profit organization that works nationally and internationally amplifying storytelling and facilitated dialogue anchored in creative expression for peacebuilding.
Somia began her professional planning career undertaking impact assessment with a focus on resource, energy, and infrastructure projects. Her Doctorate focuses on understanding the role of Identity, Othering, and Trauma in conflict transformation. She is a published author and a keynote speaker, offering insights on trauma-informed leadership, and fostering resilience in a rapidly changing environment. Recognized for her contributions to the Planning practice in Canada and internationally, Somia was recently inducted into the Canadian Institute of Planners' esteemed College of Fellows, the highest honor for a planner in Canada. Somia debut novel is expected to be on shelves across the world Fall 2025.