Miriam: A story of struggle and service in the name of humanism
6 october 2025 в 17:37
Miriam is a sought-after speaker and writer, sharing her story of resilience and ethical innovation with audiences around the world. Her message is clear: the future of technology and humanitarianism must be rooted in respect for the earth and its people. Through her work with The Great Gathering of Humanity Inc., Miriam is paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
As the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization The Great Gathering of Humanity Inc., established in 2011, Miriam has spent over fourteen years translating intimate conversations with indigenous representatives into concrete projects that restore dignity, protect resources, and rethink how technology and humanism can coexist. Her story, born out of adversity, self-education, and tireless service, is the foundation of a non-profit practice that insists ethical innovation must include the voices and needs of those who are often left behind.
Born on March 10, 1966 in a small town in northern British Columbia, Miriam received her first lessons in environmental stewardship from her mother, including practices such as gardening, using reusable bags, and recycling, which she mastered long before sustainability became popular. However, her early life was marked by instability: a difficult home environment led her to leave at twelve and go through foster care and group homes before becoming independent at fourteen. Denied formal education after seventh grade, Miriam turned limitations into discipline, self-educating from seventeen, and laying the groundwork for a life of public service, authorship, and entrepreneurship.
These formative experiences are not just backstory; they are the source of her approach. Miriam’s leadership is based on proximity, not abstraction. She has lived and worked where others rarely venture. Moments of cultural exchange shape her belief that indigenous wisdom should be a guiding force in modern problem-solving, not a resource to be used and forgotten.
Under Miriam’s leadership, The Great Gathering non-profit has developed initiatives that combine cultural respect with practical solutions. A flagship example is a partnership with five traditional Maasai communities in Kenya to replace open water sources shared with animals with clean wells. This project not only provided water; it restored privacy, health, and dignity, reimagining access to water as a human rights issue, not a secondary concern. For Miriam, such projects are examples of how small, targeted interventions can ripple out to deeper social and cultural restoration.
Miriam’s work also extends to convening and amplifying voices on the global stage. The Great Gathering brand, «One Voice, One People, One Earth», - embodies this bridge-building philosophy: a vision that insists technological progress, especially the rise of artificial intelligence, should not exacerbate inequality, but should be aligned with governance and dignity.
Her professional history is also marked by resilience. A near-fatal car accident in 2006 put Miriam through years of physical recovery; a melanoma diagnosis in 2023 forced her to pause public life. She stepped back to heal and returned in 2025 cancer-free, bringing new energy and focus to expanding The Great Gathering’s work. This personal journey, surviving physical trauma, self-educating when denied formal education, and returning after illness, lends weight to her public message: service requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to return to meaningful work.
Miriam positions The Global Weaving of Humanity Project at the center of her strategy for inclusive innovation. The project is intentionally apolitical and designed to convene artists, technological innovators, indigenous elders, influencers, and local leaders for dialogue and collaboration. Its practical goals are clear: to amplify unheard voices, document endangered knowledge, and promote ethical pathways for technologies that respect natural resources and community rights. In Miriam’s view, technologies can be transformative; for example, smartphones gifted to poor community leaders can open communication channels and access to aid, but only if their deployment considers ecological constraints and prioritizes equality.
For public relations, Miriam is a sought-after speaker and writer, sharing her story of resilience and ethical innovation with audiences around the world. Her message is clear: the future of technology and humanitarianism must be rooted in respect for the earth and its people. Through her work with The Great Gathering of Humanity Inc., Miriam is paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all
As the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization The Great Gathering of Humanity Inc., established in 2011, Miriam has spent over fourteen years translating intimate conversations with indigenous representatives into concrete projects that restore dignity, protect resources, and rethink how technology and humanism can coexist. Her story, born out of adversity, self-education, and tireless service, is the foundation of a non-profit practice that insists ethical innovation must include the voices and needs of those who are often left behind.
Born on March 10, 1966 in a small town in northern British Columbia, Miriam received her first lessons in environmental stewardship from her mother, including practices such as gardening, using reusable bags, and recycling, which she mastered long before sustainability became popular. However, her early life was marked by instability: a difficult home environment led her to leave at twelve and go through foster care and group homes before becoming independent at fourteen. Denied formal education after seventh grade, Miriam turned limitations into discipline, self-educating from seventeen, and laying the groundwork for a life of public service, authorship, and entrepreneurship.
These formative experiences are not just backstory; they are the source of her approach. Miriam’s leadership is based on proximity, not abstraction. She has lived and worked where others rarely venture. Moments of cultural exchange shape her belief that indigenous wisdom should be a guiding force in modern problem-solving, not a resource to be used and forgotten.
Under Miriam’s leadership, The Great Gathering non-profit has developed initiatives that combine cultural respect with practical solutions. A flagship example is a partnership with five traditional Maasai communities in Kenya to replace open water sources shared with animals with clean wells. This project not only provided water; it restored privacy, health, and dignity, reimagining access to water as a human rights issue, not a secondary concern. For Miriam, such projects are examples of how small, targeted interventions can ripple out to deeper social and cultural restoration.
Miriam’s work also extends to convening and amplifying voices on the global stage. The Great Gathering brand, «One Voice, One People, One Earth», - embodies this bridge-building philosophy: a vision that insists technological progress, especially the rise of artificial intelligence, should not exacerbate inequality, but should be aligned with governance and dignity.
Her professional history is also marked by resilience. A near-fatal car accident in 2006 put Miriam through years of physical recovery; a melanoma diagnosis in 2023 forced her to pause public life. She stepped back to heal and returned in 2025 cancer-free, bringing new energy and focus to expanding The Great Gathering’s work. This personal journey, surviving physical trauma, self-educating when denied formal education, and returning after illness, lends weight to her public message: service requires courage, persistence, and a willingness to return to meaningful work.
Miriam positions The Global Weaving of Humanity Project at the center of her strategy for inclusive innovation. The project is intentionally apolitical and designed to convene artists, technological innovators, indigenous elders, influencers, and local leaders for dialogue and collaboration. Its practical goals are clear: to amplify unheard voices, document endangered knowledge, and promote ethical pathways for technologies that respect natural resources and community rights. In Miriam’s view, technologies can be transformative; for example, smartphones gifted to poor community leaders can open communication channels and access to aid, but only if their deployment considers ecological constraints and prioritizes equality.
For public relations, Miriam is a sought-after speaker and writer, sharing her story of resilience and ethical innovation with audiences around the world. Her message is clear: the future of technology and humanitarianism must be rooted in respect for the earth and its people. Through her work with The Great Gathering of Humanity Inc., Miriam is paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable future for all
© Artemenko Olga
