"I am running for office because I believe in public service and giving back to the community that has shaped me. Strong communities are built when people feel heard, respected, and represented. I will work alongside residents to build on our community’s strengths, expand opportunities for families and businesses, and keep Waverley West a safe, vibrant, and thriving place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come." - Nafiya Naso
Why Nafiya Is Running
Nafiya is running for City Councillor because she believes in public service and in giving back to the community that has shaped her. Having lived in Waverley West for nearly twenty years, she understands firsthand both the opportunities and the challenges facing our neighbourhoods.
She is committed to:
- Creating Safer Neighbourhoods
- Expanding Recreation Opportunities for Youth, Seniors & Families
- Improving Transportation Flow for Vehicles, Transit & Cyclists
- Ensuring Affordability & Accountability at City Hall
- Building Greener Neighbourhoods
Her goal is to keep Waverley West a safe, vibrant, and connected place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come.
About Nafiya
Nafiya Naso is a proud Waverley West resident. For nearly twenty years, she and her husband have called this community home, raising their children and building strong connections with neighbours.
Nafiya believes public service begins with listening. She knows strong communities are built when people feel heard, respected, and represented - and she knows how to solve tough challenges and get the job done, creating opportunity and stronger communities along the way.
Her career reflects that commitment:
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Healthcare Worker: Nafiya began her career providing compassionate care to seniors, working closely with medical teams to support residents' health and dignity.
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Co-founder, Canadian Yazidi Association: She has guided the resettlement of over 1,500 Yazidi individuals displaced by conflict, led national advocacy efforts, and developed programs that help newcomers and immigrant families build new lives in Canada.
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Founder, Residential & Commercial Cleaning Company: A thriving Winnipeg business creating stable, meaningful jobs and opportunity for vulnerable community members.
As a lifelong community advocate, healthcare worker, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping others succeed, Nafiya's work is grounded in compassion and the belief that strong communities are built when people have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
Recognition
Nafiya has dedicated much of her life to building stronger communities - locally, nationally, and internationally. She excels at bringing diverse communities together around shared goals. She is not affiliated with any political party and understands that lasting success depends on the ability to work constructively with people from all backgrounds and viewpoints.
As an accomplished speaker, Nafiya has shared her community development expertise on the world stage. Nafiya has presented at:
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Manitoba Government House Speakers Series,
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Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.,
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United Nations in New York,
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Universities in the USA, Berlin, Germany, and Greece
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Multiple times before Parliamentarians in Ottawa.
While she pursues this work out of passion, Nafiya is humbled to have received meaningful recognition over the years, including:
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King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded for her leadership in refugee resettlement and her work building bridges between faith and cultural communities,
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Winnipeg 150 Award, for improving the lives of others in Winnipeg,
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Provincial Leadership Award, for exemplary leadership and meaningful contributions to Manitoba through public service,
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Statements of Recognition from Premier Wab Kinew and former Premier Greg Selinger, for her community development, refugee resettlement work, and public service to Manitoba, and
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Statement of Recognition from MLA Jennifer Chen, for her contributions to community members in Fort Richmond.
