From Guyana to the Oil Sands: Seon Yuzyk on Race, Labor, and Climate Justice

In this episode, we sit down with Seon Yuzyk, PhD (ABD), a political science doctoral candidate at the University of Alberta whose life journey is as compelling as his research. Born and raised in Guyana between two sugarcane plantations, Seon reflects on his early childhood experiences and how the legacies of resource extraction shaped his worldview.

We explore his years working in Alberta’s oil sands—nearly seven years in supply chain and warehousing—and the profound mental, social, and environmental impacts of life in the industry. From there, Seon shares how these lived experiences inform his academic work on systemic racism, economic inequality, racial capitalism, and climate colonialism.

Beyond his research, Seon is a writer on Substack, a mentor to emerging Black social scientists, and a leader in initiatives supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and Black innovation across Canada. His unique perspective connects personal history, critical scholarship, and frontline experience to shed light on the deep intersections between labor, race, and climate justice.

This conversation offers a powerful lens on resilience, identity, and the urgent need for more inclusive approaches to environmental and social change.

You can learn more about Seon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seonyuzyk/

Thanks for listening!
Follow us on Facebook or Connect on Linkedin