Dismantling Barriers & Fostering Belonging
An Anti-Racism Initiative
Join us for three weeks of engaging activities as we learn together to deepen our understanding of the importance of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in our communities. From speakers, workshops and dialogues to exhibits and performances, these activities will provide opportunities for us to connect, empower and transform our communities to be stronger and more inclusive.
MAY
4-9
2021
Week 1: Learn & Engage
Deepen your understanding of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and their importance in building inclusive communities and our sense of belonging.
May 4
KAIROS Virtual Blanket Exercise
Tuesday, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The exercise builds awareness and understanding of our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by having participants walk through situations that include pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise effectively educates while increasing empathy. It reaches both the mind and the heart. It is contributing to a movement for reconciliation through education across the country.
*Please note: participants must be able to join this activity using a laptop, tablet or desktop. The Zoom phone app is not compatible with this activity.
This activity has limited capacity. Register early to avoid disappointment.
May
4
Keynote: The Importance of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in our Communities
Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
As an equity & inclusion advocate, Celina will share about the importance of equity and inclusion in our communities by using examples and lessons from her lived experience as a Black entrepreneur and former Member of Parliament. Her recently released book, Can You Hear Me Now? describes poignant lessons in leadership, empathy and empowerment.
Access the recording of Celina’s keynote here
May
5
Disability Awareness
Wednesday, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
This workshop will provide participants with tools to understand what disability is, the types of disability, the current language of disability, what ableism is, how you can actively work to fight against it, and tips for disabled people and allies alike to better ensure equity in all that you do.
Access the recording of the Disability Awareness workshop here. This recording will only be available until May 13, 2021.
Presented by
May
5
Diversity in Books: Can You Hear Me Now?
Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Join our monthly book club to discuss Celina Caesar-Chavannes’ book, Can You Hear Me Now? Share some of your reflections from the book or her keynote speech the night before.
In partnership with
May
6
Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression
Thursday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Diving deeper than your typical diversity and inclusion workshop, participants are given the opportunity to explore systemic oppression, social justice, privilege, identity and allyship through a variety of engaging activities. Through self-reflection, community- based inquiry, lessons from history and collaborative problem solving, participants gain the knowledge and skills to view the world through an anti- oppressive lens.
Access the recording of the Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression here.
Presented by
May
6
Principles of Allyship
Thursday, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
This workshop is an introduction to what is allyship, why is allyship important in anti-racism work. Participants will learn the principles of allyship and how we can share power. This is geared for both community members (public) and service providers (front-line to senior management).
Access the recording of this session here. This recording is available until May 18th.
Presented by
Priti Shah and Christine Spinder
May
7
Intro to Racial Justice
Friday, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
An immersive and in-depth workshop that exposes our complicity in racist power structures that exist all around us. This workshop is both personal and political: an exploration into bias, systemic oppression, language, cultural appropriation and intersectionality. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the manifestations of racism from systems of power to workplace microaggressions and most importantly gain the skills to speak up and combat racism in their communities.
Access the recording of this session here
Presented by
MAY
10-16
2021
Week 2: Engage & Empower
Connect with others in dialogues and activities to build empathy and allyship
May
10
Keynote: The impact of intergenerational trauma & the use of trauma informed lens in policy and service improvements
Monday, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Author of From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless and Finding My Way, Jesse Thistle will share how his lived experience with addiction and homelessness has impacted his advocacy work. Jesse is a Métis-Cree Ph.D. candidate in the History program and Assistant Professor at York University in Toronto.
Access the recording of Jesse’s talk here
In partnership with
Disability Justice
Tuesday, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Increase your disability knowledge and engage in dialogue as we explore new ways of doing and perceiving, including the ten principles of disability justice and how they can be utilized in daily life. This workshop will also cover how these practices and principles impact the daily lives of people with disabilities.
Access the recording of this workshop here. This recording will be available for viewing until May 18, 2021.
Presented by
May
11
May
11
Dinner Dialogue: Decolonizing Language
Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Bring your dinner to this virtual dialogue!
Share time with Luna Aixin, a queer and mixed-race settler in a 90 minute “storysharing and dialogue session.” Luna will share their story and reflections on their journey to decolonize the “colonizer language systems” in their mind and body, finding solace in the Chinese word, “Kaī Xīn”, and how they are changing their internal language system to focus on relationships. This will be followed by a participatory dialogue with Luna on how racism shows up in our language, and what we can do to cultivate language systems that are relational and not transactional.
May
12
Cultural Connections: Storytelling Dialogue
Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Join Indigenous facilitator, Christine MacKenzie as she engages us in dialogue about our cultural connections. Sharing about each other’s heritage and culture can empower and strengthen our understanding of each other.
In partnership with
May
13
Inner Work of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Thursday, 10:00am – 12:00 pm
This workshop will dive deeper into intersectionality framework and understanding privilege as a responsibility. Participants will gain better understanding of how to act as collaborators within their workplace or in their community. Geared mostly for organizational staff (front line to senior management).
Presented by
Priti Shah & Christine Spinder
Dinner Dialogue: Liberating the Self: A Self-Decolonization Approach
Thursday, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
May
13
Creating safer spaces for IBPOC folx and allies to connect and reflect on their experiences and develop connections and solidarity.
Facilitated by Lakshmi Lochan
May
14
Transgender Rights
Friday, 11:00am – 12:30pm
This is an awareness-raising workshop about the challenges facing transgender and gender non-conforming people. This introductory workshop includes an overview of appropriate language to use, existing legal protections, and what we as activists can do to make sure our workplaces and our unions are as inclusive as possible to transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming folks.
Presented by Adrienne Smith
Other Events in the Community
What’s Cooking with Coquitlam Public Library
May 10, Monday, 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm
Share a recipe in honour of Asian Heritage Week! Grab a cook book and connect with your fellow foodies in the Library’s new Cook Book Book Club.
Pre-Employment Skills for Newcomers
May 11, Tuesday, 1 – 2:30 pm
Join Coquitlam Public Library and IssofBC JobQuest for a series of workshops to support newcomers who are seeking or entering the Canadian workforce.
MAY
17-21
2021
Week 3: Empower & Transform
Strengthen your capacity to amplify diverse voices and influence positive change
May
17
Disrupting Unconscious Bias
Monday, 11:00am – 12:30pm
This workshop provides educational information on the science behind cognitive bias and how it informs the decisions we make every day. While biases are a natural part of our human brains, this workshop allows attendees to think critically about how biases may lead us to make unfair decisions, lack diversity in hiring or exclude people. Participants leave with a renewed sense of urgency and knowledge for recognizing bias in everyday conversation and decision-making which in turn transforms workplaces for the better.
Presented by
May
17
Mindfulness Hour: Yoga with Intention
Monday, 6:30-7:30pm
Join instructor Jai Singh in mindfulness yoga: yoga with intention. Tap into your inner-power with the utmost of care, learning more about your inner-self throughout the process. By practicing yoga this way, open your awareness and focus on unifying the mind with the body, leaving you feeling strengthened, whole, complete and connected.
Access the recording of the yoga session here. The recording will be available until May 31, 2021.
May
18
Understanding Human Rights, Systemic Racism & Discrimination under the BC Human Rights Code
Tuesday, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
This workshop will provide information about BC Office of Human Rights Commissioner and information about discrimination under the BC Human Rights Code. It will provide an overview of BCOHRC’s work related to systemic racism (including the Am I Racist campaign and Disaggregated Data report) and what people can do to address systemic racism at the individual and systemic level.
Access the recording here. The recording will be available until July 18, 2021.
Presented by
May
18
Food Diversity Dialogue: Conversation with Local Chefs
Tuesday, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Our population’s diversity continues to grow and with that, we also see the availability of more diverse traditional foods in our communities. We will chat with some local chefs around the preparation of traditional foods, how their food connects themselves and their clients to their culture and some of the challenges they face around cultural appreciation and appropriation.
May
19
Inclusive Leadership
Wednesday, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Tailored to leaders, managers and decision-makers, this workshop dives deep into conversations about the ethical use of power. We talk about bias and de-biasing, listening behind the lines, and having courageous conversations. Essential to this part of the workshop is an openness to learn. Participants will learn how to ask practical, compassionate questions and develop better active listening skills and improved means of supporting others.
Presented by
May
20
Moving from Allyship to Collaboration
Thursday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
This workshop will cover how allyship can move towards collaboration and structural change and how organizations can map intersections for action. Geared mostly for organizational staff (front line to senior management).
Presented by
Priti Shah & Christine Spinder
May
20
Connections: A Virtual Closing Celebration
Thursday, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Join us for an hour of music, dance and poetry to celebrate our initiative.
Access the recording from this powerful event here
May
21
KAIROS Virtual Blanket Exercise
Friday, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
The exercise builds awareness and understanding of our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by having participants walk through situations that include pre-contact, treaty-making, colonization and resistance. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level, the KAIROS Blanket Exercise effectively educates while increasing empathy. It reaches both the mind and the heart. It is contributing to a movement for reconciliation through education across the country.
*Please note: participants must be able to join this activity using a laptop, tablet or desktop. The Zoom phone app is not compatible with this activity.
This activity has limited capacity. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Accessibility Features
If you require live captioning and/or ASL interpretation, please let us know at least 3 days in advance by indicating on the registration form or by contacting tricitieslip@success.bc.ca
If you would prefer to register by phone or email, please contact tricitieslip@success.bc.ca or at 604.468.6001. Please leave a message with your name and phone number, we will return your call and complete the registration with you.
This initiative is supported by:
Keynote Speakers
Celina Caesar- Chavannes
Celina Caesar-Chavannes is a business consultant, coach and international speaker. She currently serves as the Sr. Advisor, EDI Initiatives and Adjunct Lecturer at Queen’s University and her forthcoming book, “Can You Hear Me Now?” was published by Penguin Random House Canada in February this year. She was the former Member of Parliament for Whitby, Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development. During her term as a Member of Parliament, Celina was awarded several distinctions including a feature in the April 2018 edition of O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine entitled, “What would you stand up for and named Chatelaine Magazine’s Woman of the Year (2019). She has a Bachelor of Science, an MBA in Healthcare Management and an Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management.
She can be followed on all social media platforms @iamcelinacc
Jesse Thistle
Indigenous Rights Activist | Bestselling Author, From The Ashes | Assistant Professor of Metis Studies, York University
Jesse Thistle is a Metis-Cree Ph.D. Candidate in the History program and Assistant Professor at York University, Toronto. Currently, he is working on theories of the intergenerational and historical trauma of the Metis people. Jesse’s work involves reflections on his own previous struggles with addiction and homelessness and has been recognized as having a wide impact on both the scholarly community and the greater public.
Thistle was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. In 1979 he and his two brothers were removed from his family home and moved to Brampton, Ontario to be brought up by his paternal grandparents. During his late teens and twenties, Thistle struggled with addiction, homelessness, and served several brief stints in jail for petty theft. After an unsuccessful robbery attempt in 2006, Thistle turned himself in to police custody and entered a drug rehabilitation program. In 2012 he entered the undergraduate history program at York University.
Community Agreement
Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership recognizes gaps in access to knowledge, and aims to support community learning opportunities. The intent of this community agreement is to create a safe space for participants, facilitators, speakers and volunteers to learn, engage and dialogue and ensures that everyone in attendance has common understanding of the expectations in participating in this initiative.
By registering and attending the activities during this anti-racism initiative, attendees must abide by the expectations and non-negotiables stated in this community agreement. Those in violation of the non-negotiables will be immediately removed from the web session, and will not be able to attend further programming prior to receiving permission from event organizers. In some cases, folks will be prohibited from attending all future virtual programming.
Acknowledgements
We acknowledge and honour that the work of the Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership takes place in the traditional unceded territory of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation, which lies within the shared territories of the Tsleil-Waututh, Katzie, Musqueam, Qayqayt, Squamish, and Sto’:lo Nations.
We would like to recognize Bakau Consulting for their exemplary work in developing community agreements for the Stratagem Virtual conference, from which this community agreement has been adapted.
Expectations
Respect
- Everyone has different experiences & backgrounds
- Honour names and pronouns
- Refrain from challenging others’ experiences & perspectives
- Honour confidentiality: share lessons learned, not stories
- Be mindful of your own privacy. Refrain from sharing personal information in public spaces
- Ask for consent (for exchanging contact info, connecting on social media, and attributing/ crediting facilitators & speakers)
- Take good care of yourself. Whether it’s moving your body, having food and drink nearby, your well-being is important. Seek support if you need it. Some sessions have active listeners to provide support.
Be Accountable & Intentional
- We are responsible for the impact of our words and action. Assume best intent but acknowledge impact
- Listen and be present. Interact as intentionally as you would in person
- Listen attentively to speakers and facilitators about how to interact on the platform, as they may have different systems of preferences for how they hold virtual space
- Allow each person the opportunity to contribute. Be respectful of those who choose not to contribute if that is their wish
Safe Learning Space
- We are all in different places in our learning journey. Be patient, gentle and kind with each other as these are hard conversations.
- Strive for compassionate call-ins over shameful call-outs where possible
- These conversations are not always comfortable & risk free. Discomfort does not equal unsafe and could lead to insightful learning opportunities – sit with the discomfort and lean into the vulnerability.
- Believe in collaboration over competition
- Expect and accept non-closure
Non-Negotiables
These things should go without saying, but sometimes we need a reminder!
- Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, ableism, audism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, classism, anti-Blackness, fatphobia, or any other form of discrimination or hate speech will not be tolerated.
- Harassment in the form of microaggressions, unwanted advances, bullying, threats, unwarranted swearing, slurs or physical violence will not be tolerated.
- Cultural appropriation will not be tolerated – this refers to wearing, practicing or in some way consuming a sacred or significant item or tradition that is not part of your own culture or ancestry, in a way that is harmful, without consent and/or perpetuates oppressive structures.
- Inappropriate online conduct will not be tolerated, including harmful comments, behaviour that demands emotional labour without consent, cyberbullying, and any online behaviour that demonstrates the above non-negotiables.
By registering and attending the activities during this anti-racism initiative, attendees must abide by the expectations and non-negotiables stated in this community agreement.
If you experience or witness something that feels wrong, please bring it to the attention of one of the conference organizers who will be available to contact privately via email at tricitieslip@success.bc.ca
Those in violation of the non-negotiables will be immediately removed from the web session, and will not be able to attend further programming prior to receiving permission from event organizers. In some cases, folks will be prohibited from attending all future virtual programming.
Decisions about granting permission for future attendance will be based on whether organizers confidently feel that folks have learned from incidents and pose no harm moving forward. Consent must first be given by those who brought forward the problem.
