According to the United Nations’ website, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established six years after the Sharpeville tragedy and massacre in South Africa. The police opened fire killing 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against the apartheid “pass laws” in Sharpeville on March 21, 1960. Following these events, the UN General Assembly called on the International community to increase its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination when it proclaimed the day as a UN day of obeservance in 1966. The General Assembly also called on world states and organizations to participate in a program of action to combat racism and racial discrimination in 1983 and in 2001, it held a conference against Racism and Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance.
The Algoma University EDI Anti Racism Working groups will partner with AUSU and SASA to bring you a week-long menu of events during the week of March 15, 2021.
Some of the highlighted events include:
2SLGBTQQIPA+ Friendly Yoga
March 15, 2021 from 12 – 1 pm
Join us for an 2SLGBTQQIPA+ inclusive yoga space on March 15, 2021. This session will be facilitated by Chey Johns. Chey Johns is a trauma-informed yoga/meditation teacher and Psychology student based in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Her work focuses on mental health, wellness, and social justice. As a trauma-informed yoga instructor, her aim is to cultivate a space where students can explore movement as a way to nurture a connection to their bodies through choice-based movement. Chey’s classes include a blend of yoga philosophy, mindfulness, alignment, and breathing techniques. Chey is of Caribbean, European, and Indigenous ancestry and is a member of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory.
FREE and open to all 2SLGBTQQIPA+ folks and allies. Register at tiny.cc/LGBTQ2Syoga
Please, see the poster below and link for registration.
Challenging Stereotypes – Photo Submission
March 15 – 21, 2021
Join us in our mission to highlight how diverse our community is by submitting a photo and a message that speaks to stereotypes that you hear about your culture/nationality/race. Your photos will be transformed into a collage on our website which will be released at a later date. Together we will be able to showcase the diversity in our community! All photos will be entered into a draw for a book prize.
Form will be available from 9am on March 15th until 11:59pm (EST) on March 21st: https://forms.gle/1PNS74KqmxA97r1s8
Queer 101 Education and Awareness Sessions
March 16, 2021 from 12 – 2 pm
This inaugural session is open to EDI committee members and will be rolled out to accommodate other AU members.Queer 101 is an inclusive safe space that encourages open dialogue and teaches about active steps to build allyship through education and awareness. Join us for an exploration of privilege, history and what can be done to create change and develop inclusiveness.
EDIC members can register at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/queer-101-tickets-143305158587
Sounds of Asia
March 17th, 2021 from 12pm – 1 pm
Sounds of Asia aims to help bridge gaps in cultural learning and understanding through music. As a part of the event, we will host a game of Jeopardy and share popular songs from around the world while reflecting on how Asian culture and music has helped shape perceptions across the globe. As a part of this event, roundtable discussions will be led by a panel of staff and student leaders to explore their experiences in Canada.
Sounds of Asia will be hosted on Zoom at the following link: https://zoom.us/j/92400321065pwd=UDhJenhIbENoTW11TC80QVJyUTBPdz09
The event agenda will be circulated soon!
Ethnic People’s and Peace – Global Network Project and Afro-Colombian National Peace Council (CONPA) / Colombian Truth Commission
March 18, 2021 from 7pm – 9pm
A Panel Moderated by Dr. Sheila Gruner
This event aims to foster critical reflection on forced migration resulting from conflict, as well as connections and parallels in the experiences of Afro-Colombians with racialized groups and migrants in Canada.The panel will explore the relationship between racism and war from the perspectives and experiences of Black communities in Colombia, based on a comprehensive community-based research process and final report submitted by the National Afro-Colombian Peace Council (Conpa) to the Colombia Truth Commission. The relationships between extractive projects, displacement and conflict in Afro-Colombian territories, the role of – and effects on – women in the face of racial and gender-based violence, the important role of self-governance and territorial and political rights and contributions to peace will be explored.
To register and for more information, please view event page.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
March 19, 2021 – 2pm Launch
AUSU will be hosting an online scavenger hunt that students, staff, and faculty will be able to participate in from home.
Participants will carry out tasks and activities related to the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Dicrimination at their own pace, earning points as they do so. Participants will receive more details and instructions at the official Zoom kick off.
Registration form link: https://forms.gle/kTt7nceVxrzVGHMe6
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82590422260?pwd=Z3JQa25ZOVdRb3l3WTNRbUs4MnRYdz09
Join Together on the Solstice
Saturday March 20th, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 3:30pm
Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students Association and Anishinaabe Initiatives will host a ceremony for the Solstice. Margaret Neveau will be the guest speaker.
Zoom link and registration will be provided soon.
Racial Discrimination and the Healing Journey Presentation
By Laura McNeilly BSc, MA, RP of Whole Health Services
March 21, 2021 from 1 – 2:30 pm
Trauma is the response of the bodymind to an overwhelmingly distressing event, whether that event is rooted in abuse, violence, sudden death, neglect, loss, or racism. In order to heal from trauma, we need to understand those response mechanisms and work with them within the context of the bodymind, where they occurred and live. This presentation will explore the neurobiology of trauma and some of the psychospiritual methods for recovery.
Laura McNeilly is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor working in the field of holistic healthcare for over 25 years. She is a trained Massage Therapist, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, Chartered Herbalist, and Spiritual Director, a former faculty member at Sutherland-Chan School and Teaching Clinic, and she currently serves as a Board Member of the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Waterloo Wellington branch. Laura’s work is integrative, drawing from many theoretical frameworks, including cognitive, experiential, psychodynamic, and systemic models, as well as diverse cultural-spiritual-theological frameworks including North and South American and African Indigenous, JudeoChristian mystical, and Eastern meditative teachings and practices. She is a lover of the natural world, a perennial student who seeks knowledge and truths wherever they may be found, and an explorer of the self and the Self. You can find her at lauramcneilly.com.
Register in advance for this webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0S4W9HVERWmXPUtC_SZUgA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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