Embracing EDI for Empowered Learning

Facilitators are experts in their fields, who use small and large group discussion, videos, quizzes, case studies, and more to mine the deep wells of knowledge and experience among workshop attendees.  

In this workshop, participants will learn about power and privilege while developing an analysis of social location and their own place in the matrix of intersecting identities. Language stems from communities; it shapes, and is shaped by culture. Our Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression workshop examines how language evolves in tandem with cultural shifts. It teaches participants how to apply an anti-racist lens that recognizes the intersectional nature of identity. By the end of the workshop, learners will have developed practical skills for using their privilege to effectively intervene in racist, sexist, ableist, transphobic, and other oppressive incidents, and for advocating for equity everywhere.

Positive Space (2SLGBTQIA+) refers to creating inclusive and welcoming environments or initiatives to support and celebrate individuals who identify as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

This workshop will give learners a host of tools to support the full inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our workplaces, families, and communities. We will learn how language evolves and shapes culture. We’ll demystify the initialism – 2SLGBTQIA+ – and think critically about the meaning of inclusion, diversity, and belonging in and outside of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

The main goal of Positive Space is to create an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, and equity for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This workshop will equip the learner with the tools they need to create equitable work spaces. 

We are at a moment in history where trans people in the US and, increasingly, Canada are facing unprecedented scapegoating and hatred in national and social media, schools, health care settings, and workplaces. In this context, it is vital that organizations and businesses are equipped with education and language they need to be effective allies to trans and non-binary people.

By the end of this workshop, the learner will understand the difference between sex and gender, have tools to discuss gender accurately and confidently, and understand the language of gender-non-conforming identities. With increased exposure and insight into some of the systemic roots of transphobia, and hearing other people’s experiences, we develop empathy and use our areas of relative privilege to become effective allies.

Intersectionality is a concept that was developed in the field of critical theory, particularly within feminist and social justice contexts. It recognizes that individuals possess multiple intersecting social identities (such as race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, religion, and more) and that these identities interact to create unique and complex experiences of privilege and oppression. In other words, intersectionality suggests that an individual's experience of oppression or privilege is not determined by a single aspect of their identity but is shaped by the convergence of multiple social factors in various contexts, such as schools, workplaces, and communities.

This workshop will explore the intersections of our own identities and situate them in the larger context of privilege, oppression, and allyship. 

The Unconscious Bias workshop is a thought-provoking and informative program designed to help participants recognize and address the hidden biases that influence their perceptions, decisions, and interactions. This workshop creates a safe and open environment for individuals to explore the impact of unconscious bias and develop strategies to mitigate its effects.  

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, everyday acts of discrimination or bias that communicate derogatory or negative messages to individuals or groups based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or other marginalized identities. These brief, subtle, and often unconscious behaviours, comments, or gestures can be harmful and contribute to a hostile or unwelcoming environment. Understanding and addressing microaggressions is an essential component of promoting inclusion and combating discrimination.

Becoming an Ally refers to the process of actively supporting and advocating for the rights of individuals or groups who face systemic or social challenges, such as discrimination, prejudice, or inequity. Allies work to create a more inclusive and equitable world by using their privilege, influence, and empathy to stand in solidarity with marginalized communities. This process involves listening, learning, and taking action to combat bias and discrimination while fostering an environment of respect and acceptance for all. Becoming an ally is an ongoing journey that involves self-education, self-reflection, and a commitment to challenging and dismantling prejudice and discrimination wherever they are encountered. 

The act of becoming a gender-affirming organization entails an intentional and comprehensive process. An entity, whether it be a business, community-based organization, educational institution, or healthcare facility, commits through policy and action to creating an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive of individuals of all gender identities and expressions. 

Have you ever experienced someone saying something rude or offensive to you or in your hearing and you couldn’t come up with the best response until later that night as you’re falling asleep? This workshop will equip learners with the tools to be able to respond in the moment to harmful language, be it in the workplace, among friends, or in our communities.