From Remembrance to Equity, Inclusion, Fairness & Human Rights 2011 - thirty days of reflection and action !

[Colour of Poverty]

Colour of Change Network - in many network members possibly just having paused and attempted to fully consider the real meaning and underlying significance of Remembrance Day - not the superficial observance which all too often serves to be little more than politically motivated public posturing - if not even more thinly veiled and/or ill-intentioned, narrow-minded as well as intolerant partisanship - we should consider the fact that there are 30 days between November 11 ( Remembrance Day ) and December 10 ( the International Day for Human Rights ) !

December 10th of course is the anniversary of the adoption of the largely Canadian drafted Universal Declaration of Human Rights - http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/  and  http://www.ohchr.org/en/udhr/pages/introduction.aspx  See also an interactive version - http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/humanrights/declaration/index.asp  as well as a "Questions and Answers" about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ( UDHR ) - http://www.unac.org/rights/question.html

As the UDHR has 30 Articles ( or paragraphs ) in it - curiously and conveniently one for each of the 30 days that separate these two reflective moments in our shared national psyche or consciousness - we would do well to consider each of these Articles - day by day - as we travel from "remembrance" to why it was and is that we engage(d) in such violent forms of conflict - the preservation and/or pursuit of freedom, equity, inclusion, fairness and human rights !

We need view and thoughtfully consider these core values and principles - in video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlrSYbCbHE  and for the International Bill of Human Rights - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8kP3pr6XPU&feature=related  - in order to both avoid being distracted, manipulated or misled - by self serving politicians, by those of whichever political stripe who are simply driven by their own egos, their organizational agendas or their ideologies - or those who would have us all act in service of any other agenda of intolerance - attempting to build or preserve their power or privilege - by convincing as many of us as possible that the "OTHER" of the moment - "those" ( it's never "us" when these strategic fingers get pointed ! ) certain persons of colour, "those" Indigenous Peoples, "those" newcomers to Canada, "those" single mothers - you know the list - are in fact a real and present threat to them, to Canada and are in fact "the enemy" !!

As you consider and reflect - see below ( and attached ) a listing of 21 upcoming opportunities - through the same 30 days - to engage these values and principles through sharing, learning and racial justice relevant advocacy !!

metta - michael

 

1) FUTURES – Equity in Education Conference - Proposals DUE November 30 !!

 

Throughout the world, governments and school boards are facing challenges as they work to put equity policy into systemic practice.  To further equity practice for all, the Toronto District School Board ( TDSB ) is hosting the FUTURES - Equity in Education Conference from May 3rd to May 5th, 2012.  The conference will provide an excellent showcase for effective practices, both highlighting innovations and grappling with the challenges arising from efforts to improve equity in education. Educational leaders from the TDSB, Canada's largest school board, and from across Canada and around the world will gather for this valuable opportunity to explore equitable and inclusive education. The conference will focus on the teaching and learning component of equity and inclusive education and will address all of the areas of equitable policy and practice that impact student achievement and well-being, including policy and practice related to race and ethnicity, faith, gender, socio-economic circumstances, sexual orientation, and disability. We would be honoured to have you attend this conference and would like to invite you to submit a proposal to present a workshop for conference members.  Workshop proposal applications are available through the conference website - www.tdsbFUTURES.com.  We invite you to submit a proposal electronically by November 30, 2011 via the online submission form.

               

From - Chris Bolton - Chair, Board of Trustees and Chris Spence - Director of Education

                                               

Contact - Phi Than - Coordinator | FUTURES – Equity in Education Conference | May 3-5, 2012 | www.tdsbFUTURES.com

Toronto District School Board | 5050 Yonge Street, 5^th Floor | Toronto, ON | M2N 5N8 | Tel: 416-395-8411 | Fax: 416-397-3114

2) Social Exclusion Research - Participant Recruitment ( Spitzer et al )

Though it's unfortunately looking ONLY at certain categories of Canadians born abroad with lived experience in the global south - and thus doesn't address the larger underlying key question of the racialized disadvantage that affects both First Peoples and peoples of colour ( 1/3 of whom - and growing - are Canadian born ) see attached the call for participants for a research project aimed at better understanding newcomers’ experiences of social and economic exclusion in their neighbourhoods and workplaces - in the Kingston, Ottawa and Toronto areas. To participate or for more information, please contact - Dr. Maria Rasouli - Tel: 613-608-7407  or email - mariar...@gmail.com

3) Toronto District School Board ( TDSB ) - Regular Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday November 16, 2011 - 7:00pm ( Location - TDSB Head Office - 5050 Yonge St, Toronto )

TWO key items related to racial justice and equitable learning outcomes for First Peoples learners and learners of colour are on this months Board of Trustees meeting Agenda - the Trustees are to receive the report and discuss the "Feasibility for Secondary Africentric School" as well as dealing with the long-awaited "Opportunity Gap Action Plan". Please come out to the Trustee meeting to show your support for both of these important policy and program initiatives - as critical as they are to helping deliver on the real equitable learning outcomes for all - that are so very much missing and needed for learners of colour and Indigenous learners !!

 

4) Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses ( CARE Centre ) 10th Anniversary Celebration
Thursday November 17, 2011 ( Location - Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Toronto )

FLYER attached.
Contact - Cory LeBlanc - CARE Centre for Nurses - : cleb...@care4nurses.org  or  416-226-2800 ext. 228

5) Apply for a KaBOOM! playground today !

 

KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in North America. KaBOOM! brings together parents, community leaders and corporate partners to facilitate the planning and design of new community playspaces. Our goal is to not only build a new playspace but use the project to strengthen existing support networks and build new community relationships. Over the past 15 years, we have helped over 2,000 communities build playgrounds for kids in underserved areas. Check out this video about who we are and what we do and our quick time lapse video to see how a playground is built in a day! Next summer, we are building two new, custom-made playgrounds in the Mississauga and Toronto area and we are accepting applications from nonprofits organizations for consideration. If you know of any nonprofits that may be interested in applying to build a new playspace for their kids, please feel free to forward this information to them. We currently have received funding through generous kid-friendly corporations and foundations that will cover the majority of the funding as well as provide volunteers to help build playgrounds and we are currently accepting applications from nonprofit, child serving organizations and schools that would benefit from and embrace the process of a community built playspace partnership. The application process is competitive, so please submit your application by November 18, 2011. If you need more time, we would be happy to adjust the timeline. The approximate 8-10 week planning process kicks off with a Design Day where children literally design their dream playgrounds, and culminates on Build Day where volunteers build the new playground.  Please contact Nada El-Eryan at (202) 464-6069 or nel-...@kaboom.org with any questions.

 

6) Launch of CASSA's BROWN CANADA PROJECT
Friday November 18, 2011 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ( Location - Committee Rooms 1 & 2, Scarborough Civic Centre, Toronto )

CASSA is launching a new project titled "Brown Canada" aimed to document and celebrate the history of various South Asian communities in Canada during the entire 20th century. This project will document their struggles, their accomplishments and their milestones during the past century. Since the project focuses on various South Asian communities during the entire 20th century and since they wish to pay dedicated attention to all forms of diversity within the South Asian Canadian community, they will need the support of many of you to make it a huge success. The first four months of the project will be focussed on Komagata Maru and its impact on South Asians in the early part of 20th century. CASSA is pleased to invite you to the official launch of this project. A light dinner will be served. Inspirational Guest Speakers !  Great Networking and Discussion !  Amazing Presentations !

Limited Space - Please RSVP early to - Farhat Hasan - at far...@cassa.on.ca

7) Celebrating Community Victories - Standing up to the Harper Threat

Friday, November 18 - 7pm – 9pm ( Location - Rm 2215, OISE. 252 Bloor Street W, Toronto - the Bedford exit of St. George subway )

Panel organized by - Defenders of the Land supporters

 

Russell Diabo ( Policy Consultant for the Algonquin Nation Secretariat, Editor and Publisher of the First Nations Strategic Bulletin ) -
will be discussing big picture of the war against First Nations in Canada. He will discuss the challenges of getting rid of the Indian Act and having section 35 & the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Articles recognized and respected for Inherent, Aboriginal & Treaty Rights implementation.

 

Pamela Palmater ( Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Governance, Ryerson University ) - will discuss her recent work analyzing Bill S-2, regarding matrimonial property rights on reserve, which, as she writes, “will have a significant impact not only on the nature and legal status of reserve lands generally, but specifically in relation to who can hold, occupy, use and benefit from reserve lands.” Palmater has learned that this bill could lead to the elimination of many bands in Canada over the next 75 years.

Randy Kapashesit, Chief of the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation

 

(Chair) Sylvia Plain, Aamjiwnaang First Nation, Water Walker

 

* This space is accessible. Please contact iswto...@gmail.com to arrange for access to elevators from the side building entrance. We will also have people on hand to accommodate drop-ins throughout the event.

 

8) Panorama of Sacred Expression
Saturday November 19, 2011 - start time 4:30pm ( Location - Forest Hill United Church, 121 Westmount Road East, Kitchener )

An afternoon of sharing what is sacred from many faiths, denominations, traditions, and spiritualities - a FREE event but a non perishable food item will be appreciated by the Food Bank. Come and prove that your faith has taught you love for all humankind - as we feel this comes at a critical time when people of faith should join together - mutually respect each other - and share and not feel divided or alienated !!  Promoting mutual respect has been the mandate of Cross Cultures for 20 years now ... and we think that it is timely and even necessary to nurture interfaith at this juncture in our lives. Contact - Gehan Sabry - (519) 748-9520  email - crossc...@bellnet.ca  Website - www.crosscultures.ca

9) Immigrant Women Services Ottawa - Cultural Explosion
Saturday November 19, 2011 - 6:30pm ( Location - Bronson Centre - 211 Bronson Ave, Ottawa )

 

Contact - Raymonde Hogarth - info...@immigrantwomenservices.com  Tel - 613-729-3145

10) Deconstructing Identity Barriers: Aboriginal Women’s Sharing Circle

Facilitated by Erin Konsmo

Tuesday Nov. 22 - 12:00-3:00 pm ( Location - York University, Room 242, York Lanes, Toronto )

As Aboriginal women, we experience challenges unique to our cultural identity and sexuality on a constant and public basis. We believe that these challenges compromise achieving indigenous sovereignty for our Nations. Our sharing circle seeks to bring forth personal experiences of identity barriers by articulating our opinions in a group setting, addressing the fear of further marginalization and by critically challenging the public value of the “expert’s” perspective over our own. We acknowledge the power imbalances that are unique to Aboriginal women and our objective is to formulate individualized strategies to empower each other, as Aboriginal women, in the deconstruction of identity barriers and in constructing of ourselves.

 

Please note that our facilitator is not equipped to counsel individual cases of trauma. This is an accessible location. A light lunch will be served and tokens provided, if needed.

 

11) Support KI First Nation;  Kanaawayandan D'aaki! Protect the KI Homeland 

Tuesday November 22 - 7:00pm ( Location - Ryerson Student Centre - 55 Gould St. - SCC 115, Toronto )

In 2008 Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Chief Donny Morris went to jail for refusing to allow mining exploration his community feared would contaminate their water supply.  The remote First Nation community succeeded in fighting off mining exploration by Platinex, but now a gold exploration company has staked claims directly on top of sacred KI burials. Ontario continues to violate KI’s right to say ‘no’ to mining exploration on their Homeland. KI First Nation has governed and cared for the Homeland, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki, that is at the core of their culture since time before memory.  This vast area of boreal lakes, rivers, forests, and wetlands provides KI’s pristine water supply, the lake trout the community rely upon, and their sacred landscape.  KI has a vision for the future of their lands and environment that benefits both KI and all life. Join us in this rare opportunity to hear directly from KI leaders about their struggle to control and care for their Homeland. Kanaawayandan d'aaki!


12) Occupy Street: a Historic Cause or Lost Cause ?
Wednesday, November 23 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm ( Location - York University, 9th Floor Ross - Senate Chambers, Toronto )               

Hosted by - Public Policy and Administration Students Association, Sociology Undergraduate Students Association, The Poverty Eradication Project, and Undergraduate Political Science Council.

A multi-disciplinary panel providing unique perspectives on the economic, political and sociological significance of the global 'Occupy' movement. Students will have the chance to hear professors from these disciplines present critical analysis of the opportunities and challenges. Contact Info - Horia Soltani ( PEP ) - h.so...@live.ca

13) Criminalization of Indigenous Peoples

Wednesday, November 23 - 7pm – 9pm ( Location: University of Toronto Multi-Faith Centre  - 569 Spadina Ave, Toronto )

Christa Big Canoe, Legal Advocacy Director, Aboriginal Legal Services: Speaking on the impacts of Harper's Omnibus crime bill on Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Jules Koostachin, Elisabeth Fry: speaking on the over-incarceration and criminalization of Indigenous women and girls


14) President Mary Simon – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami - Indigenous Women Leader

The next in the Centre for Indigenous Governance ( Ryerson University ) 2011-2012 lecture series. President Simon is internationally known for advancing social justice for the Inuit. She holds high-level positions in the Arctic Circle and has significant political and governance experience on the international stage. She will speak about politics on the international stage and her own path and experiences as a leader. All lectures in the series are free. Lunch is provided. RSVP to Jill Witherspoon, jwit...@ryerson.ca x 4796.

Thursday November 24, 2011 - 12:00 noon ( Location - Arts & Letters Club, 14 Elm Street, Toronto ( between Bay and Yonge )

Contact - Centre for Indigenous Governance - Tania Donaldson - (416) 979-5000, ext. 5105  or   c...@ryerson.ca

Website - www.ryerson.ca/cig/

15) The Silence is Broken: Now What ?

Thursday, November 24 - 6:30pm – 9pm ( Location - Native Women’s Resource Centre - 191 Gerrard Street East, Toronto ( near the Sherbourne intersection )

Panel organized by - No More Silence and Native Women’s Resource Centre

 

Where should the energy of groups like No More Silence be focused? How do we best continue to raise awareness around the disappearance of Indigenous women and create conditions that stop the violence?  Hear from - Lee Maracle, Darlene Ritchie (Executive Director, At^losha Native Family Healing Services - London Ontario), Wanda Whitebird ( Women's Outreach/Support Services, Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy ), Faith Nolan, Singer, Songwriter & Activist. This space is accessible.

 

16) The Poverty Eradication Project ( PEP ) - "No Woman No Cry" Movie Night
Thursday November 24 - 6:30 - 9:30pm ( Location - York University - Nat Taylor Cinema - N102, Ross Building, Toronto )

The movie choice is 'No Woman No Cry’ directed and produced by Christy Turlington Burns. The film tells the stories of at-risk pregnant women in four parts of the world and fits right in with PEP's theme for this month 'Maternal Health'. The Movie Night will be held in the Nat Taylor Cinema, York University. We will also have a guest speaker. So come out! Let's watch a movie, discuss how this affects us locally and try to gain a better grasp of how this issue is realized on a larger transnational scale as well! This may be the perfect event for you to meet others interested in this dialogue, connect with an expert in the field and meet new people at York!

17) Muskrat Magazine Launch

Saturday November 26 - 6:00pm - 8:30pm ( Location - Native Canadian Centre of Toronto - 16 Spadina Rd, Toronto )

In the spirit of community building and honouring our relationship to land and sustenance - MUSKRAT Magazine, The Toronto Native Community History Project,Indigenous Sovereignty Week, ANDPVA and The Accidental Caterer invite you to share a feast. BRING a "Traditional" dish to share ( WHATEVER TRADITIONAL MEANS TO YOU - it may be featured in our next food issue ! ) Special Guests include - Elder Jan Longboat, Community leader and teacher Sylvia Maracle, Performance artist Cheryl L’Hirondelle, Entertainer Glen Gould, Poet Giles Benaway, and...a sneak peak of MUSKRAT's upcoming FOOD issue !!

Bring home a new read from the Toronto History Project's booksale - ANDPVA will lead children's craft activities so bring your little artists - Bring your own utensils !!

18) United Nations - Forum on Minority Issues - Fourth Session

November 29-30, 2011  ( Location - Room XX of the Palais des Nations - Geneva, Switzerland )

This session will focus on the following - "Guaranteeing the rights of minority women".  The Forum offers a unique opportunity for engagement and dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders to exchange experiences and good practices. The Forum is open to the participation of - States; United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes; intergovernmental organizations; regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights; national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies; academics and experts on minority issues; and non-governmental organizations. For more information on this session, including a concept note, the provisional agenda and registration form, go to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/minority/session4.htm

Contact - Civil Society Section - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - Tel. +41 (0) 22 - 917 - 9656
Website - http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/CivilSociety.aspx

19) Ontario Black History Society and PricewaterhouseCoopers 2012 Scholarship

November 30, 2011 application deadline

The OBHS was founded in 1978 and is dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black history and heritage. Founded by educators, the OBHS exists to further the story, experiences and achievements of Canadians of African origin - seizing our past to transform our future. To further our mutual mandates, the OBHS and PwC wish to provide a means to support the achievement of African-Canadian young people in their post secondary education. This OBHS & PwC Scholarship will be for one student who plans to pursue a career in chartered accountancy. Scholarship recipients must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 17 and 25. They must provide support of their academic achievement, community involvement, financial need and the rationale for wanting to enter the field of chartered accountancy.

All application materials must be submitted by Nov. 30, 2011 before 4:00 p.m. addressed to -

Scholarship Committee - Ontario Black History Society ( OBHS ) - 10 Adelaide St. E. Suite 402, Toronto, ON  M5C 1J3

Tel - 416.867.9420
OBHS office: ad...@blackhistorysociety.ca

 

20) METRAC’s Community Justice Program Service Provider Legal Information Training

Thursday, December 8 and Thursday, December 15, 2011 ( Location - 519 Church St, Toronto )

 

Please register as soon as possible as spaces are limited. Geared to service providers, these training sessions will give you tools to better understand and communicate basic legal issues related to violence against women. These trainings are designed to support frontline service providers whose women clients are dealing with legal issues that relate to experiences of intimate violence. METRAC has led the way in the development of current, accessible legal information for women experiencing violence and those who work with them. For the past ten years, we have been developing and delivering legal information trainings relevant to diverse women and service providers across Ontario. Our training approach and the quality of our materials are rated very highly by our participants. While no training could possibly replace access to direct legal representation, it will assist workers in understanding and communicating basic legal concepts, individual rights and responsibilities, additional support services, as well as some of the barriers and challenges that they can expect to encounter as they deal with the criminal, family and/or immigration legal systems. Participants will leave with legal information materials developed by METRAC that relate to the training and will further assist participants in using training information when they work with clients/women. The training will also include a formal time for networking and strategy sharing among participants.

Please fill out the attached form by printing/faxing or filling out digitally and emailing it to the Justice Coordinator at - justiceco...@metrac.org. Flyer attached. The training location is wheelchair accessible. Our materials may be printed in large- font format, ASL interpretation and other accommodation will be provided upon request. We are charging a very modest registration fee to offset our costs. Where that fee is prohibitive, we will do our best to subsidize an agency’s participation.

 

Training 1: Workplace Violence and Safety 

Date: Thursday, December 8^th 2011

Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm (registration & the delivery of training packages will take place from 8:30am - 9:00am)

Topics: Overview of Workplace Sexual Violence and Harassment;  Bill 168; Safety and Risk Assessment and Steps to Deal with Workplace Sexual Violence and Harassment; Forms of workplace violence; Ontario Human Rights Code; Occupational Health & Safety Act; Employment Standards Act; Workplace Safety & Insurance Act; Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace.

Location: The 519 Church Street Community Centre (519 Church Street, Toronto)

 

Training 2: Understanding Access to Justice 

Date: Thursday, December 15^th 2011

Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm (registration & the delivery of training packages will take place from 8:30am - 9:00am)

Topics: Finding a Lawyer: Legal Aid Ontario; Online Legal Information Resources; Private Practice Lawyers; Navigating Barriers to Accessing Justice; Community Legal Clinics; Successful Legal Advocacy.

Location: The 519 Church Street Community Centre (519 Church Street, Toronto)

Darcel Bullen - Justice Projects Coordinator - Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC)

Tel: 416-392-9138

E-mail: justiceco...@metrac.org

21) Muslim Women Council of Hamilton "Celebration of Holidays"
Friday December 9, 2011 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm ( Location - St. Peters HARRRP, Hamilton )

The Muslim Women Council of Hamilton (MWCH) is a group dedicated to engaging Muslim women with the larger Hamilton community. The group aims to educate women about their civic rights and duties, and break down the barriers that they may face because of their cultural backgrounds and to engage women in community acts and activity through events. “Celebration of Holidays” is held again this year to engage different ethnocultural and faith based groups. There will be food and music and presentations about how different groups celebrate their respective holidays. An unique event - Muslim women invite women from diverse faith and ethnocultural backgrounds to celebrate their specific holidays. As Christmas and Divali are celebrated in close proximity, participation would be great from these and all other faiths and cultural groups. We find that as women share their specific traditions, they find themselves bound by gender. Many diverse groups ( Chinese-speaking, Spanish-speaking, Hindu, Christian, Sikhs etc. ) approached MWCH to host the event again this year and responding to this demand, the Status of Women Committee of Hamilton agreed to partner with MWCH. Flyer attached for further information.



--

michael kerr
Coordinator
Colour of Poverty - Colour of Change
# 1701 - 180 Dundas St. W.
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1Z8

Ph. 416-966-3882
Fax 416-971-6780
E-mail - colouro...@gmail.com
Web-site - www.colourofpoverty.ca
Blog - www.racesEDJ.ca