ANTI-DISCRIMINATION RESPONSE TRAINING (A.R.T.)

The Comox Valley Chapter of BCCIC would like to share the day with you while exploring how we can expand our progress in being more inclusive as a community.

Lunch and snacks will be provided

What can I say or do when I hear racist or discriminatory remarks?

What are my response options when I witness discriminatory behaviour?

How can I participate in creating a safer and more inclusive community through becoming an active witness?

In recognition of the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21), please join us on March 20, 2020 for a full-day workshop sponsored by the local chapter of BCCIC (British Columbia Council for International Cooperation):

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION RESPONSE TRAINING (A.R.T.)

The A.R.T. Program, developed by Dr. Ishu Ishiyama – and recently adapted and enhanced by your local facilitators – uses a witness-centred approach to prejudice reduction. Participants will briefly touch on the history of racism in Canada, review and clarify relevant vocabulary, increase their understanding of racial discrimination, and develop readiness and skills to respond.

This workshop involves group-based experiential activities to develop and strengthen “active witnessing skills.” We will review four levels of witnessing: (1) dis-witnessing, (2) passive witnessing, (3) active witnessing, and (4) ethical witnessing. Participants will have the chance to learn and practice a wide range of anti-discriminatory responses, as well as share some of their own effective strategies for responding to racism.

This program is designed to encourage participants to shift from being passive or silent bystanders to becoming active witnesses in their daily lives. In doing so, we can build a safer and more inclusive community, school or workplace.

FACILITATORS:

THANH TAZUMI is a refugee, immigrant, Canadian citizen, daughter, wife, mother, woman of color, Christian, Rotarian, foodie, hopeful optimist, and an empty nester, among other things. She was born and spent the first nine years of her life in Vietnam. Her family fled after the American-Vietnam war along with nearly one million other “Boat People”. She lived in a refugee camp for over 3 years before immigrating to Canada in 1984. In 1987 her family discovered beautiful Vancouver Island and moved to Campbell River, and they have lived here since. Thanh completed her Bachelor in Psychology and Sociology in 1996. She and her husband, Mark Tazumi, have two beautiful daughters. Mark is a third generation Japanese Canadian whose family lived in and through the Japanese interment experience. As a family, they ALL have lived experience with racism, including their parents, siblings, cousins, nieces nephews, and their own children. At the same time, Thanh also recognizes the many privileges that she has. Thanh hopes to contribute in a small way to making our community a little safer for those who have been and/or are marginalized and discriminated against.

NAOMI L. WOLFE is a settler Canadian who greatly values any opportunity to share her skills, learn from others, and collaborate in ways that enhance intercultural understanding, deepen our connections to one another, and create a more just and inclusive society. Over the past 25 years, she has facilitated workshops on various topics, including intercultural competencies, diversity/inclusion, power and privilege, anti-racism and Reconciliation. Through 29 years of working with and advocating for immigrant, refugee and international students as an ESL faculty member at North Island College, and as co-founder of the Immigrant Welcome Centre (Campbell River), Naomi has a deep understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by our diverse community. Originally from Saskatchewan, and having lived many years in the USA and Guatemala, Naomi is grateful to have spent the last 30 years living and raising her sons on unceded First Nations traditional territory near the banks of the Oyster River on Vancouver Island.

For further information, food allergies, accessibility needs or help with registration please contact our coordinator at cvbccic@gmail.com no later than March 16th 9:00 A.M.