#RacialEquityWR

• The Coalition of Muslim women Kitchener-Waterloo has launched an online reporting tool for people who witness or experience incidents of hate or discrimination: https://reportinghate.ca The tool can be accessed online, by phone and people can even report incidents through WhatsApp messenger. More information:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/hate-racism-incident-reporting-tool-waterloo-region-1.5978706  

• Responding to Hate Motivated Incidents guide available in English, Arabic, Spanish and Tigrinya.
• 'Sulah' program to address hate crimes through restorative justice: www.cjiwr.com/sulah
• Community Table Talk:"Responding to Racism," Community Justice Initiatives and Coalition of Muslim Women webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T50lQ4rzE-8

• Waterloo-Region Anti Racism Town Hall- July 30, 2020, July 31,2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz85jf06jF4&t=6861s

• HeartBeatsHate | Stand Up. Speak Out. Push Back - www.heartbeatshate.com

• University of Waterloo - Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion

•  Anti-Racism: Equity Resources for the WRDSB Community https://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2020/06/04/anti-racism-equity-resources-for-the-wrdsb-community/

• Region of Waterloo- Anti-Racism Initiative: https://www.engagewr.ca/anti-racism 

• https://volunteerwr.ca/index.php?MenuItemID=323
• https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/local-activist-addresses-anti-racism-and-allyship-in-new-online-course-1.5101716 

• Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate https://www.ontario.ca/page/anti-racism-directorate 

• Family & Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region - Local Black History Makers https://www.facswaterloo.org/black-history-month-2020 

• Ontario Federation of Labor - Anti-Racism Resource List https://ofl.ca/anti-racism-resource-list/ 

• Waterloo Public Library Book List. It includes a diverse mix of non-fiction and fiction in various formats for adults, teens and children: https://encore.kpl.org/iii/encore_wpl/search/C__Sdiversevoices__Orightresult__U__X0?lang=eng&suite=wpl. 
• What is systemic racism?: https://www.today.com/tmrw/what-systemic-racism-t207878
• "Beyond Inclusion: Equity in Public Engagement." This report, developed by Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, proposes eight principles to guide the meaningful and equitable inclusion of diverse voices when planning and implementing public engagement initiatives that will inform decision-making processes. Available in French. 

• "Engaging Ethno-cultural Communities Toolkit." It was developed by the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary based on experience and learnings from the Strong Neighbourhoods Ethno- Cultural Engagement Project. This toolkit has been designed for use by Community Development Professionals, Community Associations, Community Service Organizations and Agencies, and by local Community Organizers or Residents interested in engaging with ethno-cultural groups in their community.

• New York Times Anti-Black Racism Books -https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/05/books/antiracism-books-race-racism.html

• Globe and Mail:  10 Recent Books on Racism in Canada and the US -https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books/article-10-recent-books-on-racism-in-canada-and-the-us/

• Looking for Excellent “Diverse” Books for Children? Start Here! In this piece, the author identifies promising starting points for your search for children’s books.  The blogs and sites named in this article by no means exhaust the list of sites that highlight excellent children’s books. A search that begins with the sites on this list is likely to bear quality fruit! https://www.embracerace.org/resources/where-to-find-diverse-childrens-books

• Kitchener Public Library https://encore.kpl.org/iii/encore_kpl/search/C__Sblacklivesmatter__P1__Orightresult__X0?lang=eng

• This ‘Equity’ picture is actually White Supremacy at work https://medium.com/@eec/this-equity-picture-is-actually-white-supremacy-at-work-59f4ea700509

• Anti-East Asian Racism https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/community/toronto-for-all/anti-east-asian-racism/

•  Racial Equity Tools. This website offers tools, research, tips, curricula, and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working for racial justice at every level –in systems, organizations, communities, and the culture at large: www.racialequitytools.org
• Anti-racism resources for child and youth health care providers: https://www.cps.ca/en/policy-and-advocacy/antiracism-resources-for-child-and-youth-health-care-providers

• What is systemic racism? (videos): https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism

• The Anti-Racist Starter Parade: 40 TV Series, Documentaries, Movies, TED Talks, and Books to Add to Your List. You want to be an ally but don’t know where to start? This article outlines a “starter pack” of TV shows, documentaries, films, TED talks, and books: https://parade.com/1046031/breabaker/anti-racist-tv-movies-documentaries-ted-talks-books/

• Public Safety is Anti-Black - Desmond Cole, TEDxUTSC. Desmond Cole is a Canadian activist, author, and award-winning freelance journalist. His work can also be found in Toronto Life, Walrus, NOW, Ethnic Aisle, and other many publications. He is speaking to the need for a Black-centered definition of safety.  His 2017 Ted Talk is still relevant today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHsE1RRcbFM (17 minutes)
• What is systemic racism? (Videos): https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism

• Indigenous Studies Courses through the University of Waterloo https://uwaterloo.ca/community-and-professional-education/indigenous-studies

• Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girl https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/

• TV Series: First Contact https://www.tvo.org/video/documentaries/first-contact-ep-1

• Two Worlds Colliding Documentary https://www.nfb.ca/film/two_worlds_colliding/

• Anti-Indigenous Racism Resources 
  • https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/indigenous
  • https://idlenomore.ca/resources-education/
  • https://fpse.ca/decolonization_manual_whose_land_is_it_anyway
  • https://redpaper.yellowheadinstitute.org/?fbclid=IwAR2KW8Re6406xvT6FgFDqo1n5Pu0tVYblNf2AeC1ggW6LCuPVahLrxHr2gw#tools
• Indigenous Ally Toolkit http://reseaumtlnetwork.com/resources/

• Canadian Women’s Foundation https://canadianwomen.org/blog/ending-anti-indigenous-racism/

• National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Healing https://www.nccih.ca/28/Social_Determinants_of_Health.nccih?id=337 and https://www.concordia.ca/library/guides/womens-studies/antiblackracism.html

• Key Public Health Resources for Anti-Racism Action 

  https://nccdh.ca/images/uploads/comments/Key_public_health_resources_for_anti-racism_action_-_A_curated_list_EN_Final.pdf  

• Indigenous Child & Youth Health Anti-racism resources https://www.cps.ca/en/indigenoushealth

•  Support for Children in a Time of Fear & Crisis (Eight Free Stories): https://www.sparklestories.com/blog/post/support-for-children-in-time-of-fear-crisis/
• How to talk honestly with children about racism - PBS Kids for Parents https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-talk-honestly-with-children-about-racism

• Talking to your kids about racism - Unicef https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism

• Tips for how to talk to kids about racism and social justice - Save the Children https://www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/tips-teach-explain-racism-to-children

•  What Works Toolkit, an extensive online resource by the Government of Canada that provides tangible actions, best practices and strategic workplace approaches based on existing evidence for the recruitment, mentoring, promotion and retention of diverse staff. It also includes activities and initiatives on anti-racism and anti-harassment and provides examples of successful diversity plans that can be replicated to help organizations reach their diversity goals.
• “Increasing Work Opportunities for Newcomers Through an Anti-racist Approach” webinar hosted as part of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Manulife Business Success Series together with the Immigration Partnership: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2wX11vc_S8 
• Ontario Working with Multi-Sector Leaders to Improve Diversity in the Workplace. Tools and resources advancing racial equity key to COVID-19 recovery: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60116/ontario-working-with-multi-sector-leaders-to-improve-diversity-in-the-workplace
• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion's Inclusion guides and education guides covering some of the most topical conversations and initiatives happening around diversity and inclusion in the Canadian workplace: https://ccdi.ca/resources/

• From Canadian Heritage: The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a more inclusive Canada. Alternate format available: understanding-islamophobia-guide-eng.pdf

•  Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion put together several anti-Asian discrimination resources on how to aid the Asian community in fighting hate and systemic racism: https://ccdi.ca/media/2660/202010322-learning-resources-anti-asian-racism-en.pdf

• African Caribbean Black Network, Waterloo Region https://acbnetworkwr.com/ 

• Black Lives Matter Waterloo Region https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterwaterlooregion/

• Children and Youth Planning Table -Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group https://childrenandyouthplanningtable.ca/anti-racism-advisory-working-group/ 

• The Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region http://ccawr.ca/ 

• Anti-Racism Community Collective https://www.facebook.com/the.arcc.ontario/ 

• Coalition of Muslim Women https://cmw-kw.org/

 Download the #RacialEquityWR image here

#RacialEquityWR is an evolving campaign to end racism and discrimination in Waterloo Region which engages residents, local businesses and community partners in creating a welcoming and anti-racist community.

We invite you to participate to show solidarity, share how you take action against hate and help spread the message of embracing diversity, belonging and equity for all.

How to participate in the campaign? Follow the steps below:

As of June 20, you can pick up a FREE #RacialEquityWR lawn sign at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener Public Library, Waterloo Public Library, Region of Waterloo Library or Idea Exchange Library locations, and display it in front of your home or business. 

Pick up locations

 Cambridge Library - Idea Exchange - https://ideaexchange.org/contact

• Queen’s Square, 1 North Square, Cambridge, ON
• Old Post Office, 12 Water Street, Cambridge, On
• Preston, 435 King Street East, Cambridge, ON
• Hespeler, 5 Tannery Street East, Cambridge, ON
• Clemens Mill, 50 Saginaw Parkway, Cambridge, ON

Contact name – Shannon Markle

Contact number – 519-621-0460x127

 Kitchener Public Library - https://www.kpl.org/hours

• Central, 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener, On
• Country Hills Community Library, 1500 Block Line Road, Kitchener ON
• Forest Heights Community Library, 251 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener, On
• Grand River Stanley Park, Community Library, 175 Indian Road, Kitchener, On
• Pioneer Park Community Library, 150 Pioneer Drive Kitchener, On

Contact name – Erica Dudszus

Contact number – 519-743-0271 (Don't need to call beforehand. Please just drop by and pick up their sign)

 Waterloo Public Library - https://www.wpl.ca/contact-us

• 35 Albert Street, Waterloo, On
• 500 Fischer Hallman Road N, Waterloo, On
• 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo, On

Contact name – Kelly Kipfer
Contact number – 519-886-1310 ext 128

Region of Waterloo Library - https://www.rwlibrary.ca/en/your-library/contact-us.aspx?_mid_=17448 

• Ayr Branch: 137 Stanley St., P.O. Box 1179, Ayr ON 

• Elmira Branch: 65 Arthur St. S., Elmira, ON 
• New Hamburg Branch: 145 Huron St., New Hamburg, ON 
• Wellesley Branch:1137 Henry St., P.O. Box 190, Wellesley, ON 

Contact name – Heather Woodley
Contact number – 519-575-4590 ext 3227   

Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery - https://kwag.ca/content/contact-us 

• 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON 

Contact name – Stephen Lavigne 
Contact number – 519-579-5860 ext 100  

Once you have your lawn sign, take a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or your organization and share it on social media. Create a short message to go with it on how you take action against hate (please see below for some suggestions), and be sure to add #RacialEquityWR and tag us –Twitter: @ImmigrationWR, Facebook:@ImmigrationWR and LinkedIn: Immigration Partnership, Region of Waterloo.

If you are not on social media, you can email your picture and your message to AAmez@regionofwaterloo.ca and we will post it for you!

Here are a few suggestions for your post:

• I take action against hate by exposing my children to multicultural experiences and learning about the values and traditions of other cultures. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by embracing diversity and respecting the difference. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by engaging with people from different backgrounds, listening and learning from them. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by educating myself about microaggressions and think how I might play a role in their existence. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by learning how to be anti-racist and speaking up when I see an act of direct or indirect discrimination. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by examining my own biases and reflecting on the impact they might have on others. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by calling out racist jokes or statements and raising awareness about how it can affect people’s lives. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by finding out how my organization works to create an environment free of racism and professional opportunities for everyone. #RacialEquityWR

• I take action against hate by encouraging my co-workers to take part in demonstrations against racism and discrimination. #RacialEquityWR

• emailing the #RacialEquityWR webpage link: www.racialequitywr.ca to your networks and tell them about the campaign
• sending the #RacialEquityWR webpage link to contacts/client groups via WhatsApp, texting, messenger, etc.
• posting about the campaign through your social media platforms (scroll down for some post samples). Be sure to add the #RacialEquityWR hashtag and tag us –Twitter: @ImmigrationWR, Facebook:@ImmigrationWR and LinkedIn: Immigration Partnership, Region of Waterloo.

Promotional Material

Poster:

Download the #RacialEquityWR poster here and print it for your own purposes.

Social media graphics:

Download the #RacialEquityWR images here to post on your social media platforms.

Social media post samples:

Sample tweets:

Take part in the #RacialEquityWR campaign! How? Get a free lawn sign at your favourite #WaterlooRegion library & post a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or organization sharing how you take action against hate. More info at www.racialequitywr.ca 

Participate in the @ImmigrationWR's #RacialEquityWR campaign to show your solidarity & share how you take action against hate. Curious how? Go to your favourite #WaterlooRegion library to get a free lawn sign & take our social media challenge! Details at www.racialequitywr.ca 

Join the @ImmigrationWR's #RacialEquityWR campaign! Put up a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign to declare your stance on racism & support your neighbours! Details at www.racialequitywr.ca. We all belong! We all have a role to play against discrimination and hate!

Sample Facebook or LinkedIn posts

Participate in the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership's #RacialEquityWR campaign! What will you do?
1. Get a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign at your favourite #WaterlooRegion library
2. Take a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or your organization and share it on your social media platforms
3. Create a short message to go with it on how you take action against hate, and be sure to add #RacialEquityWR 
Visit www.racialequitywr.ca for more information

We are excited to invite you to participate in the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership’s #RacialEquityWR campaign to show your solidarity and share how you take action against hate. How can you participate in it? Go to your favourite #WaterlooRegion library to get a free lawn sign and take our social media challenge! All details at www.racialequitywr.ca

We can act to make change so that #WaterlooRegion is a place where we all belong: Join the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership’s #RacialEquityWR campaign! Put up a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign to declare your stance on racism and support your neighbours. All details at www.racialequitywr.ca

On March 21st., the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership hosted a special event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day started with an important presentation by the Center for Community-Based Research about how racism affects people who are settling into new communities and using digital tools. Following the presentation, we had a lively discussion with some local leaders. The panelists included Geraldine L. Stafford, Manager Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Unit at Waterloo Regional Police Service; Peter Sweeney, Community Services at Region of Waterloo; Teneile Warren, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Equity & Inclusion Branch | Indigenous, Equity, and Human Rights Department, Waterloo Region District School Board; and Yasmin Kanani, JAIDE Manager (Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity) at YMCA of Three Rivers People Team. The discussion was expertly moderated by Paulina Rodriguez, an Anti-Racism and Social Justice Advocate from the Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion (READI) team at the City of Waterloo.

To close the event, Mifrah Abid, Coordinator of the 'Together Against Islamophobia' Program at Coalition of Muslim Women of KW, shared some heartfelt remarks.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to these important conversations. At the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership we continue to work in making Waterloo Region a more welcoming and fair place for everyone. This event is just one step on that journey. Let's continue learning and working together for a more inclusive community.

Take action against hate and help spread the message of welcoming diversity, belonging and equity for all

Community Leaders Collaborate to Push Equity and Anti-Racism Work Forward in Waterloo Region

On March 21, the Immigration Partnership and Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre hosted an event to facilitate anti-racism and related work in Waterloo Region on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The event featured keynote speaker, Vanessa Oraekwe, who emphasized the need for individuals and organizations to challenge themselves at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and societal levels to bring about change. By learning from community leaders and collaborating with peers, attendees left the event with new ideas and strategies to promote anti-racism within their organizations and the broader community.

The event featured lunch provided by Cedar Spoon Indigenous Catering, with Chef Destiny Moser sharing her journey of discovery regarding the rich Indigenous cultural history and nutritional wisdom. She also raised awareness about the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing authentic Indigenous foods. Meanwhile, the Kitchener Public Library provided valuable anti-racism and pro-equality resources for attendees to take advantage of.

Special thanks to Abiha Syed, one of Immigration Partnership’s Community Engagement Coordinators, Brittney Emslie, Chair of IP’s Belong Steering Group, and the KW Multicultural Centre team, who played an important role in organizing this event and ensuring its success. Their hard work and dedication helped to bring together community leaders and attendees for a productive and informative discussion. This event is part of IPs ongoing effort to build a community that embraces diversity and equity by working together, challenging ourselves, and learning from one another to make progress towards a more inclusive society for all.

Take action against hate and help spread the message of welcoming diversity, belonging and equity for all.

On March 21, 2022, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Immigration Partnership?in partnership with Carizon, Children and Youth Planning Table, Coalition of Muslim Women KW, Kind Minds Family Wellness, Volunteer Waterloo Region and Wellbeing Waterloo Region? hosted a series of events to showcase the breadth of the anti-racism in Waterloo Region.

The events fostered profound conversations about how to unpack, unlearn and understand the immense impact of racial discrimination in Waterloo Region. Throughout the day 275 attendees had the opportunity to listen to different local anti-racism initiatives and learn about the many ways we can tangibly support each other in countering racism.

We aim to foster a culture that is unprejudiced, equitable, and anti-discriminatory. There is a strong need to call on each and every one of us to actively dismantle racial prejudice, intolerant attitudes, and systemic barriers.

Events: Schedule and Details 

1-2 pm - Beyond Belonging: Belonging and Experiences of Discrimination from the Youth Impact Survey - In partnership with Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT). Joana Lincho (Youth Engagement in Systems Lead) and Alicia Langois (CYPT MSW Placement) shared results from the 2021 Youth Impact Survey. Participants learned from youth in Waterloo Region and chatted about how we can use this data to make positive changes to ensure children and youth feel like they belong.

2 -3:30 pm - Spotlight on Anti-racism Work - In partnership with Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW). A panel of speakers from Kind Minds Family Wellness, Somali Canadian Association Waterloo Region, Landback Camp, Waterloo Region Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group, Selam Debs, Healing of the Seven Generations, Bring on the Sunshine, Black Lives Matter WR and African Community Wellness Initiative representing up to 10 local anti-racism initiatives shared their successes and challenges. CMW sought to connect community members and service providers directly with those who are working at the grassroots level fighting racism and discrimination. It was a great opportunity to learn about the many ways we can tangibly support each other in countering racism. Watch the recording of the Spotlight on Anti-Racism Work in Waterloo Region conversations here.

5-6 pm - Amplifying YOUth Voices - In partnership with Volunteer Waterloo Region. It was an open discussion on how to work towards positive change through community youth engagement. Young people, who face racial discrimination, deserve stronger support for them to be successful. At this meeting, participants heard YOUth voices on how you think we can bring health, belonging and equity into our world. Watch the Amplifying YOUth Voices video here.

We launched the #RacialEquityWR social media campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21.

This is the fourth year of our social media campaign to join the global fight against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and all types of discrimination. This year, the campaign focused on anti-racism accountability and action.

As we look inward at what the Immigration Partnership and its partner organizations are doing to action IP’s July 2020 Anti-Racism Statement, we invited our community partners to share in a video clip how their organizations are addressing racism and racial discrimination and what changes are expected as a result of that work.

We collected 23 videos from 20 organizations, which you can watch on our YouTube channel or on our Twitter account.

The #RacialEquityWR campaign's image is a creation of our local artist Pamela Rojas. She generously brought her vision through her painting "All colours are beautiful,” that magnificently represents the campaign's purpose. We are honoured that she chose to do this work with us!