All resources in this section are copyleft. We invite you to use and share them freely, whilst crediting the source.
Advocacy
Embodying Popular Education
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
The Honduran Migrant Caravan, Canadian Displacement and Immigration
As asylum seekers arrive to the US border, Righting Relations Radio is in joined by Syed Hassan from the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change to discuss the Honduran Migrant Caravan within the global political, economic context and Canadian immigration policy.
MCC Canada Advocacy Toolkit
MCC Photo/Marc Tymm
The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) has developed an advocacy toolkit to share! Advocacy is an important part of how MCC does the work of relief, development and peace-building. “At MCC we base their advocacy on what we hear from workers and partners on the ground; we believe loving our neighbours means their voices shape our message to governments.”
Download the full toolkit here
Find out more about MCC
Immigrants and Precarious Employment – A Popular Education Workshop
The Catalyst Centre
This manual has been assembled to support facilitators, community activists, people in precarious employment and educators to make change around precarious employment and to develop an expanded notion about what makes a job precarious. The exercises in the manual are intended to promote reflections, discussions and even plan for actions that will result in better, more decent jobs for all. The activities are participatory and based on a popular education approach to communication and learning, drawing on the knowledge and experience of participants.
Participant kits in English and Spanish available through York University Publications
History of Hate
Getting a Grip in Order to Move Ahead
Study Circle Plan
by Renee Vaugeois, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
According to Stats Canada, hate crime in Alberta rose 39% in 2015, the highest increase seen across the country. In order to grapple and deal with hate however, it is important to understand its historical foundations. This study circle plan will engage participants in learning and discussing our complex history, with a focus on Alberta, and reflect on how this history manifests in communities today. We will engage in a reflection on how we as individuals can respond and act towards hate in our communities.
Making Votes Count Where We Live
Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres (CHRC) and City for All Women Initiative (CAWI) have joined together in a three year project to increase voter turnout in low-income neighbourhoods and among people living in poverty, in both urban and rural areas of Ottawa. Making Votes Count Where We Live seeks to engage residents, community partners and governments in putting into place strategies to increase voter turnout and long-term civic engagement.
Creating the Change We Want
CAWI has worked with Safe People, at Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre to lead the creation of this guide for the Community Development Framework (CDF). Creating the Change We Want provides exercises and workshops for strengthening the capacity of neighbourhood residents to create positive change.
Women’s Civic Participation Toolkit
Since 2004, City for All Women Initiative has provided Women’s Civic Participation Training where a total of 150 women have learned how city government works and how to bring their views forward. And of those, about 80% shared their views for the first time. This 9 month training program consists of 4 – 5 full day workshops and working in Action Teams to apply their learning in the municipal election, city budget process and on issues of concern arising at City Hall.Women listen to the concerns of their communities, and bring those concerns forward to their Councillor through e-mails, phone calls, meeting with Councillors and presenting deputations. Currently, CAWI provides this training to women in selected neighbourhoods, who form Neighbourhood Action Teams, so as to engage their neighbours in city issues.
Equity and Inclusion Lens Handbook
By CAWI
Currently being implemented in the city of Ottawa, this comprehensive handbook helps staff and management in any organization view their planning and program development and delivery activities to ensure they are inclusive of the full diversity of men and women
Mi’kmaw Community Engagement Toolkit on Sexual Violence
The Mi’kmaw Community Engagement Toolkit on Sexual Violence is a workbook to address sexual violence, created specifically for Mi’kmaq communities and community members to use in strengthening their response to and prevention of sexual violence, drawing from the many learnings of the Responding to and Preventing Sexual Violence Project in Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, a collaborative project between the Paqtnkek Health Centre and the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association from 2014 to 2016, funded by Status of Women Canada.
Mobilizing Ideas
Mobilizing Ideas publishes interdisciplinary perspectives on social movements, social change, and the public sphere. To enhance dialogue between scholars and activists, Mobilizing Ideas hosts exchanges between leading scholars from the social sciences and humanities and the activists they study, featuring original essays responding to a wide variety of problems related to social movements and social change.
This Is an Uprising
From protests around climate change and immigrant rights, to Occupy, the Arab Spring, and #BlackLivesMatter, a new generation is unleashing strategic nonviolent action to shape public debate and force political change. When mass movements erupt onto our television screens, the media consistently portrays them as being spontaneous and unpredictable. Yet, in this book, Mark and Paul Engler look at the hidden art behind such outbursts of protest, examining core principles that have been used to spark and guide moments of transformative unrest.
Beautiful Trouble
Beautiful Trouble is a book, web toolbox and international network of artist-activist trainers whose mission is to make grassroots movements more creative and more effective.
Decolonization
Heteropatriarchy and the Three Pillars of White Supremacy
by Andrea Smith
Moving Beyond a Politics of Solidarity towards a Practice of Decolonization
An essay by Harsha Walia
North America’s state and corporate wealth is largely based on the subsidies provided by the theft of Indigenous lands and resources. Colonial conquest was designed to ensure forced displacement of Indigenous peoples from their territories, the destruction of autonomy and self-determination in Indigenous self-governance, and the assimilation of Indigenous peoples’ cultures and traditions. Given the devastating cultural, spiritual, economic, linguistic, and political impacts on Indigenous people, any serious social or environmental justice movement must necessarily include non-native solidarity in the fight against colonization.
Towards Decolonization and Settler Responsibility: Reflections on a Decade of Indigenous Solidarity Organizing
An article by Liza Minno Bloom and Berley Carnine
Since 2008, Liza Minno Bloom and Berkley Carnine have worked with the Black Mesa Indigenous Support (BMIS) collective in solidarity with the Dineh people of Black Mesa, AZ who are resisting a forced relocation due to coal mining. Black Mesa holds the largest deposit of low-sulfur coal in the U.S. It is home to tens of thousands of Dineh and several hundred Hopi people and their sacred sites, burial grounds, animals, farms, and homes. The federal government has relocated between 10,000 and 20,000 Dineh people and several hundred Hopi from their ancestral homelands on Black Mesa since 1974 when the “Relocation Law” (PL-95-531) passed. This constitutes the largest relocation of Indigenous people in this country since the Trail of Tears and it is ongoing today.
The Great Law of Peace: New World Roots of American Democracy
Colonialism on the Ground
An essay by Waziyatawin
Excerpt: “Colonialism is the massive fog that has clouded our imaginations regarding who we could be, excised our memories of who we once were, and numbed our understanding of our current existence. Colonialism is the force that disallows us from recognizing its confines while at the same time limiting our vision of possibilities. Colonialism is the farce that compels us to feel gratitude for small concessions while our fundamental freedoms are denied. Colonialism has set the parameters of our imaginations to constrain our vision of what is possible.”
Understanding Colonizer Status
An essay by Waziyatawin
An excerpt: “This discussion is designed to help differentiate between oppression and colonization, and to clearly demarcate colonization as a distinct historical, political, social, and economic relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.”
Settler Colonialism Primer
by Laura Hurwitz & Shawn Bourque
From: Unsettling America, Decolonization in Theory and Practice
Excerpt: “Colonialism is a system that occupies and usurps labor/land/resources from one group of people for the benefit of another. Colonialism is derived from the Latin word Colonia. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, in the Roman Empire, “Colonia” was a “ farm,” “landed estate,” or “settlement” granted to Roman soldiers in hostile or newly conquered territories.”
Embodying Right Relations
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Embodying Women-Led
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Embodying Popular Education
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Lottie Mae Johnson’s Profile
Lottie Mae Johnson, member of Apaji-wla’matulinej/Righting Relations East Hub is a residential school survivor who sat on the national Aboriginal Advisory Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. She talks about her healing and workshops she does to help others.
Indigenous Ally Toolkit
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights Advancing Reconciliation in Education Toolkit
A pedagogical resource created by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights in Edmonton, Alberta directed to teachers and community trainers with a full curriculum (lessons, activities, etc) to provide teachers across the province with a meaningful process to educate on reconciliation. The relevance of this toolkit is strengthened by the fact that it was built with community and student participation and based on the experience of Human Rights educators who piloted the sessions in schools with the support and guidance of local indigenous knowledge holders and elders.
The Advancing Reconciliation in Education Toolkit provides a framework for teachers to introduce and work through Canada’s complex and challenging history while inspiring action and understanding in schools and the broader community.
Building Relationships Between Indigenous, Immigrant and Refugee Communities
In this episode of Righting Relations Radio, we are in conversation with Alfredo Barahona from Kairos, exploring relationship-building between Indigenous, Immigrant and Refugee communities which both Kairos and Righting Relations are facilitating across Turtle Island, and the importance of knowing who you are.
Mi’Kmaq Youth: Our Reality – Our Hope
Erika Gideon Marchand is writing her Master’s Thesis on “What does the Lnu’g language teach us? Transferring ancient ancestral teachings and wisdom in the 21st century by maintaining and reclaiming our spirit as Lnu’g.” Paulina Meader (Membertou) was raised Traditional and is currently studying to be a nurse. Rosalie LaBillois (Eel River Bar) drums and sings for Ceremonies. She recently sailed to Europe as a part of an Indigenous Youth Leadership program. Juisen Bartibøgue (Esgenoopetitj) grew up as a part of the Wabanaki Cultural Centre which worked to preserve Indigenous cultural and spirituality. Wasgeesc is still in elementary school. She travels with her grandmothers to traditional gatherings and helps with Ceremonies at her home in Acadia First Nations.
Sherri Mitchell – On the times we are living in, women and water and healing
Sherri Mitchell (Penobscot) is a lawyer, author, world-wide speaker, community organizer and inspiring person. She shares her thoughts on the times we are living in, women and water and healing and empowerment. She is also a member of Apaji-wla’Matulinej
Marian Nicholas, Mi’Kmaq Water Protector
Marian Nicolas, (Mi’kmaq) has dedicated her life to being a Water protector. She is often found on the front lines protecting the Shubenacadie River from the Alton Gas Project. She learned the Water Ceremonies from Josephine Mandamin. While originally being from Eskasoni she has lived in Sipekne’katik First Nation for over 25 years. Spoken in Mi’Kmaq with English subtitles.
Whose Land is it Anyway? A Manual for Decolonization
by Peter MacFarlane and Nicole Shabus
This handbook, which has been supported by the British Columbia Federation of Post-Secondary Educators (FPSE), brings together some of the most important Indigenous academics, activists and allies to explore the impacts of colonization on Indigenous peoples and to look at paths toward decolonization that can right the wrongs and may, some day, lead us toward true reconciliation.
Jobology
Jobology is a facilitation tool and process designed by the Catalyst Centre to unpack to:
- to develop critical consciousness and mindfulness of who we are as a group in terms of a history of work
- to explore some of the history and concepts of class (and where participants fit in a class structure)
- to draw a difference between paid and unpaid work in our family histories; how gender is represented in work histories; how unionization and other struggles to change work conditions is represented in work histories; and so on.
View the tool here, share, innovate and please credit the source
Judy Googoo (Mi’Kmaq) a member of Apaji-wla’matulinej on traditional medicinal plants
Judy Googoo (Mi’Kmaq) shares her vast knowledge of medicine plants. Judy leads workshops on everything from plants, to hand drum making, tanning moose hides – everything connected to living on the land. She also is an artist and runs a craft shop in Wagmacook and a barber shop!
Christina Dunfield, on being an ally, Apaji-wla’matulinej
Christina Dunfield, MCC, speaks on her journey to becoming an ally with Indigenous people through the Peace and Friendship project. This project, for 13 years, has been bringing Indigenous people and settlers together for deep conversations, Ceremonies and teachings on Indigenous worldviews.
Cathy Gerrior (Inuit), member of Apaji-wla’matulinej on finding your way back to your culture
Cathy Gerrior (Inuit) speaks on the intergenerational impacts of residential schools; her experience of being raised in a white community and finding her way home again. She talks about building bridges between non-natives and Indigenous people.
What is Institutional Racism?
5 Things You Should Know About Racism
Dialogue for Peaceful Change with Ishbel Munro
In this episode of Righting Relations Radio, Ishbel Munro shares insights from Dialogue for Peaceful Change (DPC), a community-based conflict mediation methodology which has been used around the world to non-violently engage in conflict and move to transformation.
Hearts Wide Open: The Process of Building Righting Relations West Hubs
This toolkit summarizes and presents the learnings and processes used in building the Righting Relations West Regional Hub in Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg. Whilst each of these cities adapted the activities to address their particular needs, there maintained elements which were constant: using a folk school model, using a de-colonial lens, circle facilitation and being women-led. We welcome you to use this toolkit in your community, and invite you to connect with the Righting Relations network. Email info@rightingrelations.org to connect.
First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers to Vancouver
by the City of Vancouver
First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers aims to fill the need for clear information in simple language about the First Peoples in Vancouver. It introduces newcomers to three important topics: who are Aboriginal people (or First Peoples) in Vancouver and Canada; a brief overview of the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Peoples; and current initiatives and ways for newcomers to learn more about Aboriginal people in the community
History of Hate
Getting a Grip in Order to Move Ahead
Study Circle Plan
by Renee Vaugeois, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
According to Stats Canada, hate crime in Alberta rose 39% in 2015, the highest increase seen across the country. In order to grapple and deal with hate however, it is important to understand its historical foundations. This study circle plan will engage participants in learning and discussing our complex history, with a focus on Alberta, and reflect on how this history manifests in communities today. We will engage in a reflection on how we as individuals can respond and act towards hate in our communities.
Talking Circles
by Mikmaw Spirit
The talking circle is a traditional way for Indigenous people to solve problems. It is a very effective way to remove barriers and to allow people to express themselves with complete freedom. The symbolism of the circle, with no beginning and with nobody in a position of prominence, serves to encourage people to speak freely and honestly about things that are on their minds. Read more about the Talking Circle from a Mi’kmaq perspective here
Red Man Laughing – Decolonization –> Reconciliation
In the Season 6 finale of Red Man Laughing, Ryan McMahon replays his “12 Steps To Decolonization in Canada” mini-series with an accompanying “directors cut” and commentary on each of the pieces. This is a hilarious look at decolonization, reconciliation, Canada 150 and the pathway forward in Canada.
8th Fire
The CBC web series 8TH Fire draws from an Anishinaabe prophecy that declares now is the time for Aboriginal peoples and the settler community to come together and build the ‘8TH Fire’ of justice and harmony.
Colonization Road
By Ryan McMahon, c/o CBC
Join Anishinaabe comedian, Ryan McMahon as he travels across Ontario learning about Colonization Roads, the ways in which they have dispossessed Indigenous people of land and access to traditional territories while creating space for settlers in the colonial experiment that has become Canada. Watch it here
In Praise of Slowness
How A Worldwide Movement Is Challenging The Cult Of Speed
Challenges modern society’s culture of speed and efficiency, identifying the benefits of a slower-paced lifestyle and its effect on dining habits, urban living, mental and physical health, and relationships.
Access the book here
Miigam’agan on Women-Led
Miigam’agan, Righting Relations National Steering Committee Member and mi’kmaq clan mother from Esgenoôpetitj / Burnt Church New Brunswick, speaks about the forming of the Eastern Hub of Righting Relations through a women-led approach.
Turning Theory into Practice: What we are learning about the work of Righting Relations
by Rehana Tejpar, capturing the learnings emerging from the Righting Relations Network
As we make the road by walking on this journey of building a women-led network of adult educators for social change across Turtle Island, in the spirit of Righting Relations, we are constantly learning and unlearning. We have captured and shared some of our learnings to date and will continue to evolve these ideas and practices as we continue to journey on this path.
- Involve Indigenous Peoples, Knowledges and Perspectives
- Understanding Colonization – It’s Contemporary History and Impacts
- Build Deep, Kin-like Relationships of Trust
- Integrating Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit brings forth Higher Level Solutions
- The Personal, Interpersonal and Systemic are all Inter-Connected
- Healing is a Valid Part of the Process
- True Collaboration Requires a Commitment to Ongoing Self Reflection and Inner Work
Seeking Netukulimk
Kerry Prosper is a passionate fisher and Mi’kmaq elder, who is teaching his grandchildren how to exercise their treaty rights by fishing eels. But those rights come with sacred responsibilities to care for the land and waters of Mi’kma’ki. Seeking Netukulimk is a lyrical exploration of the traditional laws that govern fishing in the Mi’kmaq world, and some of the political battles that have been fought to defend them.
In Defence of Our Treaties
Directed by Martha Stiegman and Co-Produced by Martha Stiegman & Sherry Pictou
In Defense of our Treaties (2008) follows members of Bear River First Nation as they stand up to Canada’s Department of Fisheries (DFO), who is pressuring them to sell out their treaty rights for a ticket into the commercial fisheries. For the Mi’kmaq, fishing is a right that comes from the Creator, and is protected by the Treaties. In 1999, the Supreme Court recognized those rights, and DFO has since signed agreements with 32 of the 34 First Nations in the region. The deals offer money to buy into the commercial fisheries, as long as the Mi’kmaq fish under DFO’s jurisdiction. That’s not good enough for Bear River, one of two communities refusing to sign.
Undoing Border Imperialism
by Harsha Walia
Undoing Border Imperialism combines academic discourse, lived experiences of displacement, and movement-based practices into an exciting new book. By reformulating immigrant rights movements within a transnational analysis of capitalism, labor exploitation, settler colonialism, state building, and racialized empire, it provides the alternative conceptual frameworks of border imperialism and decolonization. Drawing on the author’s experiences in No One Is Illegal, this work offers relevant insights for all social movement organizers on effective strategies to overcome the barriers and borders within movements in order to cultivate fierce, loving, and sustainable communities of resistance striving toward liberation. The author grounds the book in collective vision, with short contributions from over twenty organizers and writers from across North America.
âpihtawikosisân
Law, language, life: A Plains Cree speaking Métis woman in Montreal
Online Learning Resources
This page provides you with links to various documents that you can explore to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous issues, and to perhaps answer some of the questions you have.
This is not a quick process you embark upon, if you wish to truly understand what is going on in First Nations communities. It is not a matter of a few hours of research or even a few days. However, you can start digging with the time and interest you do have.
This list will always be a work in progress.
Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-Up Call
Unsettling Canada is built on a unique collaboration between two First Nations leaders, Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ron Derrickson.
Together the Secwepemc activist intellectual and the Syilx (Okanagan) businessman bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to Canada’s most glaring piece of unfinished business: the place of Indigenous peoples within the country’s political and economic space. The story is told through Arthur’s voice but he traces both of their individual struggles against the colonialist and often racist structures that have been erected to keep Indigenous peoples in their place in Canada.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, provides a framework for recognizing and respecting the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. As a signatory, Canada is held accountable by international law to uphold its commitments to the Indigenous peoples of this land.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
In order to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission makes the following calls to action.
The Role of the Matriarch in Environmental Justice
Originally published in Native News Online
GUEST ESSAY – WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
This guest essay was originally delivered on March 16, 2017 as the Women’s History Month keynote speech at the University of Maine by Sherri Mitchell.
Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work For Racial Justice
by Paul Kivel
Uprooting Racism explores the manifestations of racism in politics, work, community, and family life. It moves beyond the definition and unlearning of racism to address the many areas of privilege for white people and suggests ways for individuals and groups to challenge the structures of racism.
Moment of Reckoning
Turning the Page on a Dark Chapter in our Shared History
This video is produced by the AFN and is an excellent resource, featuring former AFN National Chiefs Phil Fontaine and Shawn Atleo.
View Video: youtube.com
Journey In Restorative Justice
Canadian Journey in Restorative Justice
3 Videos: Archbishop Prendergast sent an invitation to the Archdiocese of Ottawa to join the Canadian Journey in Restorative Justice.
This link takes you to three videos: catholicottawa.ca
Facilitation for Social Change
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights Advancing Reconciliation in Education Toolkit
A pedagogical resource created by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights in Edmonton, Alberta directed to teachers and community trainers with a full curriculum (lessons, activities, etc) to provide teachers across the province with a meaningful process to educate on reconciliation. The relevance of this toolkit is strengthened by the fact that it was built with community and student participation and based on the experience of Human Rights educators who piloted the sessions in schools with the support and guidance of local indigenous knowledge holders and elders.
The Advancing Reconciliation in Education Toolkit provides a framework for teachers to introduce and work through Canada’s complex and challenging history while inspiring action and understanding in schools and the broader community.
Building Relationships Between Indigenous, Immigrant and Refugee Communities
In this episode of Righting Relations Radio, we are in conversation with Alfredo Barahona from Kairos, exploring relationship-building between Indigenous, Immigrant and Refugee communities which both Kairos and Righting Relations are facilitating across Turtle Island, and the importance of knowing who you are.
Arts-based Methods for Transformative Engagement: A Toolkit
by SUSPLACE Sustainable Place Shaping
This open access toolkit offers a collection of almost 30 methods, practical examples, workshop outlines and tips for creative facilitation, as well as resources and relevant academic references. The ideas and methods collected in this toolkit are intended to support new ways of thinking and doing in our work as change agents towards regenerative societies. Compiled by a research team collaborating through the SUSPLACE Innovative Training Network, it is the result of our collective research and experimentation with creative and arts-based methods of engagement.
Immigrants and Precarious Employment – A Popular Education Workshop
The Catalyst Centre
This manual has been assembled to support facilitators, community activists, people in precarious employment and educators to make change around precarious employment and to develop an expanded notion about what makes a job precarious. The exercises in the manual are intended to promote reflections, discussions and even plan for actions that will result in better, more decent jobs for all. The activities are participatory and based on a popular education approach to communication and learning, drawing on the knowledge and experience of participants.
Participant kits in English and Spanish available through York University Publications
Jobology
Jobology is a facilitation tool and process designed by the Catalyst Centre to unpack to:
- to develop critical consciousness and mindfulness of who we are as a group in terms of a history of work
- to explore some of the history and concepts of class (and where participants fit in a class structure)
- to draw a difference between paid and unpaid work in our family histories; how gender is represented in work histories; how unionization and other struggles to change work conditions is represented in work histories; and so on.
View the tool here, share, innovate and please credit the source
Christina Dunfield, on being an ally, Apaji-wla’matulinej
Christina Dunfield, MCC, speaks on her journey to becoming an ally with Indigenous people through the Peace and Friendship project. This project, for 13 years, has been bringing Indigenous people and settlers together for deep conversations, Ceremonies and teachings on Indigenous worldviews.
What is Institutional Racism?
5 Things You Should Know About Racism
Facilitation Processes Which Explore How Political and Economic Systems Work
Adult educators from the Righting Relations Network share practical facilitation tools for exploring how political and economic systems work, on a Virtual Knowledge Exchange held Feb 7, 2018.
Dialogue for Peaceful Change with Ishbel Munro
In this episode of Righting Relations Radio, Ishbel Munro shares insights from Dialogue for Peaceful Change (DPC), a community-based conflict mediation methodology which has been used around the world to non-violently engage in conflict and move to transformation.
Hearts Wide Open: The Process of Building Righting Relations West Hubs
This toolkit summarizes and presents the learnings and processes used in building the Righting Relations West Regional Hub in Edmonton, Regina and Winnipeg. Whilst each of these cities adapted the activities to address their particular needs, there maintained elements which were constant: using a folk school model, using a de-colonial lens, circle facilitation and being women-led. We welcome you to use this toolkit in your community, and invite you to connect with the Righting Relations network. Email info@rightingrelations.org to connect.
First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers to Vancouver
by the City of Vancouver
First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers aims to fill the need for clear information in simple language about the First Peoples in Vancouver. It introduces newcomers to three important topics: who are Aboriginal people (or First Peoples) in Vancouver and Canada; a brief overview of the relationship between the Government of Canada and First Peoples; and current initiatives and ways for newcomers to learn more about Aboriginal people in the community
History of Hate
Getting a Grip in Order to Move Ahead
Study Circle Plan
by Renee Vaugeois, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
According to Stats Canada, hate crime in Alberta rose 39% in 2015, the highest increase seen across the country. In order to grapple and deal with hate however, it is important to understand its historical foundations. This study circle plan will engage participants in learning and discussing our complex history, with a focus on Alberta, and reflect on how this history manifests in communities today. We will engage in a reflection on how we as individuals can respond and act towards hate in our communities.
Talking Circles
by Mikmaw Spirit
The talking circle is a traditional way for Indigenous people to solve problems. It is a very effective way to remove barriers and to allow people to express themselves with complete freedom. The symbolism of the circle, with no beginning and with nobody in a position of prominence, serves to encourage people to speak freely and honestly about things that are on their minds. Read more about the Talking Circle from a Mi’kmaq perspective here
Miigam’agan on Women-Led
Miigam’agan, Righting Relations National Steering Committee Member and mi’kmaq clan mother from Esgenoôpetitj / Burnt Church New Brunswick, speaks about the forming of the Eastern Hub of Righting Relations through a women-led approach.
The Art of Powerful Questions
Catalyzing Insight, Innovation, and Action
by Eric E. Vogt, Juanita Brown, and David Isaacs
The Art of Powerful Questions is a practical article that invites us to dive deeper into “What makes a powerful question?” craft questions which dramatically improve the quality of insight, innovation, and action in our organizations, in our communities, and in our lives.
The Art of Taking Participatory Leadership To Scale Workbook
The Art of Taking Participatory Leadership to Scale Workbook, written by the YSI Collaborative brings together the key principles and methodologies of Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter – an approach to leadership that scales up from the personal to the systemic using personal practice, dialogue, facilitation and the co-creation of innovation to address complex challenges.
Empowered Dialogue Can Bring Wisdom to Democracy
Published as
“Wisdom, Democracy, and the Core Commons”
in Earthlight, Fall/Winter 2002/2003
http://www.earthlight.org
by Tom Atlee
The new democracy is grounded in
the power of true dialogue
among diverse people
to help The People (as a whole) transcend
the limits of personal perspectives and
resonate with each other and the world
through the fact of their interconnectedness,
revealing bigger pictures and deeper wisdom
than any individual or group
could find alone,
making it possible to create together
solutions, visions, communities and societies
that make sense
and serve Life
now and for generations to come.
Read the full article
The Barefoot Guide To Working with Organisations and Social Change
This is a practical, do-it-yourself guide for leaders and facilitators wanting to help organisations to function and to develop in more healthy, human and effective ways as they strive to make their contributions to a more humane society. It has been developed by the Barefoot Collective.
Turning Theory into Practice: What we are learning about the work of Righting Relations
by Rehana Tejpar, capturing the learnings emerging from the Righting Relations Network
As we make the road by walking on this journey of building a women-led network of adult educators for social change across Turtle Island, in the spirit of Righting Relations, we are constantly learning and unlearning. We have captured and shared some of our learnings to date and will continue to evolve these ideas and practices as we continue to journey on this path.
- Involve Indigenous Peoples, Knowledges and Perspectives
- Understanding Colonization – It’s Contemporary History and Impacts
- Build Deep, Kin-like Relationships of Trust
- Integrating Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit brings forth Higher Level Solutions
- The Personal, Interpersonal and Systemic are all Inter-Connected
- Healing is a Valid Part of the Process
- True Collaboration Requires a Commitment to Ongoing Self Reflection and Inner Work
YES! Jam Activities Facilitation Manual
Connect, Inspire, Collaborate!
An activities manual from yesworld.org focusing on co-learning, community building and healing.
Download at: www.yesworld.org
The Way We Change the World
A video by Organization Unbound, a website that attempts to re-imagine the way we think about and engage in social change.
View Video: organizationunbound.org
PYE
Partners for Youth Empowerment
PYE’s mission is to unleash the power, purpose, and potential of young people worldwide.
Visit Website: pyeglobal.org
Art of Hosting
Harvesting Conversations that Matter
The Art of Hosting is an approach to leadership that scales up from the personal to the systemic using personal practice, dialogue, facilitation and the co-creation of innovation to address complex challenges.
Visit Website: www.artofhosting.org
Life Affirming Practices
Embodying Right Relations
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Embodying Women-Led
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Embodying Popular Education
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Arts-based Methods for Transformative Engagement: A Toolkit
by SUSPLACE Sustainable Place Shaping
This open access toolkit offers a collection of almost 30 methods, practical examples, workshop outlines and tips for creative facilitation, as well as resources and relevant academic references. The ideas and methods collected in this toolkit are intended to support new ways of thinking and doing in our work as change agents towards regenerative societies. Compiled by a research team collaborating through the SUSPLACE Innovative Training Network, it is the result of our collective research and experimentation with creative and arts-based methods of engagement.
Mi’Kmaq Youth: Our Reality – Our Hope
Erika Gideon Marchand is writing her Master’s Thesis on “What does the Lnu’g language teach us? Transferring ancient ancestral teachings and wisdom in the 21st century by maintaining and reclaiming our spirit as Lnu’g.” Paulina Meader (Membertou) was raised Traditional and is currently studying to be a nurse. Rosalie LaBillois (Eel River Bar) drums and sings for Ceremonies. She recently sailed to Europe as a part of an Indigenous Youth Leadership program. Juisen Bartibøgue (Esgenoopetitj) grew up as a part of the Wabanaki Cultural Centre which worked to preserve Indigenous cultural and spirituality. Wasgeesc is still in elementary school. She travels with her grandmothers to traditional gatherings and helps with Ceremonies at her home in Acadia First Nations.
Sherri Mitchell – On the times we are living in, women and water and healing
Sherri Mitchell (Penobscot) is a lawyer, author, world-wide speaker, community organizer and inspiring person. She shares her thoughts on the times we are living in, women and water and healing and empowerment. She is also a member of Apaji-wla’Matulinej
Marian Nicholas, Mi’Kmaq Water Protector
Marian Nicolas, (Mi’kmaq) has dedicated her life to being a Water protector. She is often found on the front lines protecting the Shubenacadie River from the Alton Gas Project. She learned the Water Ceremonies from Josephine Mandamin. While originally being from Eskasoni she has lived in Sipekne’katik First Nation for over 25 years. Spoken in Mi’Kmaq with English subtitles.
Judy Googoo (Mi’Kmaq) a member of Apaji-wla’matulinej on traditional medicinal plants
Judy Googoo (Mi’Kmaq) shares her vast knowledge of medicine plants. Judy leads workshops on everything from plants, to hand drum making, tanning moose hides – everything connected to living on the land. She also is an artist and runs a craft shop in Wagmacook and a barber shop!
Christina Dunfield, on being an ally, Apaji-wla’matulinej
Christina Dunfield, MCC, speaks on her journey to becoming an ally with Indigenous people through the Peace and Friendship project. This project, for 13 years, has been bringing Indigenous people and settlers together for deep conversations, Ceremonies and teachings on Indigenous worldviews.
Cathy Gerrior (Inuit), member of Apaji-wla’matulinej on finding your way back to your culture
Cathy Gerrior (Inuit) speaks on the intergenerational impacts of residential schools; her experience of being raised in a white community and finding her way home again. She talks about building bridges between non-natives and Indigenous people.
Talking Circles
by Mikmaw Spirit
The talking circle is a traditional way for Indigenous people to solve problems. It is a very effective way to remove barriers and to allow people to express themselves with complete freedom. The symbolism of the circle, with no beginning and with nobody in a position of prominence, serves to encourage people to speak freely and honestly about things that are on their minds. Read more about the Talking Circle from a Mi’kmaq perspective here
Miigam’agan on Women-Led
Miigam’agan, Righting Relations National Steering Committee Member and mi’kmaq clan mother from Esgenoôpetitj / Burnt Church New Brunswick, speaks about the forming of the Eastern Hub of Righting Relations through a women-led approach.
Empowered Dialogue Can Bring Wisdom to Democracy
Published as
“Wisdom, Democracy, and the Core Commons”
in Earthlight, Fall/Winter 2002/2003
http://www.earthlight.org
by Tom Atlee
The new democracy is grounded in
the power of true dialogue
among diverse people
to help The People (as a whole) transcend
the limits of personal perspectives and
resonate with each other and the world
through the fact of their interconnectedness,
revealing bigger pictures and deeper wisdom
than any individual or group
could find alone,
making it possible to create together
solutions, visions, communities and societies
that make sense
and serve Life
now and for generations to come.
Read the full article
Theatre for Living
The Art and Science of Community-Based Dialogue
by David Diamond
Theatre for Living approaches the community as a living organism and recognizes when plays are created, they are made to help us investigate ways to change the behaviors that create the structure, not only the structure itself.
Art Became the Oxygen: A Guide to Artistic Response
A Guide for Artists, Emergency Management Agencies, Funders, Policy-Makers,
and Communities Responding to Natural and Civil Emergencies
As natural disasters and social emergencies multiply, the need has grown for ethical, creative, and effective artistic response—arts-based work responding to disaster or other community-wide emergency, much of it created in collaboration with community members directly affected. Art Became The Oxygen was created to engage three categories of readers who share the intention of offering care and compassion and helping to create possibility in the midst or wake of crisis
To download the guide here
Games for Actors and Non-Actors
Games for Actors and Non-Actors is the classic and best selling book by the founder of Theatre of the Oppressed, Augusto Boal. It sets out the principles and practice of Boal’s revolutionary Method, showing how theatre can be used to transform and liberate everyone – actors and non-actors alike!
¡Viva!: Community Arts and Popular Education in the Americas
With examples from community arts projects in five countries, this collection will inform and inspire students, artists, and activists. ¡VIVA! is the product of a five-year transnational research project that integrates place, politics, passion, and praxis.
Learn from Central America: Kuna children’s art workshops, a community television station in Nicaragua, a cultural marketplace in Guadalajara, Mexico, community mural production in Chiapas; and from North America: arts education in Los Angeles inner-city schools, theatre probing ancestral memory, community plays with over one hundred participants, and training programs for young artists in Canada. These practices offer critical hope for movements hungry for new ways of knowing and expressing histories, identities, and aspirations, as well as mobilizing communities for social transformation. Beautifully illustrated with more than one hundred color photographs, the book also includes a DVD with videos that bring the projects to life.
Turning Theory into Practice: What we are learning about the work of Righting Relations
by Rehana Tejpar, capturing the learnings emerging from the Righting Relations Network
As we make the road by walking on this journey of building a women-led network of adult educators for social change across Turtle Island, in the spirit of Righting Relations, we are constantly learning and unlearning. We have captured and shared some of our learnings to date and will continue to evolve these ideas and practices as we continue to journey on this path.
- Involve Indigenous Peoples, Knowledges and Perspectives
- Understanding Colonization – It’s Contemporary History and Impacts
- Build Deep, Kin-like Relationships of Trust
- Integrating Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit brings forth Higher Level Solutions
- The Personal, Interpersonal and Systemic are all Inter-Connected
- Healing is a Valid Part of the Process
- True Collaboration Requires a Commitment to Ongoing Self Reflection and Inner Work
Popular Education
Embodying Popular Education
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Immigrants and Precarious Employment – A Popular Education Workshop
The Catalyst Centre
This manual has been assembled to support facilitators, community activists, people in precarious employment and educators to make change around precarious employment and to develop an expanded notion about what makes a job precarious. The exercises in the manual are intended to promote reflections, discussions and even plan for actions that will result in better, more decent jobs for all. The activities are participatory and based on a popular education approach to communication and learning, drawing on the knowledge and experience of participants.
Participant kits in English and Spanish available through York University Publications
The Sunflower Man: Land Dancing and Justice with Migrant Farm Workers
During this Righting Relations podcast, Heryka Miranda shares her experience of facilitating dance movement therapy with migrant farm workers in the Niagara region, and the creation of the piece “The Sunflower Man” which has been used as a platform to advocate for justice for migrant farm workers rights in Canada.
Theatre for Living
The Art and Science of Community-Based Dialogue
by David Diamond
Theatre for Living approaches the community as a living organism and recognizes when plays are created, they are made to help us investigate ways to change the behaviors that create the structure, not only the structure itself.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
by Paulo Freire
This book proposes a pedagogy with a new relationship between teacher, student, and society. Dedicated to the oppressed and based on Paulo Freire’s own experience helping Brazilian adults to read and write, It is considered one of the foundational texts of critical pedagogy and includes a detailed analysis of the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.
English for Organizing
An ESOL Workbook For Immigrant Workers
Produced by CASA of Maryland, this workbook discusses the importance of employment organization and workers’ rights. It follows the steps of immigrants from coming into the US, looking for work and ends with the advocation for social change.
Economics for Everyone
A Short Guide to the Economics of Capitalism
by Jim Stanford, Economist for the CAW
Jim Stanford’s Economics for Everyone has quickly become a standard reference for economics literacy and popular education. Now published in 6 languages, the book is used in higher education, trade unions, and community education initiatives around the world.
Games for Actors and Non-Actors
Games for Actors and Non-Actors is the classic and best selling book by the founder of Theatre of the Oppressed, Augusto Boal. It sets out the principles and practice of Boal’s revolutionary Method, showing how theatre can be used to transform and liberate everyone – actors and non-actors alike!
¡Viva!: Community Arts and Popular Education in the Americas
With examples from community arts projects in five countries, this collection will inform and inspire students, artists, and activists. ¡VIVA! is the product of a five-year transnational research project that integrates place, politics, passion, and praxis.
Learn from Central America: Kuna children’s art workshops, a community television station in Nicaragua, a cultural marketplace in Guadalajara, Mexico, community mural production in Chiapas; and from North America: arts education in Los Angeles inner-city schools, theatre probing ancestral memory, community plays with over one hundred participants, and training programs for young artists in Canada. These practices offer critical hope for movements hungry for new ways of knowing and expressing histories, identities, and aspirations, as well as mobilizing communities for social transformation. Beautifully illustrated with more than one hundred color photographs, the book also includes a DVD with videos that bring the projects to life.
The Barefoot Guide To Working with Organisations and Social Change
This is a practical, do-it-yourself guide for leaders and facilitators wanting to help organisations to function and to develop in more healthy, human and effective ways as they strive to make their contributions to a more humane society. It has been developed by the Barefoot Collective.
Turning Theory into Practice: What we are learning about the work of Righting Relations
by Rehana Tejpar, capturing the learnings emerging from the Righting Relations Network
As we make the road by walking on this journey of building a women-led network of adult educators for social change across Turtle Island, in the spirit of Righting Relations, we are constantly learning and unlearning. We have captured and shared some of our learnings to date and will continue to evolve these ideas and practices as we continue to journey on this path.
- Involve Indigenous Peoples, Knowledges and Perspectives
- Understanding Colonization – It’s Contemporary History and Impacts
- Build Deep, Kin-like Relationships of Trust
- Integrating Mind, Body, Heart and Spirit brings forth Higher Level Solutions
- The Personal, Interpersonal and Systemic are all Inter-Connected
- Healing is a Valid Part of the Process
- True Collaboration Requires a Commitment to Ongoing Self Reflection and Inner Work
Under the Radar
Popular Education in North America by Drick Boyd
Popular education in North America today largely operates “under the radar”; even so it is a powerful and dynamic social movement that is resisting oppression, fighting injustice, and bringing hope to people in communities large and small.
Download: UndertheRadar.pdf (PDF)
Key Principles of Freire
From: Training for Transformation, A Handbook for Community Workers by Anne Hope & Sally Timmel
This excerpt was written in order to support the work of community workers in Africa and provides a good background and framework for the philosophy of popular education in doing community organizing.
Download: Principles _of_Freire.doc (MS Word)
Feminist Popular Education
Transforming The World From Where Women Stand by Suzanne Doerge
The evolving theory and practice of feminist popular education has implications that stretch beyond particular workshops with women. Feminist popular education is transforming the world from where women stand. It is, as with popular education, also a theory and methodology for social movements, community development and research.
Download: FeministPopularEd.pdf (PDF)
We Make the Road By Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change
by Myles Horton and Paulo Freire
This dialogue between two of the most prominent thinkers on social change in the twentieth century was certainly a meeting of giants. Throughout their highly personal conversations recorded here, Horton and Freire discuss the nature of social change and empowerment and their individual literacy campaigns.
Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work For Racial Justice
by Paul Kivel
Uprooting Racism explores the manifestations of racism in politics, work, community, and family life. It moves beyond the definition and unlearning of racism to address the many areas of privilege for white people and suggests ways for individuals and groups to challenge the structures of racism.
Theatre of the Oppressed
by Augusto Boal
Theatre of the Oppressed is largely based on the idea of dialogue and interaction between audience and performer. Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal was influenced by the work of Paulo Freire and uses theatre as means of promoting social and political change.
Theatre for Living: The Art and Science of Community-Based Dialogue
by David Diamond
Theatre for Living approaches the community as a living organism and recognizes when plays are created, they are made to help us investigate ways to change the behaviors that create the structure, not only the structure itself.
Pedagogy of the Oppressed
by Paulo Freire
This book proposes a pedagogy with a new relationship between teacher, student, and society. Dedicated to the oppressed and based on Paulo Freire’s own experience helping Brazilian adults to read and write, It is considered one of the foundational texts of critical pedagogy and includes a detailed analysis of the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized.
English for Organizing
An ESOL Workbook For Immigrant Workers
Produced by CASA of Maryland, this workbook discusses the importance of employment organization and workers’ rights. It follows the steps of immigrants from coming into the US, looking for work and ends with the advocation for social change.
Economics for Everyone
The Economics of Capitalism
by Jim Stanford, Economist for the CAW
Jim Stanford’s Economics for Everyone has quickly become a standard reference for economics literacy and popular education. Now published in 6 languages, the book is used in higher education, trade unions, and community education initiatives around the world.
Traditional Teachings
Embodying Popular Education
Explored through Image Theatre by members of Righting Relations
Lottie Mae Johnson’s Profile
Lottie Mae Johnson, member of Apaji-wla’matulinej/Righting Relations East Hub is a residential school survivor who sat on the national Aboriginal Advisory Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. She talks about her healing and workshops she does to help others.
Mi’Kmaq Youth: Our Reality – Our Hope
Erika Gideon Marchand is writing her Master’s Thesis on “What does the Lnu’g language teach us? Transferring ancient ancestral teachings and wisdom in the 21st century by maintaining and reclaiming our spirit as Lnu’g.” Paulina Meader (Membertou) was raised Traditional and is currently studying to be a nurse. Rosalie LaBillois (Eel River Bar) drums and sings for Ceremonies. She recently sailed to Europe as a part of an Indigenous Youth Leadership program. Juisen Bartibøgue (Esgenoopetitj) grew up as a part of the Wabanaki Cultural Centre which worked to preserve Indigenous cultural and spirituality. Wasgeesc is still in elementary school. She travels with her grandmothers to traditional gatherings and helps with Ceremonies at her home in Acadia First Nations.
Sherri Mitchell – On the times we are living in, women and water and healing
Sherri Mitchell (Penobscot) is a lawyer, author, world-wide speaker, community organizer and inspiring person. She shares her thoughts on the times we are living in, women and water and healing and empowerment. She is also a member of Apaji-wla’Matulinej
Marian Nicholas, Mi’Kmaq Water Protector
Marian Nicolas, (Mi’kmaq) has dedicated her life to being a Water protector. She is often found on the front lines protecting the Shubenacadie River from the Alton Gas Project. She learned the Water Ceremonies from Josephine Mandamin. While originally being from Eskasoni she has lived in Sipekne’katik First Nation for over 25 years. Spoken in Mi’Kmaq with English subtitles.
Margaret (Maggie) Paul, Singing our Songs – Apaji-wla’matulinej
Margaret (Maggie) Paul Singing our Songs. Maggie shares old songs and talks of their meaning. She shares stories about the Little People, the Sweat, whales, and the ancestors along with tips and medicines for singing. She talks of unconditional love and connecting to your Spirit through singing.
Judy Googoo (Mi’Kmaq) a member of Apaji-wla’matulinej on traditional medicinal plants
Judy Googoo (Mi’Kmaq) shares her vast knowledge of medicine plants. Judy leads workshops on everything from plants, to hand drum making, tanning moose hides – everything connected to living on the land. She also is an artist and runs a craft shop in Wagmacook and a barber shop!
Cathy Gerrior (Inuit), member of Apaji-wla’matulinej on finding your way back to your culture
Cathy Gerrior (Inuit) speaks on the intergenerational impacts of residential schools; her experience of being raised in a white community and finding her way home again. She talks about building bridges between non-natives and Indigenous people.
ohtisiy
The Belly Button Teaching – Traditional Cree protocols for knowledge gathering were followed to produce this digital story. A collaboration between Saddle Lake Cree Nation and the University of Toronto. Funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research.
Talking Circles
by Mikmaw Spirit
The talking circle is a traditional way for Indigenous people to solve problems. It is a very effective way to remove barriers and to allow people to express themselves with complete freedom. The symbolism of the circle, with no beginning and with nobody in a position of prominence, serves to encourage people to speak freely and honestly about things that are on their minds. Read more about the Talking Circle from a Mi’kmaq perspective here
Seeking Netukulimk
Kerry Prosper is a passionate fisher and Mi’kmaq elder, who is teaching his grandchildren how to exercise their treaty rights by fishing eels. But those rights come with sacred responsibilities to care for the land and waters of Mi’kma’ki. Seeking Netukulimk is a lyrical exploration of the traditional laws that govern fishing in the Mi’kmaq world, and some of the political battles that have been fought to defend them.
In Defence of Our Treaties
Directed by Martha Stiegman and Co-Produced by Martha Stiegman & Sherry Pictou
In Defense of our Treaties (2008) follows members of Bear River First Nation as they stand up to Canada’s Department of Fisheries (DFO), who is pressuring them to sell out their treaty rights for a ticket into the commercial fisheries. For the Mi’kmaq, fishing is a right that comes from the Creator, and is protected by the Treaties. In 1999, the Supreme Court recognized those rights, and DFO has since signed agreements with 32 of the 34 First Nations in the region. The deals offer money to buy into the commercial fisheries, as long as the Mi’kmaq fish under DFO’s jurisdiction. That’s not good enough for Bear River, one of two communities refusing to sign.
Mi’maq Creation Story – Woman of the Water
Jane Meader, Elder, BACS & MEd, discusses the Mi’kmaq creation story and how this relates to the venerated place of women in their culture.
The Divine Feminine In Transforming Our World
This episode of Love (and revolution) Radio with Sherri Mitchell and Rivera Sun explores the concept of the divine feminine as a force for change. Our very own Righting Relations Eastern Hub member Miigam’agan along with Nickie Sekera each bring a unique perspective and deep insight to understanding the role of the feminine in transforming our world.
Native Protocol
by Cathy Grant Gerrior
I am white turtle woman. I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reflections based on my observations and experiences as a native woman living and working in the dominant society of what is called “Canada” that doesn’t always understand or appreciate my nativeness.
Download: Native_Protocol.docx (MS Word)