Equity, diversity, and inclusivity resources for the BIPOC community

Educational opportunities

Learning how to challenge anti-Black racism isn’t the only academic opportunity that Waterloo provides to drive positive change. Black Studies and Fundamentals of Anti-Racist Communication are offered as diplomas to students from all faculties, and to non-degree students as well. The Black Studies Implementation team is committed to educating students, faculty, and the broader community, advocating for social justice through these informative courses. Waterloo also offers an Indigenous Studies minor, eight courses that study and highlight Indigenous cultures and perspectives.  

More learning opportunities are offered through the Equity Office, where anti-racism resources and support for equity concerns, as well as workshops and training are offered for people to increase their allyship. Inside or outside of the classroom, there are lots of ways to be a part of the diverse and inclusive community at Waterloo.

Racial Advocacy

President's Anti-Racism Taskforce

Let’s say you’ve run out of electives or taking an extra course isn’t your style, but you still want to be involved in the University’s initiatives – Waterloo has it all! Beyond the academic environment, there are lots of committees that work towards ending systemic racism at Waterloo that offer educational content. The President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) is one of these groups, and their ongoing mission involves many anti-racist actions that strive to perpetuate equality amongst the BIPOC community. Some of these engaging opportunities include an anti-racism book club, which features a list of books that touch on a number of important topics, one of which was in the Anti-Racism course I took and a highly recommended read. For my non-readers, you’re in luck, because there’s also a monthly anti-racism newsletter that you can sign up for!

 

Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity, and Equality

At Waterloo, faculty and students are dedicated to creating supportive spaces for the BIPOC community. Racial Advocacy for Inclusion, Solidarity, and Equality (RAISE) is a student-based service that works towards confronting racism and xenophobia across campus. Established through the hard work of Black women and Non-Binary folk, their main focuses are education and advocacy, peer support, and community building, and you can visit them on Facebook or Instagram to stay updated on their actions. Fiqir Worku, one of the alumni of Waterloo responsible for the implementation of RAISE, explains that her vision was to “make the Waterloo experience even a little bit better for racialized students, so they didn’t have the same experience as me”. Through anti-racism initiatives and social events, RAISE aims to turn that vision into a reality, promoting the shared goals of equity and inclusivity across Waterloo.

Indigenous community on campus

The Office of Indigenous Relations provides guidance, support, and resources to the campus community, strengthening the central vision of reconciliation. Register for their events and workshops to gain a deeper understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, and appreciation of their rich culture. Faculty at Waterloo are also advocating for change through the Indigenous Priorities Action Committee, working to improve the experiences of Indigenous students and staff. You can keep up to date and stay connected by signing up for the Indigenous connections newsletter!

Shatitsirótha'!

Shatitsirótha'! The Waterloo Indigenous Student’s Centre (WISC) provides supports to Indigenous students, focusing on culture, academics, wellbeing, and social engagement. You can follow them on Facebook to stay in the loop on new and exciting initiatives! WISC also has an Indigenous Student Association, where students can reflect and interact with each other, as well as a Living Community for Indigenous First Year Students to give Indigenous students a unique space to develop positive connections. 

A sense of community at Waterloo

Something that often gets brought up when talking about university is the sense of community that comes with being a student. The people you meet, the relationships you form, the belonging you feel. I’m only halfway through my degree, and the importance of connection and fellowship have been highlighted for me every step of the way. At Waterloo, it’s known that these are all dominant factors that contribute to a positive university experience. With the number of resources, support systems, groups and learning opportunities that advocate for equality and inclusivity, know one thing for certain – the priority to shape a unified, welcoming environment is ongoing and strong. I can see it in the constant student dedication that surrounds me, letting me know that as a marginalized student, I’m not alone. I can feel it in the efforts of my professors and the staff at Waterloo, who do their best to create safe and comforting spaces for everyone. Most of all, I can tell that ensuring an equitable and diverse future isn’t just a goal or a value; it’s a growing reality, one where everyone belongs.