In this issue:
- Welcome to Issue 2
- Anti-racism across campus
- Staff feature
- Working group updates
- Upcoming events
- Past events
Welcome to Issue 2
Welcome back to our second issue of The Catalyst Anti-Racism Newsletter. In the midst of busy work days and virtual fatigue, thank you for making it a priority to stay connected to the anti-racism work that is happening across campus.
Each month, we will have a different President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) working group co-chair introduce the newsletter. We hope this will give you a deeper understanding of the dedicated people behind our work. This month, our message comes from Nigel Henriques, Associate Director, Systems, and co-chair of the Professional & Academic Development & Mentorship Working Group.
Message from the Chair
The opportunity to help address the challenges of racism in our Waterloo community was one I was easily drawn to. In addition to being a Co-Chair of one of PART’s working groups, I am also an alumnus, a member of the Black Community, and someone with lived experience of systemic racism. I feel a sense of duty, especially with my wife and son both currently attending the institution, to help pave a better future for them as well as for our students, staff, and faculty.
I would like to acknowledge that anti-racism work can be exhausting. Lost momentum and fatigue are real challenges we face. As we begin to explore and to implement recommendations, there will be challenges with funding for initiatives, other priorities, and competing interests. This is why our recommendations will focus on realistic and impactful changes to our policies, practices, and processes.
It will take determination and fortitude to create a more positive, equitable and inclusive environment for Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities. Change will be slow, but it is heartening to see that a culture of “anti-racism” is already taking form in the Waterloo DNA. The most important thing for all of us is to be persistent, and to stay committed to the learning and unlearning this work requires. It will be imperfect, messy, and not devoid of ever evolving issues; however, we must view this as now “part of who we are,” and continue to grow, change, and raise the bar higher.
If you are looking to contribute to a more inclusive campus, start by educating yourself about what systemic racism looks like, and the challenges faced by our racialized communities. There are many events across campus – seek them out! Be vulnerable, ask questions, and listen deeply. You can play a role in making a difference at Waterloo no matter how big or small.
Message from the President
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your involvement and efforts in the University’s anti-racism work. I know it is not easy work, but your efforts and dedication are making a difference.
There is still so much more work to be done to dismantle racism, xenophobia and hate of all kinds in our society, and to advance the goals of Truth and Reconciliation. And for the University to do our part, we must start with our own campus. Your efforts are doing just that.
I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Charmaine Dean for her leadership. Under her leadership as Executive Designate, the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) has gained tremendous momentum in addressing systemic racism at the university. I also acknowledge that a lot of this work is also taking place all across the campus. To those on campus and in the community who used their voices to push for this work and hold the University accountable; the members of the Community Collaborative, who answered our call for participation and feedback to help shape our anti-racism commitments; the members of PART, the working groups and implementation teams, who are working tirelessly to ensure the University meets these commitments; and to those leading and taking part in anti-racism work across Faculties, Departments, student groups and organizational units—thank you all for your dedication, support and efforts.
Your work is extremely important to our institution and society in general. As my time as president and vice-chancellor draws to an end this month, I will be following your progress with gratitude and pride.
THE CATALYST
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Anti-racism across campus
The work of anti-racism on our campus is a shared work. UWaterloo’s faculties are each engaging in anti-racism work in their own dynamic ways. For example, the Faculty of Environment is conducting unit-level and program-level curriculum reviews to include decolonization, Indigeneity and inclusivity. They have also organized a number of events to inspire campus wide discussions of racial and social justice issues. More can be seen about selected projects from these faculties here.
Staff feature
Meet Waterloo's Senior Manager, Anti-Racism Response: Jennisha Wilson
The Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office recognized a need to support individuals experiencing racism. As the Senior Manager, Anti-Racism Response, Jennisha Wilson engages in informal mechanisms to resolve complaints. She provides senior leadership with advice in handling disclosures and complaints of racism, and is developing a centralized process to manage these complaints.
Jennisha Wilson brings over a decade of experience focused on race and gender equity, inclusion work within institutions, non-for-profits, and community settings. In her previous role, Ms. Wilson was instrumental in designing, implementing, and growing the first Inuit-specific anti-human trafficking program in Canada.
“I believe this role is vital,” said Jennisha, “because it acknowledges racism is a reality for its staff, faculty, and students. Having more dedicated resources will only make the University more equitable and inclusive.” She is most interested in being on a journey with the larger institution that fosters an environment for multi-leveled impact, and allows for continued reflection.
When issues of racism are not just discussed but further addressed with meaningful solutions... when anti-racism work is carried out by everyone, not just those affected by racism... when there is a demonstrated, deep understanding and commitment from the University toward this work… that will be successs.
“As a university, we have the collective capacity and responsibility to change our attitudes and behaviors to uphold an equitable campus.”
Find out more about what Jennisha can help with.
Working group/other updates
The Educational Environment and Development of Learners working group
Indigenization Efforts Across Campus
A central focus for the this group is to recommend approaches for making curriculum, pedagogy, research and overall learning environments more inclusive. This requires broad engagement across campus with various stakeholders to understand what work is currently underway, and what specific areas need to be challenged and addressed. In addition, the group is learning about best practices in wording their recommendations to ensure clear directives for each intended audience during the implementation phase.
The focus of the working group this month was to meet with key stakeholders to understand Indigenization efforts across campus and the wider community.
Identifying Challenges and Opportunities in Curriculum
Rather than taking a granular approach to reviewing individual courses or group of courses, the group is tackling curriculum and teaching with a broader lens. “In order to make meaningful and concrete recommendations,” said Sara Anderson, group member, “we need to understand how our courses include (or more importantly, exclude) content related to Indigenous knowledge, culture, histories, languages and politics, as well as race, ethnicity, and culture(s) of Black, and other racialized peoples.”
Another one of the group’s recommendations is that faculties and departments create an inventory of the courses currently offered which include this content. To guide the creation of this inventory, the group has created a list of questions to target specific information and assist with academic and programmatic decision-making. The group is prepared to ensure the list is maintained, and to make themselves available for its further development through implementation.
In addition to recommendation on pedagogy and curriculum, the group is also working on drafting recommendations around research, entrance scholarships, and transitional year programs. Departments and faculties will be able to use these evolving resources to prioritize planning at the program level and as a means of identifying and addressing gaps.
Decolonization, Community Engagement, and Beyond
While there are currently individual events taking place across campus to decolonize and Indigenize various parts of the institution, this work requires a more holistic strategy to accomplish long-term institutional change. In addition, building stronger relationships with community groups is needed in order to ensure they feel included, and so that they can provide valuable feedback on anti-racism initiatives.
Based on the stakeholder’s expert advice and input, the group has revised their recommendations, but also taken note of other ideas and comments that fall outside their mandate. Meetings with additional stakeholders, including co-chairs of other PART working groups to discuss overlaps and to address gaps uncovered, are ongoing and will continue to shape recommendations.
Upcoming events
The Truth is hard. Reconciliation is harder. Indigenous History Month Keynote Speaker
June is National Indigenous History Month: a chance to honour the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and a time to prioritize listening, engaging, taking action, and interrupting anti-Indigenous violence.
The Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion Office will be hosting the Honourable Murray Sinclair in its upcoming virtual event: The Truth is hard. Reconciliation is harder on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm EDT. This event is free to the public, and we encourage you to attend and to invite those in the community who would benefit from Honourable Sinclair’s teachings.
His Honour was the first Aboriginal Judge appointed in Manitoba and Canada’s second. He served as Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry in Manitoba and as Chief Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). He has won numerous awards, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award, the Manitoba Bar Association’s Equality Award (2001) and its Distinguished Service Award (2016) and has received Honorary Doctorates from 8 Canadian universities. The Honourable Murray Sinclair was appointed to the Senate on April 2, 2016.
Learn more about his Honourable Murray Sinclair and register here.
Anti-racism Book Club
One crucial way we can address systemic racism and work towards an anti-racist campus culture is to engage in honest conversation. For this reason, we are thrilled to announce the creation of PART’s Anti-Racism Book Club series.
Members of PART have carefully curated a list of 12 recommended books that promote education, awareness and a deeper understanding of race, culture, ethnicity and anti-racism. From July 2021 to June 2022, PART will guide participants on the complexities of several relevant and important subjects such as white fragility, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in Canada, the Indian Act, and the equity myth.
Led by various members of our campus community, a book will be selected from this list each month for group review and discussion. Each live discussion will be open to a maximum of 30 participants, and students, faculty and staff are welcome to join each session on a first-come, first-served basis.
The first event will be facilitated by Dr. Christopher Taylor on Tuesday July 20, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and our first book will be How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi.
Click here to register for this month's book discussion!
Past events
Explorations of Identity, Perceptions and Belonging
On May 25, in honour of Asian Heritage Month, PART hosted an event exploring Asian-Canadian identity and anti-Asian racism, particularly in light of the rise in hate crimes over the past year. The panel, moderated by PART member Anne Galang, featured Dr. Tanya "Toni" De Mello, Professor Vinh Nguyen, Jason Tham and Sidra Hasan, who each brought with them a wealth of insights from their lived experiences and expertise in fields such as law, business and academia. The event was well attended by an engaged crowd from UWaterloo and the community, with provocative questions received from the audience.
A playback of the event can be viewed online.
Let us showcase your project or event!
We welcome feedback and submissions on wonderful work on anti-racism across campus. If you are aware of or involved in an anti-racism related project or event on campus, we would be happy to feature it on our website and/or in the next issue of this newsletter. Please email part@uwaterloo.ca with details.
Catch up on community stories
We share stories from across campus of BIPOC students, faulty, staff and alumni making waves across campus. Read the featured stories.