Equity Matters
October 2021
The importance of History and Heritage Months
Acknowledging Truths with History and Heritage Months:
1. History and heritage months are opportunities to centre, listen and learn from communities that have traditionally not had the same opportunities to share and celebrate their lived experiences and stories;
2. These months provide opportunities for communities to learn from each other beyond the dominant "eurocentric" norm, exploring events/experiences from different perspectives, deepening global understanding of the similarities and differences in lived experiences.
3. Lastly, these months provide opportunities to recognize the intersecting barriers different communities face, and share that awareness to work towards more equitable outcomes for all.
What is the Difference between Cultural Appreciation and Cultural Appropriation?
Appreciation provides an opportunity to share ideas and cultural awareness
"Appreciation involves a desire for knowledge and deeper understanding of a culture.
People who truly want to appreciate a culture offer respect to members of that culture and their traditions by participating only when invited to do so.
"In general, you’re probably appreciating a culture if you:
- have permission to use cultural elements
- use them only as intended
- share those items in order to help others learn more about that culture
- emphasize that you’re not an authority on the culture and avoid taking space from members of that culture who might not otherwise be heard"
From the article, "There’s a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation — Here’s Why It Matters"
Here is the link to the complete article:
"If your use of cultural items or practices exploits that culture in any way, you’re appropriating — whether you realize it or not."
Other markers of appropriation include presenting elements of a culture in ways that:
- give a skewed or inaccurate perspective of that culture
- reinforce stereotypes
- conflict with the intended use of those elements
- take credit or compensation from the original creators"
From the article, "There’s a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation — Here’s Why It Matters"
Here is the link to the complete article:
Beyond Orange Shirt Day: A Mini Course on Indigenous Experiences in Canada
Shé:kon,
On Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, many of us made commitments to make time and space to listen to and learn from Indigenous community members. Please consider spending time on (or around) the 30th of each month fulfilling these commitments by attending our "Beyond Orange Shirt Day: A Mini Course on Indigenous Experiences in Canada" series.
We have invited local Indigenous community members to share knowledge rooted in Truth and Reconciliation as well as their experiences working within various systems in what is now known as Canada. There is no commitment to attend each session. We just ask that, when you do attend, you do so with an open mind and heart.
This series is open to all education workers. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liv Rondeau at rondeaul@limestone.on.ca.
Here is the link to register for the October series: https://teams.microsoft.com/registration/Xxb04a7rgk2nPKDeWTgwvg,kxPMIMt2dEqBpdRa_g7Clg,YkXr4GlYk06euTr4bBpO2w,Mmi50RD1cUmsPpsnApeEyQ,hM7H7tIEr0GgSHcV35a8vw,cL-lkhVLskGk1eekIFevVQ?mode=read&tenantId=e1f4165f-ebae-4d82-a73c-a0de593830be. Please note that although the form says 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, the series will begin at 3:45 PM and conclude at 4:45 PM. See the attached poster for more information.
Islamic Heritage Month
Online events will be live-streamed from, or shared to, the Islamic History Month Kingston’s Facebook Page:
- October 22: (tentative): How Faith Drives Our Work. Perspectives from Indigenous and Muslim women (time and date to be confirmed)
- October 26: Tell a Story-Save a Life: A workshop on Islamophobia with artist @studentAsim, starting at 7:30 p.m.
- October 28: Reminders on the Path: In conversation with Sheniz Janmohamed, starting at 1 p.m.
- October 31: Muslim Youth speak to: Truth, Reconciliation and Islamophobia, moderated by Sawsan Mohammed (Kingston) and featuring Muslim high school students from across the nation, starting at 5 p.m.
- TBD: Healing from the Wounds of Colonialism through Faith
For additional information, visit www.facebook.com/IHMKingston, www.facebook.com/MSGPQU or www.kingstonmuslims.ca. For more information on this national initiative please see the Islamic History Month Canada Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/IslamicHistoryMonthCanada
HISPANIC / LATIN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
"Today, the Hispanic community is one of the fastest-growing in Ontario. Hispanic-Canadians represent a dynamic community that has made significant contributions to the province of Ontario’s growth and prosperity." *
FROM HISPANIC CANADIAN HERITAGE COUNCIL:
Proud to be Canadians with Hispanic / Latin American roots
Orgullosos de ser canadienses con raíces hispanas / latinoamericanas
You are invited to celebrate our identity, our culture, and our roots with us.
In October we will share Latin American Movies, Conferences, Art Exhibitions and Latin American Cuisine suggestions for you.
Please join us in this big celebration!
*From: https://fuerzalatinaservices.org/upcoming-events/hispanic-heritage-month/
When Honouring History and Heritage Months, It is important to Recognize Past and Present Contributions through an Intersectional Approach
"October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada."
Get involved
- "Use Women’s History Month 2021 background below during your virtual meetings on MS Teams or any other platform.
- Visit the Women of Impact in Canada gallery, which recognizes the contributions and achievements of 100 exceptional Canadian women and girls who have made an impact in politics, the arts and sciences, and countless other fields.
- Nominate a woman of impact who has inspired you!"
About LGBT History Month ( Learning about LGBTQI2S+ Canadian History)
"Separate from Pride Month, LGBT History Month was created in 1994 by Rodney Wilson, a high school history teacher in Missouri, to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. October was picked to coincide with National Coming Out Day, which is celebrated in Canada, the United States, and some countries in Europe.
Learning about LGBTQI2S+ Canadian history
"When asked to name a significant event in LGBT history many in Canada would name the Stonewall Riots. But Canada has its own LGBTQI2S+ history that should be known.
The resources to learn about LGBTQI2S+ Canadian history are out there. The website Queer Events has a detailed timeline of LGBTQI2S+ history in Canada from 1969 to the present day. Egale Canada has a YouTube series called #HearOurStory, which highlights stories from LGBTQI2S+ Canadian history."
Mi’kmaq History Month!
Ekina’masimkl Ankukamkewe’l aqq Tela’matultimk Wejiaq Exploring Treaties and Treaty Relationships
The 2021 MHM Poster:
https://mikmaqhistorymonth.ca/posters/
"For generations, our ancestors have entered into treaties with other Nations in a long tradition of relationship-making. These relationships, based in ceremony and consensus, protected our ways of life and honoured reciprocity. This year’s poster explores these concepts and highlights four major themes; Ceremony and Consensus, Peace and Friendship, Denial and Damage, and Renewal and
Reconciliation. Throughout the poster, users will be able to explore Mi’kmaw treaty-making, the Covenant Chain of Treaties, and important facts about key treaties and their protectors.
We are all responsible to the treaties, and without oral histories, there would be no treaty rights today."
Here is a corresponding video: https://vimeo.com/619972975
Coming Up In November
The Faculty of Education at Queen’s University is hosting an online lecture ‘We Are All Treaty People’ with Maurice Switzer who is the author of the We Are All Treaty people resource.
This would be a great educational opportunity for anyone looking to learn more about treaties and how to engage students in further learning about treaties during National Treaty Recognition Week in November.
Here is the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/we-are-all-treaty-people-tickets-183489932327.
What steps can you take to appreciate rather than appropriate?
"If you’re concerned you might have mistakenly appropriated cultural elements in the past, these tips can help you do better in the future:
- Choose books, music, art, and food that originate from and accurately represent specific cultures, instead of “culturally inspired” experiences.
- To amplify cultural voices, look for books, essays, or other creative works written by members of the culture, instead of works by outsiders looking in.
- Purchase art and other cultural items from the creator.
- When studying other cultures, take the time to learn how to correctly pronounce names of people and places.
- Skip terms taken from other cultures, such as calling your friends your “tribe” or saying you have a “spirit animal.”
- Avoid adopting false accents."
From the article, "There’s a Big Difference Between Cultural Appreciation and Appropriation — Here’s Why It Matters"
Here is the link to the complete article:
With Halloween Approaching, Remeber Cultures are not Costumes
"Around Halloween, cultural appropriation often manifests in the form of wearing “costumes” that rely on specific culture signifiers or stereotypes. Dressing up as an ethnicity, race or culture that is not your own is problematic and racist, and it’s up to folks who are not impacted by those situations to work together to ensure that it doesn’t continue among our friend groups, families and communities."
From site and campaign by Laurier Students; Public Interest Research Group's
"#IAmNotACostume
What is the Costume Campaign...And Why Do We Do It?"
Here is the link to the site:
Equity Matters: Equity and Anti-Racism Supports and Resources
As Limestone District School Board employees, we are all a part of this learning journey. If you have ideas about future equity topics or terminology, please contact Rae McDonald.
Email: mcdonaldr@limestone.on.ca
Phone: 613-544-6925 (336)