tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3980943555423743062024-02-07T07:00:23.922-08:00Environment & Diversity ProjectVictor Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393138236069361661noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-72622449651141477062014-03-01T02:49:00.000-08:002014-03-01T02:50:50.335-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>The Questions we often come back to is what
is diversity? What is Inclusion? What is beyond the set definitions of diversity
and inclusion? </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The journey to understand Diversity and
Inclusion is not an easy one. It has its own dynamics, it own embedded
understandings. Understanding diversity and practicing inclusion is not a
destination in itself but rather a process.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The notion of Inclusion has its nuances
that are constantly evolving. This was one of my many learnings being a part
of the Environment and Diversity project back in 2011. I guess it brought in me
that awareness, a reflective sense and rather enthused me to ask the right
questions, to at least realize that the possibilities of those questions exist.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So many articles, so many images, so many presentations,
so many conferences and meets happen almost every day across the world and across
the sections. Are we asking questions because it is in the air, because it has
beginning to affect us or because somewhere one feels that we can no longer
ignore the inevitable? Today we constantly make an attempt to atleast locate
the problems, locate alternates and discuss the challenges.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The effort is now to understand and
reflect these very nuances and their inter-linkages in varied ways of society,
science, technology, education and development at large. The very sense that inclusion
is not merely about passively including the excluded, nor is it merely about internationalization,
but rather practicing inclusion as a natural part of the extended diverse
group.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If only diversity and inclusion is not
considered as an agenda to be achieved. If only diversity and inclusion is seen
as an extension and a part of policies, people, development and progress.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">If only one considers what matters in
truest sense; there is however a long way to know with an absolute certainty if
there is a paradigm shift in making, and will it really show in due time. After
all, the garden would certainly look prettier with cherry plum peach and damson
together. Would it not?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429902599058007357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-10295024479403585412011-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:002011-10-27T08:07:08.372-07:00The Native Bus Tour…and More!<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <p style="text-align: right;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="text-align: right;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uQPRj7dW11BHxb7WTpZRawNyRDe4ZNaNvFXclncNvGUqk67vYn9rpmqo1h1Ul8RuwgHdVPPvOMG5LLfeqoo5qtI8Z1srQRx7MqRicEwpURzxgrhyq_BTXmig2WSEUpQHE5Ou3f4d6smR/s1600/EtienneBrulePark4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uQPRj7dW11BHxb7WTpZRawNyRDe4ZNaNvFXclncNvGUqk67vYn9rpmqo1h1Ul8RuwgHdVPPvOMG5LLfeqoo5qtI8Z1srQRx7MqRicEwpURzxgrhyq_BTXmig2WSEUpQHE5Ou3f4d6smR/s200/EtienneBrulePark4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668184017357011010" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Last October 13, the Sustainability</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Network and Toronto Green Community co-sponsored the “Native Bus Tour of Toronto”, a two-part event that consi</span><span style="font-size:85%;">sted of an historical tour of Toronto from an Aboriginal perspective, as well as a post-tour discussion on how no</span><span style="font-size:85%;">n-profit organizations and Aboriginal organizations/ communities can work tog</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ether to further common goals.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">It was origi</span><span style="font-size:85%;">nally envisioned that this event would focus on environmental NGOs and Aboriginal organizations. Howeve</span><span style="font-size:85%;">r, there was keen interest from the other sectors of the non-profit community (social justice, faith-based groups, education, arts, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">community and social servi</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ces) hence the scope of the event was expanded. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The tour started outside the office of the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, the organization that regularly runs these educational tours.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Our guide and ed</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ucator, Don Jabokwoam, was very engaging and quite knowledgeable of Toronto’s Aboriginal history.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">He first brought us to the Étienne Brûlé </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Park right by the Humber river.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">He had explained to us the succession of First Nations that had settled in the area (from the Huron-Wendat to the Six Nations, to the Mississaugas), and how Aboriginal history is fraught with conflict and territorial disputes among various First Nations…no different from that of historical conflicts among nations in Europe, Asia or </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Africa.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">As we moved from one location to the next, we learned more about the importance of the flora and fauna in these places (grass with bug repellant properties, cedar to prevent rashes, spruce trees for making porridge) and how mounds are significant burial sites for some, but not all, Aboriginal communities.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">The wonderful thing about this information exchange was that the indigenous knowledge and history came not just from our guide, Don, but also from the Aboriginal participants who freely shared their knowledge with the group.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">This openness in sharing knowledge and opinions perfectly set up the afternoon activity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">Suzanne Methot, a teacher with the Toronto District School Board and a Cree from Sagitawa (Peace River, Alberta), facilitated the post-tour discussion. This discussion focused on how the different groups (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) could work together to incorporate what they have learned during the tour to promote and protect some of the sites that were visited. </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Results of the discussions included: mapping of areas to reflect Aboriginal history, staging historical plays from an Aboriginal perspective, and tours that tell the real story – which includes both European and Aboriginal views.</span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">After sharing their thoughts and ideas, the participants expressed their interest in finding opportunities to make collaboration among their organizations happen.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by Suzanne Methot</span><br /></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes;font-size:78%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Victor Reyeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04393138236069361661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-84726975591748842572011-05-10T07:50:00.000-07:002011-05-10T07:53:40.520-07:00Register Now for Collective Impact! The Environment & Our Diverse Society on June 3 @Evergreen Brick Works<h4><a href="http://bit.ly/k777ib">Collective Impact! The Environment and Our Diverse Society</a> </h4> <p>Location: Evergreen Brick Works<br />550 Bayview Ave., Toronto<br />Time: 8:00am - 5:00pm<br />Reception: 5:00pm - 7:00pm<br /></p> <p>Registration Fee: $100</p> <p>Collective Impact! The Environment & Our Diverse Society is a signature event of the Environment & Diversity Project, a collaborative initiative led by the Sustainability Network.</p> <p>Collective Impact! will bring together environmental nonprofits, settlement agencies, and community and faith groups and is designed to help the environmental movement change to better reflect various ethno-cultural and Aboriginal communities. Thought leaders will share insights and facilitated discussions will showcase success stories. There will be opportunities to explore numerous existing diversity initiatives and ample time to network and develop key contacts.</p> <p><strong>Keynote Speakers<br /></strong> <strong>Michael Adams</strong>, President, Environics<br /><strong>Robin Cardozo</strong>, CEO, Ontario Trillium Foundation<br /><strong>Melissa Shin</strong>, Contributing Editor, Corporate Knights Magazine<br /><strong>Rosemarie Powell</strong>, Assistant Executive Director, Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre</p><p><a href="http://bit.ly/iral88">Register Now!</a><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-42775443500406219012011-01-05T09:01:00.000-08:002011-01-05T09:02:40.070-08:00Environment & Diversity Mini-Grants Are Here!<p>Happy new year!</p><p>Sustainability Network is pleased to announce the first of two annual rounds of <strong>Environment & Diversity Mini-Grants.</strong></p> <p>Funds are available to support nonprofits with environmental programs and activities to consider, develop and implement strategies to better reflect and engage ethno-cultural and Aboriginal communities by responding to the extensive knowledge, interests and important needs of those communities. </p> <p>Grants to a maximum of $5000 will be made. There is a total of $25,000 in funds available for 2011.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca"><strong>Guidelines and application information.</strong></a> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-82807395547338775482010-12-02T12:22:00.000-08:002010-12-02T12:22:00.267-08:00Diversity Project Manager Sonia Dong Speaks on Diversity in the Environmental Movement<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Sustainability Network’s Diversity Project Manager Sonia Dong speaks about diversity in the environmental movement on the DiverseCity Toronto website. Check out her <a href="http://www.diversecitytoronto.ca/sonia-dong">video story.</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-22542287922811462352010-12-01T12:18:00.000-08:002010-12-01T12:22:06.641-08:00Dec. 17 Webinar on Chicago's Community Engagement with Diverse Populations<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </h6><p class="MsoNormal">Sustainability Network's Environment & Diversity partner <a href="http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/">Clean Air Partnership</a> is hosting an interesting webinar on Chicago's community engagement with diverse populations. <a href="https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=aipd0vp3c4dr">Hope you can make it!</a></p><p>The City of Chicago has formed a partnership with Chicago's Field Museum to engage the public in the development and the implementation of the Chicago Climate Action Plan. The Field Museum has also focused on reaching out to Chicago's diverse populations. Join Clean Air Partnership on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday December 17th at 1 pm</span> when:</p> <ul><li>Jennifer Hirsch from the Chicago Field Museum will present on the activities and learnings of Community Engagement on Chicago's Climate Action Plan. </li></ul><a href="https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=aipd0vp3c4dr">Register</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-49430398397904838302010-11-09T10:38:00.000-08:002010-11-09T11:19:29.293-08:00Anti-racism for Environmentalists<span style="font-style: italic;">"There can be no green movement unless there is a also a black, brown and copper movement ... our house is literally burning, and it is only logical that environmentalists expect the social-justice movement to get on the environmental bus. But it is the other way around, the only way we are going to put out the fire is to get on the social justice bus and heal our wounds, because in the end, there is only one bus."</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> ~Paul Hawken</span><br /><br />Sustainability Network recently held an Anti-Racism for Environmentalists workshop for the collaborative members in the Environment & Diversity Project. Led by Anu Radha Verma and Muna Ali, the jam-packed day included activities and case studies that addressed social location, everyday racism, institutional racism and systemic racism, environmental justice and environmental racism, a discussion about definitions and a learning session on the history of Canada and colonization. It was great day to learn about each other and about how move the movement forward.<br /><br />We thought we'd post a couple of the documents Anu and Muna put together for us for you to download - an excellent terminology/definitions list with selected reading and comparison chart of multiculturalism vs. anti-racism. Both are available on the <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca"></a><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/previous_workshops.html">Sustainability Network</a> website.<br /><br />More about our facilitators:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="il">Anu</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Radha Verma</span> has lived and worked in Toronto, Peterborough, Mississauga and New Delhi. She is intensely concerned with issues of social justice and has engaged in work around issues of race, gender, sexuality and the environment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Muna Abdulkadir Ali</span> is a Masters student in Sociology at York University in Toronto, Canada. Her interests include: environmental justice, transnational sexualities, feminist theories, and anti-racism as well as anti-colonial work/organizing.<br /><span class="il"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-85532262306063887512010-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:002010-10-27T10:39:38.079-07:00Saturday, Novemember 6: Toronto Public Library Hosts First Human Library<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >The<a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/"> Toronto Public Library</a> is launching its first <a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/human-library/">Human Library</a> on November 6<sup>th</sup>. Visit one of five libraries across Toronto on Saturday, November 6<sup>th</sup>, 2010 from 10am – 2pm and you’ll have the opportunity to sign out a human “book” and find out what it’s like to walk in another person’s shoes.</span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Have a one-on-one conversation with a human “book” and learn about what it’s like to be homeless, or new to Canada, be in prison or start your own IT company (to name a few). If you’re interested, you can also volunteer to become one of the books at the <a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/human-library/">participating libraries</a>.</span></em></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">More about the Human Library</span><br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >The <a href="http://humanlibrary.org/">first Human Library</a> was held at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roskilde_festival">Roskilde Festival</a> in Denmark in 2000. The youth organization <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_the_violence">Stop the Violence</a> was encouraged by the festival director at the time to create anti-violence activities for festival goers to encourage dialogue and help people build relations with each other - and that's how the Human Library came to be. In its original form, the "library" was set up in an outdoor space at the festival where people could come in and "borrow" human "books", ask questions and have a conversation to help break down stereotypes and prejudices.</span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >With the help of the <a href="http://humanlibrary.org/">Human Library Organization</a>, which provides a wealth of <a href="http://humanlibrary.org/how-to-become-an-organiser.html">resources and information</a> to support groups that want to organize their own event, Human Libraries are now held <a href="http://humanlibrary.org/list-of-past-human-libraries.html">around the world</a>.<br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >In addition to the </span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><a href="http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/">Toronto Public Library</a></span></em><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >, other Canadian Human Library organizers include:</span></em></p><p class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><br /></span></em></p><ul><li><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Douglas College, British Columbia</span></em></li><li><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Coquitlam Library, British Columbia</span></li><li><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Moscrop Secondary School, British Columbia<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Calgary Public Library, Alberta</span></li><li><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >Augusta Campus, University of Alberta, Alberta</span></li><li><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ></span><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >The University of Guelph, Ontario</span></li><li><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >King's University College, University of Western Ontario, Ontario<br /></span></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-91285514841127039922010-10-25T08:04:00.000-07:002010-10-25T08:33:55.405-07:00First Nations History, Terminology & Cultural Differences Webinar with Kathleen PaduloKathleen Padulo will join us on November 3, 2010 @10am EST for a one hour webinar to<br />provide a brief cultural and historical overview of the First Nations who reside within the<br />boundaries of Ontario.<br /><br />She will outline the significance of key legislation and policy including; the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the Indian Act of 1876 highlighting the objectives behind this Act, and the Constitution Act of 1982.<br /><br />This webinar will also look at the Residential Schools a chronology of “killing the Indian in the child”.<br /><br />The goal of this educational webinar is for all of us to gain a better understanding of First<br />Nations Peoples so we can develop and build long-lasting relationships built upon respect and knowledge.<br /><br />Kathleen Padulo has her Masters in Environmental Studies from York University. She is from the Oneida Nation of the Thames and has 15 years working experience planning, developing and coordinating programs with Aboriginal organizations and First Nations communities.<br /><br />This webinar is the first in a series of three over the next several months.<br /><br />Please register <a href="http://sustainabilitynetwork.ca/">online</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-82228315471907985142010-10-15T11:55:00.000-07:002010-10-15T12:06:43.561-07:00BARC's 'Welcome to Canada' Series on our Environment<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfbHNEXZAAjE74drS_zEkQwe8s9KcpimS4t7AAl3I1H7Uv3Evu-xpGCTyVwqjD57fkb5rfqYGDASb75Gtfg0pbFsNai1ZA5wYnYcLpcvINih741OlEsYSkep6xP2b0vNuO0XnxDEri5QQ/s1600/IMG_0466_2.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfbHNEXZAAjE74drS_zEkQwe8s9KcpimS4t7AAl3I1H7Uv3Evu-xpGCTyVwqjD57fkb5rfqYGDASb75Gtfg0pbFsNai1ZA5wYnYcLpcvINih741OlEsYSkep6xP2b0vNuO0XnxDEri5QQ/s320/IMG_0466_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528351089138277010" border="0" /></a><br /><style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }</style> <p class="MsoNormal">Should I trust the tap water?<span style=""> </span>Where does the water in bottled water come from?<span style=""> </span>Are their dangerous animals in the woods?<span style=""> </span>How does Hamilton’s water treatment system work?<span style=""> </span>Where do I bring those funny swirly lightbulbs anyway?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">These were just a few of the questions that new Canadians posed at the Bay Area Restoration Council’s four-part ‘Welcome to Canada’ series on Hamilton’s Environment.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Each session, we met at the Red Hill Branch of the Public Library, thanks to the invitation of Shahira Nabab Jhan, of the Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO).<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When some one comes to a new area, it’s not only the language and customs that they may need to learn, but all of the environmental information that many of take for granted.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">During the sessions we were able to share important information about local waterfalls, conservation areas and hiking trails – as well as how to access them all, whether by foot, car, bike, bus or trolley.<span style=""> </span>We talked about ways to keep chemicals out of our water, the ‘ins and outs’ of Hamilton’s water treatment system, as well as our waste and recycling programs.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">People were encouraged to ask any and all questions about BARC, Hamilton Harbour and our shared environment.<span style=""> </span>The event was such as success that we hope to bring it to more libraries in the Hamilton area.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-79646759661110037742010-10-05T08:02:00.001-07:002010-10-05T08:10:51.104-07:00Sustainability Network Partner Clean Air Partnership Hosts Webinar on Building Better Relationships with First Nations<span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/">Sustainability Network</a> is pleased to announce that <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project </a>collaborative partner <a href="http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/">Clean Air Partnership</a> is hosting a one-hour webinar on Building Better Relationships with First Nations</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> on Wednesday, October 6th @ 10 am EST.<br /><br />The webinar will feature:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ron Plain</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kathleen Padulo</span> who will share their expertise and experience on what environmental NGOs and municipalities can do to improve relationship building with First Nations and how groups unwittingly undermine those relationships.<br /><br />Ron is from </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Aamjiwnaang First Nation, a small community located in Sarnia, Ontario. He </span><span style="font-size:100%;">co-founded the Aamjiwnaang Environmental Committee, has worked with Environmental Defence Canada </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> and Kathleen is from </span><span style="font-size:100%;">the Oneida Nation of the Thames. She </span><span style="font-size:100%;">has 15 years working experience planning, developing and coordinating programs with Aboriginal organizations and First Nations communities.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Join the webinar to find out more about First Nation priorities and perspectives.<br /></span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=6wrhycr3rzy9">Register for the webinar.</a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><a href="https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=jd4k6gpsh4c9"><br /></a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-67881701146712022212010-10-01T08:37:00.000-07:002010-10-01T08:37:00.724-07:00Bay Area Restoration Council and SISO Host Successful First Annual Multicultural Festival<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OOWFqWIgwMUHaUEZzxwDcB7aJqs5OYcfUSjJytr-nV46TbBcYIR4emjMsequ3bGZ3U-0s31R0SmSIULcjNQYe7MphX_Aq7mpFyyNX6jUsXwcpG53l7HzvM8Rh4lr184MXRtLQt-vJV5b/s1600/Waterfest+2010+-+Photo+taken+by+Lainie+Tessier.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OOWFqWIgwMUHaUEZzxwDcB7aJqs5OYcfUSjJytr-nV46TbBcYIR4emjMsequ3bGZ3U-0s31R0SmSIULcjNQYe7MphX_Aq7mpFyyNX6jUsXwcpG53l7HzvM8Rh4lr184MXRtLQt-vJV5b/s400/Waterfest+2010+-+Photo+taken+by+Lainie+Tessier.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522739897014745986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Photo credit: L. Tessier</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/">Sustainability Network's</a> <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project</a> partner <a href="http://www.hamiltonharbour.ca/">Bay Area Restoration Council</a> (BARC) co-hosted a very successful First Annual Multicultural Festival </span><span style="color:black;">with <a href="http://www.siso-ham.org/">Hamilton's Settlement and Integration Services Organization</a> (SISO) last weekend!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:black;">Generous d</span><span style="color:black;">onors covered the cost of an HSR shuttle to bring people from Hamilton's diverse East End out to the Bay Front. </span><span style="color:black;">Said BARC's Rhoda deJonge, "New </span><span style="color:black;">Canadians were invited to try out canoes, sail boats, kayaks and dinghies in a fun and safe environment. They loved it!"</span><span style="color:black;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:black;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k5Bt1upKvXjqRFUSZm3gUHZQfWOrRSNUxoBRgw5wCSjP6IvGMfS81mazkvd7b2oJcgG6ISz4gHflp_bmcCcbgohLH57yttP7dhWjHNbn9XgQ_brKXF0xD_UmQo_5bFWfGIoTdjCPYkH9/s1600/BARC+%26+SISO+Waterfest+-+by+Tom+Wiercioch1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5k5Bt1upKvXjqRFUSZm3gUHZQfWOrRSNUxoBRgw5wCSjP6IvGMfS81mazkvd7b2oJcgG6ISz4gHflp_bmcCcbgohLH57yttP7dhWjHNbn9XgQ_brKXF0xD_UmQo_5bFWfGIoTdjCPYkH9/s400/BARC+%26+SISO+Waterfest+-+by+Tom+Wiercioch1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522741028412762066" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-size:85%;color:black;" >Photo credit: T. Wiercioch</span><br /></div><span style="color:black;"><br />Over 300 people came to the boating event which also included activities such as </span><span style="color:black;">fishing lessons from <a href="http://www.futurewatch.net/">FutureWatch</a>, henna and face painting</span><span style="color:black;"> as well as </span><span style="color:black;">door prizes from <a href="http://www.mec.ca/">Mountain Equipment Co-op</a></span><span style="color:black;">. </span><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.hamiltonharbour.ca/">B</a></span><span style="color:black;"><a href="http://www.hamiltonharbour.ca/">ARC</a> also partnered with local boating clubs, police, firemen, other local non-profits, the power squadron and even the navy to pull of a wonderfully fun-filled gathering!<br /><br />Check out more pictures and </span><span style="color:black;">find out more about BARC's engaging and working with Hamilton's diverse communities </span><span style="color:black;">on BARC's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=234075&id=109621337531#%21/pages/Bay-Area-Restoration-Council/109621337531">Facebook</a> page.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-82273348701334879702010-09-30T08:31:00.000-07:002010-09-30T08:35:22.006-07:00New Series of Bus Tours to Explore Indigenous History and KnowledgeThe <a href="http://www.ncct.on.ca/">Native Canadian Centre</a> is running a series called The Great Indian Bus Tours, which will offer people with a chance to learn about Toronto's indigenous history, aboriginal wars, lifestyles, medicines, and forms of government.<br /><br />For more information and to find out how you can participate, check out this <a href="http://www.yongestreetmedia.ca/features/philcote0929.aspx">article</a> from this week's <a href="http://www.yongestreetmedia.ca">Yonge Street</a> magazine.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-82675249928606066112010-09-23T08:34:00.000-07:002010-09-23T08:58:11.926-07:00HR Council launches new project to increase cultural diversity in Canadian nonprofitsThe <a href="http://hrcouncil.ca/">HR Counci</a><a href="http://hrcouncil.ca/">l</a> recently launched a new project to<a href="http://www.hrcouncil.ca/about/news-details.cfm?nid=388"> increase the cultural diversity of Canadian nonprofits</a>.<br /><br />The project aims to:<br /><ul><li><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >identify key issues preventing nonprofits from accessing the talents of visible minorities</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >deliver practical and realistic</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" > outcomes to help the sector develop a more inclusive labour force</span></li></ul>This is an important project because cultural diversity in the nonprofit sector is very low - take a look at the following statistics from the <span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >HR Council’s 2008 survey of nonprofit employers and employees:</span><br /><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >6% identified themselves as a visible minority (compared to<a href="http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/080402/dq080402a-eng.htm">16.2%</a> visible minority across Canada)<br /></span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >88.9% of respondents were born in Canada</span></li><li><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >8.6% born outside of Canada (compared to </span><a href="http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/as-sa/97-557/p2-eng.cfm">19.8%</a> foreign-born across Canada)<br /></li><li><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" >1.8% considered as landed immigrants </span></li></ul> The HR Council is introducing the project and seeking <span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:11pt;" > questions, thoughts and perspectives during an interactive, live <a href="http://atwork.settlement.org/sys/atwork_offsite_frame.asp?anno_id=2009799">conversation</a> today at 1pm EST. </span><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/">Sustainability Network</a> will be joining the discussion because we are working to improve the diversity of environmental nonprofits.<br /><br />Will you be joining the conversation?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-25899493827234387352010-09-21T06:57:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:10:39.994-07:00Sustainability Network at Roadmap: 2030!I'll be speaking at <a href="http://www.innoversity.com/roadmap/">Roadmap: 2030</a> tomorrow afternoon at the Toronto Reference Library. What is Roadmap: 2030?<br /><br /><span class="vevent"><span class="description"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Roadmap: 2030 will be a thought-provoking two days of innovative ideas and best practices. With an eye to Canada’s future, Roadmap: 2030 will answer a crucial question: <em>how can the public sector better engage with, and reflect, cultural minority, Aboriginal and disability communities in the development of public and political policy?"<br /><br /></em></span></span></span>I'll be on the <a href="http://www.innoversity.com/roadmap/sessions/">Citizen 2.0 panel</a>, which will explore whether social media and new communications technologies have offered benefits to Canada’s diverse populations and whether these tools have increased their ability to engage with their governments and communities. We'll also talk about how new technologies be used to promote representation, engagement, integration and prosperity.<br /><br />Hope to see you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-62952080941223081032010-09-14T09:04:00.000-07:002010-09-14T09:06:28.840-07:00Be part of Car Free Day@ Queen's Park 22nd Sept.2010<div style="padding-bottom: 7px;">Join us for Toronto's 10th Annual Car Free Day<br />@ Queen’s Park, Wednesday, Sept. 22nd from 10am - 2pm<br /> <br />Toronto's biggest Car Free Day is at Queen's Park North this year. Car Free Days aim to be fun, free events encouraging people to get out of their cars and run, walk, cycle or take public transit. We are partnering with U of T for their Environment Week festivities and including space for community groups. Contact us to reserve a free tables for your non-profit group: email Emma Cane (<a href="mailto:emmac@sierraclub.ca" target="_blank">emmac@sierraclub.ca</a>) or call 416-960-9606.<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Are you available to help out at the event?</span><br />The event will take place from 10am to 2pm and we need volunteers and supporters en masse. Join us for the volunteer orientation session at Sierra Club headquarters, 24 Mercer St. (near King St. and John St.) on Wednesday September 15th @ 6:30 - 8pm.<br /> Or give us a call/email and we can arrange your volunteering at the day of the event. Contact Emma Cane (<a href="mailto:emmac@sierraclub.ca" target="_blank">emmac@sierraclub.ca</a>) or call 416-960-9606.<br /><br />We are able to provide documentation for community service hours for high school students. Volunteers can earn up to 20 hours for Car Free Day. And, of course, you get the warm, fuzzy feeling of doing something good for the community!<br /><br /> Please support the event using your networks if you can't participate.<br /> All the best,<br /> Your friends at Sierra Club<br /> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l/0f80eI_QNag3CFpruDlPkRlnzBg;www.ontario.sierraclub.ca/en/car-free-day" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/l/<wbr>0f80eI_QNag3CFpruDlPkRlnzBg;<wbr>www.ontario.sierraclub.ca/en/<wbr>car-free-day</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-88780106157710056782010-08-03T12:36:00.000-07:002010-08-03T12:45:33.342-07:00Charity Village features Sustainability Network's Environment & Diversity ProjectWe're pleased to announce that the Sustainability Network's Environment & Diversity Project was featured in <a href="http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/welcome2.html">Village Vibes</a> - <a href="http://www.charityvillage.com/">Charity Village's</a> monthly newsletter!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/archive/asp/asp10/asp1007.asp">Check out the article here.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-21804030681652621102010-07-20T08:59:00.000-07:002010-07-20T12:37:33.732-07:00Environment & Diversity Project Intern Kasim Tirmizey Lauches "Rouge Stories" Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/hiking-in-the-rouge-valley/"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgik5yaGL6ciUo3t06LG8LW1bttRLM9PrcIurvYWwbdRcOSSL3NG0iOTBUrRWMhQlMPT14-X2ypWo_wdV4t4EnDciKqRfzKS9zUBsaUng2H65bgnBl6yvtKuD301f_VcCR-spli7kL2hY3k/s400/RougeStories_Layer+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496073614251080146" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.wildlandsleague.org/">Wildlands League</a> intern Kasim Tirmizey has launched an exciting new <a href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/">blog</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rouge-Stories/139448626081462?ref=ts&v=wall">facebook site</a> called <a href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/">Rouge Stories</a> which will support outreach efforts to engage diverse communities in wilderness conservation by talking about the Rouge Valley in east Toronto.<br /><br />Join the <a href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/">blog</a> e-mail list, become a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rouge-Stories/139448626081462?ref=ts&v=wall">facebook friend</a>, join in the conversation, add your comments, submit a blog posting, and promote the sites with your friends and networks.<br /><br /><br />Check out the <a href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/hiking-in-the-rouge-valley/">first post about Kasim's experience hik</a><a href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/hiking-in-the-rouge-valley/">ing in the Rouge here</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://rougestories.wordpress.com/2010/06/29/hiking-in-the-rouge-valley/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF6oY5-mX5ZT5Ps-Ci92NhAa4b3PaiTxjsEcjPjsW16FJODu6vpQx9ZsHvwYDB00GG6pqxkDtIrzzUJ9H6lZP77xCcTkMPgXkCr2w4OKVw7aSaoMNyLKV5n1AdLvJIsEE7GeZ-Z_cb5W8/s400/RougeStories_logoFB_Layer+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496074054133460002" border="0" /></a>Congrats on the launch of your site Kasim!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-55948670421654764722010-06-29T12:50:00.000-07:002010-06-29T13:00:23.998-07:00Sustainability Network Partner Clean Air Partnership Hosts Webinar on First Nations and Environmental Work in Ontario<span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/">Sustainability Network</a> is pleased to announce that <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project </a>collaborative partner <a href="http://www.cleanairpartnership.org/">Clean Air Partnership</a> is hosting a two-hour webinar on First Nations and Environmental Work in Ontario on Wednesday, July 14th @ 1pm.<br /><br />The webinar will feature:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brent Kopperson, Executive Director of <a href="http://www.windfallcentre.ca/">Windfall Ecology Centre</a></span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p><o:p><br /><br /></o:p>Brent will speak about Windfall's work with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation to develop the first joint Aboriginal and Community owned wind project in Canada.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p><span style=""></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dean M. Jacobs from Walpole Island First Nation</span><o:p style="font-weight: bold;"></o:p><o:p><br /><br /></o:p>Walpole Island First Nation is one of the first native communities in Canada to take leadership in the field of environment and sustainable development. Walpole Island has influenced not only its own members, but also the policies of the Province of Ontario.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><a href="https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=jd4k6gpsh4c9">Register for the webinar</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-12367996831066343542010-06-23T23:38:00.000-07:002010-06-29T12:39:44.220-07:00Sustainability Network Out and About: Climate Action Network's Launch of Canada's Climate Change Calendar<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEayFzCqJKwJzw34f3KCZ_mz-t1Br6YpVLdeSmMhVEx0np3GvHyvLXEBIANgvSUk_coFIFQPNYYHxZ82XVIosJMjNqy1RXNXj7dNG-MWllVkezdxvFOFuOn0syxyphkVWscUdjLr6FVVM9/s1600/20100623_CAN_Event_CassieKasim.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEayFzCqJKwJzw34f3KCZ_mz-t1Br6YpVLdeSmMhVEx0np3GvHyvLXEBIANgvSUk_coFIFQPNYYHxZ82XVIosJMjNqy1RXNXj7dNG-MWllVkezdxvFOFuOn0syxyphkVWscUdjLr6FVVM9/s400/20100623_CAN_Event_CassieKasim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488281429367323570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Spotted: <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project</a> intern Kasim Tirmizey from <a href="http://www.wildlandsleague.org/">Wildlands League</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> chatting with Cassie Barker (</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project</a>'s </span><span style="font-size:85%;">social media facilitator) about Climate Action Network's Climate Change Calendar</span><br /></div><br />The <a href="http://www.climateactionnetwork.ca/">Climate Action Network</a> launched <a href="http://www.climatecalendar.ca/calendar/2010">Canada's Climate Change Calender</a> at <a href="http://www.hotshotkensington.com/wb/">Hotshot Gallery</a> in Kensington Market, Toronto. The calendar is an innovative way of showing just how much greenhouse gases an average Canadian produces per year compared to someone from another country. Taking a look at the calendar, we find out that the average Canadian will have surpassed the greenhouse gas production of an average citizen from over 40 countries in January alone!<br /><br />From the website:<br /><br />"...it takes only 15 days for the average Canadian to have as big an impact on fuelling global warming as the average Bangladeshi will have all year. Therefore, Bangladesh’s "Climate Impacts Day" is January 15 – 15 days into the year."<br /><br />The calendar gives us a chance to reflect on our contributions to climate change compared to others and brings home the message that we should play a lead role in the finding the solutions as well. It provides a better perspective and understanding of the impacts of climate change on people around the world - and with Canada being such a diverse country, it also provides a key link between the environmental issues new Canadians faced back in their home countries versus their experiences here.<br /><br />Check out the calendar on the <a href="http://www.climatecalendar.ca/about">website</a> which charts out the comparison of greenhouse gases produced by the average Canadian to a person from 170 countries around the world.<a href="http://www.climatecalendar.ca/calendar/2010"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-60941691307798764472010-06-21T14:42:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:54:00.661-07:00Celebrate Canada's Diversity!It's the first day of summer, which is definitely something to be happy about, but don't stop there - today also kicks off 11 days of celebration with the following key dates coming up:<br /><br />June 21: <a href="http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/ev/nad/index-eng.asp">National Aboriginal Day</a><br />June 24: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Jean-Baptiste_Day">St. Jean-Baptiste Day</a><br />June 27: <a href="http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/multi-eng.cfm">Canadian Multiculturalism Day</a><br />July 1: <a href="http://janroncommunications.com/CanadaDay.html">Canada Day</a><br /><br />So what are you waiting for? Celebrate our country's heritage and our diversity - <a href="http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/invittn/101-eng.cfm">plan your own event</a> or check out all the events happening around the country, meet some new people and build new relationships.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-22541049425454307692010-06-09T12:37:00.000-07:002010-06-09T12:42:11.722-07:00Organizations: Sign Up for DiverseCity onBoard and Receive FREE TrainingI recently met with folks from <a href="http://www.maytree.com/">Maytree</a>, who told me about a great new perk that's being offered under the <a href="http://www.maytree.com/divcity/onboard">DiverseCity onBoard</a> program: register your organization and get access to FREE governance training for your current board members and management staff!<br /><br />If you don't know what the program's all about, here's the lowdown:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.maytree.com/">Maytree</a>'s <a href="http://www.maytree.com/divcity/onboard">DiverseCity onBoard</a> program connects qualified individuals from diverse communities to opportunities on governance boards in the non-profit and public sectors. <a href="http://www.maytree.com/">Maytree</a> helps boards find the right candidates, save time by pre-screening potential candidates, and give you access to our searchable database of over one thousand qualified candidates.<br /><br /><br />Sign up now, and you'll also be the first to know about FREE governance training available to organizations on the <a href="http://www.maytree.com/divcity/onboard">DiverseCity onBoard</a> roster this upcoming fall - topics currently being planned include Strategic Planning, Not for Profit Law, Strategic Resource Development, Risk Management, Finance Fundamentals, Directors' Liabilities and Responsibilities. This training is aimed at current board members and management staff.<br /><br />And when you’re ready to recruit new board members, you can sign in to your online profile, post a position and get connected with qualified individuals from diverse communities. <a href="http://www.maytree.com/">Maytree</a> helps boards find the right candidates, save time by pre-screening potential candidates, and give you access to our searchable database of over 1000 qualified candidates.<br /><br />Take advantage of this free service and upcoming training opportunities by registering your organization on <a href="http://www.maytree.com/divcity/onboard">DiverseCity onBoard</a>. For more information visit our <a href="www.maytree.com/divcity/onboard">website</a> or contact Sheldon Mahabir at smahabir -at- maytree.com.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-15437228968171518382010-06-08T14:13:00.000-07:002010-06-23T14:28:15.444-07:00First Nations Awareness Training with Kathleen PaduloHere's a little update on some recent activities! We had a successful First Nations Awareness training workshop with Kathleen Padulo and our <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project</a> interns yesterday. Kathleen provided a great overview of First Nations history, geography and culture in Ontario, the dynamics of First Nations and the environmental movement, as well as tips and resources for relationship-building and collaboration.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca">Sustainability Network</a> is planning on hosting another public First Nations Awareness training session in the fall; in the meantime, if you're looking for resources, check out our <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/previous_workshops.html#EDP_FN_250110">site</a> for some great resources. Also check out these <a href="http://environment-and-diversity.blogspot.com/2010/05/two-reports-highlight-unique-challenges.html">recent reports</a> published by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Environics Institute.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-28100002073026554682010-05-20T12:16:00.000-07:002010-05-20T12:34:07.354-07:00The experience of watching an inspiring documentary: Living Downstream<div id="preview"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I got this wonderful opportunity the other day to attend the screening of the documentary<span style="font-style: italic;"> <a href="http://www.livingdownstream.com/">Living</a></span><a href="http://www.livingdownstream.com/"> Downstream</a><i><a href="http://www.livingdownstream.com/">.</a> </i>It was truly an engaging and an inspiring experience. The reason for it being so I felt was because it went beyond the technical investigation about the connection between cancer and environmental toxins and rather raised the banner to an inspiring depiction of a scientific inquiry. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The documentary is based on the acclaimed book <i>Living Downstream </i>by ecologist and cancer survivor <a href="http://steingraber.com/">Dr. Sandra Steingraber</a>. Her journey as depicted in the documentary was to break the silence about connections between cancer and environment which is not only inspiring but provokes one to question the endless stream of “developmental activities” outside us that may lead us to a point where one might end up paying more cost than reap any fleeting short term benefits. The documentary beyond the scientific inquiry into the relationship between cancer and environmental toxins was an exquisite blend of biology, science, poetry and the power of human spirit. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">As someone really passionate about environment and its dynamic interaction with people I was really motivated with the theme as to how one person as a cancer survivor takes the bold step on the journey to bring home some of the very serious issues about relationship between living beings and the environment we live in that we can no longer afford to ignore. The documentary depicts various studies that reveal the existence and the extent to which so many chemicals and poisons have become so pervasive into our environment. One can no longer ignore these venomous chemicals that have the ability to spread their claws through the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. So where does one locate the roots of the problem? Is it one terrible chemical being used here and there or rather is it the cycle of developmental activities and its impact on the environmental system that needs to be addressed? </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">The documentary mirrors the dynamic interaction of our genes and the environment we reside in. The genes that are not only triggered because of the genetic changes that might run in the family but also the changes that might get triggered as an effect to what is happening within the environmental system; slow but definite. Our endless reliance and increased usage of chemicals into the environment to reap short term benefits is actually leading us downstream, the path that leads to devastating effects on the environment and health of the species. Henceforth, the inquiry that needs to be dealt with is: <i>If the Cost that might have to be paid with our well-being is it worth it?<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=""> </span>As a newcomer to Toronto and indeed to Canada the documentary brought home to me once again an example of the environmental problems and its impact to the populace that live in the <i>developed </i>world. Beyond the larger debate my take from <i>living Downstream </i>was the power of human spirit, which moves beyond the misery of one’s personal experience and reaches out to many others out there through ones determination, effort and the spirit.<span style=""> </span>The way <span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sandra Steingraber</span> puts it: ‘<i>What we love we must protect’ </i>and that there will be a definite way where each one of us can contribute and make a difference in our own unique way. After the documentary I indeed asked myself <i>can I do it?</i> Yes indeed I can, finding my own niche and contributing in my own unique way to protect our environment, to protect what we love.</p> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-398094355542374306.post-14344358373728521062010-05-19T19:00:00.001-07:002010-06-23T14:46:00.586-07:00Environment & Diversity Project Intern Training Workshops in Full SwingThe <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project.html">Environment & Diversity Project</a> internship program is in full swing, with six <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project_InternBios.html">interns</a> working in each of our<a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/environment_project_partners.html"> six collaborative member</a> (partner) organizations, workplans in place and a training schedule organized. We've placed these passionate and bright young professionals into each of the partner environmental NGOs to work with under represented communities and help them focus on reaching new audiences; at the same time, the interns benefit from capacity building activities led by <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/">Sustainability Network</a> such as a customized professional development training program and networking opportunities with sector leaders. In addition, project leads in each of the six collaborative member organizations provide mentorship and guidance to our new young team.<br /><br />So far our training program has included some great workshops specifically tailored project goals and to the interns' needs. In February we held a full-day orientation and team-building event with interns and their supervisors; in April we had our first project check-in and a social media training session with Cassie Barker; and just today interns participated in a facilitation workshop led by <a href="http://www.networkedintelligence.com/">Nidhi Tandon</a> and <a href="http://generationseven.com/">Kathleen Padulo</a>. Next month we'll be hosting a First Nations Awareness training workshop with Kathleen and the second workshop on social media with Cassie. A summer workshop is also in the works, and will focus on anti-racism.<br /><br />And don't worry - we haven't forgotten about workshops for our network! Last year we held two <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/workshops_2009.html#EDP_Board_281009">board diversity</a> training sessions and and <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/workshops_2009.html#EDP_EthnicMedia_201109">ethnic media and communications workshop</a>, and in January we held a <a href="http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/previous_workshops.html#EDP_FN_250110">First Nations Awareness</a> workshop - click on the links to find some valuable resources!<br /><br />Plans are in the works for a new workshop series this fall - stay tuned!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0