Anti-racism for Environmentalists

"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." ~Paul Hawken

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.

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 Sustainability Network website.

More about our facilitators:

Anu Radha Verma 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.

Muna Abdulkadir Ali 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.

First Nations History, Terminology & Cultural Differences Webinar with Kathleen Padulo

Kathleen Padulo will join us on November 3, 2010 @10am EST for a one hour webinar to
provide a brief cultural and historical overview of the First Nations who reside within the
boundaries of Ontario.

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.

This webinar will also look at the Residential Schools a chronology of “killing the Indian in the child”.

The goal of this educational webinar is for all of us to gain a better understanding of First
Nations Peoples so we can develop and build long-lasting relationships built upon respect and knowledge.

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.

This webinar is the first in a series of three over the next several months.

Please register online.

Environment & Diversity Project Intern Training Workshops in Full Swing

The Environment & Diversity Project internship program is in full swing, with six interns working in each of our six collaborative member (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 Sustainability Network 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.

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 Nidhi Tandon and Kathleen Padulo. 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.

And don't worry - we haven't forgotten about workshops for our network! Last year we held two board diversity training sessions and and ethnic media and communications workshop, and in January we held a First Nations Awareness workshop - click on the links to find some valuable resources!

Plans are in the works for a new workshop series this fall - stay tuned!