Submitted by Michelle Roberge, Anti-Racism Coordinator Good Neighbours Committee
Have you been in a situation lately where the conversation around you makes you uncomfortable? Have you read posts on Facebook that give you an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach?
Does the current emotionally-charged rhetoric we are experiencing around us leave you not knowing how to react or what to say?
The Good Neighbours Committee (GNC) in Vanderhoof is hosting two workshops at the end of November, that offer training and education around language to use in response to divisive and emotionally charged conversations.
The first workshop, How to be an Ally and and Active Bystander, will provide participants with relevant tools to respond to issues when faced with uncomfortable conversations.
Participants who want to take their training further are invited to attend the 3-hour Train-the-Trainer session, where they will learn additional skills and knowledge to support others in their workplace or organizations.
The facilitator for the session is Alden Habacon, principal of Inclusive Excellence Strategy Solutions.
“Alden Habacon is one of Canada’s leading diversity and inclusion strategists and facilitators. He is well known in this field and highly regarded for his 14 years of impact, and his innovative work around inclusive leadership, unconscious bias and intercultural training. He works with leaders in a wide range of professions and sectors throughout Canada, including the legal community, social services, the public sector, municipalities, first responders, and large private corporations,” as stated in his bio.
These workshops are open to members of the community including educators. The sessions will be held virtually, using platforms such as Zoom. Participants will be sent a calendar invite and link upon registration.
To register, email gnc.nechako@gmail.com.
The workshops have been made available with funding from Resilience BC, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.