We're partnered up with Black Voters Matter Canada to build Black political power and a community of support. We know that Black people are often underrepresented as candidates, elected officials and generally are disengaged with the political process itself and we want to change that.

​Black Voters Matter Canada are a collective of Western and Northern-based Black community members who are keen to engage, encourage and empower more Black People to be involved in all levels of governments and politics. For our event series, we have confirmed all major federal political parties (Liberal, NDP, Conservative Party and Green Party) to participate and a final event showcasing the leaders and importance of Black Women in politics. 

This federal election series hopes to:

• hear directly from Black Members of Parliament (MPs) and federal candidates on their experience and advice on running in elections,
• connect with and learn from officials from all major federal political parties on how to seek a federal nomination, and
• network with and join a community of politically interested Black People in Western and Northern Canada.

Click the images below to direct you to the free event links.

This spring the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society (CVIMS), in partnership with the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation (CCMF) is pleased to be hosting the 2021 Anti-Racism Arts Festival.  This festival has travelled across Canada since 2015.
 
The festival hopes to bring together people from Nanaimo and surrounding areas to participate and attend the week-long festival, which features various art and educational activities free of charge. We anticipate this festival to inspire, teach and feature local artists to use creativity as a catalyst for change. To take part in the events, click on the registration link.

48-hour Film Challenge 
Led by Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation
Teams of local amateur and professional filmmakers are given 48 hours to write, shoot, and edit short films with the themes of anti-racism. Teams are required to integrate a quote into their film that will be assigned to them. Teams will have online help from anti-racist filmmakers during the challenge in order to explore the topic of racism on a deeper level. No larger than four people a team will be permitted to enter the festival. Online orientations for the film competition will occur where teams will be coach in the rules of the competition as well as appropriate COVID protocols. Teams witnessed breaking any rules, including protocols, will be disqualified.  Winners of the film challenge will receive prizes!
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​Dates: March 12 - 14, 2021
Time: 4:30 p.m. PST
Venue: Online (information will be provided once you've registered)
Register for free

Food and Learn Workshops
We often fail to realize how much language influences our view of the world and people. Join one our sessions meant to expand your recipe collection and knowledge of another language. These workshops will keep you wanting to eat and learn more.
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Experience the Philippines: Cook Filipino Cuisine and Learn Tagalog
​Presenter: Diana Bieri has been an educator for the last fifteen years, living in several countries and working in multicultural environments. She is grateful for her traveling experiences, which allowed her to immerse in various cultures and especially try authentic cuisines. She tries to incorporate the world's lovely flavours into her home cooking; for example, adding heat to otherwise non-spicy dishes from the Philippines, her home country. She looks forward to sharing the afternoon with you, showing you how to cook two of the most common Filipino dishes: adobo and lumpiang shanghai.
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2021
Time: 5 - 7 p.m. PST
Venue: Online zoom
Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcuf-CqrDMjHtWlL3c2OIwSHjYJnaUyXMwW​​​

Experience Persia: Cook Persian Cuisine and We are Dancing too!
Presenter: Cooking with Shirin! Local Nanaimo “Bees Knees Café” owner Shirin Younessian is bringing their March “Persian Cuisine” celebrations to the Festival! Learn a move or two of “Persian dance” and most important of all have a delicious supper at the end to share with family and loved ones. If this date does not work for you visit www.beesknees.com for more workshops being offered in March, funds being raised to support local community organizations. Register quickly as we have a limit of 20 attendees to help us to make sure everyone’s getting their questions answered.
Date: Monday, March 15, 2021
Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m. PST
Venue: Online zoom
​Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpf-qgrj0pGd1SAvGjVSSE3-qjUqiox4--

Experience China: The Art of Chinese Dumplings: History, Origin and Tradition
Presenter: As the only members of her family living in Canada at the time, Churmy Fan and her parents made friends through food. Having lived in Canada for over 20 years now, Churmy enjoys rediscovering many traditional Chinese cuisines and adding her own flare to her cooking. 
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 6 - 7 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
​Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEpfu6oqDsvG923srLekquV4PgxZ6ssBzGH

Explore the world of head coverings
Focus on Sikh Turban
Head coverings have been in existence long before the introduction of  any religion and are worn by people who follow various religious traditions. Learn about the history of the Sikh Turban and its meaning.
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Presenter: Yuvraj Singh is a community leader, volunteer organizer, student researcher and Alberta youth parliamentarian who has been serving the Alberta community as a member of various community boards, engaging in student leadership at the U of C, a part of national youth development councils and by spearheading community projects such as interfaith programs, food drives and debate/public speaking mentorship with community stakeholders. 

​Date: Sunday, March 14, 2021
Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
​Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqdOCsqj0vGt1IC-D7njgMIf_qOArdCavf

History of Hip Hop with A.J. “MegaMan”
Born in Kinshasa, Congo, A.J. is a member of Heavy Hittaz, Soulbotics Krew & Creator of Funkanometry, Minibots and Gigabots crew, A.J. “MegaMan” Kambere is a world-renown professional dancer, Battler & entertainer. With his talent in Hip Hop, Popping/Animation, Memphis Jookin, Stepping/Gumboot Dancing & Bopping, A.J. MegaMan has taught in every continent sharing his knowledge to other dancers. Join us as he shares his knowledge of the history of Hip Hop, and some of his incredible talents.
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Date: Monday, March 15, 2021
Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsd-Cvqz4uGtOz4bGtIDvQ2btIM7VsYxU2
This workshop is made possible by our partnership with Crimson Coast Society. https://www.crimsoncoastdance.com/

​Sacred Hand Drum Making Workshop
A drum is a medicine used as the heartbeat of Mother Earth. It is a tool for bringing out someone’s voice or songs and can be used as one beat with all the drums of the world for bringing out creative energy. 

Presenter: Donna Manson will guide us through the making of a sacred drum. Donna is a member of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and is married to Gary Manson.

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
Register online for free:  https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcvc-2rrzIrHdU5anszgWboMa3-Kuh_l3Kl

Introduction to the language of the Snuneymuxw: Hul'q'umin'um'
The language of the Snuneymuxw is Island Hul'q'umin'um', a living language that expresses their worldview and way of life. Hul'q'umin'um' is one of the twenty-three Salishan languages of southwestern Canada and the northwestern United States.

​Presenter: Elder Gary Manson. “Uncle” Gary was born on the mouth of the Snuneymuxw River in 1948. He now lives 100 feet from where he was born.  Married to Donna Manson, they have six children and eight grandchildren. Gary is a survivor of Residential School and deeply connected to culture and land. He has worked as an Elder for the past five years in healing circles, is a regular canoe journey participant and is glad to sit as an elder at Vancouver Island University. 

Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Time: 4 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqceCvrz0jH9NrgUOvY3VhwPtnspaI6GZJ

Evolution and Revolution of African Braids
The discovery of ancient stone paintings depicting women with cornrows in North Africa shows that braids date back thousands of years. A specific look could indicate the community that you belong to, your marital status or your age; and these hairstyles were passed down through the matriarchs of each generation. Understand the significance of African braids, how to appreciate them and watch a tutorial.

Presenters: Wunmi Idowu is an accomplished dancer, choreographer, instructor, performer, producer and the Founder and Director of Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc. She is also an educator and equity consultant with the focus of influencing change by using the transformative power of the arts. With a multidisciplinary approach that blends African music, dance, theatre and storytelling. 

Folu Ayodele-Daniels is the founder and Creative Director of The FAD Beauty Hub. Folu is a trained Healthcare Management Professional, but very passionate about the beauty industry. In 2016, she started the journey to creating a beauty Hub which shall be the effective center for all beauty activities as time goes on. Her goal is to give all clients their expected outcome upon every visit and ensure each person leaves the space high spirited, looking confident and more beautiful.

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021
Time: 2 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcucOqvqj8pHdyjkvSQU84keOM3SjAquNAz

Panel Discussion on Addressing Racism in our Community
(Panel TBC)
​Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021
Time: 4 - 5:30 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsdeqqrTkjHdf3uTajI8UqnGEKY-f2lh4s

Red Carpet Short Film Screenings
On the night before the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, join us for a red carpet gathering and screening from the film challenge. Prizes and winners of the film challenge will be rewarded by a local jury. Be sure to support your local filmmakers, and dress up! 

​Date: Saturday, March 20, 2021
Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m. PST
Venue: Online Zoom
Register for free: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsdeqqrTkjHdf3uTajI8UqnGEKY-f2lh4s

Organizers, Partners and Funders for festivalThis year's national festival was created by the Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation, in partnership with Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society. Some local Vancouver Island community organizations have formed an alliance informally known as the Nanaimo Community Impact alliance. Members include Foodshare, CVIMS, Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre, Mid Island Metis nation, Society for Equity and Inclusion, Literacy Nanaimo, Boys and girls club of Central Vancouver Island, and Nanaimo Youth services association. This is the committee for the festival. Other partners include the Nanaimo Museum, Vancouver Island Regional Library, and VIU. All partners are contributing in kind through providing space, volunteers and shared responsibility for publicity. 

Re: 11 February 9, 2021 - Calgary Police Service Anti-Racism Action Committee Selected
Statement from Defund2Fund (copied from their release)

The Calgary Police Service commitment to anti-racism has so far culminated in the creation of the CPS Anti-Racism Action Committee. Defund2Fund would like to congratulate the members selected to this committee: Dr. Fouzia Usman, Shuana Porter, Holly Wong, Rishi Nager, Kim Kakakaway, Giftii Girma, Adam Massiah, Eddie Richardson III, Dr. Darren Lund, Tyson Bankert, Adanech Sahilie, Walter MacDonald White Bear, Inez Ashworth, Lissy Snowden, and Stephen Shirt.

Doing this work well means we must engage in it with the spirit of partnership. The many members of Defund2Fund remain hopeful that this committee will work to amplify and serve those most affected by systemic racism.

While the present composition of this group is promising, the lack of transparency that surrounded the selection process continues to stoke fears from Calgarians who are reticent to trust the bureaucratic processes that exist within systemically racist institutions. This is notably seen in the silence from the CPS for 7 days following the initial statements sent out to applicants alerting them to the status of their application. Compounding on this, calls from the community went unanswered. While Defund2Fund was able to reach CPS and have a small dialogue in the days preceding the release of the committee’s composition, this dialogue came without concrete answers. This demonstrated a lack of preparation to be proactively transparent.

To rebuild trust, the Calgary Police Service must dismantle traditional barriers that have been normalized through years of institutionalized discrimination. This would entail, but is not limited to:

• Releasing the makeup of the selection committee to the public before commencement of selection process.
• Provide selection criteria to the public for comment and feedback, thereby increasing involvement in the creation of a committee meant to serve marginalized communities.
• Reduce the value placed on traditionally credentialed applicants vs. those with lived experience and grassroots connections. Systemic discrimination often manifests itself in reduced access to post-secondary education, therefore valuing traditionally credentialed applicants eliminates the voices of those most likely to experience the most detrimental aspects of systemic discrimination.
• There must be guaranteed flow of information from within the committee to the community throughout this process, i.e., Non-Disclosure Agreements must not restrict full community engagement and transparency on an ongoing basis

To reiterate, Defund2Fund sees the promise behind this committee. However, there will always be more work to do. So, in the spirit of collaboration, we offer our congratulations to those selected and look forward to our voices uniting behind the mission to end systemic racism in all forms.

Defund2Fund Coalition 
Defund YYC – Black Lives Matter YYC - Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation – YYC Black Town Hall – The United Black People’s Allyship Movement – The Black and Indigenous Alliance AB – The Colour Factor – RAAR - Rural Alberta Against Racism – Black People United – Blackfalds Against Racism – Vermillion Unites for Equality – Canadian Voices Against Racism - RDAR, Red Deer Against Racism - Project Calgary