Creating Anti-Racist Schools

Racism creates a ripple effect of exceedingly detrimental impacts to individuals, communities, and the collective wellbeing of any given geographical or social region as a whole. Though all who experience racism are subject its negative and harmful effects, children are especially vulnerable to the consequences. As educators, it’s important to acknowledge that the events of our society, past and present, impact the practice and activities of our classrooms. Students are coming in with knowledge and experiences that are rooted in real life, and teachers must be reflective and responsive enough to create space for this knowledge and these experiences to be valued as learning. As worldwide conversations and actions are taking place to eliminate systemic racism, how can we not step back and reflect on teaching and instruction?

In celebration of the completion of our anti-racist education hub for K-12 teachers, Culture Commons, we are hosting an important dialogue about creating anti-racist schools. Join us on Monday, January 17, 6PM MST, as we speak to anti-racist educators involved in this active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes. This event will take place online via Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Twitter Live. There will also be a livestream on our website (canadiancmf.com) available above.

Host:
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Michelle Casten Magbanua is an elementary French teacher at Rocky View School Division with a Bachelor's degree in both Drama and Education. She believes that the role of education is to empower the youth, using her quirky and personable teaching style to instill a sense of open-mindedness and growth in her students. Michelle seeks to dismantle oppressive systems and create an anti-racist school system through the power of education.

Panelists:

Dr. Sonia Aujla-Bhullar is a scholar, researcher, and educator with a PhD in Curriculum and Learning. As a public-school teacher and published author, Dr. Aujla-Bhullar has studied and researched the unique aspects and challenges of inclusion and diversity within Canada through understandings of post-colonial and critical race theory in education. Her past and present work focuses on anti-racism as an institutional practice and applications of diversity, inclusion, and equity between schools and racialized communities.

Courtney Walcott was elected Councillor for Ward 8 in Calgary during October of 2021. Previously, he was a teacher and basketball coach at Western Canada High School and a community organizer who worked on numerous anti-racism initiatives within education, including with our organization as a volunteer.

Chantal Chagnon is a Cree Métis Singer, Drummer, Artist, Storyteller, Actor, Educator, Facilitator, Social Justice Advocate and Activist with roots in Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan. She shares Traditional Indigenous Songs, Stories, Culture, History, Arts, Crafts and Teachings and has presented in numerous classrooms from preschool through university. Chantal is passionate about building awareness and sharing understanding of Indigenous culture, spirituality, social justice and political issues. 

About us:

The Canadian Cultural Mosaic Foundation (CCMF) is an award-winning not-for-profit organization run by committed volunteer Millennials and Gen Z. We work to improve race relations in Canada by creating cultural understanding through education, technology and arts. Culture Commons is our newly created resource hub for K-12 teachers disrupting systematic racism, by promoting an anti-racist, multicultural, equity and inclusivity based lens in education within Alberta classrooms. (culturecommons.ca)

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