The Anti-Racism Corner
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June is Pride Month & Indigenous History Month
June is Indigenous History Month and Pride Month. We’d love to know how you plan to celebrate and engage.
Here are a couple of ideas from ARC members:
1. Reading books that provide an intersectional lens and are available at the library and local bookstore. For example:
47,000 Beads by Koja Adeyoha (K to Grade 7)
The protagonist experiences the community coming together to support her Two-Spirit identity in connection to Pow Wow dancing.
Rabbit Chase by Elizabeth LaPensée (Grades 3 to 7)
Graphic novel that blends Anishinaabe traditions and Alice in Wonderland with an Indigenous nonbinary protagonist.
2. Attending community events, such as:
National Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Grandview Park (June 21)
Enjoy entertainment and vendors, focused on honouring “the diverse traditions, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities in Vancouver and beyond.”
If you’re available, consider volunteering for the event.
East Side Pride (Sat, June 24)
The all-ages event includes live music and performances, local food vendors, and a showcase by Science World.
If you’d like to coordinate with us about heading to any events or to provide feedback for the 2023-2024 ARC school year plans, please get in touch at LauraSecordARC@gmail.com.
National Indigenous Peoples' Day - June 21
With National Indigenous People’s Day coming up on June 21, we are reminded about the diversity of Indigenous cultures and traditions, the attempted erasure of their practices, and the persistent under-representation of Indigenous voices in the school setting.
It was for all these reasons that one of the Laura Secord Anti-Racism Committee goals this past school year was to work with the school to bring in interactive, cross-curricular Indigenous dancing workshops to students and teachers. Thanks to Madelaine McCallum, an inspiring and talented Cree and Métis dancer, the goal became a reality on April 18th. Madelaine is a facilitator and survivor who shared her wisdom with interactive workshops throughout the day for 500 students and teachers.
Feedback from the students and teachers was incredibly positive. Students learned about Métis culture and jig dancing, and many shared with their parents the moves they learned. Let's continue to advocate for budget and efforts to be put towards more of these kinds of opportunities. We look forward to when she can come to the school again soon.
In the meantime, here are two ideas:
1. What are we reading this week? Consider Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids, a collection of intersecting stories from various Indigenous authors, centered around a Pow Wow.
2. Looking for a way to celebrate in the community on June 21st? Join us after school, at the National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration at Grandview Park, where there will be Indigenous entertainment and activities.
Moose Hide Campaign Day - May 11
The Moose Hide Campaign calls us to join together to take a stand against gender-based violence. Wearing the moose hide pin represents a commitment to honour, respect and support the women, children, two-spirit and gender diverse people in our lives, to work to end violence against them, and support truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
We know that Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit and gender-expansive peoples have bore the brunt of violence and dispossession due to colonization. European powers that enslaved and dispossessed Indigenous peoples of their lands did so in part because of the Doctrine of Discovery, a 15th century set of laws and announcements made by several Catholic Popes. There is a direct link between this Doctrine and the violence that Indigenous women disproportionately experience today, including with the very recent Hasting Street residents’ displacement. And although Pope Francis recently repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery, it blamed European powers for the colonization of Indigenous lands and did not take full responsibility for its role in colonialism. Learn more about this and other topics from Indigenous voices in the “All my Relations” Rematriation podcast episode.
Once again this year, men and boys in the École Laura Secord Elementary community are organizing a Moose Hide gathering from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on May 11th. The event is open to the entire Laura Secord community, including parents, caregivers, and family.
If you are interested in helping out, especially men and boys in the community, please let James know at jamesianrankin@gmail.com.
Reflecting on "From Hate to Hope"
Last week’s release of From Hate to Hope: Inquiry into Hate in the COVID-19 Pandemic from BC’s Human Rights Commissioner reminds us that we all have much more work to do to create a just community.
Hate has been on the rise, including in schools, and especially for those who hold marginalized and intersectional identities. The Human Rights Commissioner writes that children and youth “struggle to be taken seriously”, when reporting an incident of hate, including when it comes to contact with the police. “Hate experienced by Black children and youth was pervasive." Anti-Asian hate and gender-based violence are on the rise. The Human Rights Commissioner writes that for Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, non-binary, and trans youth, “systemic discrimination is a daily experience”.
These findings show the need for action. Recommendations from the Human Rights Commissioner to combat hate are organized into three themes:
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understanding hate and acknowledging its harm
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building safety and belonging
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fostering accountability and repairing harm
These are things we can easily continue to grow in our community — in fact, the Commissioner reports that community responses to hate are the most effective solutions.
One example of how our community can act on these recommendations is by saving the date or volunteering for the Laura Secord Moose Hide Campaign Day event on May 11. More to come on this later in the month or get involved by reaching out to James at jamesianrankin@gmail.com.
Memorial March, Pink Shirt Day, & a School Workshop
Connecting through dance, culture, and healing with Madelaine McCallum
The LS Anti-Racism Committee is excited to announce that Madelaine McCallum, an inspiring and talented Cree and Métis dancer, facilitator, and survivor, is coming to share her wisdom with interactive workshops for Laura Secord students and staff throughout the day on April 18. This is only possible because of fundraising contributions and budget approval from the LS community, and organizational efforts from the school, including Kim, the incredible Indigenous Education support worker.
Please take the time to learn more about Madelaine McCallum:
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2-min trailer from her documentary Dancing Through
Feb 14th is the Annual Women’s Memorial March
The march is organized by Indigenous women in the Downtown Eastside, to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women, two-spirit, and gender-diverse peoples. Learn more, get involved, or donate to the Annual Women’s Memorial March.
Feb 22 is Pink Shirt Day
We need to work together to get at the root of why bullying happens and to seek a more kind and just community. If you’re looking to buy a shirt this year, consider supporting local Indigenous youth and purchasing it from UNYA. You can also check out some Pink Shirt Day resources.
Antiracista Niños!
Recognizing that music, food, and movement can teach, inspire, transcend culture, and nurture connection, one of the ARC members has collated this Antirracista Niños music list to be shared.
February is Black History Month (part 2)
Please join the ARC at the Friday Family Fun event from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Friday, February 24.
There are plans to share books that showcase Black excellence, watch videos, and learn about local Black voices, including legend Jeni LeGon (check out her performance in I’m Living in a Great Big Way) and Valerie Jerome, activist, educator, olympian, and the founding director of the Jerome Outreach Society.
Connecting with kids
A few resources shared from Moms Against Racism Canada:
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Black History Month library (created by BC teachers) with book ideas, lesson plans, and read-aloud opportunities.
The ARC also recognizes that we currently do not have Black representation in the group. While we do our best to elevate Black voices, we would love to hear from Black folx in the community. What would you like to see showcased or elevated? Let us know at laurasecordarc@gmail.com.
February is Black History Month (part 1)
Every day is a good opportunity to celebrate Black community and engage in advocacy to support the much needed dismantling of supremacy culture. It’s important to listen and support beyond February.
Here are a few examples of what the ARC is currently up to:
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Building relationship with local dancer, musician, and educator Ndidi Cascade to perform with the LS community in the coming months.
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Elevating Black and Indigenous voices in advocacy connected to concerns about the School liaison officer programming. There is an opportunity to be involved as the program is “reimagined” for the coming school year. Please get in touch with laurasecordarc@gmail.com to learn more.
Learn more about the important history, contributions and culture of Black Canadians, which are a core part of society and have often been overlooked throughout the year in mainstream educational systems. Keep your eyes out for an in-person opportunity being planned by the ARC later this month. Also, check out:
Anti-Racism: Yesterday, Today & Everyday
There are many days and times to remember injustice, and to celebrate the strength, resistance, and resilience of equity-deserving communities, including today’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day (2 min video), last week’s Black Shirt Day and Black Excellence Day, and the upcoming Black History Month. We also know it’s not only about history, there is much more work to do everyday. We need to support each other and the community.
In a recent ARC discussion, the topic of anti-Asian hate came up. Someone mentioned Kelly Yang’s book New From Here (grade 3+), about a family of Chinese heritage standing up to racism at the beginning of the pandemic. We also reminded each other about some community supports from the Asian diaspora and beyond:
As always, please stay in touch. We want to hear your ideas about how the ARC can support the Laura Secord community. You can reach us at laurasecordarc@gmail.com.
What New Year do you Celebrate?
Between ChūnJié, Sŏllal, Tết, Hobiyee, Puthandu, Hijrī New Year, Novruz, Rosh Hashanah and more, we recognize there are many important ways to mark a new year. If you’re looking for celebrations coming up soon, consider attending one of these Lunar New Year events.
We want to hear from you at this link: What New Year do you celebrate?
We’ll share your responses here on the ARC corner!
Our Book Ideas about Culture & Tradition
Thank you for sharing your book ideas! As winter break approaches, consider picking up a copy of these books at the library or bookstore to share with your loved ones. There are so many beautiful cultures and traditions to recognize and elevate within the Laura Secord community. The library links have been shared below, when possible, and if not, we’ve linked to one of the local Indigenous-owned bookstores, Iron Dog Books:
Our Favorite Day of the Year by A. E. Ali
Thank you, Omu by Oge Mora
Mouse Celebrates Winter Solstice by Kay Kwee Kway Kwa Terri Mack
Dim Sum for Everyone by Grace Lin
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed
Shabbat Shalom! by Douglas Florian
The Christmas Story by James Bernardin
Magical Beings of Haida Gwaii by Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson
The Boy and the Bindi by Vivek Shraya
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
Bedtime in Nunatsiavut by Raeann Brown
I am Golden by Eva Chen
As 2022 draws to a close in a few weeks, the LS ARC hopes you will have a rejuvenating winter break. All the best for a joyful 2023.
Book Ideas about Culture and Tradition
In a recent newsletter, we recognized that several days of significance have passed this school year, including Rosh Hashanah, Saint Frances Day, Enkutatash, Fall Equinox, Mawlid al-Nabi, Diwali, and now Hallowe’en and Dia de Los Muertos.
There are many days throughout the year that reflect culture and traditions important for Laura Secord families and beyond. These days and times of significance are diverse, representing concepts such as new beginnings, the importance of light, the cycle of life, seasonal changes, migration, nourishment, caring for others, community connectedness and more. Let’s listen and share together.
What books have you read with your children that reflect culture and tradition that are important to you?
Let us know at this link:
Books that Celebrate Culture and Tradition
We’ll share the community’s ideas in the next ARC newsletter!
Photo: Picture books connected to various cultures. Most are available to borrow at the VPL.
An Opportunity for Decolonization
We raise our hands to the tireless efforts of Mme Durant, fundraising for the LS gardening program yet again this year through the poinsettia fundraiser. In case you missed it, this fundraiser also provided an opportunity to explore where the name and plant came from.
As Maestra Grace explains in the article Cuetlaxochitl, a Gift of Light from Mexico, the vibrant red and green cuetlaxochitl plant is originally from Mexico, is grown during the winter months, and symbolizes the start of a new cycle of life. Its name translates into "mortal flower that perishes and withers like all that is pure." The plant was brought to the US in the 1930s, and through the erasure of Aztec culture and history, the name was changed from cuetlaxochitl to “poinsettia”.
As we bring these plants into our homes and community this year, let’s consider elevating their Nahuatl name, cuetlaxochitl (pronounced kwet-la-sho-she), along with their history and cultural context.
“However you celebrate the holidays, may the virtues of our venerable cuetlaxochitl bring light, healing, and peace to your heart and to your home.” - Maestra Grace
Photo: Cuetlaxochitl thriving in an LS family home since being gifted last December. It has been lovingly cared for and watered over the last 11 months. Some of the leaves are starting to change colour, as the winter solstice approaches.
In Support of the Jewish Community
In light of the recent rise in anti-Semitic rhetoric, including from very high profile celebrity voices, the LS ARC recognizes the harm this is causing the local Jewish community and beyond. We see you.
If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.*
Learn more:
To seek a more just society, we need to work together to stand up against all forms of oppression.
*quote co-authored by Lylla Watson, a Gangulu woman, while working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples
Honouring Orange Shirt Day
Next Friday, September 30 is Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a dedicated time to honour residential school Survivors, their families, and communities. We hope to see people listening with us at one of the Orange Shirt Day events. There are many, including at Grandview Park, Trout Lake, Oppenheimer Park, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Beyond Sept 30.
As with last year, we also invite everyone to pause, reflect, and consider what Truth and Reconciliation means to each of us. For non-Indigenous Laura Secord families, how can we remain committed to listening with humility and supporting decolonization all year long?
Set an Intention with us.
What will you be doing to honour September 30 and beyond? Here’s a jamboard where we have started sharing. Need help with the jamboard? Check out this 2-min video or 1-page written instructions.
Join us on Sept 26 before school and Sept 29 after school. For students and families that are available, we invite you to come to the front of the school before school on Monday, Sept 26 and after school on Thursday, Sept 29 and join us as we plan to have supplies to redecorate the fence at broadway and Lakewood in honour of the children who who were taken from their families. We will also have some resources, including some books, and will be available to chat. Wear your orange shirt if you have one on Sept 26, Sept 29 and any day, in solidarity.
Please stay in touch at secordarc@gmail.com. Whether you have questions, feedback, or want to get involved, we want to hear from you! Many great ideas are already being discussed in the ARC so keep your eye out for more throughout the year.
A Time to Reflect
With a National Day of Mourning approaching on Monday, September 19th, the Laura Secord Anti-Racism committee (ARC) recognizes the diversity of perspectives and emotions surrounding the Queen’s passing. In particular, we are thinking about how many families at Laura Secord have been directly or indirectly impacted by harm and violence connected to the British Monarchy and colonization.
Let’s recognize the history surrounding what the Monarchy represents and mourn all that has been impacted by the system. There are only 22 countries in the world not invaded by Britain. The British monarchy is the symbolic head of an institution responsible for the theft and destruction of lives, cultures, land, and resources. For example, the Queen of England was the head of the Anglican Church. She was inaugurated in 1953, at a time when the Anglican Church was highly involved in the operation of residential schools in Canada.
The pandemic gave space for increased agency in demanding justice, with more people listening to the need for change. As the parents and caregivers of children who will shape our future society, we can hopefully all agree that we want to stop perpetuating systems of harm. As such we have an obligation to teach our children and ourselves about the true history of Canada, and ways that we can elevate the experiences of those most affected by colonization.
We want to hear from you
Share your reflections on this padlet. We also welcome input, ideas, and reflections by getting in touch with us at laurasecordarc@gmail.com.
Join us in Community at Grandview Park
Monday, Sept 19 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
There is an opportunity to come together right now too. We know it’s not possible for everyone due to work and other obligations on Monday. For those who are available, let’s take this opportunity to gather to connect, share ideas and food. Sample resources and advocacy template letters will be provided. Wear an orange shirt if you have one. Childcare available.
For more details check out the Facebook event or email laurasecordarc@gmail.com. While the gathering is designed for parents, caregivers, children and youth due to the school closure, all are welcome so please spread the word. If you can’t make it, here are a few resources that may be helpful as we navigate conversations with the children in our care:
Here’s to hoping we are raising a generation that is focused on equity and justice. In the words of Kukpi7 (Chief) Judy Wilson, secretary-treasurer of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs and Chief of Neskonlith in B.C: