DEIB Resources
PRIDE Resources
Pride Resources for Recreation Therapists
Special thanks to Tiana Demma, St. Lawrence College student, for their creation of Pride program resources across the lifespan.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Icebreakers and Learning Activities
On June 21, we observe National Indigenous Peoples Day by honoring and celebrating the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada. For many generations, various Indigenous groups have marked June 21, or nearby dates, with cultural and heritage celebrations, recognizing the importance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day, was established in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through a proclamation designating June 21 annually as National Aboriginal Day. Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!
TRO’s DEIB Committee encourages all recreation therapists to take concrete action and actively engage in learning opportunities to learn more during National Indigenous History Month. See below for a list of suggested actions you can take.
Watch a panel discussion available on YouTube Treaties, reconciliation and Indigenous history in Canada (youtube.com) from CBC discussing Canadians’ knowledge of treaties, reconciliation and Indigenous history
Take time to continue your learning with – nisitohtamowin ᓂᓯᑐᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ An Introduction to Understanding Indigenous Perspectives in Canada – FNUniv.ca Free one-hour online course from First Nations University of Canada
Review recent research poster: Research Snapshot: Use of traditional healing practices in two Ontario First Nations from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
Complete an eLearning course: “Reconciliation through Indigenous Education” as a paid, registered learning platform
Pick a film to watch from the National Film Board of Canada: Over 200 Indigenous-created films
Explore the learning resources available for National Indigenous History Month from the Government of Canada
Dive into some of our few suggested readings:
Tom Wilson’s Beautiful Scars
Mind Spread Out on the Ground” by Alicia Elliot
“From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way” by Jesse Thistle
Scars and Stars: Poems by Jesse Thistle
Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Muller
This Place – 150 Years Retold
We all have a role in our collective journey towards truth, justice, healing and reconciliation. We encourage you to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports, and Calls to Action.
Upcoming DEIB Events
The Equity-Deserving Practitioners Wellness Group will be resuming in the fall.
Do you identify as a Black, Indigenous, person of colour, and/or as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA++ community? If so, join DEIB committee members, Amanda, and Nick for our monthly wellness group! Together, we will cultivate a space of community centered on the commitment to strengthening our shared voice through kindness, inclusivity, and care for one another. All you need to bring is yourself, your spirit, and perhaps a snack or two!
Everyone is welcome (including non-TRO members). No registration is required.
Glossary of Terms
DEIB-Committee-Glossary-of-Terms
Linked above is a list of commonly used terms in Anti-Oppression Anti-Racism work. Terms and definitions are tricky in this work because they are always changing and evolving, as does the work. The terms below are curated with the best efforts of TRO’s DEIB committee and should not be considered exhaustive and or even correct. It is always important to check in with people, people who use your services, groups and co-workers about how they understand these terms and most importantly how they themselves wished to be defined or identified. The definitions below come from a variety of sources, most notably the work done by several academic departments within University of Toronto, including the Department of Public Health and the Department of Medicine.
TRO’s DEIB Committee reflects on the knowledge and lived experiences of it’s members. If you would like to submit a revision or new term to be included in this resource please email your suggestion to d-i@trontario.org
DEIB Icebreaker and Learning Activities
DEIB Committee Icebreakers and Learning Activities
Linked above are exercises have been collected by various contributors with connection to TRO’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. Some of these exercises have been suggested based on the experiences of the contributor, as a participant or facilitator of the activity. While several activities have been collected with a link or reference for more information, it is possible that several similar activities or resources exist. The authors believe that it is up to the reader to determine how to best implement the activity with most relevance to their own life or area of practice, while giving their best effort to maintain the essence of the activity in the spirit of fostering awareness of all issues related to DEIB.
TRO’s DEIB Committee reflects on the knowledge and lived experiences of it’s members. If you would like to submit an icebreaker or learning activity to be included in this resource please email your suggestion to d-i@trontario.org
Webinars
Click on the links below to view TRO’s webinars on topics related to Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion. Webinars are available for free or with a PCC transcript for $15.
Safe to Brave: The Importance of Language in Trauma Informed Spaces
DEIB Awareness Calendar
TRO’s DEIB Committee creates social media posts for a variety of holidays throughout the year. If you would like TRO highlight a particular holiday you celebrate, please email your suggestion to d-i@trontario.org.
Resources:
Suggested Reading/Listening List
Books
Indian Act: Residential School Plays by Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
Unmasking Autism by Dr. Devon Price
Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown
How not to drown in a glass of water by Angie Cruz
Stamped: Racisim, Anti-racism and You by Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kindi
Memoirs
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
Hunger by Roxanne Gay
What doesn’t Kill You by Tessa Miller
Good Talk by Mira Jacob
Raising a RARE girl by Heather Lanier
Sitting Pretty: The view from my ordinary resilient disabled body by Rebekah Taussig
My Own Blood by Ashley Bristowe
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
STAND: A memoir for activism. A manual for progress by Kathryn Bertine
Podcasts
Cornell Inclusive Exellence Podcast by Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel from the Department of Inclusion and Belonging, University of Cornwell
Don’t Call Me Resilient by Vinita Srivastava, Dannielle Piper, Krish Dineshkumar, Jennifer Moroz, Rehmatullah Sheikh, Kikachi Memeh, Ateqah Khaki, Scott White, from The Conversation Canada
BIPOC Outside by Kris Cromwell
Continued Learning
For additional resources or to get in touch with TRO’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee Members contact: d-i@trontario.org
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
- The Safe Zone Project
- Invitation to Learn: 4 Seasons of Reconciliation
- The Micropedia of Microaggressions
- The Language of Inclusions: DEI Glossary
- How to Check Your Unconscious Bias
- Lead on Diversity and Inclusion with Words and Action
- Diversity and Inclusion Assessment
- Coursera Diversity and Inclusion Online Trainings
- LinkedInLearning Diversity and Inclusion
- Changing Lenses – DEI Blog & Podcast
- Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan
- T&R Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- National Association of Friendship Centres
- Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
- KAIROS Blanket Exercise
- Mapping the Ground We Stand On Exercise
- National Film Board of Canada