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Reconciliation & Anti-Racism Training, Courses and Book Studies
Welcome to the Awakenings community!
Our courses bring together systemic knowledge, historical context, embodied awareness, and allyship in a supportive group setting. By peeling back layers of prejudice and bias together, we're fostering joy, hope, and the possibility of creating safer, more equitable communities. Join us in making a significant impact and building understanding for a brighter future.
Fantastic free Workshop on Reconciliation hosted by Awakenings and sponsored by Orange Shirt Society!
Reconciliation in Canada: from Adversaries to Allyship
a day-long workshop/retreat in preparation for Orange Shirt Day
and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
Sponsored by the Orange Shirt Society
Reconciliation in Canada: from Adversaries to Allyship is a day long workshop that invites participants to reflect on their personal role in Reconciliation. It will include a welcome to the territory, grounding practices, a history of colonization in Canada and in this territory of T’exelc, Indigenous resistance and social movements, small group discussion, time and space for reflection and action plans for personal responsibility and accountability.
Date: Saturday, September 21 or Sunday, September 29 (choose one)
Time: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. A delicious lunch and snacks will be provided
Location: In person in Williams Lake; exact location to be determined. If you are interested in an online version of this workshop, please let us know
Cost: Free! Phyllis Webstad and the Orange Shirt Society have generously offered to sponsor both sessions of this workshop.
To Register: Email to margaret-anne@awakenings-anti-racism.com or call 778-267-9234.
Registration is limited to 10 people per group, so please register early. Deadline is 3 days before the workshop. If you’d like to register for an online group in the future or to book a workshop for your workplace or non profit, please let us know!
Step with humility and confidence into anti-racism and reconciliation. This field is vast: terms, history, systems, and more. The hard part is there is always more to learn. The exciting part is that there is always more to learn! Walking together in solidarity and allyship towards a more just and equitable society is a lifelong learning process. Take the first, or next, step in your journey with Awakenings.
Learn Continuously
Join us for an indepth and uplifting small group experience, incorporating anti-racism principles and concepts. Books include:
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True Reconciliation by Jody Wilson-Raybould
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The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole
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Unreconciled by Jesse Winte
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White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
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Unbroken by Angela Sterritt
Book Studies
The path towards reconciliation involves a courageous look at Canadian history, prehistory, and the process and legacy of colonization. It requires a willingness to learn about and give value to Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Finally it calls for building and re-building relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Awakenings can help at every step of the way.
Reconciliation
We need to learn about the foundations of racism without burdening those that are affected by racism, without expecting them to teach us, and without subjecting them to more harm.
Check anti-racism training offerings HERE to learn more.
Anti-Racism
Are you ready to step into reconciliation and solidarity?
For you and your organization to embrace inclusivity and build a solid, equitable community?
You can thrive in your community with the shared learning of reconciliation and anti-racism training!
What can we work on together?
How do we start with
reconciliation?
“… we have finally recognized that confronting the legacy of colonialism in Canada, and building the future, is our shared work. This is a moment with significant transformative potential, a moment where we recognize that we all have a role to play, and that we need to increasingly, and urgently, act.”
- Jody Wilson-Raybould,
True Reconciliation
And anti-racism?
"...being an anti-racist requires persistent self-awareness, constant self-criticism, and regular self-examination."
-Ibram X. Kendi,
How to be an Antiracist
It’s all about a dialogue!
A few words from our clients. and colleagues:
The momentum you have created with this group is exciting and powerful.
Frances McCoubrey,
Secondary School Teacher,
I believe it to be one of the single most important experiences that I've had for professional (and personal) development. Margaret-Anne creates such a support and welcoming environment and is so skilled at navigating through these challenging topics. Honestly, don't even think twice, just sign up!!
Dena Baumann
Lake City Secondary School
Thank you so much for leading this thought-provoking series of workshops. It was amazing and challenging and hopeful. I really liked and appreciated the way you facilitated. Each afternoon flew by for me.
Jen Clark
Secondary School Teacher,
Librarian
Thank you, Margaret-Anne, for such an enlightening education. I feel like I am more critical of the system I am part of and am looking for change.
Nara Riplinger
Secondary School Teacher,
Mostly, I appreciate the time you take... for each person and being sensitive with each response."
Carol Thiessen
St. Peter's Anglican participant