2010 Niagara Social Justice Forum

Niagara Social Justice Forum 2010

Invitation to Organize Activities

Do you want to connect with student, activist or community groups committed to social justice?
Do you have a great idea for a workshop, performance, exhibit or other activity?
We want to hear from you!


Concept:
Hosted by the Social Justice and Equity Studies Graduate Program at Brock University, the 4th Annual Niagara Social Justice Forum will include a day-long programme of concurrent activities, including workshops, performances, exhibits and information tables in a fair-like atmosphere. Last year’s event attracted over 150 people from both campus and the community and explored a wide range of issues from Palestinian rights to education, to organizing agricultural workers, to reclaiming aboriginal identity through theatre, to the links between body image and self-worth. All these events were proposed and organized through an open call to people and groups on campus and in the community committed to social justice.

Goals:
The main goal of this event is to build relationships between student groups, activists and community organizations working on social justice issues in the Niagara region.
The purpose of this ‘Call’ is to invite individuals and groups with a strong activist orientation to submit a proposal to host a workshop, performance, exhibit or information table. The themes of proposed activities should have strong local relevance. We encourage activities involving art, music, drama or non-traditional modes of interaction. 

Proposals:
•    In one page or less, provide a title and brief description of proposed activity. Workshop slots are 90 minutes in duration. Exhibits, information tables and performances can vary in duration.
•    Make clear its relevance to the event.
•    Suggest what groups might participate.
•    Identify who is proposing and will organize the activity. Include contact information.

We will accommodate as many proposals as possible, while aiming for a diversity of issues and kinds of activities. Those proposing activities are responsible for mobilizing the necessary resources to mount the activity. Forum organizers will co-ordinate the event, provide food, space, childcare, and technological support, as well as outreach and promotion of the Forum’s activities. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information and to submit proposals, contact: ethna.bernat@brocku.ca or call 905-688-5550, ext. 5591. For information tables, contact Mary Breunig, mbreunig@brocku.ca,  ext. 5387.  Deadline for proposals: Friday, November 21.

The 2010 Niagara Social Justice Forum will be held on Saturday, March 20.


 

Last Year's (2009) Schedule :

Time Description Location
 8:45  Doors Open, Coffee, Registration and Information Tables Pond Inlet
 9:00  Opening of the Forum
 The Great Thanksgiving and Gathering Thunder drummers
      Pre-registration for Childcare and ASL interpretation required by March 27 Email:  socialjustice@brocku.ca
  Pond Inlet        
 9:30 - 11:00          Photovoice: A Socially Just Research Method and Community Development Process (Organized by: Janet Zanutto and  Jocelyn Murtell, Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies)
 * Participants should bring their own digital cameras.
Participants will learn about this creative, community-based participatory research technique and how it can be utilized to meet the needs of various communities in different settings. “How to” manual and guidance around implementing photovoice in their own community included. Participants will experience an abbreviated version of the photovoice process. 
 MCC405
 9:30 - 11:00      Social Justice Pursuit: Educating Canadians about Indigenous Canadians (Organized by:Judith Knight and Jodie Harrison, SJES Program and John Hodson M.Ed, Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education)
This workshop asks the question, "What do you know about Indigenous Canadians?" in the context of knowledge and information produced by institutions such as the government, educational system, and the media painting a distorted image of Indigenous Canadians. This workshop seeks to paint a real image of Indigenous Canadians through our game called, "Social Justice Pursuit". It is based on the game "Trivial Pursuit", but we find that social justice pursuits would not consider the life of an Indigenous Canadian trivial. It is our social justice pursuit to inform Canadians of the realities Indigenous Canadians face in Canada. We believe when a person is educated about Indigenous Canadians, then we are able to work within a mutual respect relationship towards changing injustices which prevent Indigenous Canadians from pursuing social justice in Canada.		  MCG310
 9:30 - 11:00  Right to Education/Freedom of speech: From Palestine to Canada  (Organized by: Faculty4Palestine)
What is the connection between education under occupation in Palestine and posters being banned on Canadian university campuses?  What is the link between severe restrictions on movement and the freedom to teach/learn in Palestine and the
freedom of speech and the use of public space in Canada?  Why is it so difficult to do Palestinian solidarity activism in Ontario highschools, universities and colleges?  This collaborative workshop by faculty, students and activists examines these questions and builds organizing tools for change through film, photos, eyewitness accounts.		  MCC407
 11:00  Coffee Break  Pond Inlet
 11:15  Performance  of Tomson Highway’s “Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing"  Pond Inlet
 12:00 - 1:00  Lunch provided on site from Pan Restaurant  Pond Inlet
 1:00 - 2:30  Social Justice in the Classroom: A diversity of perspectives (Organized by:Suzanne Narain and Melissa St.Germaine-Small, SJES program)
This workshop will be a forum for instructors, teaching assistants and students to discuss how they conceptualize social justice as part of their learning environment. Acknowledging and respecting diverse perspectives, histories and ways of being can foster a more positive learning environment. Dr. George Dei of University of Toronto and author of “Anti-Racism Education: Theory and Practice” will open our panel by discussing the ways that we can re-think inclusivity and education from a critical pedagogical perspective. Participants will contribute ideas to our ‘Social Justice in the Classroom’ posters which will be displayed at the Forum.		  MCC405
 1:00 - 2:30  Reclaiming Red Identity through Theatre: Dry Lips’ Experiences in the Community  (Organized by: Bruce Sinclair and Dry Lips performers)
This workshop will share stories and a community methodology on the art of theatre in the Aboriginal world. Finding a sense of place and identity through tragedy and comedy is ingrained in our communities. 
Theatre allows us to express these stories and characters in a healing and artistic manner. In this workshop live participation is encouraged as well as identity transformation.
  MCC407
 1:00 - 2:30  Arts education through social justice issues: the Beautiful Women Project (Organized by: Peter Vietgen, Art Education Professor and Cheryl-Ann Webster, Visual Artist)
This presentation will introduce an approach to the teaching of Art Education at various levels in the school curriculum, through a focus on Social Justice issues.  With a closer look at one project in particular, The Beautiful Women Project, the presenters will share how one Visual Arts initiative has proven to be the impetus as a teaching and healing tool for women and girls, men and boys.  Through the creation of 120 clay torsos of real women aged 19 - 91, The Beatiful Women Project raises awareness about the link between self-worth, self-identity and physical appearance.
  MCG310
 2:30  Coffee Break  Pond Inlet
 2:45 - 4:15  Celebrating the harvesters:  Voices from Niagara's Agricultural Workers (Organized by: Jonah Butovsky and Larry Savage with GROW Niagara and Kate Andres-Toal)
This session will feature speakers representing a range of voices from people involved in growing and harvesting local food.  Participants will also strategize on how to improve the Canadian experience for migrant agricultural workers.		  MCC405
 2:45 - 4:15  Finding Home: Working with LGBTQ Newcomer /Immigrant Youth (Organized by Suhail Abualsameed, Supporting Our Youth)
This workshop will explore the experiences faced by LGBTQ newcomer, immigrant and refugee youth and will include an analysis of immigration and refugee protection policies and the activist and service initiatives in this area.		  MCG310
 4:15  Final Plenary
"The Golden Rule" –short skit
Photovoice presentation		  Pond Inlet
 6:30  Coffee House - Strega Cafe, 19 King St., downtown St. Catharines - Live Music, Poetry and Art.  "Pay what you can" donations - all proceeds go to the artists (Organized and hosted by the graduate students in the Social Justice and Equity Studies program at Brock University)  Strega Cafe

Information tables:

  • Conscience Canada
  • GlobalAware
  • Niagara Research and Planning Council
  • Folk Arts Council of St. Catharines Multicultural Centre
  • OUTniagara
  • The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
  • Council of Canadians
  • OPIRG
  • Niagara Quakers
  • Niagara Health Coalition
  • Art of Peace Festival/Project Ploughshares Niagara
  • Understanding Family Violence in our Culturally Diverse Society
  • Niagara Action for Animals

For map, visit http://www.brocku.ca/facilitiesmgmt/MB_CAMPUS_MAP_LARGE.htm

Pond Inlet is located in "J" block of the MacKenzie Chown Complex which is directly north of the Zone 1/Lot A parking lot