Algonquin College ‘Taking a Stand – Disrupting Black and Indigenous Racism Week’
Posted on Thursday, January 28th, 2021
OTTAWA – Algonquin College will commence its most intensive undertaking to date on the subject of anti-racism on Monday, February 1 when it opens its week-long Taking a Stand – Disrupting Black and Indigenous Racism Week (Feb. 1 – 5), with a ceremony highlighted by Indigenous and African drumming performances.
The week’s 20 events will sound a call to action on the racism that exists in every corner of society and also provide space for groups to come together for healing and highlight the culture and successes of Black and Indigenous people that too often goes unnoticed. Speakers include noted authors Desmond Cole, Blair Imani and Waubgeshig Rice, among many others.
The opening ceremony will commence at 9:45 a.m. on February 1 and be hosted by Ron (Degandus) McLester, Algonquin’s Vice President – Truth, Reconciliation & Indigenization. Speakers include Algonquin President and CEO, Claude Brulé; Greg Fergus – Member of Parliament for Hull-Aylmer; and Rawlson King – Councillor – Ward 13 Rideau-Rockcliffe.
“Taking a Stand marks another step forward for Algonquin College in its journey to help build an anti-racist society where equality, caring, respect and education are interwoven into everything we do,” said Brulé. “It has always been true that being open to different ways of thinking, pushing our personal boundaries and seeing the world around us in new ways is when we make the most progress. Taking a Stand is another opportunity for us to broaden these horizons.”
Beyond the week’s events, Taking a Stand will be used to launch a series of changes at the College, including a call for proposals to diversify the General-Education and Degree-Breadth courses; an invitation to identify more courses for development on the topic of Indigenous Culture, reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion; and saving seats for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour employees with leadership aspirations for the employee mentorship program this year.
Taking a Stand builds on Algonquin’s ongoing efforts to help build a truly inclusive society, including being the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to develop an Inclusion and Diversity policy, and its continuing work on Truth and Reconciliation, which incorporates the launch of Ontario-wide Indigenous knowledge and storytelling initiative, Lighting the Fire.
For more information:
Chris Lackner
Communications Manager
Algonquin College
Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 2091
Mobile: 613-220-3479
Bruce Hickey
Communications Officer
Mobile: 613-513-9935
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
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