Tag Archives: local

June 8, 2016 · 11:21 am

Decolonizing family history: essential, or missing the point?

A few months ago I took “Co-Resolve”, a Deep Democracy course with Aftab Erfan. As a part of that course we explored a decision-making process that involves pulling on two poles of a question, and building empathy and understanding for each of those two poles.

I decided to try this in writing with the question I’ve been avoiding the past few months. Enjoy!

Top reasons NOT to continue my ‘decolonizing family history’ project

  1. What is ‘decolonizing’ anyway? Just another way for the dominant voice/academics to re-write the colonial narrative…
  2. We live in a colonial state on stolen land: we need to unpack power dynamics and policies that go much deeper than any one family history
  3. Writing that tells the stories of early settlers only helps to build empathy for the colonizers
  4. Inevitably, deep elements of the sources and framing of this kind of narrative will only reinforce colonial/white supremacist ways of thinking.
  5. We don’t need more settlers writing about indigeneity: what the world needs is strong Indigenous voices telling the story of this work

Top reasons TO continue my ‘decolonizing family history’ project

  1. In the wake of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, it’s time for all Canadians to begin to really grapple with the implications of what we now know in our personal lives: this story is one way of doing so
  2. Telling stories of where I come from both in terms of ancestry and place is one way to reconnect with lineage and with land; making those re-connections is a key part of accepting relationality, responsibility.
  3. Finding ways to make colonization personal is one of the key ways for settlers to come to an awakened understanding of the colonization process: if I can share my process, I can inspire others to also make this history and story personal.
  4. I made a commitment, as part of my masters’ degree, to complete the family history research I had begun, and to share that in some way with my family. Finishing this project is a way of honouring that commitment.
  5. This work of connecting personally to place and to history is inspired in many ways by Elizabeth Henry’s thesis: continuing to write honours her memory.

The next step of the process of deep democracy is to identify the ‘arrows that hit home’ – the insights that come from delving deep in this way. I think for me what hits home is this realization that the project is in so many ways a very personally meaningfully endeavour: perhaps rather than focusing on the ‘objective’ or abstract rationale or need for this work, I can just name that truth.

Mali

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January 12, 2015 · 8:00 am

A New Kind of Shower

Over the past few years, I’ve been invited to several ‘showers’ – friends collectively around a friend about to have a baby or about to get married.

I’m not a big fan of showers in the abstract. I’ve always imagined an actual river of pink-and-white-wrapped gifts, small and large, tumbling from about head-height over an unsuspecting recipient. The traditional approach involves excessive amounts of tissue-paper-stuffed gift bags and either plastic penises or baby-themed chocolate, depending on the occasion. Then there’s ‘bonding time’ with a group of women who hours earlier had exchanged names. The facilitator in me is fascinated by the group’s responses to games that involve counting items in purses, wordplays on love, couple trivia. It’s challenging to be sincere in the face of so many superfluous activities.

Despite my mockery of the worst of these, there are pieces I appreciate about the tradition of showers. A wedding, or a child’s birth, are big times of transition; it’s appropriate to gather as a community to support, share our love for a person, express appreciation and care. It’s a bit like a birthday, but on a grander scale – a big gathering, organized by someone else, all focused on expressing care and love for a single person.

I’ve been wondering how we could do the same – ‘shower’ love and care on someone when it’s not their birthday, and when they’re neither pregnant or engaged. In fact, when perhaps they are emphatically neither of the latter… when they’re doing fertility treatment, finally single again, or anxious about the future.

I’ve thought of it as a ‘love-in’ – that’s just in my mind, it needs a better name (any ideas?). It’d be an opportunity to celebrate a whole person – their and idiosyncrasies.

Either at the gathering or in advance, people would share words / phrases / notes of support or love. They’d bring photos they love, momentos of past times. Ideally there’d be some way of collecting these pieces and putting them in one place… something made on paper to celebrate the person of the day.

The tricky part would be figuring out who to celebrate, and why. I think the person themselves would be nominated by someone, or by themselves; it’d be most useful to celebrate someone who is going through a tough time, but somehow it’d be important to make the occasion celebratory rather than based in pity/charity. It’d be a boost through a low time, a community ‘harambee’ for mental health, an opportunity connect and laugh and share.

Now, what could this thing be called and how could it be framed? Could it be part of an existing network of friends/people, or a separate thing? How could we pick the first person to be ‘it’…? Email me with your ideas…

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January 5, 2015 · 8:20 am

Take the Course: Making a Difference – Locally and Globally

This spring I’ll be trying out a new course structure at Langara College. In the past, Tamara Baldwin and I taught a course called ‘Travelling to Volunteer’ – a course that worked to unpack some of the assumptions and thinking behind voluntourism. Based on conversations emerging within that course and elsewhere, we are offering two new courses for spring 2015. You can find them both here, under the ‘World Languages and Travel’ section. Pass this along to those who may be interested…!

VTRA 1003 – Making a Difference – Locally and globally – taught by Mali Bain

Location: John Oliver Secondary
This course is designed for adults who have been working five or more years, and who want to consider ways that they can use their holiday time, finances, and/or skills to support work that they believe is important in the world. In the first evening, participants will explore their own skills, goals, and background. Between the first and second session, participants will do individual research and planning to find relevant organizations and initiatives. The second session will focus on asking questions, suggesting next steps, and preparing for a successful engagement with the chosen initiative/organization. Come to this course with a few questions or directions already in mind. Be prepared to think thoughtfully about how your use your time and resources in this world; you’ll leave with a stronger sense of your purpose and some clear next steps.

CRN Duration Starts Time Instructor Cost
50990 1 eve Th Feb 19, 2015 1830-2030 $49
and 1 eve Th Mar 05, 2015 1830-2030

VTRA 1004 – Ethical Issues in International Volunteering and Engagement – taught by Tamara Baldwin

Location: John Oliver Secondary
Have you considered international volunteering or ‘voluntourism’ and wondered about the ethics of this work? Are you interested in international engagement but unsure how you can be? This session will open discussions around the ethics of international engagement using material derived from the reflections of those who have worked/ volunteered internationally, research studies in this area, and existing educational resources. Taking this course is a bit like international volunteering itself – you will leave with more refined informed, and reflective questions than when you began.

CRN Duration Starts Time Instructor Cost
50989 2 eve Tu Jan 27, 2015 1800-2100 $69

 

 

 

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December 4, 2014 · 2:11 pm

Artesana Global Solidarity Retreat – Sept 16 – 18, 2014

Global Solidarity Retreat
with Sandra Moran, Artesana
September 26-28, 2014; ongoing solidarity into 2015 and beyond

summary report (pdf)  | full report (pdf)

Artesana-sign

The Artesana Global Solidarity Retreat, held Sept 26 – 28th on Gambier Island, provided an opportunity for people from the Lower mainland to explore issues related to international solidarity with feminist, artist and activist Sandra Moran from the Guatemalan women’s rights organization Artesana. Sandra is also the representative for the Americas for the World March of Women. The retreat was coordinated by CoDevelopment Canada.

A diverse group of 11 women gathered to build relationships between each other and Sandra, build understanding of the work of Artesana, deepen understanding of global solidarity, and make plans for how to work together over the next 6 months. We shared delicious meals and thoughts on solidarity, went swimming / kayaking, learned about Sandra’s work, played in the night-time phosphorescence, sang songs around a campfire – and made plans for ongoing work with Sandra Moran and Artesana.

For more background on Sandra Moran, see Sandra Moran and Artesana – background. For a copy of the participant application form, Global Solidarity Retreat – application package.

Retreat Goals

The following goals were established prior to the retreat by co-facilitators, in collaboration with staff at CoDevelopment Canada:

  • Build relationships between participants and Sandra Moran
  • Build understanding of and/or commitment to the work of Artesana
  • Deepen understanding of global solidarity in the current context
  • Make plans for how to work together for the next 6 months
  • Enjoy Gambier Island, in beautiful Howe Sound

Who participated?

There were a total of 11 people in attendance, ages 18 – 60+. Four of those participating were supporting the overall project: Sandra (co-facilitator), Kathi (Canadian contact and co-facilitator), Carmen (interpreter), and Mali (supporting facilitator). Participants were asked to contribute a fee.

The other seven participants were from a wide variety of backgrounds. Two were teaching at universities (Capilano and Vancouver Island university), one as a nurse in the downtown eastside. Two participants were students – one high school and one undergraduate – and one participant brought along her 1-year-old son. Participants, all living in British Columbia, came from Mayan, Guatemalan, Chilean, Scottish, Korean, and German heritage. All of the participants learned of the event through their networks: three through CoDev’s networks; two through Capilano’s Global Stewardship program; and one through Amnesty International’s listserv.

Group-photo

What happened?

Over the course of a 3-day retreat, the group had an opportunity to gather and share inspiration and energy. The weekend was woven together by opening and closing circles, including a candle ceremony lead by Sandra. At some point almost everyone took to the water – kayaking, canoing, or swimming.

The weekend began by coming to a collective understanding of ‘solidarity’ and understanding Sandra’s approach and work, and moved toward collective action, identifying solidarity directions and ideas that those in the room were willing to invest time into. By the end of the afternoon on Sunday, participants had come up with a long list of ways they aim to continue to work in solidarity. Some of those plans include meeting again as a group, building collaboration with women’s, planning fundraisers with the Vancouver Mayan community, setting up an art project exchange, and supporting Artesana’s research priorities in Guatemala.

Candles-morning Recording-hopes-retreat

Preliminary Learnings and Future Possibilities

Overall, it seems the structure and process of the weekend worked well – moving from big-picture visioning on Saturday into action-planning on Sunday. Some aspects of this retreat are unique to the context: a relationship of more than 20 years between Sandra and Kathi; Sandra’s strong English language ability, meaning interpretation needs were minimal; and multiple strong relationships between Sandra and solidarity work in British Columbia. In addition, Sandra and Kathi both have previous experience facilitating retreats.

The September 26-28 retreat was framed as building solidarity in a general sense with Sandra’s work, rather than supporting the work of any one organization. CoDevelopment Canada took the lead on making the solidarity retreat happen and has a 10-year relationship with Sandra and Artesana; other groups also connected include the Highlands United Church and BC CASA. The intention of the solidarity retreat is to build solidarity, and this retreat had three potential outcomes – solidarity directly through CoDev, through BC CASA, or independently of either group. As it turns out, all three of these avenues are being pursued by the current group. Finding a way to ensure participants are familiar with significant and existing solidarity work underway, as well as ways that participants can become involved in this work, is an important area of focus for the current group and for future solidarity retreats.

A future retreat may include both men and women, and may involve a more substantive presence from CoDev, or the organization involved, would be beneficial to participants and the organization.

While recognizing that the ongoing process of being in solidarity has just begun, this combination of a remarkable group of women, skilled facilitation, and an idyllic getaway made for a truly remarkable weekend. The ideas shared and relationships built are a foundation for ongoing solidarity not only in the months but in years to come.

For more background on Global Solidarity Retreats in general, see this page. If you have thoughts about the Artesana retreat, suggestions for future retreats, or just want to be in touch – email global.solidarity.retreat@gmail.com.

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April 5, 2014 · 4:48 pm

Mali’s Thesis

As most of you know, a few months ago I defended my masters’ thesis. I’ve been meaning for some time to send out an email sharing the file & the link with people whom I respect and appreciate, and who in some way or another contributed to this thesis.

So – drumroll, please – here it is! http://circle.ubc.ca/handle/2429/45948. The strange thing about a thesis is that what is really an ongoing process of thinking, rethinking, and learning ends up getting pinned to a page and frozen in time. What’s in this thesis is just one rendition of my learning process.

I hope you enjoy the thesis. Below is the official abstract, and the Unofficial Readers’ Guide. Or, if you really want simplicity, ask for the by-request-only 10-page version.

Community-university engagement : case study of a partnership on Coast Salish territory in British Columbia

Abstract

In the context of expanding community engagement efforts by universities and growing awareness of the past and current impacts of settler-colonialism in Canada, this study explores one Indigenous-settler, community-university partnership. Building on a framework of community-university engagement and decolonization, or decolonizing community-university engagement, this case study explores a partnership between Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society (Xyolhemeylh) and the Division of Health Care Communication at the University of British Columbia (UBC-DHCC). The ‘Community as Teacher’ program, which began in 2006 and is ongoing as of 2013, engages groups of UBC health professional students in 3-day cultural summer camps. The camps, designed to further connect Indigenous youth and families with their culture, were initiated by Stó:lō elders over 20 years ago. Xyolhemeylh staff coordinate the cultural camp program in collaboration with Stó:lō community groups. UBC-DHCC recruits UBC health professional students to participate in camps as part of the ‘Community as Teacher’ program.

This qualitative case study draws primarily on analysis of program documents and interviews with four Xyolhemeylh and three UBC-DHCC participants. The findings of this study are framed within ‘Four Rs’, building upon existing frameworks of Indigenous community-university engagement (Butin, 2010; Kirkness & Barnhardt, 1991). Building on a foundation of relevance to the mission of both partners, both partners undertook risk-taking, based on their respective contexts, in establishing and continuing to invest in the relationship. Respect, as expressed by working ‘in a good way’, formed the basis for interpersonal relationship-building. This study provides a potential framework for practitioners and has implications for the Community as Teacher partnership, funding structures, and Indigenous-university partnerships.

Unofficial Readers’ Guide to Mali’s Thesis

First of all, reading this thesis is not a requirement. If you’ve got lots on the go and won’t get to reading this anytime soon, don’t feel guilty – I can give you the ‘elevator pitch’ version in 3 minutes or less and you’ll be fine.

If you’re looking for ways that this work might affect the practice of community-university partnership, I hope that Chapters 4&5 might be of interest, some of the participant quotes are amazing but if there’s lots on your plate and you’re in a rush, check out Chapter 7. (and if things are really, really busy ask me for the 10-page version).

If your question is “so what did you find out”, and by that you mean what I learned about the case study, start with Chapter 1 to get a sense of how I’m framing this, then look through the headings, quotes, and colourful participant drawings in Chapters 4 and 5. The conclusion says a few interesting things as well.

If you’re looking for the juicy personal or self-reflexive bits, start with Chapter 1 – it includes some reflexive family history – and then read some of the stories shared in Chapter 2. You might want to then move to Chapter 7 to see what I found out from all this work, anyways.

If you’re looking for ideas for your own research, the stories and visual-coding process in Chapter 3 is an honest reflection of what I did and why. Chapter 2 might be useful if your research explores either community engagement or decolonization – I share some of my favourite authors and would be interested to connect with yours.

Finally, If you’ve gotten this far, I’m impressed by your persistence and anticipate you may not have needed the readers’ guide at all – enjoy your weekend, enjoy this and other reading, and be in touch. – MB

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