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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.

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Start the New Year off in a good way! 

Courses starting the week of January 27th (registration deadline for EarlyBird pricing is January 20th):

  • Reconciliation in Canada:  from Adversaries to Allyship (full day, contact Margaret-Anne for dates or to book for your organization or friend group).   The Orange Shirt Society has generously offered to sponsor these one-day workshops on Reconciliation. This is a FREE workshop facilitated by Aubrey Jackson, a member of the Gitxsan of Damlaxhamid who holds the hereditary title of Xsimoyget Yal, and myself.  It's a day of learning and reflection, exploring with participants how to make Reconciliation a reality in their own lives and circles.

  • Awakening Reconciliation & Anti–Racism: Foundations (8 sessions, Tuesdays 6:30–8:30, $420; EarlyBird $400). This course gives you the necessary foundation and groundwork to be an effective ally and have a solid understanding of current issues and challenges in anti-racism and reconciliation.

  • Responding to Racist Comments and Incidents (1 full day, choose Saturday, January 25th or Wednesday, January 29th, 9 – 3, $120; EarlyBird $100). We all know the importance of speaking up when we witness racism or other prejudice. But that's easier said than done. In this full-day workshop, we will explore some of the barriers to responding and learn strategies for responding in a helpful way that keeps relationships strong and intact.  

  • Awakening Reconciliation & Anti-Racism 2.0 (4 sessions, Wednesdays 6:30 – 8:30, $220; EarlyBird $200) is a more advanced course that uses our foundational knowledge to analyze and discuss current issues through an anti-racism lens.

  • BOOK STUDIES (each is 6 sessions, $170; EarlyBird $150) 

    • NEW!  Who We Are:  Four Questions for a Life and Nation, by the Honourable Murray Sinclair. (Mondays, 4:30 – 6:30) Let’s journey together to honour Murray Sinclair’s incredible life and work.  

    • The Skin We’re In:  A Year of Black Resistance, by Desmond Cole. (Thursdays, 4:30 – 6:30).  This book highlights the many faces of anti-black racism still present in Canada.

    • Unbroken:  My Fight for Survival, Hope, and Justice for Indigenous Women and Girls, by Angela Sterritt (Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30).  Sterritt’s journalism, focusing on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls along the Highway of Tears, solid and compelling.  This is a must-read.

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

Shifting into an anti-racism mindset means opening up to a different way of looking at the world. This takes time and intention. Small group learning. Supportive atmosphere. Space for reflection and integration. These are the cornerstones of Awakenings services.

Process Deeply

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Let's turn outrage into action.  Join us for an infusion of confidence and energy for your anti-racism and reconciliation journeys.  You will be better equipped to move into action within your circles of influence.

Act Intentionally

Join us for an indepth and uplifting small group experience, incorporating anti-racism principles and concepts.  Books include:

  • True Reconciliation by Jody Wilson-Raybould

  • The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole

  • Unreconciled by Jesse Winte

  • White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo

  • Unbroken by Angela Sterritt

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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?
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For you and your organization to embrace inclusivity and build a solid, equitable community?
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You can thrive in your community with the shared learning of reconciliation and anti-racism training!


What can we work on together?

Gain the tools, skills, and insight that you need to be a part of the change!

Our Solutions

Awakenings Reconciliation & Anti-Racism Training logo. A fancy letter 'A' inside a blue circle.
Three young ladies taking notes while reading books and drinking iced tea at a picnic table.

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

A young man standing at a registration table while two people smile at him and receive his paperwork.

Training, Courses, and Book Studies about to start!

Whether you're looking to walk in allyship, engage in in-depth reconciliation and anti-racism training, or join like-minded folks in small, intimate group and book studies, we have something starting soon for you!

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

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