SBA Programming and Events
- QT2SBIPOC Discussion Night
- Crafternoon
- Office Closure
Community Events and Resources
- Resisting Oppressions and Reclaiming Spirituality
- Fearless Heart: Anti-Colonial Mindfulness Workshop
- Toxic Trespass: Film Screening
- The Spice
- Fearless Heart: Anti-Colonial Mindfulness Workshop
SBA Programming and Events
QT2SBIPOC Discussion Night
https://www.facebook.com/events/559577280900060/
Students for Barrier-free Access (SBA) and the Centre for Women and Trans People (CWTP) at U of T invites you to join us for the first night of a new series of events that works to create space for community building, critical conversation, and support for Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (QT2SBIPOC).
As organizers of this space, we recognize that this event will be taking place on the territories of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca and the Mississaugas of New Credit. We are here because this land is occupied. As organizations located within the University of Toronto, it is our responsibility to acknowledge that we are all treaty people that live, work and organize on occupied land.
We also recognize that this University is a space that many of our community members experience violence, including the violence of settler-colonialism, anti-black racism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, transmisogyny, ableism, sanism, classism, Islamophobia and the violence of rape culture. Recent events on campus have highlighted the ongoing presence of these forms of violence. As a collective, we work to challenge these forms of violence in our communities and in our everyday practice.
We have a strong commitment to creating anti-colonial community space that rejects ableist and sanist ways of relating. We are committed to building meaningful and reciprocal relationships between Indigenous, Black, and POC communities and to acknowledge that this requires difficult conversations to be had. Through the QT2SBIPOC Discussion Night Series, we strive to hold a space for these conversations.
Our first meeting will focus on collectively creating community care guidelines, deciding on topics of discussion for upcoming events and deciding on a name for this discussion series.
Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: SBA Centre, 215 Huron Street, Suite 924, on the 9th floor.
Please note that the front doors to 215 Huron Street lock at 5:30pm. Event organizers will wait at the entrance to let people in from 5:45pm-6:00pm. If you arrive later, please call 416-967-7322 and one of us will let you in.
Wheelchair accessible. Accessible and all-gender washroom located on the same floor as the event room.
Please note that the SBA Centre is a scent-free space.
Snacks, including vegan and gluten-free options will be served.
If you require ASL to participate in the event, or if you have any other access needs please contact Nadia at sba.advocacycoordinator@gmail.com
***This is a QT2SBIPOC only space. As always, we appreciate the support we receive from our white allies by respecting this space and by sharing this event information with their networks.***
——————————————————————————-
Crafternoon
Join us for another craft session at SBA next Thursday December 8th from 4:30-6:30pm! We will be making cards again for all occasions. Want to try using embossing powders? We’ll have the supplies at hand!
Location: 215 Huron Street, Suite 924
If you arrive after 5:30, please call 416 967 7322 and someone will pop down and let you in. Gender neutral washrooms on the same floor and please note that this is a scent-free space.
——————————————————————————-
Office Closure
Please note that the SBA Centre will be closed from December 19th, 2016 until January 5th, 2017.
——————————————————————————-
Community Events and Resources
Resisting Oppression and Reclaiming Spirituality: Tues Nov 29, 6:30-8:30PM
Join ROARS on November 29th as we celebrate the end of semester with plenty of food, board games, art activities and casual conversation! If you need to tokens in order to attend, please let us know. If you would like to bring food to share with everyone, please feel free! ROARS is a student-led peer support group that provides a safe(r) space for self-identified women, trans, two-spirit, and gender non-binary/non-conforming people to discuss, critically analyze, and take action on issues of sexism, misogyny, racism, transphobia, homophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, white supremacy, colonialism, and settler colonialism, in relation to our lived experiences within religious institutions and spiritual journeys. This is a space to examine the impact of oppressive -isms and reclaim your own spirituality.
Next meeting: Tuesday November 29, 6:30-8:30PM at the Centre for Women & Trans People, 563 Spadina Ave, Room 100, Wheelchair access via Bancroft Ave.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/610221412511555/
——————————————————————————-
Toxic Trespass: Film Screening and Discussion
Time: November 30th, 2016, 7pm
Location: 6th Floor LHAE – (see signage for room number)
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)
University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West (above St. George subway station)
Synopsis of Toxic Trespass:
This NFB co-production is an investigation into the effects of the chemicals we are all exposed to in our daily lives. The film begins with the filmmaker Barri Cohen’s own 10-year-old daughter, whose blood carries carcinogens like benzene and the long-banned DDT. Then, it heads out to Windsor and Sarnia: Canadian toxic hotspots, and highlights the devastating health impacts effecting the Aamjiwnaang First Nations Community of Sarnia surrounded by refineries and petrochemical plants.
The film presents passionate activists working for positive change, along with doctors and scientists who see evidence of links between environmental pollution and health problems and helps us learn about and act on the implications of environmental racism and the need for environmental justice. Carried by Cohen’s passion for truth and her disarming openness, this moving documentary is essential viewing for anyone concerned about the effects of pollutants on our – and our children’s – very DNA. An accompanying resource guide for using the film as a tool for education and social change can be found at, www.toxictrespass.ca.
The film contains a section on the Aamjiwnaang First Nations Community of Sarnia surrounded by refineries and petrochemical plants which helps us learn about and act on implications for environmental racism and the need forenvironmental justice.
Join Green Neighbours 20for this film screening of the award-winning documentary, Toxic Trespass. We will have a follow-up discussion with the film’s executive producer and primary research consultant, Dorothy Goldin Rosenberg and Heather Marshall from Toronto Environmental Alliance, who will tell us about the INHALE project. This is a great opportunity to learn about air quality in our city, actions we can take, and green initiatives we can join in as Green Neighbours 20to mitigate air pollution. We will also learn how we can be in solidarity with Indigenous communities who are the most impacted by the effects of toxic pollution from oil and gas production and are on the frontlines of struggles to protect their land, the water, and the air we all breathe.
Please see www.toxictrespass.com
——————————————————————————-
The Politics of Disability on Campus
What we know and don’t know about the appearance and disappearance of disability on campus
THURSDAY DECEMBER 1, 2016
The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Avenue (WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE)
7:00 P.M.
Our amazing colleague, USW member and award winning DJ Nik Redman will close out the evening and the end of term with great music. Book the date and join us for our last salon for the term!
Key questions for discussion will include:
– What are some of the ways that the appearance and/or disappearance of disability matter to work-life?
– What aspects regarding the politics of disability on campus are important for us to think about?
– How might the official measures of “being included” not be adequate to the task of creating a disability-friendly workplace?
MODERATOR: June Larkin (Director, Equity Studies at New College and Senior Lecturer, WGSI)
PRESENTERS:
Tanya Titchkosky, Professor, Social Justice Education, OISE
Karen Yoshida, Associate Professor,Department of Physical Therapy and the Rehabilitation Science Institute at the University of Toronto
Fiona Cheuk, PhD Candidate, from Students for Barrier Free Access
For more information, visit the wordpress site: https://utopenletter.wordpress.com/
——————————————————————————-
Fearless Heart: Self Compassion for BIPOC Two-Spirit, Trans, Gender Non-Conforming and Gender Non-Binary People: FREE Anti-colonial Mindfulness Workshop Series: December 1 & 8
Cultivating a fearless heart does not mean the heart ceases to feel fear. A fearless heart is one that is unafraid to turn towards fear with kindness, which is the heart of compassion. This two part mindfulness workshop introduces practices of self-compassion to befriend and attend to fear through the direct experience of thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Mindfulness is offered by centering embodied traditional knowledges from an anti-colonial paradigm, in service to the liberation of our Black, Indigenous and POC (BIPOC) Two-Spirit, Trans, Gender non-conforming and Gender non-binary communities, and all oppressed communities.
To Register:
1. Read the detailed description to see if this workshop series meets your needs: http://tinyurl.com/z344mqq
- Contact facilitator Lu Lam to request a spot. Space is limited. Registration closes November 29. If you have any questions, Lu would be happy to set up brief phone call with you.3. If you cannot attend full series, contact Lu to ask if single workshop spots are available.Lu: lu@lulam.ca, 416-876-8135Workshop Dates, Location & Access Info:Dates: Thursday December 1 & Thursday December 8, 6-8:30pmLocation: Centre for Women and Trans People UofT, 563 Spadina Ave, Room 100, Wheelchair access via Bancroft Ave.Access Info: Light vegan dinner included. Wheelchair accessible space. Single-user, wheelchair accessible, all-gender washroom. Tokens available upon request.Facilitator:Lead Facilitator, Lu Lam, M. Ed, CCC, is a trans-identified, Chinese-Taiwanese Counsellor and Mindfulness Consultant. He is trained in mindfulness and critical diversity counselling practices.
——————————————————————————
The Spice: Community Cooking & Lunch: Every Thursday 12-3pm
The Spice is a social, participatory community cooking program organized through The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T. Food has always brought communities together, and The Spice aims to continue this tradition! The Spice invites women and trans people on campus and in the larger community to contribute and learn culinary ideas and skills in a fun event that quenches intellectual and social appetites. The Spice encourages participants to initiate discussions on issues that are important to them and to socialize in a supportive and inclusive environment. Discussion topics have ranged from parenting to experiences of racism and sexism over the course of sharing a delicious, nutritious meal. Meal preparation, menu ideas for the following weeks and clean up are shared. Recipes are kept with the goal of compiling of creating a special Spice recipe book. Recipes are chosen that are affordable, healthy, diverse and easy to make. Child-friendly, trans inclusive event. Vegan options always served. Every Thursday (except during noted closures), 12-3pm, at The Centre for Women and Trans People at UofT (563 Spadina Ave, Room 100). Wheelchair ramp access via Bancroft Ave. http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/programming/the-spice/
——————————————————————————-
Fearless Heart: Self Compassion for 2SQTBIPOC folks
FREE Full Moon Anti-colonial Mindfulness Workshop: Tuesday December 13
Cultivating a fearless heart does not mean the heart ceases to feel fear. A fearless heart is one that is unafraid to turn towards fear with kindness, which is the heart of compassion. This mindfulness workshop introduces practices of self-compassion to befriend and attend to fear through the direct experience of thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Mindfulness is offered by centering embodied traditional knowledges for the liberation of ourBlack, Indigenous and POC (BIPOC) Two-Spirit, Queer, Trans, Gender non-conforming and Gender non-binary communities, and all oppressed communities, and all oppressed communities.
To Register:
1. Read the detailed description below to see if this workshop series meets your needs: http://tinyurl.com/jlvlcuy
2. Email or call Lu to request a spot. Space is limited. Registration closes December 6. If you have any questions, Lu would be happy to set up brief phone call with you.
Lu: lu@lulam.ca, 416-876-8135
Workshop Date, Location & Access Info:
Date: Tuesday, December 13 from 6-8:30pm
Location: Centre for Women and Trans People UofT, 563 Spadina Ave, Room 100, Wheelchair access via Bancroft Ave.
Access Info: Light vegan dinner included. Wheelchair accessible space. Single-user, wheelchair accessible, all-gender washroom. Tokens available upon request.
Facilitator: Lead Facilitator, Lu Lam, M. Ed, CCC, is a trans-identified, Chinese-Taiwanese Counsellor and Mindfulness Consultant. He is trained in mindfulness and critical diversity counselling practices. Lu has 8 years of daily meditation practice and is in continual mindfulness study.
Students for Barrier-Free Access 