Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - Laurier Brantford

10/08/2022

Laurier’s statement on the violence in Iran

"Wilfrid Laurier University joins the international community in condemning the gender-based violence and the brutal attacks against peaceful protestors currently happening in Iran. The shocking murder of Mahsa Amini by Tehran’s Guidance Patrol has sparked protests in Iran and around the globe.

This week the global tragedy was brought closer to the international post-secondary community when protests at Sharif University in Tehran resulted in attacks on students by Iranian police. We stand together with those impacted at Sharif University and all who are peacefully protesting in Iran and across the world.

Laurier is committed to upholding fundamental human rights, including gender-based rights, and the free, open and safe expression of dissent.

We know the ongoing violence has impacted many in our community. Our thoughts are with the people of Iran, especially those who have been victims of the violence, and with our faculty, staff, students and alumni who have personal connections to the region. We are here to support you.

We have reached out to extend support to the impacted student population but want to remind our entire community of the resources and supports we have in place to assist."

Supports and Full Statement Here:

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

10/06/2022

It’s Islamic Heritage Month!

October is Islamic Heritage Month in Ontario. Proclaimed in 2007, Islamic Heritage Month honours the experiences and contributions of the Muslim community.

Wilfrid Laurier University invites students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to participate in a series of educational and engaging Islamic Heritage Month events.

Check out the full list of events and supports here: https://www.wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2022/oct/laurier-celebrates-islamic-heritage-month-with-public-events.html

09/30/2022

Every Child Matters! September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 


(TW: Colonial Violence)

Today honours the children forcibly taken from their families through the colonial project of residential "schools." We mourn those who never returned, and we stand in solidarity with the survivors, their families and communities as they continue to experience the legacies and intergenerational trauma of this violent, tragic, deeply painful and ongoing reality of Canadian history. We understand that there is no reconciliation without truth, justice, and systems change. We know that wearing an orange shirt does not absolve Canadians of racism and colonial violence. As a Centre that works with students across equity-deserving communities, we must examine our relationship to colonial violence, specifically those of us who are not Indigenous to Turtle Island and came here as settlers, newcomers, and those stolen or forced from our own homelands.

Scholars Even Tuck and K. Wayne Yang remind us "There is a long and bumbled history of non-Indigenous peoples making moves to alleviate the impacts of colonization. The too-easy adoption of decolonizing discourse (making decolonization a metaphor) is just one part of that history, and it taps into pre-existing tropes that get in the way of more meaningful potential alliances."

They state that “there are parts of the decolonization project that are not easily absorbed by human rights or civil rights based approaches to educational equity.” As a Centre, we are committed to solidarity in spirit and action and to examining and readdressing how educational equity may silence, absorb or dilute the decolonization project.

We encourage folks check out the Laurier National Day for Truth and Reconciliation page: https://www.wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2022/sept/national-day-for-truth-and-reconciliation.html

We also encourage folks to give generously to the Indigenous Knowledge Fund at Laurier and other organizations doing important work.

09/19/2022

GOLDEN HAWKS!!!

It is “Consent Awareness Week”!!! This week aims to raise awareness among students about the role that consent plays in the development of healthy relationships and in reducing sexual violence. Laurier is committed to fostering a culture that advocates for consent as gendered and sexual violence is not tolerated.

👉🏾Check out the full list of events! Full List of Events: https://www.wlu.ca/news/spotlights/2022/sept/laurier-marks-consent-awareness-week-with-educational-events-for-students.html

Visit us at the following events this week!

💜 We Believe Survivors Day

Laurier will mark We Believe Survivors Day at the Waterloo campus on Sept. 20 and at the Brantford campus on Sept. 21 with an open art-jam session and resource fair. Students, staff and faculty are invited to participate in on-site and take-home activities, including silk screening, button-making, a collective art project and photo display. Community organizations will also be in attendance.

* Waterloo campus: Sept. 20, noon to 4 p.m., the Quad
* Brantford campus: Sept. 21, noon to 4 p.m., Research and Academic Centre West (RCW), lobby

Follow Consent is Golden

💙Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union Rally

Students across postsecondary institutions in Canada have planned a rally on Sept. 22 at 4 p.m. to bring awareness to the need for enhanced consent education and demonstrate solidarity for survivors. Rallies will take place in the Quad at Laurier’s Waterloo campus and the RCW courtyard at Laurier’s Brantford campus. The rallies are organized by the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union.

Follow Laurier Campus Life: Brantford. Laurier Students' Union

09/14/2022

Reminder for Tomorrow!!!!

After a 2 year hiatus, TAKE BACK THE NIGHT (TBTN) is back on September 15, 2022 from 7pm-9pm(ish). This year we’ll be gathering for a community trail walk, and will be meeting to commence our walk/wheel/stroll in the parking lot on the corner of Church St & Grand River Ave.

This year we will be using TBTN as a space to talk about decolonial futures, and Indigenous land sovereignty, and to collectively engage in what it means to imagine a community free from sexual and gender-based violence. We cannot wait to finally gather again, in rage & radical imagination!

Bring light, lanterns, signs, noise makers, and all your pals 😎 What’s Take Back the Night (TBTN)? TBTN is a worldwide demonstration against gendered and sexual violence in our communities. Schemed up in the 1970s, each year folks gather together and rally in an effort to assert the need for a safer collective experience in the streets of our cities. 🐢🌲✨"

Let us know if you have any questions-- would love to see you there!! Sexual Assault Centre of Brant

09/07/2022

Our thoughts are with those processing the senseless loss of life caused by the violent attacks in the James Smith Cree Nation & Weldon, Saskatchewan. Flags will be lowered on both campuses. Laurier offers solidarity to all those impacted by this horrific tragedy.

Learn more about supports on campus at
https://students.wlu.ca/student-life/dean-of-students/find-your-support-resource

09/06/2022

Welcome to Fall Term 🎉🎉🎉🎉

💜 Are you a student looking for equity supports?

Visit: students.wlu.ca/student-life/diversity-and-equity
Email: [email protected]

Follow:



💜 Building an Inclusive Campus Community

In this presentation, Amilah Baksh (she/her) will introduce concepts of inclusion, equity and justice and connect them to the student experience at Wilfrid Laurier University. Amilah will engage participants in a discussion about barriers to inclusion, such as racism and experiences of microaggressions, and will talk through practical steps that students can take to build inclusion everywhere.

Brantford: Tuesday, Sept. 6th | 5-6 PM | RCW 002

Waterloo: Wednesday, Sept. 7th | 4-5 PM | Athletic Complex

💜 Visit Our Booth!

Brantford:
Get Involved Fair | Thursday, Sept. 8th | 10AM-2PM | RCW Coutyard
Info Fair | Friday, Sept. 9th | 12PM-3PM | One Market Commons

Waterloo:
Get Involved Fair | Friday, Sept. 9th | 10AM-2PM | Macdonald House Residence, Room 117

💜 Message from Lauren (she/her)
“Welcome to fall term Golden Hawks! I'm looking forward to connecting with each of you as we come together for the 22/23 school year. Together our efforts can make Laurier an inclusive, safe(r) and just community. So much is possible when we care for each other."

Manager (Multi-Campus)
Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Photo: Photo of Lauren and Jesse (they/them), Indigenous Student Support Coordinator

09/01/2022

Apply for your Social Insurance Number! Check out the Social Insurance Number Clinic (SIN) hosted by Laurier and Conestoga.

Are you an international student in Brantford? Do you need a Social Insurance Number? Please sign up to meet a Service Canada officer and get your number on September 15, 2022 from 10 - 2 pm at OM-300.

Laurier International - Brantford Campus

Apply for your Social Insurance Number

08/23/2022

Want to learn more about Take Back the Night? Want to gather with community to make posters and lanterns for the event? Join us for an evening of crafts and conversation on August 31st at 7pm in the yard at the Centre at 134 King George Road! Questions or accessibility needs? Email Taylor at [email protected]!

Sexual Assault Centre of Brant

“Please join us at the pre-TBTN event for crafts, lantern and poster making, and more! We hope to bring folks out to have an open conversation about what this event means, the impacts of gender-based violence in our community, and to foster a spirit of community care and anti-gender-based violence activism!”

07/14/2022

Happy International Non-Binary Awareness Week and Non-Binary People's Day!

A reminder that non-binary is BEAUTIFUL and that there is no right way to be non-binary.

Don't forget to join us tonight! Spots are still open!
🎨🎨🎨 International Non-Binary People's Day Pottery Paint Night

July 14 is recognized around the world as International Non-Binary People's Day. This occasion shines a light on those who are non-binary and celebrates the rich diversity of the community. The event will feature resources for non-binary folks and those seeking to act in solidarity.

Hosted by the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

💜Open to Current Laurier Brantford Students
🖤July 14 | 5PM-7PM
💛CSEDI Lounge, 2nd Floor
Student Centre, 103 Darling St.
🤍Register: https://wlu.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jzS92EwIB4JrLw

Dinner Provided
Limited Spots! Register Now!
This event is at no cost.

07/04/2022

Please see the following recording.

A critical conversation amongst Gender Diverse Indigenous folks.

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

public talk & conversation on 'Stitching & Dreaming: Imagining Trans, Nonbinary & Two Spirit Futures' with micha cárdenas and Percy Lezard, moderated by Hexe Fey.

Hosted by Imagining Trans Futures
Sponsored by Simpson Center for the Humanities at University of Washington

Simpson Center sponsored project Imagining Trans Futures hosted a live discussion, "Stitching & Dreaming: Imagining Trans, Nonbinary and Two Spirit Futures" ...