Join CREAN, a BIPOC-youth-led organization based in Victoria, for a transformative workshop addressing racism and systemic barriers in British Columbia's education system. This initiative is part of the Anti-Racism in the Education System (ARIE) project, which seeks to dismantle the barriers preventing marginalized students—particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)—from fully benefiting from their education.

Date: February 20, 2025

Time: 5:30 - 7:00 pm

RSVP here!

Through this interactive workshop, students, parents, and teachers will come together to share experiences, insights, and strategies for addressing racism in schools. The event will create a safe and supportive space to foster understanding and build stronger connections between these key stakeholders.

Workshop Highlights:

• Welcome and Overview: Introduction to CREAN's work and the ARIE project.

• Research Findings: Presentation of CREAN’s 2021-2024 research on the experiences of racialized youth in B.C. public schools.

• Student Voices: Hear directly from students as they share their stories and perspectives on racism and exclusion.

• Interactive Discussion: A facilitated Q&A session where participants explore different scenarios and approaches to addressing racism in schools. Parents, teachers, and students will collaboratively discuss their roles and perspectives in fostering an inclusive environment.

• Action-Oriented Advocacy: Parents and teachers will learn practical strategies to advocate for racialized youth, while students will be supported in sharing their stories and insights

This workshop aims to bridge communication gaps between students, parents, and teachers, empowering all participants to become agents of change in creating safe, equitable, and inclusive educational spaces.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81099716267

We respectfully acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen (Chekonein, Chilcowitch, Swengwhung, Kosampsom, Whyomilth, Teechamitsa, Kakyaakan, Songhees, Esquimalt) and W̱SÁNEĆ (SȾÁUTW/Tsawout, W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip, BOḰEĆEN/Pauquachin, WSIḴEM/Tseycum) Peoples.

* Virtual Event (Held over Zoom)

Participants will walk away with new awareness and knowledge to better support racialized students, develop culturally inclusive pedagogy and develop an anti-racist praxis.

This workshop will be co-facilitated by Coastal Research, Education, & Advocacy Network (CREAN) staff composed of experienced researchers and youth with lived experience. Workshop content will build on lived experiences and data that CREAN has gathered from the Anti-Racism in Education (ARIE) project that began in 2018. It will also include information on how to support IBPOC students and how teachers can develop an anti-racist toolbox. 

Activities and discussion focus on exploring anti-racism and safer spaces for racialized students in schools. CREAN’s ARIE project results will be highlighted; the study shows a need for better understanding of racialized students’ experiences, and the timely delivery of culturally safe anti-racism training with students and teachers. This workshop aims to respond to these community-based insights and explore anti-racism and how educators can implement anti-racism initiatives. 

The workshop serves as an opportunity for educators and staff to discuss experiences of race, racism, and discrimination in schools, discuss existing efforts to combat racism, and focus on how educators and staff can further anti-racism initiatives, including developing tools for dealing with racist incidents and helping create safer spaces for racialized students.

This workshop is funded by the Government of Canada.

We respectfully acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen (Chekonein, Chilcowitch, Swengwhung, Kosampsom, Whyomilth, Teechamitsa, Kakyaakan, Songhees, Esquimalt) and W̱SÁNEĆ (SȾÁUTW/Tsawout, W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip, BOḰEĆEN/Pauquachin, WSIḴEM/Tseycum) Peoples.

Previously known to many simply as “Odeon Alley” for the next door Odeon Theatre, the walkway was renamed Millie’s Lane in honour of Millie Hawkes. Millie Hawkes was a beloved and longtime operator of Manton Shoe Repair, a shop that opened onto the lane.

Join us for a one-night community showcase that brings together young talents from diverse cultural backgrounds ✨ Enjoy live music, food, speakers, vendors and local businesses throughout the evening.

The Pop Up Celebration is taking place on September 27th, from 5:30-7:30 PM, at 764 Millie’s Lane (between Yates & Johnson street).

For more information please contact: natalie@creansociety.org

RSVP here.

For racialized students, racism is an incessant experience – from hearing seemingly small microaggressions, to witnessing overt acts of discrimination. We know that the spectrum of racial trauma shapes the lives of racialized students within the school structure, but it also has the power to shape their life trajectories as well.

The ARIE project in British Columbia is a collaborative effort spanning from 2018 to 2024. Our mission has been to investigate racism in public high schools, propose anti-racism initiatives, and advocate for better educational outcomes for racialized students.

Half of the students we surveyed in 2023 reported feeling unsafe or uncomfortable at school due to factors such as race, ethnicity, English speaking ability, status in Canada, or cultural background. Racialized students were less likely to report racist incidents when they occurred, with 33% of surveyed students uncertain about the existence of racism-related policies at their school.

We invite you to join us for an important focus group dedicated to addressing the experiences of racialized students and their families within our school system. Scheduled for September 5 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at 709 Douglas Street, this focus group aims to provide a safe and supportive space for parents to share their stories and insights. Through this focus group, we will also highlight the ways in which families navigate and resist these challenges.

Your input is crucial in helping us create meaningful change and will inform future policies and practices aimed at combating racism in schools.

Join us for an impactful evening dedicated to amplifying the voices of individuals with vision loss as we shape the future of provincial accessibility standards. Our 90-minute workshop, scheduled for July 23 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Ambrosia Banquet Hall (638 Fisgard St, across from Centennial Square Parkade), aims to address the longstanding underrepresentation of the vision loss community in public consultations.

This workshop is a vital opportunity to gather meaningful feedback on key areas such as meaningful employment, service access, and creating a supportive environment. Participants will be able to share their lived experiences to inform and enhance accessibility standards across the province.

Attendees will be provided with a light meal. Join us and ensure that the vision loss community's perspectives are heard and integrated into future accessibility policies.

This workshop is a collaboration between CREAN, the City of Victoria, and James Bay Community Project Low Vision Group

Please join Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) staff and Board for our Annual General Meeting, which will feature a thought-provoking discussion on Indigenous cultural safety and the impacts in every workplace.

What is cultural safety? Cultural safety involves creating an environment where individuals feel safe and respected, regardless of their cultural background. Workplaces that are culturally unsafe for Indigenous people can limit income earning potential, make it harder to climb the corporate ladder, make employees feel devalued, and affect the Canadian economy in the long-term.

Are you an employee interested in sharing positive or negative workplace experiences? Are you an employer curious about how to make your workplace more culturally safe? Join us on April 16 at 6pm at 709 Douglas St. for a conversation. A light dinner will be provided.

We respectfully acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded territories of the Lekwungen (Chekonein, Chilcowitch, Swengwhung, Kosampsom, Whyomilth, Teechamitsa, Kakyaakan, Songhees, Esquimalt) and W̱SÁNEĆ (SȾÁUTW/Tsawout, W̱JOȽEȽP/Tsartlip, BOḰEĆEN/Pauquachin, WSIḴEM/Tseycum) Peoples.

Please join the Coastal Research, Education, and Advocacy Network (CREAN) for An Evening of Good Health on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 6:30pm at 1025 Mason St in the community room at Bosa Properties.

The evening will feature food, guest speakers providing insightful discussion on health and wellness, and presentation and discussion of our recently completed project on Over-the-Counter Medications for Indigenous People in British Columbia: Identifying Barriers to Access & Potential Solutions. Please contact etsegenet@creansociety.org to register or for more information.

We respectfully acknowledge that CREAN's work and research takes place on ancestral, traditional and unceded Coast Salish territory, specifically the home of the Lkwungen (Lekwungen) peoples, and the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations.

Accessibility:
Please note that we are committed to making this event accessible to all. Email any accessibility requests to hello@creansociety.org

Join us for dinner and learn about programs and services that support all newcomers to Canada in their job search and in pursuing and achieving their employment goals. Hear firsthand from fellow newcomers about success and barriers in finding suitable employment that matches their skills and experience, as well as how to build a network, and general job search advice.

Date: Thursday, September 7 2023

Time: 6:30pm

Venue: The Dock (300-722 Cormorant St)

We respectfully acknowledge that CREAN's work and research takes place on ancestral, traditional and unceded Coast Salish territory, specifically the home of the Lkwungen (Lekwungen) peoples, and the Songhees, Esquimalt, and W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations.

Accessibility:

Please note that we are committed to making this event accessible to all. Email any accessibility requests to hello@creansociety.org

Join us for an important discussion on decolonizing environmentalism at our virtual event on May 3rd at 5:30 - 7 pm (PST), hosted by Coastal Research, Education and Advocacy Network (CREAN). 

Our expert speakers will share their insights on the intersections of colonialism and climate change, and the vital work of caring for the land and empowering diverse communities through environmentalism. This event is open to everyone who is interested in creating a more just and sustainable future. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from our speakers and engage in meaningful conversations. Please visit our Facebook page |  Eventbrite for more information and to register for the event. We welcome you to share this invitation with your community. 

Speakers: 

Ashton Kerr

Ojistoh Henhawke

Join us in our commitment to decolonizing environmentalism, and we hope to see you on Zoom!

Meeting ID: 250 721 9611

Register here

This event is funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87964548643

Are you currently on the hunt for a rental home? Maybe you're a student who is looking to rent your first apartment? Have you experienced problems in your search for places to rent, paying rent, or troubles with landlords? If so, CREAN is organizing a workshop that will be of interest to you.

Join us on March 22nd to learn everything school and life has not taught you about your tenant rights!

If you have any questions about the event or research report, email us at hello@creansociety.org.

This event is funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

Claire Flewelling-Wyatt Bio:

Claire is the CEO and Managing Broker of the Property Management Division at Pemberton Holmes Ltd. Claire has worked with hundreds of renters and landlords in her decades long career at Pemberton Holmes, and is excited to share her knowledge with you.

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Accessibility:

Email all accessibility requests to hello@creansociety.org, or call 250-721-9611

Contact:

Email: hello@creansociety.org

Phone: 250-721-9611

Join us to learn about the barriers to accessing healthcare faced by Indigenous peoples, specifically over the counter prescriptions. The event will focus on the intersections of racism and healthcare, recommendations from local pharmacists and an information chat from CREAN’S research team.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87964548643

Live closed captioning will be available. If you have any other requests, please email them to hello@creansociety.org.

We respectfully acknowledge that the conference takes place on the unceded lands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

This event is funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Join us for a seminar led by local lawyer Z. Wen He (he/him) where you will be learning tips to navigate the legal system, featuring an open Q&A session!

We believe that everyone living in B.C. should be able to take charge of their legal issues regardless of their age or financial means.

This seminar will be a plain-language DIY guide for navigating legal disputes, featuring practical tips.

Topics will include:

-How B.C.’s justice system works

-The hidden costs of justice and how to keep them low

-Building a support network on your legal journey

-Where to find resources and how to make the most of them.

If you have specific questions for Wen, please email them to hello@creansociety.org.

Seminar facilitator: Z. Wen He (he/him), Unbound Law.

Location: This seminar will be hosted in-person at the Sanctuary Youth Center Classroom, but also available to join remotely on Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86171655332

Book a free event to tend to your mental health and relief stress this winter.

Join us in person at the Coal Harbour Community Center for session 2 in our arts based therapy series led by Expressive Arts Therapist Jotika Samant!
Accepting attendees ages 16-26
Attendance capped, register now to save your spot.

Please register with our hosting partner here: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/.../Activity.../426513

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Details about the session:

Managing stress and tending to your Mental Health workshop series
Join Jotika Chaudhary Samant, Expressive Arts Therapist, for an arts-based workshop drop-in series. Attend all 3 sessions or drop in to 1 or 2.
We will be using different arts modalities (movement, writing and visual art) to explore the theme of mental health, wellness and stress managment.

We will go through some grounding exercises that can be useful to soothe anxiety and feelings of overwhelm. We will discuss and make art around how our bodies respond to stress and what we can do to care for ourselves. Using the arts, you will check in with your body and listen to what you may need to ease some of your tension, worry and/or anxiety.
Art is such a powerful tool to help us tell our stories, get into our imagination and have some fun. Art (writing, visual art, movement and more) can be an accessible way to tap into our feelings and listen a bit deeper to the parts of ourselves that don’t use language. A reminder that you don’t need to be experienced in art to join and artists are welcome too.

Some arts materials will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own materials as well such as a notebook, pastels, felts, markers, watercolour paints, or crayons etc. Jotika asks that you wear a mask during the workshops for everyone’s safety.
For more information about Expressive Arts therapy and about Jotika's work www.Jotikahealingarts.com

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Event contact: sabrina@creansociety.org

Calling all Victoria youths for an activity packed, informative event in our City Hall!

Join us this autumn inside Victoria’s City Hall, featuring a Q&A session with our Mayor Lisa Helps.

Would you like a tour of City Hall? Are you curious about what goes on inside our city’s governing body? Would you like to share with the Mayor what your life in Victoria looks like?

We will begin with meeting the mayor Lisa Helps followed by an exclusive tour within the premises led by Ambassador Mark.

This event is application ONLY and free to join for all Victoria youths. This event is funded by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

LAST MINUTE applications available!

Successful applicants will be contacted promptly by our team for more details.

Please submit an application via the form here:

CREAN is located on unceded Coast Salish Territories, specifically of the Lekwungen and W̱ SÁNEĆ peoples.

Join us in person at the Coal Harbour Community Center for an arts based session led by Expressive Arts Therapist Jotika Samant!

Accepting attendees ages 18-26
Attendance capped, register now to save your spot!

Please register with our hosting partner here: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/.../Activity.../426512
You will hear from us before the session!

Details about the session:

Managing stress and tending to your Mental Health workshop series

Join Jotika Chaudhary Samant, Expressive Arts Therapist, for an arts-based workshop drop-in series. Attend all 3 sessions or drop in to 1 or 2.

We will be using different arts modalities (movement, writing and visual art) to explore the theme of mental health, wellness and stress managment.

We will go through some grounding exercises that can be useful to soothe anxiety and feelings of overwhelm. We will discuss and make art around how our bodies respond to stress and what we can do to care for ourselves. Using the arts, you will check in with your body and listen to what you may need to ease some of your tension, worry and/or anxiety.

Art is such a powerful tool to help us tell our stories, get into our imagination and have some fun. Art (writing, visual art, movement and more) can be an accessible way to tap into our feelings and listen a bit deeper to the parts of ourselves that don’t use language. A reminder that you don’t need to be experienced in art to join and artists are welcome to. Please be 16+ in age.

Some arts materials will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own materials as well such as a notebook, pastels, felts, markers, watercolour paints, or crayons etc.Jotika asks that you wear a mask during the workshops for everyone’s safety.

For more information about Expressive Arts therapy and about Jotika's work www.Jotikahealingarts.com

CREAN is located on unceded Coast Salish Territories, specifically of the Lekwungen and W̱ SÁNEĆ peoples.

World Refugee Day (June 20) commemorates the millions of refugees and forcibly displaced people around the world and the communities that welcome them.  

In honor of World Refugee Day, join us in commemorating and celebrating the different cultures and traditions of refugees around the world. This event is an opportunity to learn about how refugees maintain their cultural upbringing and traditions and manage to keep it strong despite being in a predominantly white Canadian society.

Speakers:

Marwo Abdi

Tenzin Wangmo

Accessibility:

Live closed captioning will be available. If you have any other requests, please email them to noreen@creansociety.org.

We respectfully acknowledge that the conference takes place on the unceded lands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Register here.

We are partnering with the Victoria Music Conservatory (VCM) this year in a series of 6 in-person Music Therapy sessions starting this June! Each session will take place on the 2nd Thursday at 5:15pm within a VCM music studio. 

Instead of using words and talking as the main medium of communication, we will be focusing on alternative ways to express ourselves via different musical instruments. Join us to explore a release for your stress or bottled up emotions that can’t necessarily be defined by words. 

This session is open to all youth and young adults (16-30) with no expectations for previous experience with music. Whether you are interested in exploring the ways musical mediums can be used to heal, simply in need of a relaxing experience or are a music guru - there are no restrictions! Signup NOW to reserve your spot here.

PLEASE NOTE: due to COVID restrictions each session has a limit of 4 participants. If your desired session is full you will be put on a waiting list and notified incase of cancellations. 

Meet our therapist:

Kim Brame, BMT,MTA

Music Therapist Accredited

Victoria Conservatory of Music

https://vcm.bc.ca/faculty-members/kim-brame/

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We respectfully acknowledge that our work takes place on the Coastal Salish Territories. 

Event contact:

Sabrina@creansociety.org

Hosted in tribute of Mental Health Awareness Month

“Happiness is not a function of what you achieve. It’s a function of how you spend your time” - Psychologist Adam Grant.
This online event features speakers that will share their expertise on the little things we can do on a daily basis to boost our mood and wellbeing! We welcome experts in psychology to share takeaway tips and hard earned experiences with us.

If you have any questions for our experts or simply want to take away a few tips, this quick 1 hour session is for you!

OUR PANELISTS:
Noor Hadad
- Research & Project Coordinator at UCalgary Recovery Community, BA Honours in Psychology

Lucie Cermakova
- Training Coordinator at Crisis Services Canada, Canada Suicide Prevention

Carine Diverlus
- Director, Therapist & Consultant at Pieces to Peace Psychotherapy & Wellness

This event will be hosted online on ZOOM.
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 4863 0542

Join us for our 2022 AGM featuring a discussion on the intersections of colonization and climate change!

This year we will have the opportunity to hear speeches from local young leaders on their views and reflections on climate justice and Indigenous sovereignty.
On the closing day of the COP26 summit in November 2021, Ta'Kaiya Blaney gave a powerful speech called "Colonialism Caused Climate Change". Join us as youth activists respond to this prompt, specifically the influence colonization has had on climate change within their local communities.
Speakers: Ta’kaiya Blaney, Zoe-Blue, Jacob Crane, and Ojistoh Henhawke.
Schedule: We will start with a brief brief business meeting and then move on to our guest speakers.

Access our free meeting zoom link here.

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We respectfully acknowledge that CREAN’s work and research takes place on the unceded lands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.

Accessibility:
Email all accessibility requests to Stephanie@creansociety.org

Contact:
Email: Stephanie@creansociety.org
Phone: 250 7219611

Find our facebook event here.

Join us for an arts-based workshop series entitled: Tending to your Mental Health lead by Expressive Arts Therapist Jotika Samant.

This series will be held on zoom and closed captions available.

We will be using different arts modalities (movement, writing and visual art) to explore the theme of mental health and wellness.

We will go through some grounding exercises that can be useful to soothe anxiety and feelings of overwhelm. Using the arts, you will check in with your body and listen to what you may need to ease some of your stress, tension, worry and/or anxiety.

Art is such a powerful tool to help us tell our stories, get into our imagination and have some fun. Art (writing, visual art, movement and more) can be an accessible way to tap into our feelings and listen a bit deeper to the parts of ourselves that don’t use language.

A reminder that you don’t need to be experienced in art to join and artists are welcome to. Please be 16+ in age. We will be using materials you'll be able to find around the house.

Jotika Chaudhary Samant is an Expressive Arts Therapist, an Interdisciplinary artist & has been working and volunteering in Social Service agencies for over 15 years. She is a Queer, woman of colour and identifies as living with chronic illness. Jotika is also a community organizer and has helped create arts markets, performance nights & arts healing spaces for folks to gather, connect and share their stories. Creating art & sharing her art through performance has been a powerful tool for her own self expression and healing. Jotika is very passionate about supporting folks to (re)connect & listen into the wisdom in their bodies & nervous system through arts creation. Art is such a powerful tool to help us tell our stories, get into our imagination and have some fun.

Event contact:

Email - Sabrina@creansociety.org

Phone - 250-721-9611

Accessibility needs can be noted in registration form. We will work to accommodate as best as we can.

Join us in the last of our panel conversations, co-hosted with Victoria's Disabilities Resources Centre and explore issues youth with disabilities face! We will be looking into an intersectionality of racism and access to services for individuals with disabilities, particularly youth.

This event is one of 5 panel sessions under the Anti-Racism Data Legislation Grant. The purpose of this grant is to support organizations to engage Indigenous and racialized communities specifically to gather their input on the anti-racism data legislation that the Province plans to introduce in 2022. The focus of this legislation will be to provide a framework for the Province to collect and use data on personal identity factors such as race, ethnicity, faith and other similar categories when residents of British Columbia access provincial government services in the future so that we can better identify and address evidence of systemic racism in government services.

Speakers:

Kelsey Ferrill

Siobhan Barker

Join us for free on zoom here.