Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Facilitated By: Anton Treuer

Ranging from “Why is there such a fuss about nonnative people wearing Indian costumes for Halloween?” to “Why is it called a ‘traditional Indian fry bread taco’?“ to “What’s it like for natives who don’t look native?” to “Why are Indians so often imagined rather than understood?”, and beyond, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask does exactly what its title says, in a style consistently thoughtful, personal, and engaging.

White/Indian relations are often characterized by guilt and anger. Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians But Were Afraid to Ask cuts through the emotion and builds a foundation for true understanding and positive action.

Facilitated By: Fred Seabrook (Host), Adebola Adefioye (Panelist), Asad Choudhary (Panelist), and Dr. Hala Mreiwed (Panelist)

This panel discussion invited participants to consider the ways in which children’s rights and global citizenship are conceptualized and practiced in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. Together, through a lens of critical empathy, panelists discussed the challenges and opportunities of enacting rights-based pedagogies in everyday practice. Those attending were invited to participate in a question and answer (Q & A) following the discussion.

Facilitated By: Lobna Ajaini MPED Candidate, HBECL, RECE

Lobna's Message: "Join me to forge a classroom where every voice thrives. Let's empower both children and educators for a more inclusive tomorrow."

This session is specifically for early years professionals in leadership positions (supervisor, assistant supervisor, director) within their organizations.

In this workshop, early childhood leaders will learn various strategies to create a workplace that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, fostering a comprehensive DEI approach in the organization. Leaders will be encouraged to reflect together on different examples of biases and their impacts in the ECEC workplace based on real-life experiences and scenarios.

Facilitated By: Lobna Ajaini MPED Candidate, HBECL, RECE

Lobna's Message: "Join me to forge a classroom where every voice thrives. Let's empower both children and educators for a more inclusive tomorrow."

This session is specifically for early years professionals working directly with children.

Embark on a transformative journey in this workshop, as participants delve into comprehending and applying diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles within early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings. Through practical strategies and real-life scenarios, participants will cultivate an environment that fosters healthy relationships, counters personal biases, implements anti-racist approaches, and utilizes daily DEI action plans and resources.

Facilitated By: Dr. Hopi Martin

This recording is of Dr. Hopi Martin's session called, LISTENING TO THE HEARTBEAT OF MOTHER EARTH THROUGH A SEASONAL PEDAGOGY IN THE EARLY YEARS.

This event was made possible by funding from the Province of Ontario, City of London, Middlesex County, Elgin County, and Wellness Together Canada.

This opportunity brought the London-Middlesex-Elgin early years systems together to reflect, learn, grow, and celebrate the invaluable contributions early years professionals make each day in service to children and families across our regions. 

Let’s revisit CARE in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).

Facilitated By: Mela Swayze (They/Them), PhD, Educator, Speaker, Consultant

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to use 2SLGBTQQIA+ children's literature to introduce, encourage and deepen conversations about gender identity and family diversity. We will explore a number of popular books in the genre for different age groups (toddler, preschool and school-aged) and practice using the emerging themes to inform conversations with children, parents and families. While maintaining a critical and intersectional lens on our literature choices, participants will leave the workshop with a shortlist of stellar books to enjoy with children and caregivers.

Facilitated By: Shel Secrett, RECE

As Early Childhood Educators, early learning professionals and caregivers, we value providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children. However, even the most well-intentioned educator might struggle with how to approach 2SLGBTQAI+ families and topics in the classroom.

This dynamic and interactive workshop is designed to build the confidence and comfort level of educators seeking to create a more inclusive classroom. We will cover topics such as our early beliefs and how they impact us, appropriate and current terminology and how to creatively use family diversity resources to plant seeds of acceptance.

Facilitated By: Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, M.S.Ed

Join children's book author and Educator, Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow for this special virtual event. Jamilah will discuss the benefits of positive representation in children’s literature in child care and early learning settings. Using her own books as a guide, Jamilah will demonstrate how to apply anti-racism and social justice concepts to children’s books.

Facilitated By: Bonika Sok, Hons. BA, and Tina Bonnett, Ed.D, M.ECEd., R.E.C.E., Certified Trauma Integration Clinician

A person’s name is typically tied to their family, culture, and sense of identity. Consequently, when a child’s name is inaccurately pronounced or altered, a host of adverse consequences may transpire. This necessitates attention as name mispronunciation and change, although seemingly innocuous, perpetuates microaggressions ubiquitous to marginalized populations in care/education settings.

This session bring warranted attention to the implications associated with having one’s name mispronounced or changed in early childhood.

Facilitated By: David A. Robertson and Ainara Alleyne

This session welcomes acclaimed children's author, David A. Roberston, to share, Truth and Representation: Perceptions and the Pathway to Healing.

Historically, Indigenous representation in popular culture has had a disastrous effect on how Indigenous peoples are perceived and on Indigenous peoples self-perception. Over the last decade, how Indigenous peoples have been depicted throughout popular culture has improved, but there is still work to be done. What are the impacts of this negative representation on all segments of the population, both historically and from a contemporary perspective? And how do accurate representations change this country within the context of reconciliation, particularly through the use of our own voice and through literature?

Following his presentation, David will be joined by 12-year-old activist and bibliophile, Ainara Alleyne, for a special question and answer period.

Facilitated By: Summer Bresette

Summer is a community animator and organizer, educator, public speaker, storyteller, and Curator of Indigenous Programming for the London Arts Council. Summer will be joining us to share Kinship and Land-Based Storytelling. This session will explore the role of family, land, and language in Anishinaabe storytelling and the role that storytelling plays in shaping cultural identity.

Join Emmaline Beauchamp as she guides you through learning the correct pronunciation of Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre.

Nshwaasnangong is rooted in Indigenous language and culture. It will be the first centre of its kind in London, offering culturally relevant licensed child care and early years and family programming. It is important to acknowledge the centre with its true name, to both honour the sanctity of the space and to help manifest its vision.

Join Emmaline Beauchamp as she guides you through learning the correct pronunciation of Nshwaasnangong Child Care & Family Centre.

Nshwaasnangong is rooted in Indigenous language and culture. It will be the first centre of its kind in London, offering culturally relevant licensed child care and early years and family programming. It is important to acknowledge the centre with its true name, to both honour the sanctity of the space and to help manifest its vision.