The Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office joins the University of Toronto in condemning anti-Asian racism, misogyny, and all forms of racial violence. There is no denying the pain, sadness, and anger that many are feeling given recent events of racial and gender-based violence in Atlanta, Georgia. As we navigate and action-plan during these difficult times, the Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office invites the community to collectively gather to confront, resist and denounce racism, anti-Asian racism, and White supremacy. Join us as we ignite love, compassion, support and restoration while building community during these challenging times.

This space will center a presentation and Q &A with May Lui, Educator and Consultant, on the topic, “Confronting Anti-Asian Racism: What you Need to Know”. This conversation will explore the complexities of anti-Asian racism, its impact and the principles that must be centered as we move forward to meaningful change.

• Format: Presentation and Q & A, followed by a closure activity.
• Platform: Virtual- Zoom.
• Audience: Racialized voices will be prioritized. Allies are welcome to attend. Open to students, staff, faculty, librarians, chaplains, and external community.

Please note that Jia Yao and Bristy Chakrabarty from the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre, will be available for support during this event.

Event Program:

• Opening Remarks: Karima Hashmani, Executive Director, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion | Office of Vice-President Human Resources & Equity
• Remarks and Moment of Silence: Dr. Joseph Wong, Vice President, International | University of Toronto
• Keynote Presentation: May Lui, Educator and Consultant
• Closure Activity: Co-Facilitated by Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office and the Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre

RSVP by November 5 to uoft.me/realtalk

You’re invited to a night of Real Talk with engineering alumni about the intersection of engineering skills and social change. Equip yourself with knowledge that can help you make decisions about when to act for social change versus when to step back, learn how to find your way when you want to contribute your engineering skills but don’t know how, and better understand how engineers can strike a balance between supporting others and empowering themselves to lead.

This night will offer:

• Tools and take-aways from working alumni that you can use as you decide on and a plan a course to contribute to social justice initiatives with engineering skills and expertise.
• Find out how engineering alumni have empowered themselves,
• The hard lessons they’ve learned about social change work, how they’ve adjusted their approaches and persevered
• The power of deep listening
•  A chance for you to plot your own steps towards empowering yourself and others in the face of overwhelming projects for systemic change, including preliminary learning.

Join us for a talk and Q&A with John Desjarlais (P.Eng., MBA) and Matthew Dunn (P.Eng., M.Sc.) as they discuss the connections between engineering and Indigenous peoples through design and ethics.

John Desjarlais is Nehinaw Métis from Kaministikominahiko-skak. John is the General Manager at Great Plains Contracting and the President-Elect for the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS).

Matthew Dunn is Dene and a citizen of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. Matthew is the Senior Strategic Officer, Indigenous Engagement at the University of Saskatchewan.

John and Matthew are also the co-Presidents of the Saskatchewan Professional Chapter of the Canadian Indigenous Science and Engineering Society (.caISES).

Read an interview with the panelists in the U of T Engineering News.

Part of the Towards Inclusive Practices Series (TIPS) hosted by the Engineering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Group.

5:30 p.m. – Virtual event opens
5:40 p.m. – Disruptors & Dilemmas panel
6:40 p.m. – Q&A
7:00 p.m. – Event ends

Learn about the panelists and register for the event here.