Welcome to the #RacialEquityWR Webpage!

This webpage is designed to be a central place to learn about racism and discrimination in all their forms and access resources, tools and information to assist you in taking action to end racism in Waterloo Region. It is one of the ways the Immigration Partnership is acting on its anti-racism commitment and helping to build community capacity for anti-racist change. Read the full Anti-Racism Commitment here.

Scroll through this page for resources about reporting hate incidents, anti-racism reads, TV shows, movies, social justice activities, local community groups involved in anti-racism work, and more! Do you have a resource that we should add to the page? Email us! Asyed@regionofwaterloo.ca

Anti-Racism Resources

anti-racist zone image Chart

 How to Report Hate Incidents: Online Reporting Tool 
 Waterloo Region Specific Anti-Racism Resources
 Suggested Anti-Racism Readings
  • "Engaging Ethno-cultural Communities Toolkit." It was developed by the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary based on experience and learnings from the Strong Neighbourhoods Ethno- Cultural Engagement Project. This toolkit has been designed for use by Community Development Professionals, Community Associations, Community Service Organizations and Agencies, and by local Community Organizers or Residents interested in engaging with ethno-cultural groups in their community.
  • Looking for Excellent “Diverse” Books for Children? Start Here! In this piece, the author identifies promising starting points for your search for children’s books.  The blogs and sites named in this article by no means exhaust the list of sites that highlight excellent children’s books. A search that begins with the sites on this list is likely to bear quality fruit! https://www.embracerace.org/resources/where-to-find-diverse-childrens-books
 TV Shows, Movies, websites, Ted Talks and more
  • Public Safety is Anti-Black - Desmond Cole, TEDxUTSC. Desmond Cole is a Canadian activist, author, and award-winning freelance journalist. His work can also be found in Toronto Life, Walrus, NOW, Ethnic Aisle, and other many publications. He is speaking to the need for a Black-centered definition of safety.  His 2017 Ted Talk is still relevant today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHsE1RRcbFM (17 minutes)
  • What is systemic racism? (Videos): https://www.raceforward.org/videos/systemic-racism
 Anti-Indigenous Racism Resources
  • Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girl https://www.mmiwg-ffada.ca/
 Anti-Racism Resources for Children
 Anti-Racism Resources for Employers
  •  What Works Toolkit, an extensive online resource by the Government of Canada that provides tangible actions, best practices and strategic workplace approaches based on existing evidence for the recruitment, mentoring, promotion and retention of diverse staff. It also includes activities and initiatives on anti-racism and anti-harassment and provides examples of successful diversity plans that can be replicated to help organizations reach their diversity goals.
  • “Increasing Work Opportunities for Newcomers Through an Anti-racist Approach” webinar hosted as part of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Manulife Business Success Series together with the Immigration Partnership: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2wX11vc_S8 
  • Ontario Working with Multi-Sector Leaders to Improve Diversity in the Workplace. Tools and resources advancing racial equity key to COVID-19 recovery: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/60116/ontario-working-with-multi-sector-leaders-to-improve-diversity-in-the-workplace
  • Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion's Inclusion guides and education guides covering some of the most topical conversations and initiatives happening around diversity and inclusion in the Canadian workplace: https://ccdi.ca/resources/
 Anti-Asian Discrimination Resources
 Local Community Groups

About the #RacialEquityWR Campaign 

#RacialEquityWR Antiracism Resources

 Download the #RacialEquityWR image here

#RacialEquityWR is an evolving campaign to end racism and discrimination in Waterloo Region which engages residents, local businesses and community partners in creating a welcoming and anti-racist community. 

Becoming a #RacialEquityWR ambassador is another way to make a profound impact. Spread awareness of the campaign among your community. Together, let's continue to amplify the message of racial equity and fostering a society where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.

2022 #RacialEquityWR Campaign 

 

#RacialEquityWR Antiracism Resources

 Download the #RacialEquityWR image here

#RacialEquityWR is an evolving campaign to end racism and discrimination in Waterloo Region which engages residents, local businesses and community partners in creating a welcoming and anti-racist community.

We invite you to participate to show solidarity, share how you take action against hate and help spread the message of embracing diversity, belonging and equity for all.

How to participate in the campaign? Follow the steps below:

 

1. Put up a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign to declare your stance on racism and support your neighbours

As of June 20, you can pick up a FREE #RacialEquityWR lawn sign at the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener Public Library, Waterloo Public Library, Region of Waterloo Library or Idea Exchange Library locations, and display it in front of your home or business. 

 

Pick up locations

 Cambridge Library - Idea Exchangehttps://ideaexchange.org/contact

  • Queen’s Square, 1 North Square, Cambridge, ON
  • Old Post Office, 12 Water Street, Cambridge, On
  • Preston, 435 King Street East, Cambridge, ON
  • Hespeler, 5 Tannery Street East, Cambridge, ON
  • Clemens Mill, 50 Saginaw Parkway, Cambridge, ON

Contact name – Shannon Markle

Contact number – 519-621-0460x127

 Kitchener Public Library - https://www.kpl.org/hours

  • Central, 85 Queen Street North, Kitchener, On
  • Country Hills Community Library, 1500 Block Line Road, Kitchener ON
  • Forest Heights Community Library, 251 Fischer-Hallman Road, Kitchener, On
  • Grand River Stanley Park, Community Library, 175 Indian Road, Kitchener, On
  • Pioneer Park Community Library, 150 Pioneer Drive Kitchener, On

Contact name – Erica Dudszus

Contact number – 519-743-0271 (Don't need to call beforehand. Please just drop by and pick up their sign)

 Waterloo Public Library - https://www.wpl.ca/contact-us

  • 35 Albert Street, Waterloo, On
  • 500 Fischer Hallman Road N, Waterloo, On
  • 500 Parkside Drive, Waterloo, On

Contact name – Kelly Kipfer
Contact number – 519-886-1310 ext 128

Region of Waterloo Library - https://www.rwlibrary.ca/en/your-library/contact-us.aspx?_mid_=17448 

  • Ayr Branch: 137 Stanley St., P.O. Box 1179, Ayr ON 
  • Elmira Branch: 65 Arthur St. S., Elmira, ON 
  • New Hamburg Branch: 145 Huron St., New Hamburg, ON 
  • Wellesley Branch:1137 Henry St., P.O. Box 190, Wellesley, ON 

Contact name – Heather Woodley
Contact number – 519-575-4590 ext 3227   

Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery - https://kwag.ca/content/contact-us 

  • 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON 

Contact name – Stephen Lavigne 
Contact number – 519-579-5860 ext 100  

 2. Take our social media challenge

Once you have your lawn sign, take a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or your organization and share it on social media. Create a short message to go with it on how you take action against hate (please see below for some suggestions), and be sure to add #RacialEquityWR and tag us –Twitter: @ImmigrationWR, Facebook:@ImmigrationWR and LinkedIn: Immigration Partnership, Region of Waterloo.

If you are not on social media, you can email your picture and your message to AAmez@regionofwaterloo.ca and we will post it for you!

 

Here are a few suggestions for your post:

  • I take action against hate by exposing my children to multicultural experiences and learning about the values and traditions of other cultures. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by embracing diversity and respecting the difference. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by engaging with people from different backgrounds, listening and learning from them. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by educating myself about microaggressions and think how I might play a role in their existence. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by learning how to be anti-racist and speaking up when I see an act of direct or indirect discrimination. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by examining my own biases and reflecting on the impact they might have on others. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by calling out racist jokes or statements and raising awareness about how it can affect people’s lives. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by finding out how my organization works to create an environment free of racism and professional opportunities for everyone. #RacialEquityWR
  • I take action against hate by encouraging my co-workers to take part in demonstrations against racism and discrimination. #RacialEquityWR
 3. Become a #RacialEquityWR Ambassador
 Promote the #RacialEquityWR campaign with your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers by
  • emailing the #RacialEquityWR webpage link: www.racialequitywr.ca to your networks and tell them about the campaign
  • sending the #RacialEquityWR webpage link to contacts/client groups via WhatsApp, texting, messenger, etc.
  • posting about the campaign through your social media platforms (scroll down for some post samples). Be sure to add the #RacialEquityWR hashtag and tag us –Twitter: @ImmigrationWR, Facebook:@ImmigrationWR and LinkedIn: Immigration Partnership, Region of Waterloo.

 

Promotional Material

Poster:

Download the #RacialEquityWR poster here and print it for your own purposes.

Social media graphics:

Download the #RacialEquityWR images here to post on your social media platforms.

Social media post samples:

Sample tweets:

Take part in the #RacialEquityWR campaign! How? Get a free lawn sign at your favourite #WaterlooRegion library & post a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or organization sharing how you take action against hate. More info at www.racialequitywr.ca 

 

Participate in the @ImmigrationWR's #RacialEquityWR campaign to show your solidarity & share how you take action against hate. Curious how? Go to your favourite #WaterlooRegion library to get a free lawn sign & take our social media challenge! Details at www.racialequitywr.ca 


Join the @ImmigrationWR's #RacialEquityWR campaign! Put up a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign to declare your stance on racism & support your neighbours! Details at www.racialequitywr.ca. We all belong! We all have a role to play against discrimination and hate!

 

Sample Facebook or LinkedIn posts

Participate in the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership's #RacialEquityWR campaign! What will you do?
1. Get a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign at your favourite #WaterlooRegion library
2. Take a picture of your sign placed on the lawn of your house or your organization and share it on your social media platforms
3. Create a short message to go with it on how you take action against hate, and be sure to add #RacialEquityWR 
Visit www.racialequitywr.ca for more information


We are excited to invite you to participate in the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership’s #RacialEquityWR campaign to show your solidarity and share how you take action against hate. How can you participate in it? Go to your favourite #WaterlooRegion library to get a free lawn sign and take our social media challenge! All details at www.racialequitywr.ca

 

We can act to make change so that #WaterlooRegion is a place where we all belong: Join the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership’s #RacialEquityWR campaign! Put up a free #RacialEquityWR lawn sign to declare your stance on racism and support your neighbours. All details at www.racialequitywr.ca

4. Take a selfie with our #RacialEquityWR frame at the KW Multicultural Festival on June 25-26
#RacialEquityWR frame
This year, you can also be a part of the campaign by taking a selfie with our #RacialEquityWR frame at the KW Multicultural Festival and sharing it on social media along with your message of inclusion and belonging and the #RacialEquityWR hashtag.
The KW Multicultural Festival will take place at Victoria Park, Kitchener, from June 25 to 26 after two years of being held online. The Immigration Partnership (IP) will have a booth at the festival where visitors can stop by and learn how we and our community partners are building community through immigration.
We also have #RacialEquityWR posters and stickers for you available at the IP booth! You can display them on the front window of your home or business, on the board of your workplace or community centre, or anywhere you like.

 

 

#RacialEquityWR Initiatives for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

2024 Anti-Racism Conversation

Collage of pictures from the event held on March 21

 

On March 21st., the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership hosted a special event marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The day started with an important presentation by the Center for Community-Based Research about how racism affects people who are settling into new communities and using digital tools. Following the presentation, we had a lively discussion with some local leaders. The panelists included Geraldine L. Stafford, Manager Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Unit at Waterloo Regional Police Service; Peter Sweeney, Community Services at Region of Waterloo; Teneile Warren, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Equity & Inclusion Branch | Indigenous, Equity, and Human Rights Department, Waterloo Region District School Board; and Yasmin Kanani, JAIDE Manager (Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity) at YMCA of Three Rivers People Team. The discussion was expertly moderated by Paulina Rodriguez, an Anti-Racism and Social Justice Advocate from the Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion (READI) team at the City of Waterloo.

To close the event, Mifrah Abid, Coordinator of the 'Together Against Islamophobia' Program at Coalition of Muslim Women of KW, shared some heartfelt remarks.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to these important conversations. At the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership we continue to work in making Waterloo Region a more welcoming and fair place for everyone. This event is just one step on that journey. Let's continue learning and working together for a more inclusive community.

 

Take action against hate and help spread the message of welcoming diversity, belonging and equity for all

2023 Anti-Racism Conversations 

Community Leaders Collaborate to Push Equity and Anti-Racism Work Forward in Waterloo Region

On March 21, the Immigration Partnership and Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre hosted an event to facilitate anti-racism and related work in Waterloo Region on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The event featured keynote speaker, Vanessa Oraekwe, who emphasized the need for individuals and organizations to challenge themselves at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and societal levels to bring about change. By learning from community leaders and collaborating with peers, attendees left the event with new ideas and strategies to promote anti-racism within their organizations and the broader community.

The event featured lunch provided by Cedar Spoon Indigenous Catering, with Chef Destiny Moser sharing her journey of discovery regarding the rich Indigenous cultural history and nutritional wisdom. She also raised awareness about the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing authentic Indigenous foods. Meanwhile, the Kitchener Public Library provided valuable anti-racism and pro-equality resources for attendees to take advantage of.

Special thanks to Abiha Syed, one of Immigration Partnership’s Community Engagement Coordinators, Brittney Emslie, Chair of IP’s Belong Steering Group, and the KW Multicultural Centre team, who played an important role in organizing this event and ensuring its success. Their hard work and dedication helped to bring together community leaders and attendees for a productive and informative discussion. This event is part of IPs ongoing effort to build a community that embraces diversity and equity by working together, challenging ourselves, and learning from one another to make progress towards a more inclusive society for all.

Take action against hate and help spread the message of welcoming diversity, belonging and equity for all.

 

Photo Gallery: IDERD2023 will appear here on the public site.

2022 Anti-Racism Conversations 

#RacialEquityWR Antiracism conversations

On March 21, 2022, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Immigration Partnership?in partnership with Carizon, Children and Youth Planning Table, Coalition of Muslim Women KW, Kind Minds Family Wellness, Volunteer Waterloo Region and Wellbeing Waterloo Region? hosted a series of events to showcase the breadth of the anti-racism in Waterloo Region.

The events fostered profound conversations about how to unpack, unlearn and understand the immense impact of racial discrimination in Waterloo Region. Throughout the day 275 attendees had the opportunity to listen to different local anti-racism initiatives and learn about the many ways we can tangibly support each other in countering racism.

We aim to foster a culture that is unprejudiced, equitable, and anti-discriminatory. There is a strong need to call on each and every one of us to actively dismantle racial prejudice, intolerant attitudes, and systemic barriers.

 

Events: Schedule and Details 

1-2 pm - Beyond Belonging: Belonging and Experiences of Discrimination from the Youth Impact Survey - In partnership with Children and Youth Planning Table (CYPT). Joana Lincho (Youth Engagement in Systems Lead) and Alicia Langois (CYPT MSW Placement) shared results from the 2021 Youth Impact Survey. Participants learned from youth in Waterloo Region and chatted about how we can use this data to make positive changes to ensure children and youth feel like they belong.

2 -3:30 pm - Spotlight on Anti-racism Work - In partnership with Coalition of Muslim Women of KW (CMW). A panel of speakers from Kind Minds Family Wellness, Somali Canadian Association Waterloo Region, Landback Camp, Waterloo Region Anti-Racism Advisory Working Group, Selam Debs, Healing of the Seven Generations, Bring on the Sunshine, Black Lives Matter WR and African Community Wellness Initiative representing up to 10 local anti-racism initiatives shared their successes and challenges. CMW sought to connect community members and service providers directly with those who are working at the grassroots level fighting racism and discrimination. It was a great opportunity to learn about the many ways we can tangibly support each other in countering racism. Watch the recording of the Spotlight on Anti-Racism Work in Waterloo Region conversations here.

5-6 pm - Amplifying YOUth Voices - In partnership with Volunteer Waterloo Region. It was an open discussion on how to work towards positive change through community youth engagement. Young people, who face racial discrimination, deserve stronger support for them to be successful. At this meeting, participants heard YOUth voices on how you think we can bring health, belonging and equity into our world. Watch the Amplifying YOUth Voices video here.

2021 #RacialEquityWR Social Media Campaign

We launched the #RacialEquityWR social media campaign for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21.

This is the fourth year of our social media campaign to join the global fight against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and all types of discrimination. This year, the campaign focused on anti-racism accountability and action.

As we look inward at what the Immigration Partnership and its partner organizations are doing to action IP’s July 2020 Anti-Racism Statement, we invited our community partners to share in a video clip how their organizations are addressing racism and racial discrimination and what changes are expected as a result of that work.

We collected 23 videos from 20 organizations, which you can watch on our YouTube channel or on our Twitter account.

 

All colours are beautiful, Pamela Roja's painting

 

The #RacialEquityWR campaign's image is a creation of our local artist Pamela Rojas. She generously brought her vision through her painting "All colours are beautiful,” that magnificently represents the campaign's purpose. We are honoured that she chose to do this work with us!

 

Contacts