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
How to Report Hate Incidents: Online Reporting Tool |
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Waterloo Region Specific Anti-Racism Resources |
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Suggested Anti-Racism Readings |
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TV Shows, Movies, websites, Ted Talks and more |
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Anti-Indigenous Racism Resources |
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Anti-Racism Resources for Children |
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Anti-Racism Resources for Employers |
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Anti-Asian Discrimination Resources |
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Local Community Groups |
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About the #RacialEquityWR Campaign
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 |
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:
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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 Exchange - https://ideaexchange.org/contact
Contact name – Shannon Markle Contact number – 519-621-0460x127 Kitchener Public Library - https://www.kpl.org/hours
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
Contact name – Kelly Kipfer Region of Waterloo Library - https://www.rwlibrary.ca/en/your-library/contact-us.aspx?_mid_=17448
Contact name – Heather Woodley Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery - https://kwag.ca/content/contact-us
Contact name – Stephen Lavigne |
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:
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3. Become a #RacialEquityWR Ambassador |
Promote the #RacialEquityWR campaign with your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers by
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
Sample Facebook or LinkedIn posts Participate in the Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership's #RacialEquityWR campaign! What will you do?
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 |
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.
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#RacialEquityWR Initiatives for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
2024 Anti-Racism Conversation |
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 RegionOn 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.
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2022 Anti-Racism 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.
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