2017 BIPT COMMUNITY FORUM

CONTENTS

I. Acknowledgements 3

II. Executive Summary 4

III. Forum Purpose and Objectives 5

IV. Overview and Activities 6

V. Small Group Discussion - Responses 9

VI. Feedback from Participants 11

VII. Who Attended the Forum 13

Appendix 1. Forum Invitation 14

Appendix 2. Forum Agenda 15

Appendix 3. Video, Photos and Other Resources 16

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I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We gratefully acknowledge the support, contributions and participation of our working group members

• Kimberly Barwich - Burnaby Neighbourhood House• Sheri Brattston - Burnaby School District #41• Natalya Khan - Burnaby School District #41• Rebekah Mahaffey - City of Burnaby• Thea-Lynn Fiddick - ISS of BC• Zarghoona Wakil- MOSAIC• Andisheh Fard - Simon Fraser University• Katherine Fitzgerald- Vancity

BIPT Project Team

• Michel Pouliot• Ana Maria Bustamante• Nicole Hurtubise• Sangeeta Bhonsale

We would also like to thank the Burnaby School District, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Simon Fraser University - SFU International and Vancity for their generous contributions.

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II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Burnaby Intercultural planning Table (BIPT) is a working group of more than twenty prominent community organisations, institutions and agencies that aims to collaboratively facilitate the settlement and integration of newcomers in Burnaby. Funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this partnership builds on local services in order to optimize engagement, planning and coordination in the area of newcomer settlement and integration.

To engage its diverse stakeholder community in its work, report on the accomplishments of the community, and engage stakeholders in taking action to support its work the BIPT has been hosting annual community forums for the last several years. This year BIPT hosted its eighth annual community forum with an aim to bring awareness to the issues of diversity, inclusion and intercultural connections. The theme for this year’s forum was inspired by the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and Calls to Action, which lay out reconciliation responsibilities for all Canadian citizens and institutions, including newcomers. Many newcomers to Canada and Burnaby arrive with an incomplete awareness of the history and current realities of Indigenous Peoples in Canada, including the many similarities of experience. This lack of awareness is also true of many long-term residents. As such, this forum aimed to create an opportunity to learn from our shared history and take concrete steps to build an exceptionally inclusive and welcoming city.

“Collective efforts from all peoples are necessary to revitalize the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and Canadian society – reconciliation is the goal. It is a goal that will take the commitment of multiple generations but when it is achieved, when we have reconciliation - it will make for a better, stronger Canada.” Source (http://www.trc.ca/websites/reconciliation/index.php?p=312)

The 2017 BIPT Community Forum was held on October 20th, 2017 at the Byrne Creek Community Secondary School. It was attended by 90 representatives from 40 local community service providers, businesses and residents. The forum began with the key-note speaker, Charlene Seward, Reconciliation Canada Speaker & Community Engagement Manager. She presented Reconciliation Canada’s approach to reconciliation which is to shed light on our shared Canadian history of the Indian Residential School system and the multi-generational impacts left behind. In addition, to highlight the diversity and resiliency of Canadian people, she also acknowledged other historical injustices that have occurred in Canada. The presentation was followed by motivational video and small group discussions.

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The key purpose of this forum to bring together the Burnaby community in a spirt of Reconciliation to learn about its shared history and explore and enhance intercultural connections across and within communities.

Objectives

To create opportunities for service providers, newcomers and long term residents to:• develop an understanding of why this knowledge of history is essential for our daily work and life as

Burnaby community members• understand the meaning of Reconciliation and our respective roles to play• create awareness about the needs and current realities of Indigenous Peoples in Burnaby• take steps to build cross cultural understanding and relationships• report on the accomplishments of the BIPT and engage stakeholders in supporting its work• form community connections and network.• learn and dialogue about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Participants

The forum was attended by 90 participants representing 40 organisations including: • Settlement services• Mainstream community and non-profit organizations• Municipal authorities • MP and MLA constituency offices• Health providers• Religious groups• Businesses• Educational institutions• Burnaby School Board members • School Trustees• Burnaby school district teachers • PAC leaders • Local residents

III. FORUM PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVESIII. FORUM PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

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IV. OVERVIEW AND ACTIVITIES:

The 2017 BIPT Community Forum was held on October 20th, 2017 at the Byrne Creek Community Secondary School – Centre for Dialogue.

Michel Pouliot, Co-chair of the BIPT and Executive Director of Burnaby Family Life, welcomed the attendees and gave an overview of the work and achievements of the BIPT over the last year and the initiatives planned for 2017-2018. He also brought attention to the purpose of the forum which aimed to acknowledge and understand the history of the indigenous people and to encourage the Burnaby community members to actively participate in the process of Reconciliation so that we learn from our history and build stronger and more inclusive communities.

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Keynote

Charlene Seward, Community Engagement Manager for Reconciliation Canada, made a heartfelt presentation on the history and the current realities of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Her presentation left a deep impression on the audience as she brought in a personal perspective to reflect the impact left behind by the Indian Residential School system and the multi-generational impacts it left on most indigenous families and children. She also engaged the audience by asking each attendee to share what reconciliation meant to them individually and also asked them to share a word that described their take away from her presentation. Charlene’s presentation was a followed by a video “The Language of Reconciliation: Elders’ Circle”. This video brought together Elders from Aboriginal and other ancient histories to explore how Reconciliation, as a way of being, can help our society move forward.

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What is Reconciliation?

• What does reconciliation mean to me? • Why is reconciliation meaningful to me?

Planning for a Future of Reconciliation

• Ideally, what does reconciliation look and feel like in our community?

• What opportunities for renewed cross-cultural relationships and community connections already exist?

What will I take away from the dialogue today?

To read all the individual as well as group responses please visit www.bipt.ca

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V. SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION - RESPONSES

What is Reconciliation?

• Uncomfortable, emotional, respectful (of differences and similarities), open, considerate, empathic, honest, fair, trustful, two-way process, inclusive, and meaningful

• Acknowledging history and shared history (in the context of oppression/genocide)

• Accountability and responsibility taken by the church and the government

• Moving forward; use what happened to make the world a better place

• Asking questions – who has the power to create change?

• Checking assumptions• Change within systems/change within self• Vocal opposition to policies that cause harm• More dialogue and commitment• Be with those who are voiceless• Researching the problem to find the solutions• Getting past shame• Courage• Becoming one• Building relationships • Reading more indigenous stories • Interacting with the public• Learning over time• Working together for ethnic diversity

• Coming together with an open heart and mind• Developing empathy with and recognizing how we

have been influenced by pain• Understanding that Racism and bigotry permeates

our social and economic context.• Understanding the personal impact of history and

the impact on families and community issues• Recognizing our own racism • Asking for forgiveness and forgiving ourselves• Sharing the responsibility of reconciliation • Truly understanding the needs of the community• Passing on information to everyone so that we can

heal together• Levelling the playing field• Learning more about one another’s cultures• Breaking stereotypes• Reteaching history • Correcting misinformation• Sharing knowledge• Understanding where we come from • Acknowledging territory • Developing new curricula to teach further

generations• Involving schools • Increased awareness in programs• Embracing all cultures

Planning for a Future of Reconciliation

• Making change on personal level• Listening without judgement• Diversity in positions of power• Recognizing indigenous people by providing

orientation to newcomers• Indigenous parents as the mentors to the new

immigrants• Systemic issues • Formulation of legislation• Positive celebration of intercultural diversity• Work against stereotyping• Internal (personal) change

• Sharing stories• Add indigenous history, culture to newcomer/staff

orientation• Include media• Networking events• Ongoing acknowledgement of native land• National Aboriginal Day should be a national

statutory holiday. • Share cultural practices and learn from each other• Money towards support for keeping indigenous

children with their families as opposed to child apprehensions

• More forums in Community to educate, in form• MCFD attendance at Reconciliation forums

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• Affirmative action - hiring, promoting, ensuring representations of indigenous people in all fields and remove discriminatory hiring processes

• Awareness of personal biases (train /educate people on this)

• Acknowledge complexity of the process of change• Listen to what indigenous people want• Edit citizenship guide• Change oath to include respecting treaties• Welcoming people to our place the way we want it.• Everyday conversations with others “how do we fit

in so –called Canadian-ness” bring forth the shameful history

• Conversation with immigrants and refugees coming into this reality

• Awareness of our own gaps in relationships. Start to build genuine conversations on everybody’s terms

• Listen, bring understanding, be more supportive and open to sharing It is important to build up an inclusive community

• Recognize we are on unceeded territories• Look at best practices - are they really best?

Integration can’t happen with segregated programs• Rename streets; centres (ie. Community,

neighbourhood houses, etc.) Aboriginal Day• Constant re-training with staff• Government policy should mesh with practice• Expose our children to indigenous culture• Safe spaces for Indigenous /Aboriginal people

What will I take away from the dialogue today?

• Be the change you want to see in the world. • We live and learn• Culture shock. Learn to talk to people, it’s possible

to get better• Don’t be afraid to correct others but also ask for

help and ask to be corrected.• Learn cultural social cues and be open to not

escalating if something is offensive, but just educating

• Continue communicating inclusively – try to keep balance and check in

• Continue to learn about clients journey, advocacy• Commit to leaving welcoming spaces and reducing

barriers

• Read more about what I learned today and share with my son, clients, coworkers

• Take time to learn more about history and the real impact of residential schools

• Not be too busy to learn about different cultural groups and their experiences

• Learn more and share with friends who may not know, prompt action

• Important for all of us to know our roots – look into my own family’s roots

• Focus on integration, not isolation• Bring in education, coming from the source• Do what I can do. “Be a catalyst”• Learn more and share what we learn

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VI. FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS

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VII. WHO ATTENDED THE FORUM

• AMSSA• Back in Motion• BNH & Public Libraries Interlink• Brentwood Park Alliance Church• Burnaby Association for the South East Side• Burnaby Family Life• Burnaby Multicultural Society• Burnaby Neighbourhood House• Burnaby North Road BIA• Burnaby Parks & Recreation• Burnaby Public Library Board Trustee• Burnaby School Board• Burnaby School District 41• Citizen Support Services• City of Burnaby- Social Planner Dept.• City of Burnaby - Citizen Support Services• City of Burnaby - Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services• MPs Community Engagement • MLA Constituency Office • Culture Chats• DIVERSEcity• Dixon Transition Society• Fraser Health• Immigrant Services Society of BC• MCFD• MOSAIC• North Burnaby Neighbourhood House• Parent Support Services of BC• RCMP• REACH• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.• Scotiabank• SFU International• Simon Fraser University• SOS• Stride Community Council• Stride Community School• Vancity Credit Union• YWCA Metro Vancouver

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APPENDIX 1

2017 BIPT Community Forum#inspiringBurnaby

Do you really know the history of Canada?What does reconciliation mean to you and what is your role in it?

The Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table is proud to invite all Burnaby community members to the city’s first forum bringing together the Burnaby community in a spirt of reconciliation to learn about its shared history and explore and enhance intercultural connections across and within communities. The theme for this year’s forum is inspired by the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Final Report and Calls to Action, which lay out reconciliation responsibilities for all Canadian citizens and institutions, including newcomers.

“A vibrant, inclusive Canada where all peoples achieve their full potential and shared prosperity.” - (Reconciliation Canada)

This event will create opportunities for service providers, newcomers and long term residents to:

• Engage in dialogue and learning about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada• Develop an understanding of why this knowledge of history is essential for our daily work and life as

Burnaby community members• Understand the meaning of Reconciliation and our respective roles to play• Take steps to build cross cultural understanding and relationships• Form community connections and network• Learn about the accomplishments of the BIPT and engage stakeholders in supporting its work

October 20th 8:30am to 1:00pmByrne Creek Secondary School

7777 18th St, Burnaby

Registration at www.goo.gl/jwtNZr or email Nicole Hurtubise at ea@burnabyfamilylife.org or call 604-419- 6907

Light breakfast and lunch will be served. This event is free but registration is required.

Please share this opportunity with your colleagues.

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APPENDIX 2

www.bipt.ca

2017 BIPT COMMUNITY FORUM

When: Friday, October 20, 2017Registration and light breakfast: 8:30 - 9:00am

Where: Byrne Creek Secondary School,777 18th St, Burnaby

AGENDA

Welcome and purpose of event 9:00 – 9:15 AMMichel PouliotCo-Chair, Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table Welcome Prayer 9:15 – 9:30 AM Reconciliation for Indigenous peoples and all Canadians 9:30 – 10.30 AMCharlene Seward Member of the Squamish Nation Speaker & Community Engagement Manager for Reconciliation Canada

Break: Refreshments 10:30 – 10:45 AM

Facilitated small group dialogues 10:45 – 12:00 AM

Thank you note 12:00 – 12:05 PMMichel PouliotCo-Chair, Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table Networking & Lunch 12:05 – 1:00 PM

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APPENDIX 3

Photos

BIPT 2017 Community Forum

Video “The Language of Reconciliation: Elders’ Circle”

Resources

Truth and Reconciliation: Commission of Canada

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples

First Peoples: A Guide for Newcomers - City of Vancouver

Senator Murray Sinclair: The truth is hard. Reconciliation is harder.