DEIB Resources

Truth and Reconciliation

National Indigenous Peoples Day

On June 21, we observe National Indigenous Peoples Day by honoring and celebrating the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities across Canada. For many generations, various Indigenous groups have marked June 21, or nearby dates, with cultural and heritage celebrations, recognizing the importance of the summer solstice as the longest day of the year. National Aboriginal Day, now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day, was established in 1996 by then Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, through a proclamation designating June 21 annually as National Aboriginal Day. Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day!

TRO’s DEIB Committee encourages all recreation therapists to take concrete action and actively engage in learning opportunities to learn more during National Indigenous History Month. See below for a list of suggested actions you can take.

Watch a panel discussion available on YouTube Treaties, reconciliation and Indigenous history in Canada (youtube.com) from CBC discussing Canadians’ knowledge of treaties, reconciliation and Indigenous history

Take time to continue your learning with – nisitohtamowin ᓂᓯᑐᐦᑕᒧᐃᐧᐣ An Introduction to Understanding Indigenous Perspectives in Canada – FNUniv.ca Free one-hour online course from First Nations University of Canada

Review recent research poster: Research Snapshot: Use of traditional healing practices in two Ontario First Nations from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

Complete an eLearning course: “Reconciliation through Indigenous Education” as a paid, registered learning platform

Pick a film to watch from the National Film Board of Canada: Over 200 Indigenous-created films

Explore the learning resources available for National Indigenous History Month from the Government of Canada

Dive into some of our few suggested readings:
Tom Wilson’s Beautiful Scars
Mind Spread Out on the Ground” by Alicia Elliot
“From the Ashes:  My Story of Being Métis, Homeless, and Finding My Way” by Jesse Thistle
Scars and Stars:  Poems by Jesse Thistle
Life in the City of Dirty Water by Clayton Thomas-Muller
This Place – 150 Years Retold

We all have a role in our collective journey towards truth, justice, healing and reconciliation. We encourage you to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports, and Calls to Action.

Upcoming DEIB Events

The Equity-Deserving Practitioners Wellness Group will be resuming in the fall.

Do you identify as a Black, Indigenous, person of colour, and/or as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA++ community? If so, join DEIB committee members, Amanda, and Nick for our monthly wellness group! Together, we will cultivate a space of community centered on the commitment to strengthening our shared voice through kindness, inclusivity, and care for one another. All you need to bring is yourself, your spirit, and perhaps a snack or two!

Everyone is welcome (including non-TRO members). No registration is required.

Overdose Awareness Day Resources

Campaign Resources – International Overdose Awareness Day (overdoseday.com)

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) Toolkit | Overdose Prevention | CDC Canada’s Drug Toxicity Crisis – together we can save lives – Canada.ca

The Impact of Stigma and Avoiding Stigmatizing Language – Canadian Drug Policy Coalition

Article: Community reinforcement approach (CRA) supported with structured recreation therapy: Experiences of people living with HIV in a pilot substance use treatment program at a specialty hospital – ScienceDirect

PRIDE Resources

Pride Resources for Recreation Therapists

Special thanks to Tiana Demma, St. Lawrence College student, for their creation of Pride program resources across the lifespan.

Glossary of Terms

DEIB-Committee-Glossary-of-Terms

Linked above is a list of commonly used terms in Anti-Oppression Anti-Racism work. Terms and definitions are tricky in this work because they are always changing and evolving, as does the work. The terms below are curated with the best efforts of TRO’s DEIB committee and should not be considered exhaustive and or even correct. It is always important to check in with people, people who use your services, groups and co-workers about how they understand these terms and most importantly how they themselves wished to be defined or identified. The definitions below come from a variety of sources, most notably the work done by several academic departments within University of Toronto, including the Department of Public Health and the Department of Medicine.

TRO’s DEIB Committee reflects on the knowledge and lived experiences of it’s members. If you would like to submit a revision or new term to be included in this resource please email your suggestion to d-i@trontario.org

DEIB Icebreaker and Learning Activities

DEIB Committee Icebreakers and Learning Activities

Linked above are exercises have been collected by various contributors with connection to TRO’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. Some of these exercises have been suggested based on the experiences of the contributor, as a participant or facilitator of the activity. While several activities have been collected with a link or reference for more information, it is possible that several similar activities or resources exist. The authors believe that it is up to the reader to determine how to best implement the activity with most relevance to their own life or area of practice, while giving their best effort to maintain the essence of the activity in the spirit of fostering awareness of all issues related to DEIB.

TRO’s DEIB Committee reflects on the knowledge and lived experiences of it’s members. If you would like to submit an icebreaker or learning activity to be included in this resource please email your suggestion to d-i@trontario.org

Webinars

Click on the links below to view TRO’s webinars on topics related to Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion. Webinars are available for free for TRO Members and $15 for non-members. Add on a PCC transcript for $15.

The Anti-Racist and Anti-Oppressive Recreation Therapist: Building Saf(er) Spaces to Live, Work and Play

Safe to Brave: The Importance of Language in Trauma Informed Spaces

TRO Stories D&I

DEIB Awareness Calendar

TRO’s DEIB Committee creates social media posts for a variety of holidays throughout the year. If you would like TRO highlight a particular holiday you celebrate, please email your suggestion to d-i@trontario.org.

Resources:

Continued Learning

For additional resources or to get in touch with TRO’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee Members contact: d-i@trontario.org