The J.E.D.I. Journey with Alka – Welcome!

Through my blog series, I will highlight relevant topics, shining a light on emergent issues within family and community settings, including sharing my reflections on concerns raised by our members and partners. Important issues may surface during community engagement sessions, and when we conduct training workshops and learning events in upcoming months; and this forum will be our safe space to have additional conversations.

The objective of such an initiative is also to create a safe space where conversations on difficult topics – often seen as complex and taboo issues – may be initiated. Perhaps, based on the response we receive from you, if a need is identified, a comment section may be added where two-way conversations can be had that might not be so easy, but they would be definitely be important.

While we believe that all voices are important and inclusion means that it must be actualized for each and every one of us, it is even more urgent that we follow the principles of mutual respect, turn taking, and active listening to ensure that all voices get the opportunity to be heard. CMCCF operates using a values-based framework, and you can read more on our website about the values that drive the work we do.

Additionally, through my blog, I hope to share with you not only details about the community engagement process we wish to employ as a team to achieve the goals you help us to set, but also my reflections about the dilemmas that will be an integral part of our complex and ongoing journey together over the next two years. Together we will confront, talk about, and address challenging issues different cultural communities encounter as they live their everyday lives in Winnipeg, and in other parts of Manitoba.

These concerns may emerge from within their family and community settings, like cross-cultural (mis)understandings rooted in languages and cultures of diverse cultural communities; or intergenerational differences of opinion that lead to conflict scenarios between first-generation immigrants and their children, the 1.5 generation (those who migrated to Canada with their parents as children or youth) or those belonging to the second generation, born and raised in the spaces in-between two simultaneous cultures. These conflictual family situations can often have a detrimental long-term effect on close personal relationships, leading to a negative impact on the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

Further, it is no secret that racialized communities, (especially, and including) refugees, asylum seekers and non-status individuals, immigrant women, individuals living with disabilities, and LGBTQ populations, face overt racism and prejudice during their interactions with external stakeholders, based on systemic power imbalances.

Racialized individuals and groups are often marginalized, and they encounter structural violence in the form of racist behaviours and discriminatory attitudes during their interactions with those in power, like service providers, healthcare professionals, in higher education and often in other settings too; for instance, during the job search process or when coming into contact with law enforcement personnel.

There is ample proof – based on media stories, research and anecdotal evidence – that supports the above view; and especially in the last few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, such issues have been exacerbated and spotlighted. Ethnic and cultural communities are highly resilient too, and I hope that we can use this blog as a space where individual and community-level successes and accomplishments can be highlighted and shared more widely.

It is through stories we hear and data we gather during engagement sessions and learning events, using multi-pronged approaches, like dialogue, facilitation, and storytelling, that can help us focus on various facets of lived experience. This is where the voices of community members will further help us learn from specific shared narratives so the small and big picture – of where we are at and where we wish to go – can be better understood.

At CMCCF, we value the gifts, qualifications, and expertise, as well as the diverse knowledges, that cultural communities carry with them to the new homes they create in Canada. This space is an open invitation to all our readers, our partners, allies, and friends, especially members of cultural communities, to listen to each other and to participate. By doing so, you will help us create a safe space where you can collaborate with us to raise questions, discuss issues, and contribute to making improvements both in your communities and at the systems-level, that you believe can make a positive impact on your well-being, and that of your friends, families, and communities.

Do follow our social media and check our website on a regular basis as it will carry information about our multiple projects and our plans, our activities, and our aspirations.