Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-09Clarington Clarington Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee Wednesday, February 9, 2022, 6:00 PM Microsoft Teams If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext 2131 Present: Councillor Ron Hooper Angela Todd -Anderson Jasmyne Julien Meera McDonald Also Present: Erica Mittag - Municipality of Clarington Melissa Redden - Clarington Public Library Regrets: Hawa Mire Lauren Reyes -Grange Rachel Traore Rochelle Thomas 1. Land Acknowledgement Meera shared Clarington's Land Acknowledgement Statement. 2. Review of Agenda - Declarations of Interest Members were asked if they would like to declare any items of interest. No concerns were shared. 3. Review Notes from Previous Meeting Members reviewed the notes from the January 12, 2022, meeting. Angela asked Melissa for an update on the DRPS book club. Melissa shared a meeting has been held about the existing book club. The book club concept was being revisited due to lack of engagement and concern people were not joining if they had not read the selected book. To encourage more participation, a speaker series was discussed. DRPS is taking this idea back to their team and Melissa has shared with Durham Libraries for possible partnership across the Region. Melissa will provide updates when they are available. 4. Clarington Community Safety Advisory Council Jasmyne is a member of the Clarington Community Safety Advisory Council. The purpose of the Council is to enhance the relationship between the community and police officers. They identify issues and concerns and provide information and advice to Division management. Jasmyne would like to bring forward diversity related issues to this Council. The Council meeting schedule is being confirmed. Jasmyne will provide updates to the Subcommittee as well as collect input on issues to bring back to future meetings. The Council had its first introductory meeting and had a presentation about body -worn cameras. They also discussed stunt driving and speed racing in Clarington. The DRPS also shared about their use of pronouns in their workforce. Following the presentation at last month's Subcommittee meeting, Jasmyne has asked for regular updates on human trafficking be provided so they can be shared with the Subcommittee. 5. Other Business Erica shared an upcoming event being hosted virtually by Canadian Race Relations Foundation: Lifting Youth Voices for Anti -Racism. Virtual event, Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Erica shared that Jeannie Armstrong, Superintendent of Learning — Faith / Equity, Indigenous Education & Secondary Program (Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board), and Mante Molepo, Equity Advisor to the Board, will be joining us at our March 9 Subcommittee meeting to discuss recent incidents of racism in local schools and discuss opportunities for partnership. Angela visited a vendor at the new Pickering Flea Market who was selling books by local Black and Indigenous authors. Angela will share some author names for Melissa to check in the Library's collection. Melissa shared that the Library has a section of local authors who may not be published my mainstream publishers to offer a more accessible way for local authors to be included in their collection. Erica and Rochelle met offline to discuss the activity log as discussed at a previous meeting. A template has been developed with a tab to identify actions of each the Diversity Advisory Committee, the Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee and the Diversity and Inclusion Staff Team. This will be shared at our next Subcommittee meeting of March 9, 2022. Melissa reminded members of the upcoming virtual screening event and encouraged them to register: Ice Breakers Film Screening and Discussion with Zechariah Thomas I Clarington Public Library (clarington-library.on.ca). Members discussed ways to promote, and it will be shared with local schools / school boards, sports groups, and hockey leagues. Councillor Hooper will share on the www.bowmanville.com website which has many followers. Melissa shared about an initiative at Clarington Museums. Historical Figures with Clarington Museums & Archives: Discover stories of some of the notable Black Canadians who lived in Clarington as early as 1861, including Nehemiah Smith, Lucy Thurman, Dr. Charles Spencer Smith, and Joseph Robinson. The Library is offering the Beanstack Reading Challenge for Black History Month In celebration and honour of Black History Month this February, discover some titles for families, children, youth, and adults by Black Canadian authors. Angela asked if a panel discussion was still being planned. The group agreed they would look at a future event for later in the year. Meeting was adjourned Next meeting: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.