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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-23Clarington Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Thursday, June 23, 2022, 7:00 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 Rajeshwari Saharan Meera McDonald Laila Shafi Yasmin Shafi Dione Valentine (left at 7:56 p.m.) Also Present: Erica Mittag — Community Development Coordinator Carion Fenn — President, Carion Fenn Foundation Regrets: Sajida Kadri Lyndsay Riddoch Rachel Traore The meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m. 1. Adoption of Agenda Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Rajeshwari Saharan That the agenda of the meeting of June 23, 2022, be approved. Carried 2. Adoption of Minutes Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Rajeshwari Saharan That the minutes of the meeting of June 9, 2022, be approved. Carried 3. Presentation Carion Fenn, President of Carion Fenn Foundation, presented to the Members about the Durham Black Network. The Durham Black Network is a group of Black Community Members and Allies advocating for Equity and Equality through increased awareness of Systemic Anti -Black Racism. The Network was established in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, driven by a shared passion of needing change and to dismantle barriers to help eliminate systemic issues that the Black community faces within their diverse lived experiences. The Network hosts many engagement and education opportunitiesv across Durham Region, and they would like to partner with Clarington to offer opportunities for the community. There are three anti -racism forums coming up in 2022 and 2023. Members decided they would learn more about what a partnership may look like and will discuss at their September meeting which events they would like to partner with Durham Black Network. Yasmin thanked Carion for joining and for her presentation 4. Council Updates Updates from Councillor Hooper: o Bowmanville Concerts in the Park kicks off tonight. First summer since the start of the pandemic. o Municipality of Clarington and the Clarington Public Library partnered to offer many events in recognition of National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day. o Celebrate Clarington at Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex Friday, July 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Come out for an evening of music, entertainment and fireworks. o Clarington is supporting the work of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. Visit https://www.clarington.net/en/your-community/support-for- ukraine.aspx to learn more. o Council is officially on summer recess until September o Councillor Hooper has shared he is not seeking re-election this Fall. He has enjoyed working with the Diversity Advisory Committee over the years and has seen much growth in the Committee. He has appreciated the opportunity to learn and be involved. Members thanked Councillor Hooper for his support and dedication to diversity; he will be missed. 5. Community Updates Updates from Erica Mittag: Pride Month Event — What is Pride Month and How to Support Pride year-round. In partnership with Clarington Public Library and the Municipality of Clarington, join Caitlyn Causey of Pride Durham in a virtual event at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 27. Registration required. Members of Clarington's Truth and Reconciliation Staff Committee visited Curve Lake First Nation on National Indigenous Peoples Day to participate in a self -guided tour and learn more about the community and its culture. Connections were made and staff look forward to building relationships. Celebrate Clarington event July 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Looking for volunteers. Great opportunity for high school students looking for community service hours. Sign up today at: https://www.claringtonvoIunteers.ca/need/detail/?need id=627656 Pride Banners have been hung across Clarington in local downtown business areas in partnership with PFLAG Canada Durham Region. 6. Update from Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee • Meera shared that the Subcommittee meet the night prior and will be taking a break over the summer, returning September 14, 2022. • Erica shared that based on a recommendation by the Diversity Advisory Committee, Clarington has requested to join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities. Part of the commitment of joining will be the development of an anti -racism, anti -discrimination action plan. This will build off the anti - racism strategy the Subcommittee created. A Project Charter will be established, and participation will be requested of Members. This will be reviewed at the September meeting of the Diversity Advisory Committee. 7. Dates of Significance and Observances • Erica shared a calendar that amalgamates various sources for diversity, equity and inclusion related dates of significance and observances. • A baseline recognition will include a social media post for those listed in the calendar. Members are asked to review the calendar and add comments to the document to identify any missed observances, suggest activities for recognition (beyond the baseline). This will be reviewed at the next Committee meeting. Please provide comments by August 31, 2022. If you have trouble accessing the file, please connect with Erica. That the meeting be adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Moved by Meera McDonald, seconded by Laila Shafi Next meeting: Thursday, September 22, at 7:00 p.m.