MSU Diversity Week 2017
Monday, January 9:
Effects of Colonization (MUSC Atrium) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Supporting Standing Rock: Rally (MUSC Atrium) 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Join the McMaster Indigenous Student Community Alliance in an interactive speaker rally and demonstration where the effects of colonization will be explored and understood. This will be followed by a rally supporting Standing Rock. Featuring demonstrations by indigenous speakers from Six Nations of the Grand River and non-indigenous speakers such as Phil Monture, Val King, Don McLean, Renee Thomas-Hill, and others.
It Happens Here Too: Art Tour (MUSC 318) 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
This mock art display is aimed at drawing parallels between the US and Canadian political climates of 2016, which contained a great deal of tension and aggression against a variety of marginalized groups. Come by for a guided tour of the display and reflect on the political realities of our country in a critical way.
Write to Heal (MUSC 318) 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
This writing workshop is designed to give students the opportunity to discover, process, dissect, and rebuild their lived experiences and trauma as a result of their diverse backgrounds through various writing and sharing activities. Come by for a relaxing skill building workshop and exercise your write to heal. Take home a free notebook to continue practising the skills you learn!
Tuesday, January 10:
McMaster Indigenous Student Community Alliance (MISCA) Self-Care Workshops (LR Wilson 1811) 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Part of being an activist means that you have to practise self-care. With increasing turmoil in the world, prioritizing ourselves and our health is imperative. Join MISCA and MSU Diversity Services in a series of workshops that are designed with an indigenous focus in practising self care. All are welcome, and feel free to drop in anytime. The workshops will be:
10 – 10:30: Cooking with Toni Anthony & Working with energy with Val King
10:30 – 12: Making stress pillows with Grandmother Renee
12 – 1: Lunch
2 – 3: Creating and Aromatheraphy Salce
3 – 5: Meditation
13th Documentary Screening (Bridges Cafe) 8 – 11 p.m.
Join us for a screening of the documentary 13th. This award-winning Netflix documentary takes a look at how racism and capitalism have continued to allow slavery to exist today through the criminal justice system. Food and drinks will be provided.
Wednesday, January 11:
Cultural & Religious ClubsFest (MUSC Atrium) 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
As part of MSU Clubs ClubsFest 2.0, cultural & religious clubs will be tabling in the MUSC atrium to showcase themselves and provide information about their events and involvement opportunities. Come by and see the diversity that McMaster has to offer, and where you fit in!
DiversiTweet (MUSC Atrium) 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Look at the screen above the MUSC atrium fireplace to see tweets and submissions from McMaster students about their experiences with racism in different aspects of their lives.
Faith in Action (Bridges Cafe) 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Faith has the power to facilitate positive social change and in the current global landscape, it is a much needed force to address issues ranging from climate change to domestic violence. Faith in Action is a platform to explore faith-based activism around the world. Using newspaper headlines, we will unpack the ways in which people and religious institutions are using their faith to act on social problems within and beyond their communities. Join us for a night of conversation and connection.
Thursday January 12:
Food for Thought (ClubSpace) 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Food is an integral part of any culture and brings with it generations of tradition and history. Often our deepest seated memories lie in our culture’s food, so this Thursday January 12, join us in ClubSpace from 11am-2 p.m. to enjoy and learn about cuisines from 5 different cultures brought to you by five different McMaster student groups. Featured are the Afghan Students’ Association, Hindu Students’ Association, MacAfricans, Sikh Students Association, and Vietnamese Students’ Association. Food and cutlery will be provided for FREE so bring your appetite and an open mind!
What About Us?: A Panel Discussion on Activism (JHE 264) 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. featuring community activists
The feature event of Diversity Week is a panel discussion on activism skill building. Many of us who want to get involved in activism, but do not know where to start. The reality is, it is never too early or too late to get involved in activism and advocacy. Featuring community activists Sarah Adjekum, Lina Assi, and Kathleen Quinn, join us to learn about their experiences getting involved with activism in different ways. Learn how to channel your passion into awareness & change from those who have already done it.
Friday January 13:
What Would You Do? (MUSC Atrium) 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
A play on the show where social experiments are conducted, come and help us determine: What Would You Do? Many of us don’t know how to have difficult conversations with our families and friends about racism and oppression, but not having these conversations can often have ramifications for marginalized communities. Join us to learn how others would react in difficult situations and discuss solutions together.
For more information about Diversity Week or the MSU’s Diversity Services please visit their website.
