The Activists and Leaders Forum is an opportunity for AMAPCEO representatives from across the province to meet, learn, and share information that helps to strengthen our union. Each of the union's districts, equity caucuses, and bargaining units are represented, in addition to the Young Workers and Retiree Caucuses.
Upcoming Forum:
Thursday, April 18, 2024
9:30 am - 3:30 pm ET (Registration: 8:30 am)
Sheraton Hotel, 123 Queen Street West
AGENDA - Activists & Leaders Forum
Award-winning community organizer Dawn Maracle and her team will facilitate an Indigenous Blanket Exercise. In anticipation of this portion of the day, we wanted to take this opportunity to share some important additional information about the Blanket Exercise, below.
Please read it carefully as Dawn and her team are asking you to bring along a pair of socks and a blanket or throw with you on April 18.
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Created in 1997 by Indigenous people and allies, the Blanket Exercise was intended to introduce Canadians and Indigenous peoples to findings from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) and major historical events in Canadian history in relation to settler-Indigenous relations and legislation.
This popular cultural tool, later known as the Blanket Exercise, is built on relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to raise awareness of continuing injustices and impacts of colonization, and to promote further learning. It uses kinesthetic - Indigenous methodologies to teach about the history and contemporary realities in Canada.
The script has been updated numerous times to reflect current events, including most recently the final reports of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
To prepare for this exercise, we are asking participants to wear or bring socks, as you will be asked to remove your shoes. Feel free to use interesting or fun socks!
Additionally, while not mandatory, our facilitators have requested that participants bring a blanket or a throw. This can be something sentimental and/or something that brings you a sense of happiness, warmth or joy. Please note that the blankets will be placed together to create a larger blanket that participants will stand on (hence the socks!).
While the Blanket Exercise is meant to be a positive experience and offer an opportunity for learning, it can be an emotional experience for some. AMAPCEO members may have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program, which can provide valuable support. You can find more information on the AMAPCEO health and safety resources web page, should you need them.
Mental Health Resources in Toronto