KAIROS Blanket Exercise – Reach Edmonton

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is a workshop that explores the nation-to-nation relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Blankets arranged on the floor represent land and participants are invited to step into the roles of First Nations, Inuit and later Métis peoples. The workshop helps people to understand how the colonization of this land impacts those who were here long before settlers arrived. It engages people’s minds and hearts in understanding why the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples is often broken and how we can take an action together.

The Blanket Exercise is available for community organizations in Edmonton and surrounding areas upon requests. The cost is subsidized by REACH for non-profit organizations that work with vulnerable populations. It is recommended that groups have a minimum of 12 participants.

If you are interested in having Blanket Exercise for your team, please contact Rie Nakai at rie.nakai@reachedmonton.ca.

To register: KAIROS Blanket Exercise – REACH

Intercultural Learning and Social Justice Workshops – Multicultural Health Brokers Co-Operative

These workshops intend to increase knowledge and build skills of participants in understanding social and cultural identities and how they influence experience of privilege, oppression and marginalization. 

These workshops explore broader issues of inequities and the complexities of building intercultural alliances to achieve social justice and change

Workshops can include:

• Integrating a racial equity lens in policy and practice 

• Organizing culturally diverse communities for change

Interested? Individuals and organizations interested in accessing our Journeys program can contact MCHB for public offerings and customized workshops for organizations. For more information contact Arlyn at mchb@mchb.org or call 780-423-1973.

Website page: MCHB - Journeys to Intercultural Wisdom and Equity

Skills Building Workshops – Multicultural Health Brokers Co-Operative

The skills building workshops will enable participants to apply intercultural strategies and tools in various areas of practice. 

We recommend that individuals complete the Foundations of Intercultural Practice Workshop to maximize the learning experience.

The suite of skill building workshops include:

• Intercultural communication – communication styles, verbal and non-verbal communication and intercultural communication bridging strategies 

• Intercultural planning and engagement – designing and evaluating programs and services across cultures, engaging people and communities from diverse cultural backgrounds

• Cultural mediation and brokering – the concept and practice of acknowledging and bridging differences in a variety of context 

• Trauma-informed workshop – focusing on the unique causes and impacts of trauma on immigrant and refugee populations..

• Practice-specific workshops – parenting in two cultures, family violence prevention across cultures, chronic disease prevention in culturally diverse communities 

The length of any of these workshops can vary from 2 – 6 hours depending on the interests and preferences of participants and requesting organizations.

Interested? Individuals and organizations interested in accessing our Journeys program can contact MCHB for public offerings and customized workshops for organizations. For more information contact Arlyn at mchb@mchb.org or call 780-423-1973.

Website page: MCHB - Journeys to Intercultural Wisdom and Equity

Foundations for Intercultural Practice Workshop– Multicultural Health Brokers Co-Operative

This foundational workshop will increase your knowledge about interacting, relating and communicating with culturally diverse people. 

Participants will be able to:

• Incorporate diverse cultural contexts in their work and practice

• Be more confident to address cultural issues in a personal and professional context 

Topics may include:

• Overview of Diversity and Immigration

• Cultural Self-Awareness

• Cultural Knowledge

• Introduction to Intercultural Learning and Development

Interested? Individuals and organizations interested in accessing our Journeys program can contact MCHB for public offerings and customized workshops for organizations. For more information contact Arlyn at mchb@mchb.org or call 780-423-1973.

Website page: MCHB - Journeys to Intercultural Wisdom and Equity

Rights of Young People & In-School Human Rights Practice – John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Advocacy

Using diverse and age-appropriate educational resources and fun interactive activities, we guide the exploration of various issues and elements of human rights relevant to schools and the communities where they are located.

JHC was founded with a core principle of creating space for young people to engage in and know their rights and responsibilities in community.

 JHC can support young people, teachers and school administration in implementing human rights and peace education while creating human rights communities. JHC’s education team uses human rights-based approaches and tools to help your school and students advance a culture of inclusion and equity. We create processes and sessions to build Rights Respecting Schools where everyone is respected, included, valued and belongs.

These courses include:

• Human Rights and Peace Education for Educators

• Human Rights and Peace Education for Young People

• Digital Literacy and Online Safety

For more information: JHC – RYPISHRP

To register: JHC – Workshop Google Form

Building Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through an Anti-Oppressive, Human Rights Framework – John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Advocacy

These workshops aim to explore the complex nature of oppression and support the creation of anti-oppressive strategies in different contexts.

Organizations can either select several sessions to inform and guide the building of an anti-oppressive strategic plan, or one or a few sessions that help them increase awareness and understanding, incorporate changes in their practices, and introduce a human rights culture for individual and organizational growth.

These courses include:

• Fundamentals of Anti-Oppression

• Anti-Racism—Learning to Confront the Uncomfortable

• The Not So “Micro” Aggressions

• Building a Rights-Based Organization

• True Colours Personal Development

• Understanding the ‘-isms’ and Learning How to Respond

• Confronting Ableism: Developing a Culture of Inclusion

For more information: JHC – BEDIAOHRF

To register: JHC – Workshop Google Form

Peace Building and Transformative Dialogues – John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Advocacy

Guided by human rights principles and anti-oppressive practices, JHC supports organizations and grassroots communities in designing and facilitating safe and brave spaces for difficult conversations conducive to integrating human rights into their policies, practices, and guidelines, solving tensions, and engaging in strategic planning.

Human Rights facilitation processes are conducive to action, foster collaboration, and center on the voices of all members of the group, especially those of equity-deserving groups.

These courses include:

• Human Rights Facilitator: Level One

• Advanced Human Rights Facilitation

For more information: JHC – PBTD

To register: JHC – Workshop Google Form

Human Rights as a Tool for Advocacy: Stride Training – John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Advocacy

JHC has developed a series of trainings to provide opportunities for community-based advocates or organizations to strengthen their awareness and understanding of human rights and discrimination, network with other advocates and organizations, and build skills to advance the rights of historically marginalized community members using the human rights mechanisms that exist for accountability.

These courses include:

• Human Rights 101: Understanding the Architecture and Role of Human Rights

• Anti-Oppression in Human Rights Advocacy

• Human Rights 102: Filing Human Rights Complaints - the Ins and Outs

• Beyond Quick Fixes: Embracing a Human Rights Approach to Poverty

• Human Rights 103: Taking Action on Human Rights

For more information: JHC - Stride Training

To register: JHC – Workshop Google Form

Foundations of Community Engagement – Tamarack Institute

Join Tamarack's Lisa Attygalle, Director of Community Engagement, in this online course designed to build a foundation of knowledge and practice for your community engagement work.

Through video lessons, case studies, readings, and activities, you'll dig into the role of community, who should be engaged, community engagement techniques, how to overcome challenges, and how to evaluate your engagement activities.

LESSON ONE: THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY
Before jumping into engagement techniques, we'll go over how the role of the community, and the relationship between community and those doing the engagement work.

LESSON TWO: KNOW YOUR 'WHY'
Good community engagement outcomes require that you understand why you're engaging - we'll cover various engagement goals or purposes, and how they change what techniques you should use.

LESSON THREE: HOW TO ENGAGE
We'll outline several Community Engagement techniques and how to use them effectively.

LESSON FOUR: WHO SHOULD BE ENGAGED
We'll outline the various lenses you should use to analyze who has been invited to your engagement, who should be involved, and what you can do about it.

LESSON FIVE: OVERCOMING ENGAGEMENT CHALLENGES
We'll go over a selection of key challenges that most Community Engagement practitioners deal with, and how to approach those challenges efficiently, and from a posture of learning.

LESSON SIX: EVALUATING ENGAGEMENT
How can you tell if your engagement work has been effective? We'll analyze a few different approaches to evaluation, and equip you with practical tools for evaluating your engagement activities.

To register: Tamarack Institute - FCE

Foundations of Collective Impact – Tamarack Institute

This online course is designed to help you learn at your own pace as you work on developing and implementing a successful Collective Impact initiative.

Join Tamarack's Sylvia Cheuy, Director of Collective Impact, in this course designed to build a foundation of knowledge and practice for your collective impact work.

MODULE ONE: Why Collective Impact?
This module will define Collective Impact and distinguish it from other forms of collaboration. It will also explain when Collective Impact might be the right approach and highlight 3 mindset shifts that are important to ensuring that Collective Impact initiatives reach their full potential.

MODULE TWO: The Essential Elements of Collective Impact
This module of the course will review and explain the essential elements of the Collective Impact framework – its 3 pre-conditions and 5 conditions – and what each contributes to the framework. We will also profile how the practice of Collective Impact is evolving and review the refinements introduced with Collective Impact 3.0.

MODULE THREE: The How Part 1 | Creating Your Common Agenda

This module takes a focused look at the Common Agenda condition of Collective Impact – what it is, and its role within a Collective Impact initiative. This module will introduce you to tools and resources to help you facilitate the development of a Common Agenda, along with stories and examples of their development process.

MODULE FOUR: The How Part 2 | Data, Shared Measurement, and Continuous Learning

This module explores the use of data and shared measurement in the work of Collective Impact. Discover how data can be used to develop and build consensus, in the creation of the Common Agenda. Also, explore the important role that data and shared measurement play in measuring the progress and impact of a Collective Impact initiative.

MODULE FIVE: The How Part 3 | Building Your Backbone Infrastructure

The module of the course defines a Backbone within a Collective Impact Initiative and unpacks its role and function. Describing the process of Collaborative Governance and the role that the CI Initiative’s backbone plays in animating the work of collaborative governance as well as resources to support the implantation of collaborative governance and the work of the CI Backbone

MODULE SIX: Exploring the 5 Phases of Collective Impact

This module offers learners a big-picture overview of a Collective Impact Initiative through its 5 phases of maturity. There are 4 “pillars of success” that, together create a strong foundation – and are always areas of focus – in the work of Collective Impact. However, the work of each pillar changes over time. Understanding the 4 pillars of success AND how each unfolds across the 5 phases of a Collective Impact Initiative helps you to better anticipate, plan for, and ensure adequate resources to support your CI Initiative.

To register: Tamarack Institute - FCI

Foundations for Building a Neighbourhood Strategy – Tamarack Institute

This foundational course will walk you through 6 modules that will help you to define your reason, build the case for a neighbourhood strategy plan, and think about the development of the strategy.

The foundations for building a neighbourhood strategy course is for:

• Individuals who want to make their neighbourhood a better place

• On-the-ground staff to support residents to build a plan

• Municipal staff who have been tasked with putting a plan together

Have you been tasked to develop or want to build a vision and organize activities that will deepen a sense of community in your neighbourhood or town/city? How do you build the case to the decision-makers that this is a good idea?

The course brings Collective Impact and Asset-Based Community Development together to focus on building a plan with residents at the centre.

MODULE ONE: What is a strategy?
Have you ever developed strategies that end up going nowhere, sitting on a shelf? or wonder why the strategy did not work? This is because we did not take the time to reflect on what is a strategy, why we want to develop one, how to involve people in planning for a strategy and how to sustain the strategy. In this module, we will talk about what is a strategy, why develop a strategy and the different types of strategies.

MODULE TWO: What problem are you solving with a strategy?
Understanding why you want to develop a strategy is important. Is it because it's an internal organization request, is it because you are seeing the problem in your neighbourhood or you have been doing random activities and what to bring it together for a common agenda? The reasons why you are doing a strategy are really important to help you know how to put it together.

MODULE THREE: Communicating to your why
The next step is to understand the level of support for the potential neighbourhood strategy and communicate why it is important to have a strategy. You will need to think about different neighbourhood stakeholders, champions, or partners whose opinions on the issue are important.

MODULE FOUR: Engaging champions
In this module, we are going to focus on building your list of individuals whom you think should be involved in the development of the strategy and how to engage with them. It is so important to engage diverse perspectives and people and groups from across all sectors and bring their voices together. We encourage you to think about diversity- this means figuring out how to go out of your way to reach those who are not normally involved or the unreachable.

MODULE FIVE: How neighbourhood strategies get done
This next module takes you to the next step which is how to create your strategy. More specifically how to develop a strategy with the community at the center. We are going to talk about Asset-Based Community Development and Collective Impact.

MODULE SIX: Putting it All Together
Understanding the purpose and having support for your strategy will go a long way in the development of a strategy that is useful. This module is the last one in this course. It's about putting everything you learned together and what better way than to share case studies of those who have built strategies to inspire you?

To register: Tamarack Institute – FBNS

Ending Poverty Pathways – Tamarack Institute

To support government, business, non-profit, and lived/living experience leaders to understand, advocate for, and advance high-impact ending poverty pathways in their communities. 

LESSON ONE: The End of Poverty
Begin with some inspiration, as you learn about what Canada has accomplished so far. Explore the changing role of municipalities, and how Saint John and Hamilton have moved the needle toward ending poverty in their communities.

LESSON TWO: Ending Working Poverty
Learn how governments, employers, and non-profits can end working poverty through increased minimum wages, reformed income supports for full-time decent work, and equitable hiring and procurement policies.

LESSON THREE: Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Governments Ending Poverty
Apply a Collective Impact lens as you explore the role of the federal government in ending poverty and learn about the critical links between provincial/territorial poverty reduction plans and the essential place-based work of communities.

LESSON FOUR: Cities and Communities Ending Poverty
Learn why cities and communities are so well-positioned to assess local challenges, harness community assets, and bring people together across sectors to nudge policy and systems change.

LESSON FIVE: Big Ideas for Ending Poverty
Explore three big ideas: Basic Income as a transformational approach to ending poverty; Quebec's innovative child care model; and, Built for Zero Canada's data-driven national change effort for ending homelessness.

This course is available to use at your own pace, but you'll be learning alongside a diverse group of Tamarack Institute learners. Engage in comments and questions on the online platform, and join us for monthly Q&A sessions for a deeper dive into the content and to get more personalized insights.

To register: Tamarack Institute - EPP

Resolving Conflict

In this course, learners will explore the topic of conflict resolution and recognize what conflict is and what causes it.

Additionally, they will learn about the different types of conflict and their impact on the workplace environment. Lastly, learners will learn to develop skills that will support them with conflict resolution methods and processes.By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Recognize what conflict is and what causes it

• Review different types of conflict and their impact

• Determine best ways to action it and set goals

• Develop skills to set action plans and follow-up processes

To register: Charity Village - RC

From Lateral Violence to Lateral Kindness Workshop - First Nations, Inuit, & Métis Program

This workshop equips participants with the understanding and skills to recognize, address, and transform lateral violence within communities and workplaces.

Focusing on “lateral kindness,” the program explores the root causes of lateral violence, offers strategies for promoting empathy, and fosters a culture of support and respect. Learners will gain access to a dedicated Learning Management System (LMS) with additional resources, interactive exercises, and tools to promote sustainable change in their personal and professional lives. This is a virtual program is provided in one session (3.5 hours).

Upon program completion, learners will have gained knowledge related to:

• Understanding Lateral Violence and its Impact: Recognize the root causes of lateral violence, its effects on communities, and the importance of addressing it.

• Developing Skills for Lateral Kindness: Learn practical techniques to foster empathy, compassion, and supportive communication to counter lateral violence.

• Creating Safe and Respectful Environments: Implement strategies that promote cultural safety, respect, and a foundation of kindness in interpersonal and professional relationships.

• Team Building Games: fun team building games that give learners another opportunity to understand how our own perspective, communication and mindset can impact the environment around us

  Objectives:

• Define lateral violence and its manifestations in communities and workplaces.

• Identify the emotional, social, and cultural impacts of lateral violence on individuals and communities.

• Practice communication techniques that encourage kindness, openness, and mutual understanding.

• Develop conflict resolution skills tailored to addressing lateral violence with sensitivity and respect.

• Learn to identify and manage triggers in oneself and others to prevent escalation of lateral violence.

• Develop action plans for implementing lateral kindness in personal and professional settings.

Audience:

• Community leaders, educators, and mentors interested in fostering healthier interpersonal dynamics.

• Health, social services, and community support workers seeking practical strategies to address lateral violence in the workplace.

• Indigenous community members and organizations working to create safe, compassionate environments.

• Individuals interested in learning how to transform conflict into growth opportunities and promote lateral kindness.

This program can be delivered in-person upon request.

To register: Lateral Kindness

First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training - Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services

A training for first responders to learn how to respond to disclosures around sexual assault and abuse. 

With support from the Government of Alberta and Women and Gender Equality Canada, the Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) developed First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training™. This training is intended to build the capacity of professionals, paraprofessionals and community members to respond effectively to disclosures of sexual assault and sexual abuse. Survivors who receive safe and supportive responses to disclosures of sexual violence are more likely to reach out for help from medical and counselling services and/ or report to police. First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse Training™ is inclusive of the full continuum of sexual violence and across the lifespan. This is an Alberta based workshop which uses Alberta resources and guidelines. This is a beginner yet comprehensive ‘Identify, Respond and Refer’ training. This training is beneficial to professionals and paraprofessionals who are working with individuals who may be impacted by sexual violence and to other community members who are interested in increasing their skills and confidence to address sexual abuse and sexual assault. This training is open to, but not limited to, individuals who work in Health, Social Services, Education & Justice, Nurses, Physicians, Social Workers, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Teachers, School Counselors, Police Officers, Victim Services Workers, as well as Faith Leaders

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Define sexual violence and describe its various forms

• Understand the short and long term impacts of sexual violence across the lifespan

• Articulate why sexual violence is never the fault of the person who has been harmed

• Explain the attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate sexual violence and other root causes

• Provide a positive and supportive first response to a disclosure of sexual violence

• Identify resources and referrals to support those who have experienced sexual violence

This training will teach participants about sexual violence and the first responding skills for disclosures of sexual assault and abuse. This is NOT a course on counselling interventions. If you have experience in counselling and would like to take a more advanced level, 12 week course designed for counselling interventions, please see our Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Violence course.

To register: AASAS - FRSAAT

Food and Mood: Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition – Deakin University

Explore the relationship between nutrition and brain health, why it matters, and how to work towards positive food changes.

Poor diet and poor mental health are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. We now know that diet quality is a modifiable factor that is linked to mental and brain health across all stages of our lives.

We will explore how our daily diets may affect our mental and brain health, including the role of our immune system and gut microbiome.

The course will provide research evidence, practical examples, skills development, and collaboration on dietary intake assessment, strategies and resource sharing for dietary change.

To register: FutureLearn Platform – Food and Mood

Sharpening the Saw: Focusing on Men’s Health and Wellness Course - First Nations, Inuit, & Métis Program

This course is dedicated to addressing the often-overlooked issues surrounding men’s overall wellness.

This session aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the unique wellness challenges faced by men, the barriers to seeking help, and effective strategies for support and intervention and how to implement effective strategies in your community. This is a virtual program provided in one session (2.5 hours).

Upon program completion, learners will have gained knowledge related to:

• The current state of men’s holistic wellness, including statistics and common issues. How mental illness may manifest in men compared to other genders.

• Examining how societal expectations and cultural norms impact men’s overall health and their willingness to seek help.

• Identifying prevalent mental health conditions among men, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

• Understanding the obstacles that prevent men from seeking wellness support, such as stigma and gender stereotypes.

• Learning how to engage in open and supportive conversations about holistic wellness with men.

• Evidence-based practices for supporting men’s mental health, including therapeutic approaches, peer support, and starting your own community programs addressing men’s wellness.

• Normalizing Conversations: making it a regular part of conversations to reduce stigma.

Audience:

General public, Health and social service providers, mental health professionals, educators, community leaders, and anyone interested in understanding and supporting men’s mental health

Course Instructors are highly experienced facilitators with knowledge of Indigenous mental wellness, cultural relevance, and trauma-informed care.

This program can be delivered in-person upon request.

To register: Sharpening the Saw

Developing Emotional Resiliency and Self-Care - Charity Village

In this 15-hour course, you will explore resiliency and recognize the “7 C’s” of resiliency and the four pillars of self-leadership.

You will also learn how to apply principles of self-care to avoid burnout and fatigue.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe resiliency

• Recognize the 7 C’s of resiliency

• Explain self-leadership

• Identify the 4 pillars of self-leadership

• Apply the principles of self-care

• Identify symptoms of burnout

• Recognize career fatigue

• Develop strategies to start a conversation in the workplace to reduce stress

To register: Charity Village - DERSC

HR and DEI Courses for Professionals - Canadian Equality Consulting

CEC offers a number of custom online, on-demand sessions focused on various HR and DEI topics.

These courses include:

• Black History Month: Exploring the Roots of Anti-Black Racism

• DEI Fundamentals

• Detangling Anti-Fat Bias in the Workplace

• Equitable and Inclusive Leadership Certification

• Equitable and Inclusive Boards

• Indigeneity in Turtle Island: Footprints Across These Lands

• Navigating Canada’s Complex Histories: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Over The Rainbow: A Celebration of Gender and Sexual Diversity

• Over The Rainbow: An Exploration of Trans & Non-Binary History

• Unconscious Bias & Bias Awareness

To register: CEC – Online Courses

Introduction to Hoarding Disorder – Hoarding Disorder Foundation of Alberta

This three-hour workshop, offered by the Hoarding Disorder Foundation of Alberta, will introduce you to important information about hoarding.

We present information on stigma and myths, assessment, complicating factors and treatment options, communication strategies and harm reduction. Finally, we offer practical tips and tools and local resources for helping in a good way.

This session is designed for people with a keen interest in providing appropriate support to a person living with HD:

• Family members, friends and neighbours

• Professional organizers/declutter coaches

• Property management, disposal & cleaning companies

• Municipal enforcement

• Social services and of course, mental health professionals

We encourage anyone who is interested to register. If cost is prohibitive, please contact us to discuss a sliding scale.

To register: HDFA – IHD