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Anti-Racist Activists Building Respectful Relations in the Social Economy of Sioux Lookout. Sioux Lookout. Map courtesy of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority www.slfnha.com. Active Programs. Methodology. Literature Review 22 semi-structured interviews - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Anti-Racist Activists Building Respectful Relations in the Social Economy of Sioux Lookout
Sioux Lookout
Transitional economy:
Railway, Military old economic
drivers
Health, political, educational
services new economic drivers
28.18% aboriginal identity population
Service centre for 29 First Nations, 27,000 people
pop. 5,183
Northwestern Ontario, Treaty 3
Map courtesy of Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority www.slfnha.com
REsolve• Since 2005• Certified, volunteer-run
conflict resolution & mediation service
Race Relations Week• Since 1994• Educational, cultural, and
social events planned around the week of March 21st
Sioux Mountain Music & Cultural Festival• Taken over from the
Blueberry Festival in 2005
• Music, Food & Arts
Multicultural Youth Centre• Since 1995• Youth-driven, occasional
programming, venue
Community Coalition for Healing and Reconciliation• Since 2009• Active participant
Active Programs
Literature Review 22 semi-structured
interviews◦ Arranged by community-
based researcher◦ Mixed in terms of race,
age (20s-80s), gender, and involvement with the organization
SLARC archival research◦ Collected by the
community-based researcher
Methodology
Dialogue
Support
Bonding
Prevention Racism
Organizational Approach
Participants values on approaches to anti-racism work converge
Interrupting normalization of racism
Personal/Political Shift, “Do-Gooders,” and Identity Politics
“Old Sioux Lookout” & “New Sioux Lookout”
Demonstrates impact of advocacy in building a stronger social economy and greater community inclusivity
Personality Solidarity/Commitment is
significant
Discussion
Racism and denial of racism:• Racist responses to surveys from 2000: “SLARC has
failed to educate the bums of Front St. on what’s been happening over 10 years” ; “drunk Indians […] think they own the town.”
Constant financial shortfall:• “I think funding agencies have to start recognizing
this is part of where we live, and there is racism and there is discrimination, and if there’s a program that’s working you should keep funding it, consistently, because it’s for the betterment of everybody.”
Challenges
Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre◦ 4 party agreement between Ontario, Canada,
Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and Town of Sioux Lookout
Downtown redevelopment that will provide new location for Multicultural Youth Centre and SLARC offices
Discussions on the creation of an urban reserve
Increasing Nishnawbe presence in local civil society/decision making bodies
Increasing number of bilingual signs Bonds of solidarity:
◦ “I think that sense of commitment, there’s people who’ve been there from the beginning and are still involved, and I tip my hat to them because it’s jolly hard work, exhausting work at times, and yet they’re not willing to give up.”
Progress
Sean MeadesNORDIK Institute
Algoma University1520 Queen St. EastSault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 2G4705-949-2301 ext. 4357
sean.meades@algomau.
ca
Thank you!Miigwech!
ᒦᑴᐨ