Anti-Oppression 101

Anti-Oppression 101 (Up to 4 hours):

An interactive session designed to introduce participants to concepts and topics related to anti-oppression – including equity, power, privilege, oppression and intersectionality.

Activities will be used to illustrate ways oppression operates within Canadian institutions, including within professional positions, organizations and industries.

This session encourages opportunities for critical reflection, accountability and growth to build competency around diverse, equitable and inclusive ways of improving policies, practices, procedures and interactions.

Topics Covered:

  • Oppression-related concepts and terminology

  • Exploring the ways oppression operates on multiple levels – including internalized, interpersonal and institutional

  • Impacts of colonialism on systems of oppression – including racism, sexism, ableism, heterosexism, cissexism, classism and more

  • Improving workplace trust through accountability and transformative justice

  • Embedding an anti-oppressive lens into professional practice

Outcomes and Takeaways:

  • Knowledge sharing opportunities

  • Ability to position oneself through forms of privilege and marginalization, exploring how this influences worldviews and decision-making

  • Strengthening and applying intersectional and anti-oppressive approaches through professional practice

  • Text and media resources to support current and continued learning

Anti-Oppression 201

Anti-Oppression 201 (Up to 4 hours):

Prerequisite: Anti-Oppression 101 or Microaggressions & Unconscious Bias

An in-depth session focused on strategic planning and the practical application of anti-racist perspectives to integrate and embed within policies, practices and procedures in alignment with an organization’s mission, values and vision.

This session is an excellent prerequisite for organizations seeking a deeper understanding of how to improve metrics around recruitment, retention, promotions, colleague and client interactions, or for organizations preparing to design an Anti-Oppression Strategy or Anti-Oppression Action Plan.

Topics Covered:

  • Exploring the impact of power dynamics within professional roles

  • Forward thinking actions and strategies to improve equity, diversity and inclusion

  • Aiming further than compliance – striving to meet more than just the minimum standards of the Ontario Human Rights Code and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

  • The importance of a diverse array of Employee Resource Groups

Outcomes and Takeaways:

  • Ability to integrate and embed anti-oppressive principles within policies, practices, procedures and interactions

  • Greater competency to identify, measure and dismantle systemic barriers to equity and inclusion

  • A deeper understanding of how to intentionally attract and engage with diverse, underserved and underrepresented populations