Racial Justice Conference
The City of Calgary’s Anti-Racism Program will be hosting its first ever Racial Justice Conference from March 18-19, 2024. This in-person event will be from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre.
Come join us, so together we can go beyond talking about systemic racism and move to anti-racism action! This conference will provide you with opportunities to develop and apply anti-racism knowledge, skills and practices through speaker presentations, workshops and more.
Key speakers include:
- Deborah Green (Gopher) - ᑳᑭᑫ ᒪᓂᑐᐦᑳᐣ ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ
- Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Dr. Bukola Salami
- Dr. Michael Lickers
- Indigenous Elders & Knowledge Keepers and Global Wisdom Keepers:
- Elder Marina Crane
- Elder Art Cunningham
- Elder Casey Eagle Speaker
- Elder Cindy Provost
Agenda and resources
Conference videos
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1 Welcome
Welcome and opening remarks.
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2 Deborah Green
Deborah Green (Gopher), a proud Cree woman shares her history, lived experiences, and stories about Turtle Island (Canada) in an engaging and Wahkotowin (kinship) way.
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3 Indigenous Elders Circle
The Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers share their lived and living experiences of systemic racism.
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4 Introduction of The City of Calgary’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan
The City of Calgary’s first Anti-Racism Strategic Plan- Dismantling Systemic Racism, Transforming Lives was developed to address systemic racism and racial inequity that negatively impact Indigenous, Black and diverse Racialized Calgarians
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5 City Leadership Panel Discussion
A Panel Discussion on Leadership Commitment to Taking Anti-Racist Actions.
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6 Welcome Day 2
Welcome and opening remarks.
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7 Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw
Professor Crenshaw shares her knowledge on Thinking Intersectionality: Reimagining Racial Equity and Racial Justice.
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8 Missing Murdered Exploited And Indigenous Peoples
Deborah Green, family advocate for Missing, Murdered, and Exploited Indigenous Peoples as she shares vital information regarding this epidemic in Canada and the marginalization, and targeting of Indigenous Peoples.
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9 Collective Healing
Closing remarks.
About the speakers
Deborah Green (Gopher)
ᑳᑭᑫ ᒪᓂᑐᐦᑳᐣ ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤDeborah Green (Gopher) is a proud Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) from the Kawacatoose and Piapot’s First Nations in Saskatchewan. Her journey began many years ago with the history of her ancestors, and the intergenerational impacts of Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples, within her family. She experienced barriers to fair opportunities, racism, intergenerational trauma, and wanted to make her life’s work dedicated to drive change for future generations.
Deborah has 20+ years’ experience in Diversity and Indigenous HR solutions, keynote and panel speaking, and extensive community advocacy. She has developed and integrated workforce diversity strategies, policies, and processes, fostering inclusive work environments, and ensuring leader accountability within corporate, oil and gas, education, and private consulting industries. Deborah has an extensive network within Canada, and is established and recognized as an authentic, humble subject matter specialist, and role model in the Indigenous Community, and within mainstream society. She is the recipient of the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth “Changemaker” Award and was gifted an “Equao” Award from the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Her passion is evident in the changes she has driven from seeing pride in Indigenous youth, equitable Indigenous employment in Canada, and the education and awareness of all Canadians about the true colonial history of the country.
Professor Kimberlé W. Crenshaw
Co-founder and Executive Director of the African American Policy ForumProfessor Kimberlé W. Crenshaw is a pioneering scholar and writer on civil rights, critical race theory, Black feminist legal theory, race, racism and the law. Crenshaw is a sought-after, award-winning speaker who conducts workshops and trainings on intersectionality and structural racism around the world.
Read full biographyLinda Kongnetiman
As the Managing Lead of the Anti-Racism Program at The City of Calgary, Linda leads a team that deliver research and quality improvement projects, on a local, provincial, and national setting.
Linda is an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary. She also lectured at Gonzaga University (Spokane, Washington), St. Mary’s University, and Mount Royal University (MRU). As a co-founder and Vice President of YEEPI Education Foundation of Calgary Inc. she helps to increase access to health care, education, and general support to low-income citizens in Canada and Suriname.
Linda earned Ph.D. and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary. She also graduated from the University of Suriname with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and obtained her Pedagogical Teaching Certificate.
Read full biographyEren Cervantes-Altamirano
Director, Community Strategies, The City of CalgaryEren Cervantes-Altamirano has rich and varied experience working in the public and non-profit sectors, including in municipal, provincial, and federal government. Throughout her career, Eren has worked closely with various interested parties, Rights Holders, and community members locally, provincially and nationally on projects related to social inclusion, gender equality, Indigenous relations, transportation safety, waste management and social assistance.
Read full biography