Foundations of Decolonization Workshop

Decolonize Together and Awi’nakola Foundation invites you to join us for an interactive Foundations of Decolonization Workshop that will delve deeply into the history and foundations of colonization accompanied by an expert panel on envisioning the future of decolonization and mutual liberation.

Foundations of Decolonization is designed to help participants from every background to better understand their role and responsibility within the ongoing context of colonialism and its legacy. Our participatory pedagogy is designed to empower participants to discern tangible strategies to enact anti-racism and decolonization within their own work and everyday lives.

Using both a systemic analysis and culturally-informed perspectives, this masterclass will guide participants into a deepened sense of understanding, compassion, and agency in dismantling harmful systems of oppression; for both the healing of every individual and the collective.

This comprehensive half-day workshop will be followed by an evening of celebration including a panel of Indigenous and community leaders, music, food and community.

Participants will receive a decolonial and anti-racism resource kit for further learning.

Who is this Workshop For?

This workshop is a beautiful and gentle entry for anyone who has wanting to begin learning the fundamentals of decolonization and anti-racism, as folx who would be considered experts in the field who wish to engage with a diverse array of some of the most brillant and diverse minds on the topic.

Presenter Bios

Pamphinette Buisa (she/her) is a second-generation Congolese-Canadian, Olympian, and passionate community organizer. She is a political science major focused on social justice, and she is committed to using communication, digital media, and networking tools to foster community building. With a trauma-informed approach, Pamphinette works as a harm reduction support worker, advocating for disenfranchised communities and amplifying marginalized voices. Her dedication extends to challenging systems of oppression and fostering broader networks of solidarity.

Rande Cook: Chief Rande Cook (Kwa’kwa’ka’wakw) was born in 1977, in beautiful Alert Bay B.C. Canada. He holds Chieftainships from both his maternal and paternal sides. From his father’s side, he is from Gigalgam (The First Ones), with the Thunderbird (Kwanusila) the crest of the “Namgis (Nimpkish) tribe. From his mother’s side, he is from the Seagull (Hamatam) of the Ma’amtagila (Matilpi Village) tribe.

He is an artist who works in a wide range of mediums, including woodworking, metallurgy, and painting. He is also a co-founder of the Awi’nakola: Tree of Life Foundation, a non-profit that is committed to forest preservation through the confluence of Indigenous Knowledge, Scientific Research, and the Arts.

Nikki Sanchez (she/her) is a Nawat Pipil and Irish/Scottish academic, Indigenous media maker, and environmental educator. Nikki holds a master’s degree in Indigenous Governance and is presently completing a Ph.D. with a research focus on emerging visual media technology as it relates to Indigenous ontology. Nikki is a board member of the Sierra Club BC, BC Women’s Hospital, Photographers Without Borders, and a doctoral fellow at the Center for Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. She helped to design and direct the first-ever Indigenous Storyteller edition with Telus STORYHIVE; a project to provide funding and mentorship for 30 emerging Indigenous filmmakers in BC and Alberta. Nikki was the managing editor of Spirits of the Coast, the bestselling anthology of the Salish Sea Resident Orca published by the Royal BC Museum publisher. Nikki had the honour of working for the David Suzuki Foundation as their, “Queen of Green where her work centered on environmental journalism, social media, and digital media creation to provide sustainable solutions for a healthy planet, as well as content creation to bring more racial and gender inclusivity into the environmental movement. Nikki is a TEDx speaker, her presentation entitled “Decolonization is for Everyone” has 200k views. She has been a wilderness guide and environmental educator in the Nuu-chah-nulth territory of Clayoquot Sound for over 10 years, where she was mentored by Nuu-chah-nulth elders Tsahsiits and Qaamina Sam. She is the creator and director of “Decolonize Together” a collective of Indigenous women who offer decolonial and anti-racism workshops and curriculum creation.

Past Participant Testimonials

“Because this discussion was American and Canadian, its content was much more accessible for me. What I saw was great: very useful and memorable. First of all, it was the discussion after the history that got through to me. Each of the speakers shared very interesting stories that gave me, a white person, unexpected insights I can't get any other way. For example, when Jordan said that when hiking, he always smiles when he bumps into white hikers, to let them feel comfortable, he really opened my brain. I realized that that smile could mean life or death! The session gave non-BIPOC allies an all-too-rare glimpse of what it is to be non-white. That's so valuable! I thought it was great! I think all staff should get to experience it."

- Dr. Tara Cullis, President of the David Suzuki Foundation

“Despite the efforts of so many to instil a deeper understanding of indigenous people's history, we still fall short. It is far too often anaesthetized and fails to show the intentional genocide of body, spirit, and culture, perpetuated throughout colonization. It is in this knowledge where we can better hold ourselves to account in our role to do and be better. When you know better you do better. These impacts weren’t short-lived they happened over hundreds of years and are still upheld in our legislation today. This workshop methodically walks you through this history while holding space to stay grounded and consider how you might learn from this knowledge, not just hear it. I would highly recommend participating in the workshop to better understand how we got here and what we must do to reconcile with Indigenous persons and communities throughout North America.”

- Genesa Greening, CEO of Vancity Foundation

For more information about the workshop, please check out this document.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

KWENCH Culture Club, 2031 Store Street, Victoria, Canada