Nonviolent Communication for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour

My approach to Nonviolent Communication is one that is anchored in a desire to support people to recognise and live into their full humanity. Our shared reality is that we live in and are impacted in innumerable ways by systems. Whether they are capitalism, oppression, racism, homophobia, ableism and others, they starve the individual of their reality and have us act in ways that are meant to uphold them. 

This is especially true for Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, who can find themselves on the receiving end of some of these systems unfavoured impacts.

What many of us also share as BIPOC folks, is a generational embodied and lived reality of collective power, traditional ways of community and healing. What I find really helpful about Nonviolent Communication (NVC)  is that it has practices that can touch on and anchor who we are without those filters or scrim of dehumanising systems.   The approach is NVC, not only as a communication tool, which is valuable, but as a liberating practice where we find our voice, be in better relationship with ourselves and others. These are tools and practices that I have used in my own life.

This course is deeply experiential offering that commits much of our time to foundations and practices that you will use beyond the course.

We start with the fundamentals of NVC such as the value of feelings in letting us know what is meaningful for us; how to identify what needs, both individual and collective, how to in any situation connect to what is important to us, including how we want to anchor in our values; how we bring that all together when in conversation.

Through these sessions you can learn how to ask for what you need, handle any response; respond when you are being othered (such as due to racism, homophobia, misogyny) and how to clarify what brings you joy and create more of it.

If you have a challenging conversation ahead with a family member, a co-worker, or a friend, you will leave the sessions with the tools you need to get through that conversation. While the outcomes cannot be guaranteed, what can be is knowing that you showed up fully and demonstrated your commitment and care. All of those things are in our control.

Info: An invitation to co-creation through a round to ask for outcomes that would best serve you and be an enhancement or addition to the outcomes stated.

Info: We will start to explore what nonviolence really is. look at some of the myths and mistakes of meaning, what its application invites for connection to oneself, connection to others and to whatever we find meaningful in our lives.

Info: We will explore a useful and clarifying way to welcome feelings. How to recognise feelings and how they help us to understand what is meaningful to us.

Info: Using examples from your life we will practice what it means to explore needs met (to have more of what serves you) and needs unmet (to explore how to repair, rebuild, and renew relationships (including the one with yourself).

Info: Water in. Water out. Movement.

Info: First modelled and then using scenarios from your own life, we will apply what we have learned about feelings and needs.

Info: How can you apply these foundations of NVC when with family, in community, at work. When in conflict. When in doubt. During moments of celebration.

Info: How can you navigate moments when you are on the receiving end of othering in a way that generates support, safety and is aligned with your values.

Info: We will decide together and explore through examples, how you can apply these tools in different roles you have in your life, at different stages, to establish boundaries, to explore and expand relationships; to address conflict; to manage anxiety, to stand up for what you believe in and to nurture yourself and your communities in a time of poly crisis.

Info: Water in. Water out. Movement.

Info: Will will look at scenarios where you can apply these tools at work or in community.

Info: We will look at scenarios where these tools can be applied to intimate and other personal relationships.

Info: Water In. Water Out. Movement.

Info: To integrate these tools, you must practice. We will review the handouts and resources available to you to get you solidly on your way.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Wildfires Bookshop, 712 B 12th Street, New Westminster, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App