CW&P and the launch of Social Construction Workshops

The Debwewin Workshop leaders (from left): Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Elder Peter Schuler; Director of Indigenous Strategy for the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Dr. Karine Duhamel; event emcee Georgia Laforme; and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey Laforme

Always open to opportunities that embrace the ampersand of the program, our Creative Writing & Publishing program has partnered with the Office of Inclusive Communities to develop a new series of workshops. The Social Construction Workshops foster peer-to-peer engagement and draw attention to calls to action and opportunities that empower participants to broaden their spheres of influence for equity-deserving groups.

The 2022-2023 pilot year’s trio of workshops commenced with The Debwewin Workshop: Launch of Grateful Treaty Person and Acts of Allyship Campaign that took place on November 7th during Treaties Recognition Week. Future events in the new year are a workshop with CW&P Writer-in-Residence Naben Ruthnum, and a discussion about calls to action for Oakville’s Home Suite Hope and related research with FHASS professor Sara Cumming.

Each workshop has its own individual premise, may correspond with a date of honour or recognition, and provides a discussion platform for a specific project or initiative. Participation is open to faculty, students, staff, and members of the wider external communities.

With the understanding that attending an event may be flexing a muscle that’s been underused in the past couple of years, the focus is on how productive we can be, mindful of making good use of our time, when people gather together in person to create or enact change. The Social Construction Workshops provide opportunities for intersectional education, community-building, and advocacy, and promote empathy and collaboration above sympathy and tokenism.

We look forward to seeing you at a workshop soon!

On behalf of the team,
Robyn Read