Anti-Racism Response Training (A.R.T.)
Facilitators: Thanh Tazumi, Naomi L. Wolfe & Sanchit Mittal
The ANTI-RACISM RESPONSE TRAINING Program (A.R.T.), developed by Dr. Ishu Ishiyama – and recently adapted and enhanced by the facilitators – uses a witness-centered approach to disrupting racism. This training is designed to encourage participants to shift from being frozen or silent bystanders to becoming active witnesses. In doing so, we can disrupt racism and build a safer and more inclusive community.
Our online workshops are highly interactive and involve experiential activities to develop and strengthen active witnessing skills. Over Zoom, we use a combination of chat box, slides, polls, video animation and video clips, scenarios, breakout room discussions and practice sessions, stories and readings, and whole group learning. We encourage participants to be prepared to fully engage in our workshops.
Overview of 4-Part Series (8 hours)
PLEASE NOTE: Participant commitment to the whole series is highly recommended.
1) The History of Racism in Canada – A Glance
● Learn about racist laws, policies, and events in Canada’s history and their impacts on Indigenous, Asian, Black and other communities
● Connect the dots between past and present
● Connect the dots between history and self – both past and present
2) Definitions, Language and Microaggressions
● Review of key vocabulary used in anti-racism work how unconscious bias and stereotypes seep into our interactions with others.
3) Understanding the Active Witnessing Model
● Consider the impacts of being a passive bystander vs. active witness ● Gain greater empathy regarding the harmful impacts of racist encounters ● Review VOW model and four levels of witnessing
● Explore various categories of active witnessing
● Look at model scenarios and practice responding
4) Practice Active Witnessing
● Look more deeply at racist encounters using various scenarios
● Actively practice A.R.T. responses
● Tap into participants’ own lived experiences
● Consider immediate and delayed responses
● Look at accountability and how to be in solidarity
● Connect the dots between responding to individual and systemic racism
Handouts/materials provided before each session. Slides will be available afterwards.
NOTE: Completion of our 4-part series qualifies attendees for our A.R.T. Train-the-Trainer Program
FACILITATOR INFORMATION
Naomi and Thanh began facilitating workshops together in the mid-90’s, and their A.R.T. work started in 2002. Sanchit joined the team in 2020, when the team started offering virtual workshops.
Thanh Tazumi (she/her/hers) and her family immigrated to Canada as refugees in 1984. After completing her BA in Psychology in 1996 she married her husband Mark Tazumi. Together they have two grown daughters. Thanh worked for a multicultural organization for 10 years, coordinating anti-racism, diversity, and organizational change projects. She coordinated the first anti-racism walk in Campbell River, in 1997 and formed a committee to continue this annual event until 2006. She has co-facilitated workshops on intercultural communication, diversity & inclusion, and Anti-racism Response Training. Thanh currently lives and works on the traditional territory of the Lekwiltok and E’iksan-K’omoks peoples. She is aware of the history of racism in Canada and many of its impacts on Indigenous and other racialized peoples. She is committed to being an antiracist and working toward healing and reconciliation.
E-mail: suntantazumi@gmail.com
Phone: (250) 850-4450
Naomi L. Wolfe (she/her/hers) is a mixed European settler Canadian, originally from Saskatchewan, who is grateful to reside on the unceded traditional territory of the E’iksan and K’omoks Peoples. Naomi’s start in anti-racism work began when she was a teen, as a member of an anti-racism youth group in Nashville, Tennessee, during the desegregation of schools through crosstown bussing. After 11 years in the USA and 10 years living, studying and working Guatemala, Naomi moved back to Canada, and eventually to Vancouver Island. Through her work with the Immigrant Welcome Centre and 29 years as ESL faculty at North Island College, Naomi gained a deep understanding of the barriers faced by her diverse community. Naomi facilitates A.R.T., intercultural communication, Theatre for Living, and Compassionate Listening (TCLP) workshops, and has presented at conferences in BC and internationally. Naomi greatly values collaborating with others to bring about a more just and inclusive society.
E-mail: nlwolfe22@gmail.com
Phone: (250) 830-3184
Sanchit Mittal (he/him/his) came to Canada as an international student; he holds two Master’s degrees. He has diverse experience in working with various marginalized communities, including LGBTQ2+ and refugees. With over seven years of experience in various Indian and Canadian organizations, living as an uninvited guest on the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples, Sanchit deeply values Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI), and is passionate about Truth and Reconciliation and Social Justice work, including Anti-Racism. Sanchit has co-facilitated many workshops including: LGBTQ2+ inclusion, Communications in Intercultural classrooms, Allyship, Microaggressions. Sanchit has worked in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) International Education and served as the Vice President for SIETAR BC. Currently a Partnerships Manager at an Ontario-based Edu-Tech company, he is also an EDI Consultant for VIU.
E-mail: mittalsanchitsudhir@gmail.com
Phone: (778) 962-6000 | LinkedIn
Testimonials from Past Participants
“a white, settler woman with significant privilege, I knew that I had a lot to learn about racism in Canada and what I could do about it. Participating in this well-designed and delivered training exceeded my expectations over and over! Not only did I learn so much about racism in Canada, past and present, I also learned from the presenters and participants about how these experiences have impacted them so significantly. In the training we learned and practiced effective skills to respond to witnessing or experiencing racist encounters. I will no longer be a bystander, wishing I had the words or confidence to act when I see racism in any form. I can now stand-up and speak-out to address the issue at the time or when it is safe to do so. We must all make the decision and take action to stop racism and the Anti-Racism Response Training program provides the practical skills and confidence to do so!” - Mary Catherine Williams, Executive Director, Volunteer Campbell River
“Many thanks to Sanchit, Thanh, and Naiomi for providing such an incredible experience for myself and the rest of the cohorts within my ART training program. While I am not a fan of evening sessions I was so inspired I could not wait for the next session to happen. The ART training provided a thoughtful, informative, educational, and self-reflecting experience. We had many opportunities to engage in the hard conversations within smaller pods and the larger group. Thank you for this fantastic opportunity. I look forward to the trainer sessions.” -Anne-Marie, Volunteer Canada
“My biggest take-away from the ART sessions was the long history of racism in Canada and the intention of keeping this information out of the education curriculum. This has changed my mind on Canada's image of being inclusive
and welcoming to additional ethnicity and cultures. The facilitators; Naomi, Thanh and Sanchit were the highlight of the sessions. They were able to add valuable insight and background to concepts with personal stories and knowledge. They created a safe space to share and be vulnerable. I learned that I have so much more to learn! I enjoyed that the training was conducted online, this is a heavy subject and being able to turn off your screen for a moment and compose was nice. I don't think I would be able to do this in person in a large group setting. I would like to thank the facilitators for an insightful workshop, I found this extremely helpful and relatable.” - Anonymous
“This training was so interesting and important and should be offered in all workplaces and institutions. If it is important to you and your organization to truly understand the history of racism, its implications today, and what to do and say to combat racism, I highly recommend this training.” - Tanya Cowie, Vancouver Community College
“The Anti-Racism Response Training is engaging, eye-opening, and educational. The facilitators' approach of presenting factual information paired with sharing personal stories helped to capture their diverse audience. Reflection exercises not only encouraged participants to examine themselves and racism, but they also prompted open discussions among participants. Highly recommended for anyone and everyone wanting to start taking steps against racism.” - Carolyn Moi, Instructor, Vancouver Community College
