By Ebyan Abdigir and Jacqueline McKay
Ryerson welcomes its sixth annual Social Justice Week. This a look of some of the events in the week ahead.
Monday (Oct. 31)
Every year, Social Justice Week kicks off with the first day dedicated to Indigenous justice. Starting at 10 a.m. to noon, there will be a special panel talking about the recommendations that come out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Panelists include:
- Joanne Dallaire (Indigenous elder)
- Denise O’Neil Green (Assistant vice-president/vice-provost equity, diversity and inclusion)
- Athena Pheasant (Indigenous Students’ Association)
- Duncan McCue (Indigenous CBC journalist)
You can join the conversation at Thomas Lounge, Student Centre, 55 Gould Street.
Make sure to check out the rally and march on Gould Street, Monday from noon to 1 p.m. The rally will open with Joanne Dallaire, a traditional counsellor at Aboriginal Services at Ryerson, and will feature a cultural performance by the Aboriginal Women Drumming Group.
If you’re feeling hungry, come down to the Ancestors Potluck Feast at POD250 but don’t forget to bring some food. Hosted by the Ryerson Aboriginal Student Services, the event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday.
Tuesday (Nov. 1)
On Tuesday, you can lunch and learn at the Islamophobia, Migration and Refugees event that will take place at the SCC 115 from noon to 2 p.m. Keynote speakers will include:
- Kamal Al-Solaylee, School of Journalism
- Ausma Malik, Toronto District School Board trustee
- Debbie Douglas, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants
- Binish Ahmed, Graduate student
Come check out the talk on climate change and Indigenous sovereignty from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This is an event that students should get on board with because it is all about the effects of climate change. However, this won’t be the typical conversation on how we need to save our planet. At this panel, you will hear from the people who are most directly affected by climate change in this country. Climate change endangers the sovereignty of Indigenous people and these are the people who are here to talk about it.
- Ellen Gabriel, Mohawk activist and artist
- Tom Goldtooth, Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network
- Cyndy Baskin, moderating
Make sure you stick around after the talk because there will also be a performance by Manifest Destiny’s Child, an Indigenous women’s comedy collective.
Location: TRS 1-067, 55 Dundas Street West
Be there!
Wednesday (Nov. 2)
Who doesn’t love free breakfast? Count us in. From 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., there will be Free Breakfast for Free Education on Gould street.
Once you are fueled on your free breakfast, come rally for Fight the Fees, a campaign that advocates for lower tuition.This will be from 11 a.m., to noon on Gould street.The rally will then move to the University of Toronto starting at noon. They will go to Queen’s Park from there at 1 p.m. and hold a rally until 4 p.m.
Later in the evening, make your way to the Ted Rogers School of Management for a discussion on anti-racism starting at 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. “A New World is Possible: A Conversation on Anti-Black Racism” will feature keynote speaker and poet Dionne Brand, alongside Sandy Hudson, a community organizer involved in Toronto’s Black Lives Matter. Dr. Denise O’Neil Green will moderate the talk.
Thursday (Nov. 3)
In the mood for a film? Check out the 11 a.m. to noon screening of Hold Your Fire, a CBC documentary on police interactions with people in mental crisis at SCC 115 . A second film, Papilio Buddha, will be screened at the Library Building from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The screening will feature a Q&A with filmmaker Jayan Cherian, which will be moderated by distinguished visiting professor, Alok Mukherjee.
Friday (Nov. 4)
Here is something we are all watching: the US election. From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the closing plenary will be holding a talk called “U.S. Elections: Is This All About Trump?.” It will be moderated by Judy Rebick and closed by Joanne Dallaire.
Between events, don’t miss Social Justice Week’s compelling outdoor art exhibits—which will be on display all day, and all week.
Sexual Assault: the Roadshow will be on display at Victoria Street and Black Lives Matter – TO, which will feature artwork from Jalani Morgan, Syrus Marcus Ware, and Paige Galette, will be on display at the Student Learning Centre.
All venues are wheelchair accessible.
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