Self-Reflect

Getting Started

As you begin your self-reflection journey, we encourage you to take the following steps:

  1. Review the Take 5 for Anti-Racism document
  2. Complete the "Let's Get Started" Primer for Anti-Racism Self-Assessment to jumpstart your learning in anti-racism.
  3. Self-reflection activity - we ask you to watch one of the short documentaries below and complete the reflection.
Student sitting on a staircase looking at a laptop.

Self-Assessment

This is the first section of the Take 5 for Anti-Racism Primer. These questions are based on the Take 5 for Anti-racism Framework. This self-assessment has been developed to help support your personal growth and development in anti-racism practice. Please check the options that best describe you below.

Myth busters: Anti-racism education is only for White people.

False: Anti-racism education is for all people, as everyone and anyone can reproduce oppressive and racist practices. So, everyone needs anti-racism education to foster anti-racism practice.

Instructions

For each question, please select the option that best represents you and keep track of your totals for each section.

  • Strongly Disagree - 1
  • Disagree - 2
  • Undecided - 3
  • Agree - 4
  • Strongly Agree - 5

Questions

  1. I am actively engaged in anti-racism practice.
  2. I understand my social identities and how they are implicated in race, racism, and anti-racism practice.
  3. I would like to learn more about race, racism, and anti-racism, and how I can play a part in anti-racism practice in the workplace.

Instructions

For each question, please select the option that best represents you and keep track of your totals for each section.

  • Strongly Disagree - 1
  • Disagree - 2
  • Undecided - 3
  • Agree - 4
  • Strongly Agree - 5

Questions

  1. I understand the origins and definitions of race, racism, and anti-racism.
  2. I educate myself and will continue to educate myself on anti-racism and therefore develop my interpersonal communication practices at the college.
  3. I understand the difference between my intentions and impact when engaging with Indigenous, Black, and racialized peoples in the workplace and the potential for harm.

Instructions

For each question, please select the option that best represents you and keep track of your totals for each section.

  • Strongly Disagree - 1
  • Disagree - 2
  • Undecided - 3
  • Agree - 4
  • Strongly Agree - 5

Questions

  1. I am aware of how colonialism has played a significant role in creating inequitable legacies and negative cultural narratives of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized people.
  2. I have considered the ways in which knowledge has been and continues to be produced and has portrayed some groups more positively than others.

Instructions

For each question, please select the option that best represents you and keep track of your totals for each section.

  • Strongly Disagree - 1
  • Disagree - 2
  • Undecided - 3
  • Agree - 4
  • Strongly Agree - 5

Questions

  1. In the work that I do, I have considered how attitudes, behaviours, practices and policies impact Indigenous, Black, and other racialized peoples.
  2. I have identified gaps and areas of opportunity for growth regarding anti-racism practice in the work I do.
  3. I speak out when people say or do something rooted in a racist attitude, assumption, or stereotype in my presence in the workplace.
  4. I acknowledge and reflect on the ways in which I may have caused harm through acts of racism.

Instructions

For each question, please select the option that best represents you and keep track of your totals for each section.

  • Strongly Disagree - 1
  • Disagree - 2
  • Undecided - 3
  • Agree - 4
  • Strongly Agree - 5

Questions

  1. I discuss race, racism, and anti-racism in the workplace.
  2. I accept that I will continue to make mistakes and cause harm due to comments, questions, or behaviours rooted in racist attitudes, assumptions, or stereotypes that I still need to unlearn.
  3. I assume responsibility for learning about GBC's Anti-Racism Action Plan.
  4. I understand how my role contributes to combatting racism and supporting anti-racism work at the college.

Let's Get Started Assessment Key

Next Steps

Now that you've completed the assessment, add up the totals from each section and see how your totals align with the assessment key results.

Total = 0-28

This is a great time to begin my journey in anti-racism.

Total = 29-57

I am learning about Anti-Racism Practice and can think of the ways I can contribute.

Total = 58-85

I can have discussions and do work in anti-racism, but the learning continues.

Media Reflections

Please select one of the listed documentaries and completed the reflection. Each documentary is less than 15 minutes in length and deals with themes like the wrongs of colonization, identity, traditions and more.

Evan's Drum

Evan’s Drum is a joyful visit to a family’s loving home and an uplifting story of cultural pride.

Watch Evan's Drum

Reflection

  1. Inuit drum has returned to Labrador. What do you feel is the significance of this return?
  2. What do you feel is the importance of cultural connection for a child?
  3. How can we honour Indigenous ways of knowing in our communities?

Resources

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

It is important that we all learn about the Call to Action for Truth and Reconciliation on this land. It is our responsibility as settlers, displaced peoples and migrants to gain an understanding of what was promised, what was stolen and what is required for continual restoration and healing for the harmed caused by colonization and genocide of Indigenous peoples. It is also our responsibility to ensure we centre and learn about Indigenous lived experiences in our daily work and the knowledge we produce.

Learning about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is a step in the right direction.

Holy Angels

Holy Angels highlights the wrongs of colonization and the residential school system in Canada.

Watch Holy Angels

Reflection

Please pause to sit in your emotions. You may be experiencing compassion, sorrow, a need to acknowledge, guilt, anger, fear, uncertainty, etc. Sit and try to understand what you are feeling.

Remember, everyone has a part to play in understanding their social and historical location and how their identity has either been denied rights and privileges or benefited from the denial of rights and privileges to others.

  1. How do you feel about the residential school system in Canada?
  2. Do you understand how you may be connected to the legacy of colonization and what you have inherited based on your identity?
  3. What can you do to move the process of truth and reconciliation forward? How can this help to improve your work environment?

Resources

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

It is important that we all learn about the Call to Action for Truth and Reconciliation on this land. It is our responsibility as settlers, displaced peoples and migrants to gain an understanding of what was promised, what was stolen and what is required for continual restoration and healing for the harmed caused by colonization and genocide of Indigenous peoples. It is also our responsibility to ensure we centre and learn about Indigenous lived experiences in our daily work and the knowledge we produce.

Learning about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is a step in the right direction.

Indigenous Plant Diva

Kamala Todd's short film is a lyrical portrait of Cease Wyss, of the Squamish Nation. Wyss is a woman who understands the remarkable healing powers of the plants growing all over downtown Vancouver.

Watch Indigenous Plant Diva

Reflection

  1. In this documentary, the main character speaks about her connection to the land and how it interconnects with her indigeneity. What were some important points that stood out for you?
  2. How can you honour Indigenous knowledge or ways of knowing based on your interaction with the land?
  3. Are there any new things you would like to explore based on the knowledge shared in this documentary?

Racial healing, self-care, and restoration tips

Please find some supports listed below for counselling or self-care. Hotlines have been listed below as additional support if needed. Throughout this primer, there will be different resources provided.

Anishnawbe Health Toronto

Anishnawbe Helath Toronto offers a multi-disciplinary approach to care including counselling services with the option of traditional counsellors or mental health counsellors, as well as psychiatry, psychology and case management.

Hotlines

  • 1-877-746-1963 Canada Drug Rehab Addiction Services Directory
  • 1-833-456-4566 Centre for Suicide Prevention
  • 1855242-3310 First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line
  • 1-800-668-6868 Kids Help Phone
  • 1-866-633-4220 National Eating Disorder Information Centre
  • 1-877-209-1266 Native Youth Crisis Hotline

Short Film

Healing Journey One Button at a Time 

This is a short documentary following Mia Hunt and her making of a button blanket. The button blanket, unique to First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, is a treasured and important piece of Coast Salish culture.

Land acknowledgement

George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.


Learn more about our land acknowledgment