Thunder Bay Coalition Against Racism and Discrimination

1
Thunder Bay Coalition Against Racism and
Discrimination

• Overcoming Racism and Discrimination in our
  Community"

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Racism in TB

• Haluza Delay, R. (2002) ACOA
• McCaskill, D., Fitzmaurice, K., Desmoulins, L.
  (2007) UATF
• Desmoulins, L. (2008) E/Raced
• Diversity in Policing 2008 (unpublished)
• TBCARD findings (in press)

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So what?

• Cities need to invest in and build up their real
  capital
• Human beings have a fundamental right to use
  their full talents and creative abilities.
• Racism stresses social cohesion

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Thunder Bay Coalition

• Part of Canadian initiative with common
  commitments for municipalities

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Steering Committee Members

• Lisa Beckwick, City of Thunder Bay
• Carolyn Chukra, Lakehead District School Board
• Cindy Crowe, Waabi-maiingan Teaching Lodge
• Anna Gibbon, City of Thunder Bay
• Jo Jo Guillet, Thunder Bay Catholic District
  School Board
• Sandy Isfeld, District of Thunder Bay Social
  Services Administration Board
• Rebecca Johnson, City Council
• Joanne Kembel, United Way of Thunder Bay
• Marie Klassen, Lakehead Social Planning Council

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Steering Committee Members

• Anne LeSage, Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre
• Mary Lucas, District of Thunder Bay Social
  Services Administration Board
• Ann Magiskan, Thunder Bay Catholic School Board
• Evelina Pan, Thunder Bay and District Labour
  Council
• Martha Picard, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
• Beth Ponka, Kinna-aweya Legal Clinic
• Carol Rusak, Confederation College
• Frances Wesley, Thunder Bay Urban Aboriginal
  Strategy

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Project Funders

• BDO Dunwoody
• Community Futures Development Corporation
• Diversity Thunder Bay
• Generator
• Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
• The Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay
• Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce
• Thunder Bay Ventures

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Research Purpose

• Gather information to inform a Plan of Action to
  overcome racism and discrimination within Thunder
  Bay

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Research process

• Data collected via census data, interviews
  focus groups
• Data analyzed
• Recommendations made

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Socio-economic demographic

• Aboriginal population grew 23 Non-Aboriginal
  population shrank 1
• Aboriginal population is 8.3 (TB) 2 in Ontario,
  4 in Canada
• Immigrants .6 (TB), 5 to Ontario

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Quantitative findings
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Focus groups

• 78 respondents in 8 focus groups
• 5 common questions
• Analyzed as needs, opportunities

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Focus group findings

• 4 recurring opportunities identified
• Anti-racism campaign
• Ombuds office
• Advisory bodies comprised of representative
  groups
• Anti-racism training

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Next Steps

• Plan of Action presented to Council on May 25,
  2009
• Full report