February 2022 Newsletter - Part 2

The BCTF is seeking six members with primary teaching experience and a background in developing learning materials to co-develop K–3 climate education materials in collaboration with the Climate Action Secretariat, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

This project will involve a half-day session to review and provide feedback on educational materials developed with input from the Ministry of Education’s Primary Program Revision Committee.

More information and details about how to apply are found here.

In conjunction with Black Futures Month, Ethọ́s Lab is launching a new fundraising campaign to raise $100,000 in 100 days through February and May which will go toward sponsoring youth members, programming, and operating funds.

Wakanda meets Hogwarts at Ethọ́s Lab, a creative STEAM-focused innovation academy for youth (ages 12–18) that incites curiosity, builds community, and promotes personal growth and development in a rapidly changing world. Ethọ́s Lab is on a mission to close the gap in the inequities within innovation and believes a future for everyone means co-creating with everyone. With exciting curated in-person and virtual workshops, a cool production space, and an engaging, safe online community, Ethọ́s Lab is an accessible tech-infused environment where members gain real-world problem-solving, engineering, and science skills while exploring the fullest creative expressions of their authentic selves, making for happier, confident teens empowered to dream big, explore what’s possible, and actively contribute to building a world that better reflects us all.

Fundraising Mission

Ethọ́s Lab has a goal to improve representation in S.T.E.A.M by empowering youth to transform community and shift the culture within innovation. Ethọ́s Lab will soon be opening the door to our 1,000 sqft physical location on 2nd and Main owned by the City of Vancouver and operated by 221A Artist Housing Society in collaboration with the Community Land Trust. The physical space will be the manifestation of their greater vision to give more youth access to not only a dynamic, high quality, S.T.E.A.M after school programming, from the amazing programming partners, but also to a positive, respectful, uplifting community where they can truly feel a sense of belonging, have role models that reflect them, and expand their social life!

Monthly and one-time charitable donations are being accepted between February and May to support this vision.

Gift Impact

$75 or 150 supports one youth for one month of programming

$150 or $300 supports one youth for one programming cycle

$5000 supports one month’s of facilitation for one program cycle

Find out more

Instagram: @ethos.lab

Website: www.ethoslab.space

The second part of  Black History Month events with the National Congress of Black Women Foundation, Vancouver & District Labour Council, and New West & District Labour Council is Wednesday Feb 16 at 7p.m.   Register here

This week's session includes:
Systemic Racism and Intersectionality - Parker Johnson The session will focus on the challenges of Canadian identity in combating racism and institutional injustice. We’ll explore antiracism and racial justice as ongoing practices to improve our organizational and interpersonal relationships.
Dismantling and Challenging Racism - Candace Knoll will share learnings from from the teaching of Valerie Williams. University of Manitoba, with the hope to build upon confidence levels and gain support necessary to make change.

Black workers continue to face anti-Black racism in our workplaces, in our unions and in society. Anti-Black racism and discrimination happen year round, so one month just isn’t enough to address them.

This Canadian Labour Congress page contains several video interviews with Black Labour leaders on the importance of recognizing both the contributions and struggles of Black communities in this country 365 days a year. 

The Vancouver Secondary Teachers’ Association is apologizing to students and staff at a secondary school and acknowledging that one of its union officers was involved in the removal of posters pushing for permanent LGBTQAI2S+ representation on student council.

Media stories are starting to appear about this situation. One of them can be read here. 

One student in the story is quoted as follows: "“Frankly, it’s just disgusting that that would even happen [...] These people, especially when it comes to teachers, they’re in charge of shaping the future of students.”   AOEC whole-heartedly agrees. 

AOEC supports efforts of LGBTQ2SI+ youth to make schools more inclusive, and to make school practices are equitable and reflective of students' identities and lived experiences.

It is incumbent for all educators to support these efforts and continue to learn. That includes teachers and other educators who are currently elected union officials.

It is also incumbent upon all of us, when we make mistakes, to try to repair the harm.