JUNE 18, 2024

I&D Biweekly Update

Welcome to this recap of upcoming equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigeneity and accessibility (EDIIA) opportunities happening across U of T!

To share items for inclusion or suggestions for improvement, please use the button below to access an anonymous form where you can share further feedback.

Feedback form

Introducing Janelle Hinds

Special Projects Officer in Office of Access and Outreach

We would like to introduce you to Janelle Hinds, Special Projects Officer for the OAO and working collaboratively with the Office of Indigenous Health in developing Black and Indigenous student application pathways with our partners across Temerty academic programs.

From facilitating leadership workshops to helping youth find meaningful jobs that build skills and experience, Hinds’ career has weaved threads of helping youth overcome barriers and open pathways for success.

1. Call for Members: Southeast Asian TMCC Working Group

Ongoing

Temerty Medicine faculty, learners and staff who identify as Southeast Asian are invited to participate in a working group to plan an upcoming event as part of the Temerty Medicine Community Connection (TMCC) series.

If you are interested, please contact shari.thompsonricci@utoronto.ca and tibyan.ahmed@mail.utoronto.ca.

2. Call for facilitators: Underrepresented in STEM

Ongoing

The IMSSA is looking for community and student leaders to guide students in productive, nonjudgmental conversations about how their identities interact with their academic careers in an EDI context.

For more information, please email sf.medscience@utoronto.ca.

3. Interprofessional Collaboration Showcase 2024

Wed June 19

The Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) Showcase celebrates excellence in team-based learning, collaborative care and leadership, interprofessional research, and quality improvement across our healthcare system.

The hybrid forum will bring together people from diverse professions and provide a variety of speakers, presentations, and opportunities to connect.

4. Accessibility workshops

Wed June 19 to Tue June 25

Join the upcoming June sessions from the AODA Office, including:

Additional AODA Training & Resources are also available from the AODA Office.

5. Health, Equity, and Research Talks (HEaRT)

Thurs June 20

This webinar will feature three panelists who will share insights from an innovative Ethiopian research project that addresses issues of inequity in professional education and psychiatric care. Focused on Ethiopia’s resource-limited context and culturally-rooted healing practices, the study navigates the health equity challenges to access basic psychiatric treatment.

6. TGD Gathering

Thurs June 20

The Office of Inclusion & Diversity invites all learners, staff, and faculty members at Temerty Medicine Faculty of Medicine (TFoM) who identify as part of the trans and gender diverse (TGD) community for our upcoming TGD gathering workshop and social event with speaker Scout Swartz from U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO).

7. Community supports

June 20-27

Designated gathering spaces and onsite counselling are available for Jewish and Israeli, and Palestinian, Arab and Muslim community members.

Additional personal safety and community supports are also available on the respective webpages.

8. Full Moon Fire Ode'miin Giizis (Strawberry Moon)

Fri June 21

Join us at First Nations House for our Full Moon Fire. Drop by at any point, 4 sacred medicines are available.

Indigenous students from Turtle Island (First Nations, Mètis, Inuit, etc) will be prioritized. Families are welcome.

National Indigenous People’s Day (Friday June 21)

Strong advocacy from representatives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities led to the creation of National Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly National Aboriginal Day) in 1996, honouring the distinct cultures of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities and encouraging widespread recognition of the accomplishments and resilience of Indigenous Peoples across Turtle Island.

We encourage to check out the resources below to learn more about the day, as well as National Indigenous History Month.

National Indigenous History Month

National Indigenous People’s Day

Office of Indigenous Initiatives

Dates of recognition, observance and celebration

Please find below U of T resources for Dates of Institutional Recognition and Inclusive Employer Guides. For further resources, please visit the Office of Inclusion & Diversity’s Commemoration Resources webpage or the U of T Multi-Faith Centre’s Calendar of Significant Dates.

Litha (Summer Solstice)

Thurs June 20

A solar holiday that is also known as Litha celebrates the life-giving strength of the sun. It is celebrated on the longest day of year when the sun is at it’s strongest.

World Humanist Day

Fri June 21

Originating in 1980, this day is celebrated annually by Humanist chapters around the world, focusing on raising awareness of Humanist values and the philosophy behind the movement.

Somali Heritage Week

June 25 - July 1

The week recognizes and reflects on the history and culture of the Somali regions in the Horn of Africa, as well as the significant contributions that Somali Canadians make across Ontario.