Five activities you should attend during Diversity Days

The Office of Diversity and Protected Disclosure (ODEPD) is leading the third annual Diversity Days, featuring 18 workshops, events, speakers, interactive elements and resources for the university community.

Diversity Days is an opportunity to showcase the work of ODEPD as a leader in equity and diversity programming on campus, and bring a variety of departments and units together to engage around topics of inclusion and equity. Diversity Days runs Feb 5-7, 2019.

While all the activities have something to offer, here are five activities you do not want to miss:

• KAIROS Blanket Exercise: An interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history we’re rarely taught. 
• Staged Reading of The Laramie Project: Based on the true story of Matthew Shepard, the young man who, in October 1998, was savagely beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming. Almost instantly, Shepard's name became a grim rallying cry for those drawing attention to hate crimes committed against the LGBTQ2S+ community. 
• Diverse-Abilities Session: Drop in for an interactive session consisting of simulated exercises designed to mimic the various barriers that persons with disabilities may experience in the workplace and everyday life. Each simulation is designed to heighten awareness of disabilities, demonstrate assistive technology, and provide an opportunity to increase communication and awareness about disabilities at work and everyday life. 
• Art project: The Canadian Prayer Rug, Weaving the Story of Muslim-Canadian History and the Canadian Spirit of Collaboration: The Canadian Prayer Rug will be on display as well as a selection of prayer carpets from other parts of the world that are sampled from the Nickle collection. Includes a presentation by the artist and a Nickle Galleries' curator. 
• Addressing the Need for Health Equity: Panelists will address their research interests and will answer questions about health care and the challenges posed for Indigenous peoples, persons with different abilities, immigrants and the LGBTQ2S+ community. 

For the full schedule of activities for Diversity Days, visit the ODEPD website. Diversity Days is a collaboration between multiple groups and individuals on our campus, which highlights a shared commitment to inclusion and is supported by the Office of the President, as well as over 20 units and faculties.