Notice Board

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA) presents a discussion with Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske of the University of Lethbridge's Department of Women & Gender Studies as she examines racism in Lethbridge.

Fanning the Flames of Racism in Lethbridge: Why is Individualism Not Afforded to People of Colour?

Date:              Thursday, October 27, 2016
Time:              12 - 1:30 p.m.
Location:        Country Kitchen Catering (Lower level of The Keg) 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr. S
Cost:               $12 (includes lunch) or $2 (includes coffee/tea)

A serious criminal act in Lethbridge recently brought to the surface a long simmering discourse of racialized tensions in Lethbridge. When such situations are perpetrated by a person of colour, their whole culture and race are blamed. When a similar situation is perpetrated by a white person, it is seen as an individual act where culture is not held accountable. Seeing each other as individuals is a perspective that is only afforded to the dominant group.

Why is it so difficult to discuss and challenge racism in dominant groups? What does it mean to be an ally to people of colour? The speaker will give perspective to what brings on racism and intolerance toward First Nations, Métis and Inuit (FNMI) culture. Attention will also be given to help understand what racism is and ways to alleviate it.

Speaker:         Dr. Jo-Anne Fiske

Jo-Anne Fiske joined the University of Lethbridge in May, 2004 as a professor and coordinator of Women's Studies. She served as Dean of Graduate Studies from 2006 to 2010 and as Associate VP Research from 2006 to 2007. She earned her doctorate degree in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia. A committed interdisciplinary scholar, she has taught in Women's Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, and First Nations Studies at several Canadian Universities.

While at the University of Lethbridge, Dr. Fiske has completed several research projects that address cultural and social foundations of racism.  She worked with members of our First Nations community of women during the movement of their transition home in Lethbridge, with First Nations leaders in BC to understand categorization and stigma of women and children in regard to social entertainment such as community bingo, and with an inter-university research team on homeless. Dr. Fiske’s teaching specialties include: Feminist research methods, political economy and kinship, and feminist legal Anthropology and feminist theories.

Moderator:      Bob Campbell

For more information on the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, visit the SACPA website.