This is a self-directed learning toolkit that accompanies the YorkU DEDI Strategy. Click through the questions below to explore the content covered in each module.
The full modules are available on YU Learn and you must be logged on to your YU Passport to access them. You may follow the links provided here to view selected sample activities under the module.
Follow the links provided below to access PDFs for each module. Use this link to access the complete file.
You will need to be logged on to your York Passport to access the files.
This module focuses on you – who you are and how the elements of your identity position you in relation to power in our society. These are important to understand in DEDI work because how you come to the work matters. It matters what you bring to the table, what lens you use to interpret situations, and how your actions and words are perceived by others. We do not live in a society where we are all treated equally or receive the same benefits. To change this inequitable society, we need to understand the role we play in that system.
Learning Objectives:
- Unpack your social identity.
- Develop an anti-oppressive lens to recognize social inequities.
- Using an anti-oppressive framework, remove barriers and create access for people from equity-deserving groups.
You will explore videos, information, and reflective questions on each of the following key concepts:
- Power
- Privilege
- Oppression
- Prejudice
- Discrimination
- Intersectionality
- Positionality
You will be invited to complete activities such as:
- Activity 1: Match the statement with the privilege
- Activity 2: Understanding your social location
Each module ends with further resources to explore.
As someone who lives and works on this land, you have a responsibility to this land and its original peoples. This module will provide insight into some aspects of Indigenous Knowledges and act as a starting point in your learning journey around decolonization. It will offer a place for you to reflect on your own role within reconciliation and provide knowledge on the effects of systems of historic and current oppression, colonization, and how to actualize decolonization.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about some of the impacts of colonialism
- Understand your relationship, role and responsibility in decolonizing
- Learn about Indigenous Knowledges in relation to this work
You will explore videos, information, and reflective questions on each of the following key concepts:
- “Discomfort” with decolonization
- The need for reconciliation
- An Indigenous history of the Tkaronto Islands
- Worldviews
- Decolonization is for everyone
- The Brilliance of Beavers: Learning from an Anishnaabe World
You will be invited to complete activities such as:
- Activity 1: A reflective activity on your relationship to the land
- Activity 2: Build your own land acknowledgement
- Activity 3: A reflective activity on your relationship to colonization
- Activity 4: Creating change
Each module ends with further resources to explore.
This module will discuss how biases influence our behaviours, with particular attention on microaggressions. It will also offer some strategies to interrupt these behaviours.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand how and why our minds process things, both on subconscious and conscious levels.
- Understand how biases are formed and how they manifest.
- Learn tools to interrupt behaviours such as microaggressions.
You will explore videos, information, and reflective questions on each of the following key concepts:
- The conscious and unconscious mind
- Unconscious bias
- Confirmation bias
- Affinity bias
- Microaggressions
- Strategies for challenging microaggressions and bias
You will be invited to complete activities such as:
- Activity 1: Implicit bias test
- Activity 2: Trusted 5 exercise
- Activity 3: Responding to microaggressions
- Activity 4: Inclusive language challenge
Each module ends with further resources to explore.
This module will start with a brief introduction to the concept of allyship, and then discuss three key tools for ensuring meaningful allyship: the courageous conversation, accountability, and apologizing.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to extend allyship to communities and individuals.
- Consider some of the challenging aspects of being an ally.
- Understand how to hold a courageous conversation with care.
- Learn how to share meaningful apologies.
You will explore videos, information, and reflective questions the following key concepts:
- The allyship spectrum
- Barriers to allyship
- Courageous conversations
- Accountability
- The Apology
You will be invited to complete activities such as:
- Activity 1: Planning for allyship
- Activity 2: Courageous conversations
- Activity 3: Apologies
Each module ends with further resources to explore.
This final module looks at the role of self-reflection in effecting DEDI change and how to build on your existing capacities to make this work sustainable; be that as a student, staff, member,manager, instructor, or faculty member. It will explore the many ways resistance can show up and how to face it. This work requires an awareness of your biases, and we recommend completing questions 1-4 before going through this module.
Learning Objectives:
- Apply the learning from questions 1-4 to identify concrete actions you can take regarding DEDI
- Explore the many roles you can play in embedding DEDI strategies in your surroundings
- Identify and address barriers to making DEDI change
- Understand the role of self-reflection in doing DEDI work
You will explore videos, information, and reflective questions on each of the following key concepts:
- Building community
- Facing resistance
- Embedding self-reflection
You will be invited to complete activities such as:
- Activity 1: My sphere(s) of influence
- Activity 2: My commitments
- Activity 3: Embedding DEDI
Each module ends with further resources to explore.