Efforts to dismantle systemic racism and racial injustice hit a new milestone in Calgary, as the City held its first-ever racial justice conference this week.
Hundreds of participants gathered at the Telus Convention Centre for the event, themed “Dismantling Systemic Racism, Transforming Lives,” to learn more about the intersectionality between different groups, regardless of their racialized backgrounds.
Linda Kongnetiman, managing lead of the City of Calgary’s anti-racism programs, said that this was an opportunity for participants to be in an environment where they can unlearn and relearn things to create a safe community, where everyone feels like they belong.
“It’s a space for everybody to be heard and to feel seen,” said Kongnetiman.
“It doesn’t matter what your racial background is.”
The conference was a chance for various organizations to hold various exhibits, workshops, presentations and other activities that catered to youth, adults, professionals, and other members of the community. It was a chance for more than 600 people to be in the same space and engage in the same kinds of conversations, according to Katie Black, general manager of community services with the City of Calgary.
Black said it was an important step in the city’s journey to being anti-racist.
“We are living with a legacy of racism and systemic racism in all kinds of structures,” said Black.
“We know that there is no better time than right now to start to overcome that legacy, to build new strategies and systems so that we can be the very best city.”
The resources advocated for education and training on how to listen, learn, and act on issues of racial injustice and systemic racism that affect Calgarians across the city. The conference served as an opportunity for participants to increase their anti-racism knowledge.
“This is a tremendous milestone for all Calgarians because we’re having conversations,” said Kongetiman.
The City’s anti-racism strategic plan was issued in 2023, to continue to remove systemic racism from various parts of the organization through education, engagement, collaboration and policy changes. Black said bringing all groups together to continue this work is key in moving those plans forward.
“We are a growing city, we’re a changing city,” said Black.
“Alone we go fast, but together we go far.”
