YWCA Central Maine Stand Against Racism (3-day event)

Event Program

April 21st

Community Concepts, Inc., Upstander Project, and Wabanaki REACH presents the Emmy Award-winning film Dawnland followed by a live panel discussion facilitated by Wabanaki REACH.

• Film screening from 5:00pm – 6:00pm. Panel discussion from 6:00pm – 7:30pm. *Please note the film can be viewed 4/14/2021 to 4/24/2021*

About Dawnland: For decades, state child welfare authorities have been removing Native American children from their families to “save them from being Indian.” In Maine, the first official “truth and reconciliation commission” in the United States begins an investigation. Dawnland goes behind-the-scenes as this historic body grapples with difficult truths, reveals pathways to healing, redefines reconciliation, and charts a new course for state and tribal relations.

Registration Link for Film Screening or copy & paste: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/150749809739/

April 22nd

• 12:00pm – 1:00pm Keynote Speaker Director of Wabanaki Public Health Department of Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness (WPHW) Lisa Sockabasin to address systemic and historical racism that have contributed to Indigenous health inequities, and share what can be done to improve health outcomes and advance health equity.

• 2:00pm – 3:30pm Guided Conversation based upon the book So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo. The discussion will be led by Nicollette Mitchell, Director of Equity and Inclusion Education at Bates College

So You Want to Want to Talk About Race provides a user friendly examination of race in America and provides a tool to help us frame our discussion and provide tangible guidance on how to approach these sometimes hard conversations with empathy, understanding, and skill.

• 4:00pm – 5:00pm The Bridge to My Own Power BIPOC ONLY space*

*This affinity group experience is designed to create an intimate and protected space for Black, Brown, Latinx, Asian American, African American, or other persons of color to build community, share their truth openly, and affirm each other through representation. We know the intentionality of our white allies is to offer support; however, we ask you to opt-out of this particular opportunity and seek other options to serve in our community. To further understand this space, take a moment to read this article.

April 23rd

• 1:00pm – 2:00pm Panel Discussion on Housing as a Social Determinant to Health. This conversation will feature panelists: Craig Saddlemire, Raise-Op Housing Cooperative; Fowsia Musse, Maine Community Integration; Maureen Boston, Pine Tree Legal Assistance; and, Amy Smith, Health Homeworks. Our facilitator will be Tonya Bailey-Curry, YWCA Central Maine Board President.