Bonus Activity Sheet Available

Kia ora everyone,

Since we have taken some time to sit with our learning from Module 4, particularly reflecting on Laenui’s processes of colonisation and decolonisation, you can now access some additional resources we have developed to support your decolonial journey.

You’ll see an additional tab for “Bonus Content” alongside your Module Tabs. Feel free to check it out, and make use of the latest activity sheet which features some journalling and reflection prompts that may be helpful in continuing to process and get the most out of our Module 4 workshop.

Mauri ora,

Kera

Where to from here?

While we are in our final module of the programme, our journey doesn’t end here!

For many of us, this programme has brought up many questions and new learning, requiring some time for us to independently reflect, and work through the activities and resources available beyond the workshops.

During our Stream A workshop session, we discussed how we would like to take this decolonial work and practice forward beyond our four-part workshop programme. We have agreed to take some time to sit with our learning for the time being, and will follow up with participants over email in the coming weeks to discuss next steps.

The group shared a desire to continue in this work, and maintain the relationships we have begun to built during this programme. This is therefore not a passive pause, but an active one. Giving us time and space to reflect, so that we can be in the best position to go forward in our decolonial journeys.

However, as promised, resources for Module 4 will be available once stream B has completed their workshop. These will include some suggestions for colonial harm minimisation in your organisations, as well as a more detailed look into the Processes of Decolonisation model we learnt about.

While we have reached the end of this block of workshops, please do keep in touch!

You can continue to access this programme hub, and the LinkedIn discussion group for the next few months. You will receive emails well in advance of the Hub closing, as well as LinkedIn reminders, so you will have plenty of time to revisit the workshop recordings, or download resources that you may need.

whānaukataka

Throughout this programme, you have heard a lot about whānaukataka, or being in good relationship. Whānaukataka is core to all our practice at Activate. We feel immensely grateful to have been part of this journey with you all, to have been entrusted with facilitating this process, and to have been trusted with your stories and knowledge that you have all contributed to this space.

With that in mind, we see this programme as only the beginning of our relationship, and invite you to stay in touch however you have space and preference for. You are welcome to connect with Kera on LinkedIn, and LinkedIn message or email kiaora@activate.film if you have any questions, or would like further support in putting your decolonial learning into practice.

While these workshops conclude for now, our relationship does not. We so look forward to supporting you on your decolonial journeys, and to sharing space with you all again soon.

Sending aroha and solidarity,

Kā mihi maioha,

Kera, Haylee, Jason & the whole Activate whānau

Climate Justice & Decolonisation Documents from Faith Based Organisations

Kia ora koutou,

Joy Kennedy from Stream B has kindly provided a number of resources for those who may be interested in the work that Faith Based Organisations are doing with respect to climate justice and decolonising the climate movement.

She has provided a brief description of the documents below, and they are linked here for your interest!

• The Storforsen Appeal was from a meeting of Indigenous and Religious leaders on the Future of the Arctic in Storforsen, Sweden in 2015 just prior to COP21 in Paris.

• The Canadian Council of Churches' Expression of Reconciliation was to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2016

• The Canadian Interfaith Conversation Statement on Truth and Reconciliation was also for the TRC in 2016.

• The Interfaith Liaison Committee Message to the High Level Segment of COP25 in Madrid, delivered to the Plenary on the last day.of the COP.

Positionality Activity Sheet

In Module 3, we will start to generate ideas and actions that we can all take to decolonise our climate movements - whether we are employed in climate organisations, grassroots activists within the movement, or individually in our own personal activism and change-making practice.

Deeply understanding our own positions, and incorporating a deep practice of exploring our positionality is foundational in determining what actions we can take, and how we can most effectively and appropriately take action on climate change.

Following on from our Positionality session with Haylee Koroi in Workshop 2, we encourage you to spend some time delving deeper into your own positionality and whakapapa (genealogy - both in terms of ancestry, but also what has brought you to this place, and to this work). You can now access an extended Positionality Activity Sheet on the Module 2 page, or at the button below. This includes two activities for you to further reflect on your positionality, including some additional prompts to the discussion questions from Workshop 2.

While exploring our positionality should be an ongoing reflective practice, so it is not something you can “complete” in one sitting - we encourage all participants to take a look at this activity sheet, and spend what time you can reflecting on the questions in preparation for Workshop 3 next week.

We hope you find this sheet useful, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

New resource uploaded for Module 2 (Essential reading!)

Kia ora koutou,

Thanks to the kind recommendation of our colleague Yamide Dagnet, we have uploaded an additional resource for Module 2:Racism and Climate (In)Justice How Racism and Colonialism shape the Climate Crisis and Climate Action.

We have mentioned throughout the lead up to the workshops that there is no required reading as such. However, if there is one resource that you do take the time to access, I would very highly recommend it be this paper.

It covers a number of issues that we have started to discuss in the programme so far, with some excellent depth and nuance we have not been able to delve into given the limited time we have together.

It also has some excellent recommendations which may be useful to read after Module 2, and in preparation for Module 3 where we will start to get to the action end of the programme.

It is a long article, so for those shorter on time, I would recommend reading pages 1-19 for Module 2, and then the following pages for Modules 3 & 4.

In any case, if there’s one resource out of all that I would encourage, this would be it, and again my deep appreciation to our colleague Yamide who recommended this in Stream B and who has kindly followed up with the authors for their blessing to share this resource with us all.

Ngā mihi nui,

Kera

Waiata Māori - Te Reo Māori Workshop Music

Many participants were asking about our workshop music, so as promised, here is a short playlist for you to enjoy. Let us know what you think, and if you have any suggestions for other music you’d like to hear!

Making the most of your Decolonisation Programme

We know that starting a new programme is an exciting time, but it can also be a little overwhelming.

We all bring a variety of different experiences and perspectives to this programme, and all are valuable. There are no prerequisites to attending your workshop or expectations of your current knowledge, so please remember that however you are able to show up on the day is warmly welcomed.

With that said, we wanted to share a few pointers on how you can make the most of the programme before we dive into the workshops …

1. Use the Hub!

We know we’ve said it before, but this is the one place with all you need for your programme. You can save your workshops to your calendar, access resources for each module, and join the Zoom workshop directly from the hub.

If you’re reading this, then you’ve made the great first step to register for the Programme Hub. If you want to make the most out of the programme, make sure you check in regularly - we’re always adding new resources to the library that you might be interested in, and updating this notice board!

2. Schedule reflection and self-directed learning time

Making sure you have your workshops in your calendar is important, but we also find it useful to schedule preparation and reflection time as well.

This course is designed so you have two weeks between each session, to allow you time to reflect, delve into your questions, and put some of your learning into practice.

We recommend blocking a few 30 minute sessions out in your calendar between workshops to explore some of the supporting resources, join group discussions, explore some of the provided exercises, and reflect on the concepts we’ve introduced.

It’s up to you how much time you can put into the programme, but we recommend allowing 2 hours per week for self-directed learning and reflection to make sure you’re getting the most out of your workshops.

3. Join the group discussions

We have set up the LinkedIn group to host discussions about all things #Decolonization.

You can respond to some of the discussion prompts, or share your own thoughts and questions in the group. Plus, this is a great space to encourage your fellow participants, and support each other on your Decolonial journeys.

This is a private group, so your comments will not appear to your LinkedIn connections, and you don’t even have to be connected with other programme members to join the group.

4. Find a buddy

Whether you have colleagues in the programme, or you’re flying solo, having an accountability partner to share thoughts and keep you on track makes a huge difference to how well you’re able to stick to and apply what you’ve learnt.

After the first workshop, we’ll share a post in the LinkedIn group to help people pair up with buddies for the programme.

If you choose to participate in this, you will receive some bonus resources on how to run an effective Buddy Check-In - whether you’re emailing, messaging, or Zooming, and whether you have 5 minutes or half an hour.

5. Prepare your space

Lastly, if you can, give yourself some time before the workshops to prepare your space and clear your mind.

Our workshops are designed to be collaborative and interactive, but we acknowledge that we are discussing topics that may be challenging or confronting for some people.

We find that taking a few minutes to get your space prepared with a cup of tea, water bottle, snacks, or anything else that will make you comfortable can really enhance your workshop participation.

We welcome comfy clothes, and remember, you are always welcome to use a Zoom background or hide your video if that will help you be more comfortable participating.

It can also be helpful to put your phone on silent and close any un-needed browser tabs to help your digital space feel calmer ahead of the session.

BONUS: Complete your Discovery Questionnaire

If you haven’t already, why not take a few minutes to complete your participant discovery questionnaire? It takes only 10-15 minutes to complete, but will help introduce you to a few of the terms will be using, and most importantly, it will help your facilitators to tailor the programme to your needs and level!

That’s it from us! We hope these tips set you up for success, and help you to feel calmer and more prepared for your workshop.

You’ll hear from us again the day before your session with a link to join the Zoom workshop. If you haven’t yet confirmed which stream you’d like to attend, please email us so we can get you the correct join link!

If you get stuck, you can always join the Zoom direct from the button on the Programme Hub.

Remember, your facilitation team are here to support you on your learning journey, so don’t feel shy to ask questions, or reach out to us on LinkedIn or on our email kiaora@activate.film. We’d love to help!

Hei a tērā wiki!

See you next week!

Introducing your facilitation team | Tamani Rarama

Blue greyscale image of Tamani Rarama, an indigenous i-taukei person from Fiji. A coral coloured graphic overlays the photo, and has text that reads “Tamani Rarama, i-taukei, Fiji, Facilitator”.

Tamani Rarama is an i-taukei (indigenous) Climate Justice activist in Fiji.

They (pronouns) currently work as a monitoring and evaluation consultant for the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and have formerly worked for non-governmental organizations and development agencies that include Rainbow Pride Foundation (Fiji’s LGBTQI+ NGO) and the World Health Organization Pacific Office as a National Project Officer under its Mental Health Division.

Tamani is affiliated to many grassroots networks and organizations that works on Climate Justice and in 2016 was part of the Pacific Urgent Action Climate Justice Working Group that actively mobilized/campaigned and advocated for our constituent’s issues. Over the years, Tamani has been part of the COP spaces and negotiations and have identified the rise of white supremacy and racism in these spaces.

Tamani is a passionate ocean lover and spend most of their free time sailing, travelling and at times in self-discovery activities such as meditation to reconnect, reflect and re-energize.

Tamani believes that Indigenous Peoples’ practice, knowledge and intervention is necessary to addressing the climate emergency that the globe experiences.