We are delighted to announce the publication of “.” in the Studies of Social Justice journal by Professor Manjeet Birk. In this paper, a profound exploration into the intricate dynamics of antiracism projects within feminist nonprofit organizations in Vancouver, British Columbia has emerged. Drawing on extensive research conducted on the unceded territories of the x史m蓹胃k史蓹y虛蓹m (Musqueam), S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh (Squamish), and s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, the paper delves deep into the role, relationship, and responsibility of advocating for antiracism and social justice in these critical spaces.

ABSTRACT: 

Building on research conducted in feminist organizations in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the unceded territories of the x史m蓹胃k史蓹y虛蓹m (Musqueam), S岣祑x瘫w煤7mesh (Squamish), and s蓹lilw蓹ta涩 (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, this paper explores the role, relationship, and responsibility of advocating for antiracism and social justice in the context of antiracism projects in feminist nonprofit organizations. In doing so this paper asks: What do antiracism projects look like in feminist organizations? And how are these projects informed or interrupted by racialized and Indigenous activists within these spaces? Using critical race theory鈥檚 composite counterstory, this paper uses storytelling methodologies to understand how racialized settlers and Indigenous folks can collaborate and thrive 鈥� as they have been doing 鈥� on occupied unceded territories in Canada. Based on a series of interviews with racialized and Indigenous activists engaging in feminist nonprofit organizations, these stories shed light on contemporary realities of colonization, including collaboration within white settler systems.

杏吧原创 Manjeet Birk:

Manjeet Birk (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at the Feminist Institute of Social Transformation and an interdisciplinary scholar whose work centers the lived experience of racialized and Indigenous girls and women in Canada. Her research focuses on women鈥檚 organizing, social justice and institutional racism using critical race, intersectional and decolonizing theories and methodologies. Her interests are grounded in her community activism working with women鈥檚 organizations locally, nationally and internationally.

Dr. Birk recently returned from a year in Aotearoa, New Zealand, completing a SSHRC postdoc focused on her project Pathways to Inclusion of Indigenous and Racialized Communities: A Comparative Analysis Between Canada and New Zealand. This project involved collaborating with a team in the Department of Public Health at the Auckland University of Technology, in Auckland NZ to think through systemic and institutional racism particularly as it relates to racialized and Indigenous communities in Auckland. This will form the basis of a comparative analysis between Canada and Aotearoa New Zealand. With a lifetime of experience organizing, troubling and challenging systems, Dr. Birk is always looking for new ways to re-conceptualize a more beautiful world. To learn more about Dr. Birk鈥檚 work, you can also check out this FASS interview.

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We are delighted to announce the publication of an article in the Journal of Critical Race Inquiry () by Manjeet Birk. Titled “,” this exceptional piece promises to be a captivating addition to the JCRI’s repository of cutting-edge research.

In this thought-provoking article, Manjeet Birk introduces the innovative methodology of “Critical Race Composite Counter Storytelling.” The study explores the transformative potential of narratives in dismantling prevailing structures of racism. Through this rigorous examination, Birk emphasizes the role of storytelling as a powerful tool for marginalized communities to challenge, subvert, and ultimately reshape dominant societal narratives.

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Dec 6, 2021

Dear friends of the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies:

On this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we continue to to remember and to mourn the women whose lives were cut short at 脡cole Polytechnique in Montreal on December 6, 1989.  Although we cannot restore this terrible loss, we continue to honour and recognize it through the work that we do at the Institute to address gender-based violence, which continues in a multitude of forms.  As our poster suggests, there are intersectional connections to be made to specific forms of violence and misogyny against racialized and Indigenous women, transgender women, and femmes, LGBTQ2SIA+, and gender non-binary people.  We dedicate ourselves to creating spaces that are safe for open discussion and study for all, and where grief can be expressed, so that we can transform the worlds we live in to eradicate violence.

Ann Cvetkovich

Director, Pauline Jewett Institute of Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies

杏吧原创 University

Message to Undergraduate Students in WGST 1808

Dear 1808:

Today, December 6, is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, which is recognized across Turtle Island. This is a very important day that I would like to comment on. Please note, that there are references to violence below, especially gender-based, misogynistic violence. Please do not hesitate to contact anyone on the teaching team should you be looking for resources to discuss this violence.

 I would like to add that it is up to everyone in our community, regardless of gender, or ability, or race, or sexuality, or class, to call attention to not only the darkness of the misogynistic and gender-based violence that continues today, but also to the many victories for those who have fought for change.

However, as feminist thinkers in our learning community of WGST 1808, we are also keenly aware that when we talk about and take action on misogynistic and gender-based violence, we will consider gender, ability, race, sexuality, class, among other things. We will especially remember and consider that the very supports our communities can offer have workers who are the very perpetrators of the violence, such as in the legal system.

We are going to continue to talk about all of this in WGST 1808 and I am happy to talk about it with anyone via Zoom or in-person at 杏吧原创. – Katherine Bausch

If you are looking for information on this National Day of Remembrance (this article contains detailed descriptions of violence and also national resources for support to talk about misogynistic and gender-based violence):

If you are looking for supports at 杏吧原创:

杏吧原创 Sexual Assault Survivor Support:

杏吧原创 Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Services:

If you are looking for other community-based supports:

Under the Umbrella:

Somerset West Community Health Centre Support Line for African, Caribbean, and Black Communities:

MMIW Ontario:

Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre:

For information and resources related to women with disabilities and violence:

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Dear friends of the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies:

As we prepare for yet another Convocation without being able to gather in person, I’d like to extend a note of congratulations to this fall’s graduates.   I wish that we could hear your names called out as you cross the stage to receive your diplomas, share hugs and handshakes (or the socially distanced equivalent) with you and your families, and offer wishes for your future success.  I know that you have faced additional challenges in completing your degrees during a pandemic.

Please join me in congratulating Mikaya Christensen and Amanda Johnson, who have earned their BA degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies, as well as our two MA graduates, PJ Javier and Erin McHarge.

With best wishes,

Ann Cvetkovich

Director, Pauline Jewett Institute of Women’s and Gender Studies

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Assistant Professor and  interdisciplinary scholar, Dr. Manjeet Birk, recently published a widely-circulated piece in The Conversation on Critical Race Theory and 鈥淒iversity鈥�. In addition to providing a brief overview of what critical race theory actually involves, the article also challenges 鈥渄iversity鈥� initiatives that fail to address white supremacy in meaningful ways. You can read the article .

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