January 15, 2019 – Agenda and Minutes

Members Present: Ameil Joseph (Co-Chair), Grace Pollock (Vice-Chair, Staff), Mijia Murong, Jordan Carrier, Amber Dean, Andy Crowell, Rodrigo Narro Perez, Wanda McKenna, Melanie Garaffa, Judith Dworkin, Ikram Farah, Tina Fetner, Sashaina Singh, Shelley Porteous, Rosanne Kent, Chika Agbassi, Sarah Cairns, Tanya Rumble, Dawn Unwin, Esra Bengizi, Sujane Kandasamy, Yimeng Wang.

Member Regrets: Wanda McKenna, Anne Pottier, Karen Sutton, John Williams

Equity and Inclusion Office: Arig al Shaibah, Kate Brown, Craig Foye, Chelsea Gibson, Joan Johnson (regrets sent), Pilar Michaud, Princewill Ogban, Tolulope Ojo (Minutes), Khadijeh Rakie, Meaghan Ross, Vilma Rossi.

Community Members Present: Prarthna Sakhuja, Max Librach, Deb Garland, Ayo Osinowo

1) Welcome and Introductions
Ameil opened the meeting by acknowledging that McMaster University sits on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee Nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon wampum agreement (ref: IEC May 2016). Participants were then invited to introduce themselves and their affiliation with the University.

2) Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of December 18, 2018 were approved as amended:

– Freedom of Expression

3) Rainbow Crosswalk – Update and Discussion
Arig discussed the acts of vandalism that occurred at the Sterling Street rainbow crosswalk and raised, specifically, the incident that was reported to the EIO in early January. Members expressed more satisfaction with the statement that was recently issued on the Daily News although there were lingering questions related to the investigation and its timelines.

4) Presentation: MSU Diversity Week January 28 – February 1, 2019
Mijia Murong, Diversity Services Director for McMaster Student Union, presented on the upcoming Diversity Week events. Mijia invited feedback, comments and suggestions on the theme, “Freedom of Resistance” and the event ideas. The Presentation is appended to the Minutes.

5) PACBIC Members & Working Groups – Updates & Reports
Working Groups will be meeting to make recommendations for the Annual report.

6) Announcements
• The Gender and Sexuality Working Group will be meeting on January 21st at 10:30 am in McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC) 230

• Let’s Talk about Race! Drop-In Sessions on Thursday January 29, 2019 from 11:30 to 1:30 pm at L.R. Wilson Hall, Room 2001. Racialized/BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) students’ staff and faculty are invited to a facilitated discussion on Islamophobia and to commemorate the 2-year anniversary of the 2016 Quebec Mosque shooting.

• Hamilton’s Day of Action and Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia First, We Remember. Next, We Act

Solidarity Vigil:
Date: January 29, 2019

Location: Hamilton City Hall, Council Chambers, 71 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5

Time: 6:30pm

Keynote Speaker: Imam Yasin Dwyer

Let’s Talk About Islamophobia an Open Discussion – Share Experiences to Find Solutions:
Date: February 2, 2019

Location: Hamilton Mountain Mosque, 1545 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton, ON L8W 3P8

Time: 11:30am

Keynote Speaker: Iqra Khalid

Date: February 9, 2019:

Location: Hamilton Downtown Mosque, 221 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R1Y6 Time: 1:30pm

Keynote speaker: Sarah Jama

• McMaster Hillel will be hosting an Interfaith Shabbat dinner on February 8, 2019 at 6:30 pm in Celebration Hall. Please RSVP by February 1st https://hillelontario.org/mcmaster/hillel event/interfaith-shabbat-dinner/

• First Nations, Metis & Inuit Priorities (FNMI) will be hosting an event in February 2019 featuring Dr. Lana Whiskyjack and Beverly Jacobs. The dates to be confirmed shortly.

7) Adjournment and Next Meeting

The meeting was adjourned at 3:11 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in Gilmour Hall Room 111 (Council Chambers).

Please send regrets to pacbic@mcmaster.ca