To Community Organizations,

The District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) believes that diversity is a source of strength and innovation, and our schools embrace and appreciate the values, identities and lived experiences of students. DSBN is committed to creating a culture of transformative and impactful change through an inclusive design that uses an asset-based lens of students and is anchored in anti-oppression, anti-racism and human rights.

In support of the commitment to creating an equitable, inclusive, accessible and supportive learning and working environment, the DSBN has established the DSBN Equity Inclusion and Anti-Racism Community Advisory Committee (EIARCAC) to draw in the participation of communities.

The DSBN EIARCAC will meet quarterly with a schedule determined by the Committee. As a Committee Member, you will be providing advice and feedback using human rights, antiracist and anti-oppressive lenses to ensure that decisions, policies and practices are/will not create barriers to Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Racialized, 2SLGBTQ+ and other groups marginalized by societal structures.

During the 2021-2023 term, EIARCAC members were involved in providing input and feedback on the Three-Year DSBN Equity Action Plan, Grade 9 Destreaming, the Creed Accommodations Guidelines, the Gender Identity and Gender Expression Guidelines, the Inclusive Language Guidelines, DSBN Human Rights Policy, and Bullying Prevention and Intervention.

The composition of Committee Members includes representation from community organizations, parents, and students. Additional membership will include one Trustee, a senior staff representative and other DSBN staff as required.

The DSBN EIARCAC is currently seeking up to five (5) community representatives from human rights and equity focused organizations, alliances and/or networks that serve Black, Indigenous, Racialized communities, 2SLGBTQ+ communities, ethno-cultural communities, and people with disabilities. Organizations can appoint a representative to join the Committee. Experience with equity advocacy and allyship will be considered an asset.

The representative should:

• have interest, experience (lived experience preferred) and solid understanding of issues equity, racism and systemic oppression in schools and the community at large;
• have knowledge of diverse experiences of groups marginalized by societal structures;
• be able to attend meetings quarterly; and
• have the written endorsement and support of the community organization which they represent.

This position is a two-year term for the 2023-2025 school year and ends on June 30, 2025. If you are interested in participating, please complete and submit this online application form.

The application deadline is June 21, 2023.

If you have questions, please contact equity@dsbn.org.

DSBN Equity Team
Zakia Hamdani, Consultant of Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
Pratima Burton, Student Achievement Leader of Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
Kelly Pisek, Superintendent of Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism
Shannon Mitchell, Chair of Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee