Statement of support for Iranian students at the University of Ottawa impacted by the civil unrest and protest in Iran

In recent weeks, the killing of Mahsa Amini while in custody for allegedly “wearing her hijab improperly” has outraged Iranians and sparked a new round of nationwide protests in Iran. The protest has extended to large and small cities outside Tehran, including Kurdish areas—where Amini came from—and youth from across the socioeconomic and educational spectrum have taken part. Although this tragedy did not happen within our borders or our university, we must remember that we are global citizens. We need to be aware of our external environment and be by the side of individuals who might need our support.

If the civil unrest in Iran has somehow affected you, please do not hesitate to email us. We are here to advocate for you and guide you through the available resources our university can offer you.

We hope that the soul of those lost in this protest in Iran rests in peace. Our deep condolences to their families and communities. The HKGSA and its EDI Committee condemn every action engaged with discrimination, and we encourage students who have faced or are facing any type of discrimination in our school or do not feel safe, to get in touch anonymously with us by using our EDI email address: edi.hkgsa@uottawa.ca

“Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim”. V.H.

The HKGSA-AÉDSAP supports efforts to eliminate systematic racism and discrimination.

Established in 2020, the Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity (EDI) Committee aims to celebrate diversity and assist the HKGSA-AÉDSAP in promoting a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for all active members within the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa.

The EDI Committee’s objectives include: eliminating discrimination and harassment,, promoting opportunity for those with diverse backgrounds, and nurturing positive relationships amongst our community within the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa.

Our principles include: dignity of life, equality, respect, and freedom from discrimination, harassment, and maltreatment.

The EDI Committee’s goal for this academic year is to spread awareness and educate our community on EDI topics through events, advocacy, and awareness that will bring both students and experts together, as well as assist the HKGSA-AÉDSAP in their goals and initiatives.

We encourage folks from our community to email the EDI Committee if they feel victim to, or have witnessed any sort of discrimination/harassment within the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa.

Should you wish to share your story, please contact the EDI Committee.

Please note that the committee is committed to respect, privacy, and confidentiality; as such, in accordance with the HKGSA-AÉDSAP by-laws, we will maintain your anonymity.

Would you like to learn more about EDI topics?

The EDI committee has created this online educational resource tab where you can find plenty of documents related to EDI.

If you have any book or article suggestions-please do not hesitate to email them to us and we will be happy to add them!

Click Here for More Information on Unconcious Bias

Uncoupling biases & self-exploration

EXPLORING MY POWER & PRIVILEGE

Dig deeper by exploring how your identity is informed by experiences of power and privilege. Extend this knowledge to better understand the context of Canada’s major equity-seeking groups which include LGBT2sQ people, racialized people, Indigenous Peoples, women and people with disabilities. Better understand how tensions of power and privilege have given rise to many historical and contemporary social justice movements.

Prejudice, Bias & Discrimination

Explore how your identity impacts your personal worldview. Reflect upon how asserting one’s identity can sometimes lead to bias, and how stereotypes can influence our perceptions of others that cause prejudice and acts of discrimination. Define and identify personal bias, potentially held stereotypes, prejudices, and acts of discrimination.

Uncover your voice

So many of you are asking: What can I do? There is a sense of helplessness, but that must not paralyze us. Your voice matters, especially when you are a leader or influential figure, and especially if you are white. Leaders have to be bold enough to state the obvious and call out racism.

The conversation can no longer be avoided because it is hard. We have to have it. Now.

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