News release details
A free, bilingual online resource to help teachers educate students about race and racism launches today at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR).
Pass the Mic: Let’s Talk About Racism profiles Dawn Richardson Wilson, an Olympic bobsledder, Gurdeep Pandher, a bhangra artist and educator, and Dimitri Nana‐Côté / Kiara, a drag performer. Each share their experiences with racism in the form of stereotypes, biases, microaggressions and othering through a series of short videos.
The videos are accompanied by a detailed lesson plan for students in Grades 5 — 8 to help teachers unpack these stories in the classroom. Students also explore concepts of privilege, intersectionality, allyship and anti‐racism. The lessons culminate in a student‐led project to transform their learning into action, which is the foundation of the CMHR’s human rights education programs.
The resource was developed by the CMHR’s Educator in Residence, Sarah Adomako‐Ansah (she/her). She will launch the resource through a professional development session with Winnipeg teachers at the CMHR tomorrow.
"We need to be talking about race and racism in our classrooms, but I know that many teachers find it uncomfortable or don’t know where to start," said Adomako‐Ansah. "Pass the Mic elevates voices that far too often aren’t being heard as a starting place for those conversations. It will help build our collective capacity to challenge racism in ourselves and our communities."
While the online resource will be available to teachers across Canada, Adomako‐Ansah is also developing an in‐person school program based on Pass the Mic to be offered to school groups at the Museum. That program will be available to book shortly through the CMHR’s website.
The CMHR’s Educator in Residence is a term position filled by an outstanding Canadian teacher dedicated to human rights education. Applications to be the next Educator in Residence, starting September 2023, are being accepted now.
Biographies
Dawn Richardson‐Wilson (she/her) was born in Accra, Ghana and moved to Canada at age two. After losing both her mother and father, she was taken in the care of her brother and sister‐in‐law. Dawn grew up competing in lots of sports – basketball, rugby, weightlifting – but fell in love with bobsleigh after going to a recruitment camp. She joined the Canadian national team program in 2018 and competed at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She is currently based in Edmonton.
Gurdeep Pandher (he/him) is a Yukon‐based, bhangra artist and educator. He brings people from all backgrounds together promoting inclusivity through his online dance classes and videos. His sessions are a joyful way to introduce the culture of the Punjabi folk dance, bhangra. Watched by millions around the world, they bring joy, hope and positivity. Gurdeep’s works have been published by many international art and media organizations, including BBC News, CBC National, The Globe and Mail, CTV National, and NBC.
Dimitri Nana‐Côté (he/him) / Kiara (she/her) is the biracial son of a Black Canadian father and a White Québécois mother. He grew up in Quebec City, but later moved to Montréal to study film at Concordia University. He began performing drag at Cabaret Mado, choosing the drag name Kiara in reference to the character Kiara from The Lion King. Kiara competed on the first season of Canada's Drag Race.