Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Revealing Systemic Racism and Inequities in BC
On Thursday, March 18, join us for a virtual conversation with representatives from British Columbia’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) Kasarai Govender and Trish Garner, along with First Nations Data Governance Initiative champion Gwen Phillips.
This 90-minute event will discuss BCOHRC’s recent report, Disaggregated demographic data collection in British Columbia: The grandmother perspective which advocates for governmental use of disaggregated data such as race-based data to “illuminate systemic inequalities and injustices.” The full report, along with a detailed summary, is available online at bchumanrights.ca/publications/datacollection
Register today!
KASARI GOVENDER (SHE/HER/HERS)
Kasari Govender is B.C.’s first independent Human Rights Commissioner. She has devoted her life to promoting human rights, with a focus on the rights of those most marginalized. She is passionate about using her skills as a lawyer and community builder to create a more equal and just province. She has worked closely with organizations and communities promoting gender equality, Indigenous rights, children’s rights, the rights of people with disabilities and the rights of immigrant communities.
She has co-authored key reports and articles and speaks widely on crucial social issues such as hate speech, access to justice, gender-based violence and systemic racism. Previously, she filled key roles with a variety of legal and human rights-focused organizations, as well as teaching law at UBC and SFU.
GWEN PHILLIPS (SHE/HER/HERS)
Gwen is a citizen of the Ktunaxa Nation and has worked for the Ktunaxa Nation Council for the past thirty-seven years, holding a variety of senior management functions, at times overseeing departments of Education, Health, Corporate Services, Traditional Knowledge and Language and for the past decade, functioning as the Director responsible for Governance Transition; leading the Ktunaxa Nation back to self-government.
Gwen is currently championing the BC First Nations’ Data Governance Initiative, working as a member of both the First Nations Health Council and the First Nations Information Governance Centre Board, and assisting Indigenous Services Canada in the implementation of their Indigenous Community Development National Strategy.
TRISH GARNER (THEY/THEM/THEIRS)
Trish is a tea-swilling Brit with a passion for social justice. They spent years working with anti-poverty groups before joining BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner. Through that work, they came to learn that it all comes down to relationships grounded in respect for each other so they try to slow down to take the time to build trust and relationships with folks and now bring this foundation to their work.
They have graduate degrees in both engineering and gender studies, as well as experience in community-based research and policy analysis, and strive to do research differently to make a difference. They are inspired by all who came before them in this work and those who are currently organizing for social change.
Event Location
Map UnavailableRevealing Systemic Racism and Inequities in BC
Date(s): Thursday, March 18Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Event Categories
- Community Health and Social Innovation Hub
- Race and Antiracism Network
- South Asian Studies Institute