Book or Attend a Workshop

Decolonizing the Heart is a 2-day Workshop NOW ONLINE
Upcoming Workshops (2021):
Day 1: Saturday Feb 6th, 9:30am - 4:30pm
Day 2: Saturday Feb 20th, 9:30am - 4:30pm

Register Here

Day 1 is a pre-requisite for Day 2. Email us to be notified of future offerings or to request a workshop.

Workshop Content (adapted as needed to fit the online format):

Learn how we learn to feel the way we feel and think the way we think.

DAY ONE: Deep Learning for Deep Change
Using geno-graphing, we explore the stories into which we are born - the struggles of our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and further into our lineage. We consider our own stories through William Ury's proposition that "all conflicts arise from the failure to have needs met" and the Medicine Wheel framework of the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual aspects of our human needs.

Day's Programme
Morning (Light Breakfast, Coffee/tea)
Introduction/Icebreaker
Framework and discussion: Scarcity and Needs-based Conflict Analysis; Identity Formation and Socialization; Personal Stories, Medicine Wheel Teachings and more...
Privilege Walk

Afternoon
Grounding relations in history and memory:
Privilege Walk Part 2
Applying the Medicine Wheel and Geno-Graphing
Conflict De-Escalation and "Calling In"
Applying the Knowledge
Closing: debriefing/evaluations/next steps

DAY TWO: Extending the Learning
Our focus in Part 2 is on practice and experiential learning of the concepts presented in Part 1, as we work together to decolonize ourselves and develop our skills and empathy in action. Critical analysis and “Calling In” skills are enhanced through DTH original films giving a more immersive, realistic experience of challenging situations.

Day's Programme
Morning (Light Breakfast, Coffee/tea)
Greetings, Opening Circle and Icebreaker
Theory Refresh
Forum Theatre exercises and Scenario Practice

Afternoon
Decolonizing the Heart Toolkit Review
Applying the Knowledge: Scenario Practice
Closing: debriefing/evaluations/next steps

The usually provided vegetarian lunch of home-made vegetable soup and salad will not be provided but you’re welcome to the recipes. :) Please email us at decoltheheart@gmail.com.

Facilitator Bios

DM Marchand-Lafortune is an advocate, artist – music, photography, writer (poetry, essayist, short-stories, short-stories, philosophy and legal theory), film-maker, educator and teacher. She is trained as a lawyer (constitutional appellate law) and is a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist. She is a leading voice in the development of the theory and practice of equity and inclusion policy.

DM was born of a Cree-Métis mother and Ashkenazi/Sephardic Jewish father. She was taken from her mother at 7 days old. She was later adopted and raised by an Acadian/Mi'kmaq man and a Scottish woman. The many truths she's learned about her inter-cultural identity have given her a deep understanding of Franz Fanon's claim, “I must understand everything because I belong nowhere.” She furthers this quote with: “If you know that – you know how to “be” anywhere”.

Hear DM speak in two short videos as part of the Crestwood School Oral History Project.

Monica Henriques first heard Diem speak at a talk on matriarchy and the feminist gift economy and decided to attend the first Decolonizing the Heart workshop.  Monica was inspired to support the next workshop, and this developed into a partnership with Diem to continue this important and ground-breaking work.

Monica is of mixed ancestry (Dutch and Jamaican) and grew up in Toronto.  Her first career was in Western Canada working as an ergonomics consultant.  After a significant life event, she expanded her worldview through living at a yoga retreat in New Zealand and an ashram in India for eight years. She has just completed a Master of Social Work program. Through nurturing respectful relationships and acknowledgement that everyone has a story, the Decolonizing the Heart material is a necessary progression for counteracting the increasing polarization in society and transforming thinking.

(The venue for this event is accessible.) ASL interpretation is not offered at this time.

Register to Participate. Questions: please email decoltheheart@gmail.com.