Join us for the May 12 REDI Lunch & Learn session.
Michel-Rolph Trouillot said, “History is the fruit of power, but power itself is never so transparent that its analysis becomes superfluous. The ultimate mark of power may be its invisibility; the ultimate challenge, the exposition of its roots.” Perhaps telling the truth and reconciling for the future is about the imbalance of history and power. A tug-of-war that pits us against them, and the victor’s spoils creates the construction of historical narratives and the uneven contribution of unequal access to the means for such production. I want to push against, fight and reject the naïve proposition that we are prisoners of our pasts. I think that history is whatever we make of it, as grim as that may sound. I want to talk about some of this history and the tensions that live there still, and to reimagine a past that is simultaneously accurate and works to empower those that have been dispossessed in the trajectory of our shared and unique pasts. So, bring your favorite lunch, pull up a virtual chair, and we’ll talk about the bits and pieces of the snapshots of time, of history, and of telling the truth.
This is part of the REDI Lunch & Learn Series.
Facilitator: Derek Thompson
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm PDT
Please note that the event will not be recorded
What Will I Learn?
You will learn about the importance of understanding our shared and individual place in the run of history.
Please note that the event will not be recorded
Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup is an advisor in the Faculty of Medicine Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI). Thlaapkiituup is from the diitiidʔaaʔtx̣ – Ditidaht First Nation, one of fourteen Nuuchahnulth Nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. As the REDI Indigenous Initiatives Advisor, Derek provides leadership and support across the Faculty to help create and sustain learning and work environments that incorporate standards of cultural safety and humility and that are free from Indigenous specific racism and discrimination. Derek promotes inclusion of an Indigenous perspective in all Faculty initiatives. Derek also works closely with the Director, Indigenous Engagement to implement the Faculty’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in a way that will best support the formal commitments made to Indigenous peoples for a better and just future. This important work will also create opportunities for students, staff and faculty to engage with Indigenous people and communities in meaningful ways, and to begin anew the creation of redressing what we believe ourselves to be - as Indigenous peoples, and as Canadians.
Read the Message from the Indigenous Initiatives Advisor
indigenousinitiatives.advisor@ubc.ca
What is the REDI Lunch & Learn Series?
The Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is proud to present a new REDI Lunch & Learn series featuring our team of advisors: Robyn Campol, Dr. Neila Miled and Derek Thompson. This fresh and informative series will be spontaneous and conversational in its approach to talk about issues that are timely and relevant. These sessions will also highlight the importance of showing up to these necessary conversations with presence and persona – so bring your very best of curiosity and energy!
Each session will also provide an opportunity for the participants to engage in a Q & A or to simply to reflect on the merits of the conversations. This exciting series will be offered weekly starting in March 2022, with each advisor presenting their own one hour session.
Upcoming Sessions
Check the REDI Events page for updates on this series and all REDI offerings.