January Diversity & Belonging Council Meeting Agenda

Welcome and Introductions via Padlet - Liz Marino

Land Acknowledgement - Kathy Burton & Angela Robinson

Mission and Norms - Sheila Krishnan

Case Study - Kathy Burton

Activity Directions - Sheila Krishnan

Breakout Rooms - All

Reunite & Debrief - Kathy Burton & Liz Marino

Closing Quote- Jess Gilchrist

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Introductions Via Padlet

Click the + button under the school that you are connected with. Please share one aspect of your identity that you find as a source of strength and/or challenge. Please include your name and your connection to this community as the subject. Optional: include a picture to represent your identity. If done early, feel free to 'like' or comment on other's responses.

Land Acknowledgement

Why are we doing a Land Acknowledgement?

• Undo Indigenous erasure
• Insert an awareness of Indigenous presence, land rights, and contributions in everyday life.
• Recognize the history of colonialism and a need for change in settler colonial societies

We acknowledge the Indigenous people who first occupied all of what is now called North & South America. Some still live on their original land, some were relocated, some were enslaved across the ocean, and many if not all, were victims of genocide. We acknowledge the role the United States played in the genocide of First Nations. We acknowledge the many Massachusetts Tribal Nations who have lived on this land, including the nations whose land we are on now. We acknowledge that we are on Pawtucket and Massachusett lands.

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What Next?

• Visit native-land.ca and look up whose land you are living on or places that you frequent and the history and current status of the tribal nation(s). OR text your zip code to Land for Anchorage at 1-907-312-5085
• Engage in some learning: 21-Day Racial Equity Indigenous Challenge
• Do some noticing (and take action when possible) regarding your personal and professional spaces - curriculum, representation, language.
• Support current efforts Indigenous peoples living in MA
• MA Center for Native American Awareness

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About the Lowell Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Council

The goal of the Lowell Diversity and Belonging Council is to unite families, students, and faculty/staff to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within our community.

What We Do:

• Discuss issues or share concerns related to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Meet other families and celebrate our diverse community
• Plan events and share updates or resources
• Provide space to process local or national events
• Coordinate with other parent groups (FTO, SEPAC, ELPAC)

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Group Norms

^{Keep your video on (if possible)}

^{Be present}

^{Actively participate}

^{Stay in the stretch zone}

^{Share the air – make space for others}

^{Respect confidentiality}

Closing Quote