Canadian Visible Minorities
and the World Conference Against Racism

 From the founding days of Canadian history, visible minorities and First Nation Peoples have contributed to the social and economic structure of the country, yet Canadian based reports and studies would indicate that collectively, such groups are continually struggling for the enjoyment of full identity of social, economic and political rights. For such individuals and groups, race has provided a basis for utilizing labor at a lower cost; has undermined their social status; and has helped justify institutional arrangements. Further it is generally recognized that, within the context of majority/ minority, ethnic/racial relations, racist ideologies have been transposed into potent political instruments wielded collectively by the dominant ethnic group.

 Oppressed groups in Canada have generally recognized the historical trends that have served to enslave and oppress them over the years. Visible minorities and First Nations’ peoples are also keenly aware of current systemic and organizational practices that have perpetuated their situation. Inherent barriers in the system prevent these groups from moving out of exploitative situations. There has been some increased social consciousness and general sensitivity over the years, which have enabled oppressed Canadian groups to make some progress economically, socially and politically. Taken as a whole, this progress is often negated for the majority of oppressed people by the re-positioning of the gate to full identity. Hence, as they continually strive to reach the gate, exploitation continues under the guise of social policies.
 The traditional methods that have been tried to address racism in Canada have not been effective. Such methods often tend to focus on “race-relations” and “cross-cultural approaches”, highlighting everyday overt acts of racism. For the utilization of more meaningful approaches to address racism, there needs to be a better understanding of the root causes of racism. One must acknowledge that racism is founded in our history, where enslavement and colonization have served to oppress certain groups and where all the related attitudes, behaviors and stereotypes have developed and persisted into this era. The history of oppressed groups is universal; therefore racism is not confined to any local domain, but is also a global concern.

 The World Conference Against Racism, Intolerance and Xenophobia, has provided a forum for Canadian-based N.G.O’s and community-based agencies to put the problem of racism in the forefront and to critique existing anti-racism strategies. For example, in Saskatchewan, empowered by the upcoming World Conference Against racism, a group pf committed individuals and organizations, comprised of professionals and community-based activists, have come together as Saskatchewan’s “Civil Society’, under the auspices of IHRAAM. This committee, in preparation for the World Conference has developed a shared vision and commitment towards the eradication of racism and other forms of intolerance from a critical approach, and advocates for structural change towards equality and liberation. This committee will further strive towards the strengthening of human rights capacities at the provincial, national and regional levels.
 Critical anti-racism work is founded on critical theory. Its underlying premise is that “society functions in a way that discriminates against certain people through domination and exploitation to serve the interest of one group while oppressing the other”. This premise provides the foundation for enabling the committee to strategize for a better understanding of critical anti-racism work, for eventual longer-lasting solutions. Some of the strategies include: better understanding of the root causes of racism and its historical and global context; focus on the institutional, systemic and structural forms of racism; taking on an inclusive approach, by incorporating the awareness of the need to liberate both the oppressor and the oppressed; and critiquing policies and programs that reinforce racism.

 Activities the committee has undertaken in formulating these strategies include: 1) coordinating and providing opportunities to network and develop a shared vision on critical anti-racism work; 2) increasing the level of awareness about racism and its consequences in Saskatchewan; 3) strategizing around the upcoming World Conference Against Racism by identifying critical issues in anti-racism work; 4) initiating the process of developing a position paper and set of recommendations to be submitted at the World Conference; 4) holding forums in and within Saskatchewan to discuss racism and its effects and look towards long-lasting solutions in addressing these issues; 6) and fundraising and coordinating a provincial Canadian delegation of people from various community-based agencies to attend the World Conference and to lead follow-up work on return.

 The World Conference Against Racism, Intolerance and Xenophobia, is an important event. I believe that what we learn from others at the global level, and what I and others can share with them, could combine to form the partnership needed to move our institutions and social policies further along in achieving human rights for all.

Nicole Eddy
 IHRAAM Representative to Canadian Minorities