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DEDI Toolkit

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Close captioning in French is available for this video. Click on the cogwheel next to CC for this option.

Welcome to part 1 of the Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI) Toolkit! This toolkit focuses on you – your lived experiences and strengths, your biases, how you can use your skills to contribute to DEDI work, and more. There are five reflective questions for you to explore which will help you build the internal tools and skills needed to engage in meaningful decolonizing, equity, and inclusion work.

While part 1 of the toolkit (available now) is focused on reflection, part 2 of the toolkit (coming soon!) will focus on concrete tools needed to enact the DEDI strategy.

Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
(DEDI)

A Toolkit to accompany the DEDI Strategy

This resource was created to support everyone in the York community in actualizing the university wide Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. It aims to support effective decolonizing strategies and to make our campus, our community, and our world a more inclusive and equitable space.

A French version of the toolkit will also be available in the coming months, and you can also access the content in French by emailing chrwkshp@yorku.ca.

Many accessibility features are available, including captions on videos and alt text for all graphics. If you require other supports, please email chrwkshp@yorku.ca. More info here.

Want to know what folks who already did the Toolkit modules are saying about it? View testimonials.

Start the Module on YU Learn
You will need to login with your Passport York (PY) account

Explore the Key Questions

You can find a summary of each module’s content below.

1. In what ways have your identity and background shaped your way into your studies and work?

This module focuses on you – who you are and how the elements of your intersectional identity positions you in relation to power in our society. These are important to understand in DEDI work because how you come to the work matters. We do not live in a society where we are all treated equally or receive the same benefits. To change this inequitable society, we need to understand the role we play in that system.

2. What is your relationship to colonialism? How does your relationship to colonialism relate to your responsibility to participate in decolonizing?

As someone who lives and works on this land, you have a responsibility to this land and its original peoples. This module will provide insight into some aspects of Indigenous Knowledges and act as a starting point in your learning journey around decolonizing. It will offer a place for you to reflect on your own role within reconciliation and provide knowledge on the effects of systems of historic and current oppression, colonization, and how to actualize decolonization.

3. Can you think of a time when your understanding or perspective was challenged and/or you stopped to rethink your approach to something?

This module will discuss how biases influence our behaviours, with particular attention on microaggressions. It will also offer some strategies to interrupt these behaviours.

4. What challenges do you anticipate in taking on DEDI work? How can you address these challenges or learn from them to create opportunities?

This module will start with a brief introduction to the concept of allyship, and then discuss three key tools for ensuring meaningful allyship: the courageous conversation, accountability, and apologizing. 

5. What role(s) can you play in DEDI at York? How can you practice self-reflection as a way to make the work sustainable?

This final module looks at the role of self-reflection in effecting DEDI change and how to build on your existing capacities to make this work sustainable; be that as a student, staff member, manager, instructor, or faculty member. It will explore the many ways resistance can show up and how to face it. This work requires an awareness of your biases, and we recommend completing questions 1-4 before going through this module.

View Toolkit Outline

Explore this page to learn more about the content of each module.
Start the Module on YU Learn

Complete some reflection exercises

Here are a few reflection exercises drawn from the Toolkit. You can access the full modules and more exercises when you login to access YU Learn.

Matching Game

Match the statement with the type of privilege they represent.
Do this activity

Reflecting on your relationship to the land

In this activity, you will learn about whose land you live on and the history of the First Nations People to whom the land originally belonged to.
Do this reflection.

Apology (Drag and Drop)

Try this activity to verify your understanding of what goes into an apology. Drag and drop the statements to the correct box.
Do this activity

“Informative and transformative! Something that should be made mandatory for all YU stakeholders.”


Ishita Mittal, Program Department Assistant Alumni Engagement

“I loved that this module provides learners with homework, things that were actionable after completing the module so you aren’t left with the struggle of ‘now what?‘ “

Shaundaya Veronica Melo, Peer Trainer, Centre for Sexual Violence Response, Support & Education

“A wonderful toolkit that is very useful for introducing complex topics in a very simple and meaningful way. Content is simply and clearly delivered and the examples provided really spoke to me and emphasized the impact of the content. “

Ameera Ali, DEDI Educational Developer, Teaching Commons

What YorkU community members are
saying about this toolkit

FAQs

A French version of the toolkit will be available in the coming months. In the meantime, if you would like access to the content in French, please reach out to chrwkshp@yorku.ca and someone will provide you with a French version shortly.

This toolkit is based on 5 key reflective questions. How you engage with the material is up to you. You can choose to engage with any of the questions in any order, complete any of the content in any order, and pause or come back to it at any time. We do recommend completing questions 1 to 4 before exploring question 5, but this is not necessary.

You have control over your learning experience. Everyone’s learning style is different and everyone is in various places in their DEDI journey of unlearning and learning. Take on the sections that interest you, or challenge you, or bring you something new, in an order that works for you.

If you do choose to complete all 5 modules, you can receive a certificate of completion – see below for more information. There is no deadline or lapse in registration – your accomplishment in completing the modules will be honoured regardless of the time it takes.

Your answers will not be recorded or shared with anyone. This reflective work is private and belongs to you. We do encourage you to join discussions with colleagues and to share and reflect on your learning.

We understand that DEDI work is not necessarily the most pleasant. It can bring up many different feelings for various individuals based on their own lived experiences and understanding of the world. Learning can often be uncomfortable. We ask that you use these feelings as a moment of pause to reflect on your own DEDI journey. Note that although this journey may be uncomfortable, it is not meant to be unsafe. We encourage you to be brave, but never at the expense of your health.

If you find yourself feeling unsafe, please seek support.

This work can be daunting and it’s normal to have complicated feelings. Those feelings are actually very helpful – they can provide nuanced guidance for DEDI work in order to support more inclusive, representative and effective DEDI changes. However, your wellbeing and safety matter, and if they are at risk, you are encouraged to prioritize yourself. Please consult the following resources: https://www.yorku.ca/well-being/ and https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/

Part 2 of the toolkit (coming soon!) will focus on concrete tools needed to enact the DEDI strategy. It will be directly connected to each of the five sections of the strategy: Teaching & Learning, Research & Innovation, Representation & Success, Leadership & Capacity Building, and Campus Climate & Environment. Stay tuned! In addition, you may also be quite familiar with the kind of tool that is needed in your area of work or school. Feel free to do your own research or reach out to us chrwkshp@yorku.ca to let us know what tools you think are needed in your department.

Yes! If you complete all five modules you will automatically receive a “Certificate of Completion: Self-Reflective Approaches to DEDI”. There is no deadline or lapse in registration – your accomplishment in completing the modules will be honoured regardless of the time it takes.

For a module to be considered “complete,” you must watch the videos, engage in reflection by responding to the prompt questions, and complete at least one of the recommended activities at the end of the module. Please note that for module 2, there is a mandatory activity: “A reflection on your relationship to the land” in addition to one other chosen activity.

If you do not receive your certificate automatically upon completion of the modules, please email chrwkshp@yorku.ca.

All videos have captions to accompany the audio, and alt text is available for all graphic features. Learning Management Systems (such as YULearn) may require a specialized screen reader. If you require a screen reader or other assistive technology, please reach out to the Assistive Technology Lab: https://cdsforms.apps01.yorku.ca/machform/embed.php?id=2221. PDF transcripts of all content and activities can be provided by emailing chrwkshp@yorku.ca.

We are committed to providing support for those with diverse needs. We will continue to add accessibility features in the coming months. Should you have a specific need or have any further questions, you can reach out to us at chrwkshp@yorku.ca.