Training and Resources

This page provides resources for training in Industrial Areas Foundation organising and power-building.

Engaging Your Organization on the Climate Emergency Training Session

Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m., online

GVAT’s Climate Justice Team is attending this training, along with Metro Vancouver Alliance and other organizations involved with the BC Climate Emergency Campaign (BCCEC).  Please join us.  You will find out about BCCEC’s latest report card on the BC government’s progress on climate action and learn how to engage your members through Industrial Area Foundation (IAF) methods, including listening sessions (aka house meetings).  This training is suitable for anyone wanting to engage their organization around any issue but all examples used will be climate related.  To register (or for more information), click on the registration link below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpduyprzwsGtcws2e2fwCfG2OXQnffxY7d#/registration 

Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization

  • Wrestling with the Truth of Colonization is a course developed by Industrial Areas Foundation North West (the IAF regional body to which GVAT is affiliated) and led by IAFNW’s Regional Indigenous Organizer, Miskanahk Iskwew.  

  • Metro Vancouver Alliance is hosting the course this time round and has invited some GVAT members to join them for the 5 online sessions, 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings Sept. 19, 21, 26, 28 and Oct 3 plus a mandatory half hour Introductory Briefing on either Tuesday Sept. 12 at 3:00 or Thursday Sept. 14 at 6:00.  (The website mentions 3 follow-up in person sessions but we won’t be doing those with MVA.)

  • There is no financial cost to you for this course.  Be warned that you really will be doing some (necessary) emotional wrestling with the truth and may find parts of this course upsetting and/or emotionally draining.  When/if that happens, remind yourself that your angst is nothing compared to the trauma that Indigenous peoples have been going through in all the decades since European contact.

  • GVAT has already been invited to join by MVA so ignore the instruction to fill out a contact form.  Just read the details at this link and click the RSVP button if you can attend. https://www.iafnw.org/september_wrestling_with_the_truth_of_colonization_metro_vancouver_alliance   Also please notify janew@gvat.ca that you have registered.

  • GVAT’s Indigenous Relationships Learning Circle strongly recommends that every GVAT volunteer take Wrestling with the Truth and/or the in-person Community Learning Program available through the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.  Unfortunately, the CLP has a year long waitlist and requires availability full days (usually a few Tuesdays in a row) so is not immediately available and will not fit some people’s schedules.

Thank you for your commitment to reconciliation, decolonization and anti-racism.

How to Engage in Challenging Conversations

Wed. Feb. 1, 7:00 pm

By Zoom:   RSVP to janew@gvat.ca to get the link.

The Climate ART is hosting the rest of GVAT at this training by Patricia Lane. Learn about relational interviewing and use of personal story.  The examples used and facts presented will all relate to climate change and climate conversations.  Increase your confidence and impact in talking to almost anyone about climate change.  The skills are transferrable to motivating people to action on other topics as well.

IAF Training Podcast: Listen, Organize, Act

In his new podcast, “Listen, Organize, Act!” Luke Bretherton steps back from his usual role as the expert to share the stories, tactics and strategies of community organizers.

The podcast, which he describes as “a 101 course” in community organizing, was developed in collaboration with the Industrial Areas Foundation and features conversations with people who have on-the-ground experience.