Indigenous Engagement Session
For the City of Victoria's Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Inclusion Plan

The City of Victoria wants to hear from Two-Spirit people, Indigenous trans and non-binary people, and the families and communities that support them about what would make City services, programs, and spaces feel more accessible, welcoming, and safe.
Indigenous-centred service providers are also invited to share about how the City could offer support to improve the accessibility of their services for Two-Spirit people.
Details
Friday, June 7th, 2019
Event from 5:00-7:30pm
Meal at 5:00pm
Discussion begins at 5:30pm
Amphitheatre Room
Victoria Native Friendship Centre
231 Regina Ave
Event Details and Participation Information
Territory Acknowledgement
- We acknowledge that this event is taking place on the homelands of the Songhees and Esquimalt People
- We further acknowledge that anti-colonial discourse, traditional ways of knowing, and many perspectives are imperative to doing meaningful gender justice work
What to Expect
- Nourishing food (details below)
- Social connection
- Chance to learn more about the City’s initiative to create an inclusion plan
- Share thoughts, ideas and experiences about what about would improve safety, wellbeing, and community connection for Two-Spirit people, Indigenous trans and non-binary people, and their families
Agenda
5:00 p.m. – Dinner and Community Connection
- Acknowledgement of the food and those who prepared it
5:30 – Introductions
- Introductions of the facilitators, people supporting the event, and participants
- Overview from Christine about the flow of the evening, expectations and options for participation as well as care measures
5:45 – 6:45 pm – Small Table Break-Out Stations
- Conversations will be in small groups at 3 tables which will each have one conversation facilitator at them (Marcey Louie, Tanya Kirkland, and Christine Matte – details below). We will invite people to shift tables every 15-20 minutes to have a chance to participate at every table (if they want to)
- Some small groups will remain mixed spaces while others may be Two-Spirit only, Indigenous only, Service Provider only, ally-only, etc. We can decide on groupings that are appropriate based on who attends the session.
- There will be one Open Space station for written or drawn contributions as well as one-on-one discussions
- You are free to move and take breaks as needed. There will be time allotted for Two-Spirit and Indigenous trans and non-binary people to have conversations in a self-facilitated dedicated space if desired.
6:45 to 7:00 p.m. Closing Comments
- Recap of the next steps in the planning process and other upcoming opportunities to engage
7:00-7:30 p.m. Wrap Up
- Extra space for social connection with other participants, to share thoughts one-on-one with a facilitator, or to access emotional support from a counsellor as the event comes to an end
Additional Session Information
Starter Ideas to Begin the Dialogue
The facilitator(s) will use the following themes to help initiate and guide the discussion throughout the night, to ensure that topics directly relate to actions the City can take:
- Public Safety
- Housing
- Poverty Reduction
- Public Spaces
- Parks + Recreation
- Health + Wellness
- Arts and Culture
- City Programs
- We’ll also explore the ways in which the Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Inclusion Plan can operate in alignment with current Truth and Reconciliation efforts
Open Space Table
- Draw or write ideas, have 1-on-1 conversations, take space to rest or reflect, speak with a counsellor in a private space
Remote Participation
- If you’d like to participate remotely, please RSVP to by 5:00pm on Thursday, June 6th
- Kingsley will send a link to a shared cloud-based document by 3:00pm on June 7th, and remote participants can contribute directly into the notes being scribed live
Support During the Session
- Marcey Louie and Tanya Kirkland are both Registered Counsellors, and will be available to offer 1-on-1 support to anyone who may be feeling activated by the content of the conversation, or needing some support privately
Non-Indigenous Allies Attending
- Non-Indigenous allies and service providers are asked to treat their attendance at the event as an opportunity to listen, learn and help centre and elevate the voices and experiences of Two-Spirit community members, which means not directing the discussion towards their experiences as allies, service providers, and/or cisgender people
- When in a conversation specifically with other allies and/or service providers, this will be a good opportunity to share about how the City could offer support to improve the accessibility of their services
Honoraria and Accommodations
- Victoria City Council approved an expenditure from funding already allocated for engagement activities related to strategic plan objectives, to provide honoraria of $25 per participant at the Indigenous Engagement session.
- Round-trip bus tickets are available. These can be picked up in advance from the front desk at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre (let them know it is for the “June 7th Engagement”), or collected on the night of the event.
- Food options are all gluten-free and nut free, with meat and vegan (v) options:
- Turkey Chili
- Vegan Chili (v)
- Baked Potatoes (v)
- Green Onions & Sour Cream
- Spinach Salad (v)
- Hot Sauce
Children and Youth Participation
- We value youth and children’s voices and perspectives. They are welcome in the space
- If you bring a child or youth to the event, we ask that you play a lead role in helping them self-regulate and participate respectfully in the space
- All participants (children and adults alike) will be asked to contribute and listen in ways that enable the participation of others around them
Accessibility
- Access to the building is ground level with a ramp leading into the Amphitheatre Room inside
- Accessible parking spots are located in the parking lot just off of Seaton St. at Regina Ave. Additional parking is available in the parking lot, or along Regina Ave. or Seaton St.
- Buses 8, 11, and 21 all stop within 2 blocks of the Victoria Native Friendship Centre
- Washrooms: There is a large, single stall washroom also accessible by ramp, and a “staff only” washroom that will be made available for event participants.
- We encourage all participants to avoid the use of scented products
- There are windows in the space, and fluorescent lights will be used only if necessary.
- Facilitators will endeavour to manage competing auditory demands and volume throughout the evening
- Please contact Kingsley (contact info below) for additional accessibility information or if you have other accessibility needs we can help to accommodate
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about the event, please feel free to contact:
Poster
Click this image to download a .pdf of this poster to share or print.
Counsellor & Facilitator Bios
Marcey Louie (Nuu-chah-nulth) is a clinical counsellor for Indigenous students at the University of Victoria and a visitor on the territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt nations. Marcey uses an Indigenous, strength-based person/community centred approach looking holistically at self and striving for balance in all aspects (emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual) to support individuals to process issues of intergenerational trauma, impacts of ongoing colonization, and identity along with connections to community and culture.
Tanya Kirkland (Canoe Lake Cree First Nation) works collaboratively with people from an Indigenous, holistic, strength-based perspective. Tanya sees people not only as individuals but also understands their deep and sometimes complex connections to family, community, culture, the land, systems, and institutions. Tanya’s desire is to create a safe space where people feel comfortable exploring their mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of themselves as they navigate the world. Tanya identifies as a Lesbian, is the mother of an emerging adult, and has been married to her partner Rechelle for 8 years.
Christine Matte is a Senior Consultant in MNP’s Advisory practice. Christine grew up on the Saanich peninsula and has been working on planning and facilitation initiatives within the region for the past 10 years. Christine is a white, cisgender person.