CommunityThe Winnipeg Foundation’s support for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
We are living in a time of change and unrest, and it has become apparent that society can and must do better.
Since March 2020, there have been numerous examples of alarming injustices: the global pandemic’s impact on equity seeking communities; the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement; the acknowledgement of hundreds of Indigenous children found in unmarked graves at residential schools; the reality that climate crises are impacting our lives in dramatic ways.
And yet there is also great hope, because we can imagine new possibilities. Many in the sector have stepped up and are working hard to address nequities and create a culture of belonging; read about SEED Winnipeg’s approach on page 24.
The Winnipeg Foundation’s approach
As The Winnipeg Foundation strives to build an equitable and inclusive community, we recognize it is essential to include voices, perspectives and experiences that have previously been overlooked. Reflection about societal practices is required to ensure we do not – intentionally or unintentionally – perpetuate injustices. Coming to terms with these realities, imagining new possibilities and realizing transformational change may take years.
The Foundation is committed to learning and to doing better; it recognizes that diversity, equity inclusion and belonging (DEIB), like truth and reconciliation, is a journey – one that requires urgency. We have been using a DEIB lens to review all parts of our operations, from office culture, recruitment, policies and compensation, to governance, fund development, grantmaking and communications. This work is ongoing. While we aim to continually take positive steps forward, our next Strategic Plan will include further goals and aspirations.
In the interim, the following stories are highlights of a few of the grants we have made in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our community between June 2020 and April 2021:
- Partners in reconciliation
- Bridging the gap between Winnipeg Police Service and newcomer communities
- Artful education at The Forks
- Responding to emergent community needs
- Planting seeds of inclusion
- Salvation through story
This story is featured in the Fall 2021 issue of our Working Together magazine. Download or view the full issue on our Publications page.