Learning Opportunities

Training Sessions

StFX offers a variety of training sessions to help create a respectful learning, living and work community where everyone belongs. Training sessions are offered in a variety of formats: in-person, online and asynchronous. Contact the trainers listed below to inquire about or request a training session.  

Faculty who need to report their EDI training hours as per S. 1.8(3) of the StFXAUT Collective Agreement can do so by completing the Equity Reporting Form.

StFX gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Canada Research Chairs EDI stipend in the development of these equity modules.

Anti-Indigenous Racism

Blanket Exercise - The blanket exercise is an interactive educational program that teaches the history of indigenous peoples in Canada. This program was created in response to the 1996 report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and is used as a teaching tool across Canada. Following the Blanket Exercise participants will engage in a non-traditional talking circle, sharing their experiences and critical reflections. 2 hours. In person delivery. Inquires can be made to @email

Anti-Black Racism

Anti-Black Racism - Participants will examine concepts of second-class citizenship, environmental racism and explore the historic and current challenges and celebrations of African Nova Scotians (Africville, Viola Desmond, street checks) 1.5 (+) hours. In person or virtual delivery. Inquires can be made to @email

Anti-Oppression

Widening participation: addressing systemic barriers in research - Participants will engage in conversation about decolonizing the academic research environment, and identify both structural barriers and inclusive decision-making structures. Topics such as mentoring and support networks, how to gather and use race-based data and how to respectfully engage external partners and communities will also be covered. 1.5 (+) hours In person or virtual delivery. Inquires can be made to @email

EDI in the hiring process - Created to support hiring committees to successfully hire and onboard new faculty, this module provides participants with the skills and tools to conduct a successful and equitable hire for their team. This training module can be requested by contacting the manager of human rights and equity (@email) 1 hour. In person or Virtual delivery. Inquires can be made to mfogarty@stfx.ca

Positive Space

Learning to understand: 2SLGBTQIA+ Terms and Concepts - this module will provide foundational terms and concepts used to understand gender and sexual diversity, and privilege and oppression within and outside of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 1.5 (+) hours. In person or Virtual delivery.

Contextualizing 2SLGBTQIA+ privilege and oppression – designed to examine the structural roots of oppression, this module delves into the history of discrimination and oppression faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, the current manifestations of cisheteronormativity and cisheterosexism in our community and the racist origins of the gender binary 1.5 (+) hours. In person or Virtual delivery.

Tools to engage in anti-oppression work – Participants will unpack “allyship” by engaging in bias breaking activities and discover the skills required to identify and interrupt cisheteronormativity. 1.5 (+) hours. In person or Virtual delivery.

Sexual Violence in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community – Participants will develop an understanding of how systematic oppression and intersecting identities compound to create unique and different barriers to accessing disclosure, reporting and support services. (30 minute asynchronous presentation).

Inquires can be made to @email

Sexual Violence

Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence - this session discusses some of the consequences sexual violence can have on survivors, as well as the barriers survivors face when disclosing their experience. participants will learn practical skills to respond to disclosures with compassion. 1 hour. In person or Virtual delivery.

Sexual Violence in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community – Participants will develop an understanding of how systematic oppression and intersecting identities compound to create unique and different barriers to accessing disclosure, reporting and support services. (30 minute asynchronous presentation).

Inquires can be made to @email

Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid: Adults who Interact with Youth - Co-facilitated by the Director of Health, Counselling and Accessible Learning and Psychologist from the Health and Counselling Centre, MHFA Adults who Interact with Youth is intended for an adult audience whose primary focus is youth (aged 14-25). In addition to the four most common disorders discussed in MHFA BASIC (mood disorders, anxiety and trauma-related disorders, substance-related disorders, and psychotic disorders), this course includes instruction about eating disorders and deliberate self-injury. Participants who take this course are well prepared to interact confidently about mental health with the young people in their lives, including at schools, extra-curricular activities, social services, family, friends, and communities. 2 day, in person training.

Inquires can be made to @email

Policy training

Policy 101 - Co-facilitated by the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate and the Manager, Human Rights and Equity, this module will help participants understand two critical policies that apply to all members of the campus community: the Harassment and Discrimination Policy and the Sexual Violence Policy. 45 minutes. In person or virtual delivery.

Inquires can be made to @email or hblackbu@stfx.ca