Our Voices Symposium

Centering Black, Indigenous, and Racialized Leadership  

 The Our Voices Symposium is rooted in the belief that transformative change begins with deep dialogue, collective reflection, and shared vision. The symposium is part of our Voices Project, funded by WAGE to uplift the leadership of Black, Indigenous and Racialized workers, advocates, activists and community members in Ottawa. The project seeks to center the leadership and support in capacity strengthening to reimagine solutions to ending gender based violence and violence against women.

Our intentions for the Our Voices Symposium are to;  

  • Create space for Black, Indigenous, and racialized frontline workers, advocates, and activists to network, build relationships, and reimagine gender-based violence policy and advocacy while centering the leadership of Black, Indigenous, and racialized communities within Ottawa’s local movement and sector. 

  • To reimagine safety beyond mainstream institutions – In a time of growing political and social polarization, we aim to explore liberatory responses to gender-based violence that center community care, mutual aid, and survivor-led solutions. 

  • To harness the power of storytelling for resistance and change – Stories shape movements. Through conversation, we will reflect on how artists, poets, and cultural workers speak truth to power, disrupt systems of oppression, and influence feminist policy. 

  • To examine how we sustain movements without compromise. We will explore ethical funding models, the role of philanthropy, and ways to sustain grassroots activism while staying accountable to the communities we serve. We also seeks to explore how non-profits, community based organizations reimagine feminist policy solutions and practices to end gender based violence.

*Speakers to be annouced shortly*

Who is the event open to?

The event is open to anyone who identifies as Black, Indigenous, and/or Racialized and is part of the anti-violence movement/sector. We welcome frontline workers, public educators, community organizers, policy analysts, artists, and advocates working toward ending gender-based violence in Ottawa

What is the format of the symposium?

This symposium uses Breakout Circles: participatory, non-hierarchical spaces where knowledge is co-created rather than dictated. We invite you to engage in meaningful conversations, challenge dominant narratives, and generate new insights together. 

Above all, we intend to build connections, deepen our collective commitments, and envision futures where justice, care, and sustainability guide our movements to end gender based violence in Ottawa and across Turtle Island.

What topics will be covered in the Circles?

  • Circle A: Who Keeps Us Safe? How Do We Build Liberatory Responses to Gender-Based Violence in a Polarized World? 

  • Circle B: Revolutionary Storytelling: How Do We Speak Truth to Power and/or to Shape Feminist Policy?  

  •  Circle C: Resourcing Care: How Do We Fund Anti-Violence Movements of Liberation? 

What is the dress code?

We encourage all participants to dress comfortably in whatever makes them feel best.

If you have any questions about Our Voices, please reach out to khadija@octevaw-cocvff.ca