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RECOMMENDATION 4:
Commit To Safer Spaces
J
ust because a particular setting aims to be a
safe space does not mean that it actually is for
everyone. In fact, sometimes the spaces that
outwardly claim to be safe have the potential for being
more harmful because they discourage people from
speaking up if they are not feeling that way. This is often
experienced by Indigenous youth when people try to
include us in meetings, classes, programs, conferences
and other events as an afterthought or a means of
fulfilling a diversity checklist. Even when organizers do
carry good intentions, we can still face tokenization,
marginalization and sometimes even more overt forms
of violence to our bodies, minds and spirits.
In order to prevent these negative experiences from
occurring spaces must be designed in ways that reflect
our unique needs and ways of knowing, being and
doing. What this looks like will vary depending on the
particular group you are planning for and the area of
focus, and will require careful attention and adaptation
