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Saskatoon group provides safe space for BIPOC to share experiences

JOCELYN BENNETT POSTMEDIA NEWS

A conversation about their experiences as women of colour in Saskatoon made Theodocia Quagraine and Dyana Castillo aware of the need for a group to keep the discussion going.

The two women are now directors of a discussionbased non-profit organization, BIPOC Coffee Talk Inc., which was created in 2020.

“We decided after that to create a group for BIPOC where we could hopefully have more conversations like that and invite more people to it. It was our effort to connect to BIPOC in the community and also just providing a space where people can learn from one another,” Quagraine said.

Theodocia’s sister Theresa Quagraine, initially joined the organization as an attendee and has since become one of the directors.

“Something that I really took away when I was attending the events was just gaining different perspectives because … you tend to only see things from your point of view,” Theresa said.

Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the group has been holding meetings virtually. This weekend, they will host their first in-person gathering.

“We really do want people to be able to connect with BIPOC and allies in the community and find some common ground,” Theresa said.

The BIPOC Lens: An Anti-racism Forum and Social Gathering is a daylong, come-and-go event for adults that will include speaker presentations followed by a Q&A session, entertainment and social activities.

BIPOC professionals will discuss anti-racist topics that affect Canada’s BIPOC communities, including BIPOC perspectives in workplaces, the need for newcomers and the effects of climate change on Indigenous peoples.

There will also be bachata dance lessons, a live music performance, games with prizes and informal socializing.

“We chose bachata because it’s part of the Dominican Republic culture and we thought teaching something from that culture would be nice to learn,” Theodocia said.

The BIPOC Coffee Talk Inc. directors are working to make the organization fit the needs within the community. Events are primarily virtual, but there could be more inperson events in future, as the main goal is to provide this safe, welcoming environment in the most suitable way.

“We provide BIPOC the opportunity to let their voices be heard … If that means more in-person events, then I feel like that is something that we would like to do as a group,” Theodocia said.

CANADA

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2022-07-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-07T07:00:00.0000000Z

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