Anti-racism can cause harm - We connect it to decolonization to fill the industry gap

Anti-racism education has come a long way, but there’s still work to do, especially when it comes to approaches that weave together sustainability, Indigenous sovereignty, and decolonization.

"Even in anti-racism spaces, there was so much harm that was still coming out of it because we weren't asking how we're doing our work, we were only focused on the work output." - Larissa Crawford

This is a video excerpt from 'Violence against the Land and People with Larissa Crawford' by the Moosehide Campaign (2024).

Anti-racism education has made important strides, but significant gaps remain, particularly when addressing the intersection of sustainability, Indigenous sovereignty, and decolonization. This video highlights how thoughtful, accountable approaches can help bridge these gaps and foster deeper, long-term change.

What has this looked like in practice? Since our inception we've been led by an approach to anti-racism that aligns with restorative practice. Take a look at this video, Our Restorative Approach to Anti-Racism for an overview of this unique approach.

This video, Our Restorative Approach to Anti-Racism, highlights how restorative practices can serve as a powerful framework for anti-racism work, especially in contexts where reconciliation, land protection, and environmental justice are essential components.

Why Bridging These Gaps Matters

The gaps in anti-racism education are often due to narrow, one-dimensional approaches that fail to consider how systemic oppression operates across multiple spheres. Anti-racism cannot be fully realized without acknowledging the ongoing impacts of colonization, particularly on Indigenous communities, and understanding how environmental harm disproportionately affects marginalized groups. Bridging these gaps means adopting an approach that:

• Centers Indigenous voices and acknowledges that racial justice and land justice are interconnected.
  

• Recognizes the importance of sustainability as a long-term commitment to protecting both people and the planet.
  

• Acknowledges that anti-racism involves healing through accountability, dialogue, and mutual respect.

How to cite this resource.

Moosehide Campaign. (2024). Violence Against the Land and People with Larissa Crawford [Video excerpt]. Retrieved from https://education.moosehidecampaign.ca/violence-against-the-land-and-people/ Future Ancestors Services. (n.d.). A Restorative Approach to Anti-Racism [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/wUO1StwoklU