National Day of Healing from Racism

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How do we heal from racism?

To heal from and end racism, we need to tell the truth about the past and current wrongs and address the consequences created by individual and systemic racism.#HowWeHeal

In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we collaborate every January to host the National Day of Healing from Racism in an effort to heal the wounds created by racial, ethnic, and religious bias and build an equitable and just society where everyone can thrive.

We learn how to talk about racism's impact and how to use practices to guide us on our journey of healing from racism.

This year's theme, Reclaiming Humanity through Co-Liberation and Solidarity, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our shared challenges and supporting one another as we work together to build a collective journey toward freedom, justice, and the restoration of our inherent dignity.

A half day of programming that is free to attend and open to all. Parking is available in Structure 5 located at 5501 Anthony Wayne Drive bordered by the Lodge Service Drive and Kirby across from Structure 2. Parking rates are $2.00 for the first 20 minutes or fraction of, $1.00 each additional 20 minutes or fraction of, $13.00 maximum, payable by bank issued debit or credit card. CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED. The same card used to enter the parking structure must be used to exit the structure. Additional metered parking may be available on Anthony Wayne Drive.

 

Sessions for the day include:

11:00am 

Doors Open  

  • Coffee, tea and water are available

11:00am 

Coffee/tea service 

11:15-11:45am 

Sound bath meditation 

11:55-12:00pm  

Welcome, land acknowledgement, and short grounding

12:00pm

Lunch  

12:25pm

Keynote Adress from Tawana Petty    

12:45pm

 Announcements

12:50pm

Transition to the breakout rooms

1:00-2:00pm 

Lunch Time—Choose 1 Self Selected Breakout Rooms - 

Room 1: Bystander  Training/Intervention —Hilberry A

Title: TBD 

Brief Description: Have you ever witnessed a behavior that you felt was exclusionary, but you did not know how to address it?  If so, you may value attending this session on how to intervene as a bystander. This session will overview various bystander intervention strategies and invite attendees to practice utilizing a strategy to develop comfortability with a personalized approach. 

Capacity: 20  

 

Room 2: Art Therapy Session -Hilberry B 

Title: Tissue Healing Collage 

Brief Description: The art therapist will ask group members to choose a "theme" for their healing collage. They can either create their theme or use the theme prompts available. Once a theme is selected, members will be encouraged to use the provided supplies to create a collage that can act as a personal road map, vision board, or guide on their healing journey. 

Capacity: 20  


Room 3: Social Media & Voice for Liberation (PART 1) - Hilberry C  

Title: TBD  

Capacity: TBD 

2:00-2:15pm 

Break 

2:15-3:30pm 

Fishbowl 

3:30-3:45pm 

Break 

3:45– 4:45pm 

Yarënda’ Nde Yahchrondiak Performance 

Facilitated by: Yarënda’ Nde Yahchrondiak 

In this hour-long session, multidisciplinary artist, Yarënda’ Nde Yahchrondiak, weaves together the beauty of storytelling, music and song, and healing circles to explore the context of healing from racism. Yarënda’ will guide us through discussion around healing from historical trauma and racism while honoring the Native and Indigenous ancestry. Yarënda’ Nde Yahchrondiak will perform the Wendat/Wyandotte Healing song, a Wendat Traditional Story and the Spirit Bear Anishinaabe song honoring her own tribe and that of the land on which we stand. This session will also conclude with Prayer with cedar which is a traditional sacred herb.

 

4:45-5:00pm  

Closing remarks, survey & 2026 Save the Date 

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