Cultivating Space: Women of Colour Leadership

This set of two 2-day in person workshops (4 days total) is for HEU members who are women of colour (Indigenous, Black or racialized) interested in union leadership.

There are many barriers faced by women in leadership or seeking leadership opportunities in unions, workplaces, and communities. This workshop will focus on creating space by and for women of colour to explore and challenge systems of power. We know that our collective power depends on the inclusion of more representative voices from all segments of our membership and especially women of colour who are historically and repeatedly marginalized due to the intersection of gender-based discrimination and racism.

Workshop topics include:

• Creating space for personal reflections, hope and sense of belonging
• Understanding our multi-faceted and layered identity
• Exploring our whole selves and our lived experience in social and systemic structures
• Challenging existing power structures
• Growing our strengths, capacity, skills, solidarity and collective power

The workshop series is grounded in culturally safe practices, trauma-informed approaches, and shared accountability to support participation, safety, and belonging.

This workshop consists of a four day-in person workshop on March 31-April 1, 2026 and September 9-10, 2026.  Members who are accepted to the course are expected to attend all four days.

Please note, applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.