Transformative Action focuses on addressing racial injustice in gender based violence work in Epekwitk (colonially known as Prince Edward Island) and beyond. We will focus on the lived realities of racialized survivors and the systemic barriers faced in accessing healing and care. Over two days, attendees will develop a deeper, intersectional understanding of how racism impacts survivors and gain practical tools to challenge internal biases and assumptions.
Event Highlights:
Keynote Address from El Jones
El is a poet, journalist, professor, and activist living in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her work focuses on social justice issues such as feminism, anti-racism, decolonization, and prison abolition. She was Halifax's Poet Laureate from 2013 to 2015. Also an author, her most recent book "Abolitionist Intimacies" was released in 2022.
Workshops & Panel Discussions
Attendees will have the chance to register for specialized breakout sessions tailored to their individual roles in this work. Workshops will be offered by BIPOC USHR, WomenatthecentrE, and David Archer (to name a few!)
Caucusing & Networking Opportunities
In addition to coffee and lunch breaks (included in ticket price), the conference will include ample opportunities for networking between participants, including an optional evening event. Additionally, each day will include dedicated closed-space caucusing time for racialized survivors.
Why does this work matter?
Service providers on Epekwitk, and across Mi’kma’ki, are predominantly white, leaving racialized providers isolated and vulnerable to workplace microaggressions. Meanwhile, unconscious biases, assumptions, and stereotypes can unintentionally alienate racialized clients, making it harder for them to feel safe and supported. This training seeks to address these systemic inequities and equip attendees with the knowledge and skills to foster inclusivity and equity in their practices. Everyone has things to learn and unlearn, and this conference will act as a first step in dedicating time to this life-long and career-long process.
Who should attend Transformative Action?
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Service providers working with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
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BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) survivors seeking to build skills, network, and caucus in dedicated spaces.
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This event has a zero-tolerance policy for racism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, harassment, and any form of violence. Event staff will be available to address incidents. Responses may include addressing harm through a call-in process or, if necessary, suspension or expulsion from the event without a refund.
Learn more about our sliding scale pricing model:
Please read the descriptions of the tiers and select the cost that best reflects your position and ability. This sliding scale is not meant to provide a discount to those who can afford it, but to reduce barriers for those who may not otherwise be able to attend. Ticket sales are supplementing funding and will be used to cover costs associated with the event, including paying BIPOC speakers and organizations.
​For those facing significant financial barriers and/or racialized survivors of sexual violence.
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You are unemployed, underemployed, or significantly financially strained AND engaged in volunteer work in the GBV field; and/or,
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You are Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour (BIPOC) AND are a survivor of sexual violence/volunteer in the GBV field
​For those facing financial or accessibility barriers.
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Your employer is unable or unwilling to cover registration costs, the full cost is a financial burden, and you are employed in the GBV field
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You are disabled, a single parent, live in a rural area, or have other identities made marginalized that create financial or access barriers preventing your attendance
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You will incur travel expenses by attending from off-Island or another part of Epekwitk and would require reduced costs to subsidize this.
​This is the base tier that reflects a more accurate cost of attending the conference.
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Your employer is covering your registration fee (and travel costs if relevant), and you work in the field of sexual and gender-based violence or related services.
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You do not face marginalization based on race or ethnicity.
For those who can contribute more to support the participation of others.
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​Your employer is covering your registration fee and is willing to pay extra to subsidize another attendee’s costs.
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Paying the base cost is only a mild inconvenience for you financially.
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You want to ensure the training is accessible to those who might not otherwise afford it.
Venue & Accessibility:
To ensure that anyone who is interested in attending Transformative Action is able to, our team has kept accessibility top of mind. While our registration form provides space to indicate any accessibility needs or concerns you may have, we encourage you to reach out to our team directly if you have any further questions or curiosities.
Transformative Action will be held at the Credit Union Place (511 Notre Dame Place, Summerside), and a full map of the venue will be available on our website prior to the event. Participants will be eligible for a discount ($139 +tax) at the attached Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Summerside on a first-come-first-served basis. The link to book a room will be emailed to you upon registration.
The main entrances to the venue are equipped with automatic doors, and there are no stairs to access the event space. Reaching the lunch venue requires an approximate 5-minute indoor walk, followed by stairs or elevator use. There will be a clearly identified team member at the event to support with any on-site accessibility needs. Note also that an all-gender washroom is available for participants.
While we cannot guarantee that the venue will be entirely scent free, we encourage attendees of Transformative Action to refrain from using scented personal care products at the event. We also encourage folks to wear face masks to support immunocompromised people in attending safely. For anyone who may need them, quiet spaces will also be clearly identified at the event.
This project was made possible with community support.
This project was supported and guided by staff at BIPOC USHR, Native Council of PEI, Black Cultural Society, and PEI Trans Network.
PEIRSAC also acknowledges the financial support from the Government of PEI’s Anti-Racism Grant and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation with funding provided by the Government of Canada.
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Get in Touch
If you have any questions or concerns about the conference, please reach out to our team!
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