Government awards funding for anti-racism programs in Williams Lake

Courtesy of the BC Government Caucus:

The Canadian Mental Health Association has received $10,000 from the B.C. government to help eliminate racism in Williams Lake.

The CMHA’s Cariboo Chilcotin branch is using the funding to establish an anti-racism committee to build community engagement and education through a media-based public awareness campaign. Anti-racism education, events and presentations will be organized and offered to community groups and the general public.

“By funding anti-racism projects and supporting multiculturalism, we can help strengthen communities and help end racism in B.C.,” Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett said. “It is up to us all to learn about racism and speak out against racist behaviour.”

“We are truly grateful to live in a community, province and country that promotes, welcomes and values diversity and multiculturalism,” said Bettina Egert, multiculturalism and advocacy program manager, Canadian Mental Health Association Cariboo Chilcotin branch. “In many cases, people inadvertently perpetuate institutionalized racism in social and political structures because they lack understanding. Our media and poster campaign will create multiple exposures and opportunities for public engagement, which we believe will stimulate conversation and learning.”

The CMHA’s Cariboo Chilcotin branch is one of 14 organizations throughout British Columbia participating in B.C.’s Organizing Against Racism and Hate (OARH) program.

These 14 organizations are sharing $240,000 in funding from the provincial government towards activities in 24 communities that connect area networks in their common goal of wiping out racism. This includes local outreach, educational events, workshops and community engagements. 

The OARH program helps communities address racism and create a long-term plan to eradicate violence, discrimination and hate in their communities.

Under the program, all activities must be developed using a collaborative, community-based process. This results in many communities combining efforts regionally to maximize funding.

Almost 30 per cent of British Columbians emigrated from another country, making it the most ethnically diverse province in Canada.

To learn more about the Organizing Against Racism and Hate program, go to:embracebc.ca/embracebc/funding/organizing/index.page