This is a conference organized and hosted by the Centre for Media and Culture in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto; November 1-3, 2019 City of Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Featured speaker include: Dr. Hijin Park, Suzanne Smoke, Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez, Suzanne Smoke
Dr. Hijin Park is Associate Professor of Sociology at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario. She is an anti-racist, feminist legal scholar who specializes in an intersectional and structural analysis of violence, migration and the law. Dr. Park is one of the limited number of scholars who have published research that centres racialized sexual violence in the lives of international students and English as a Second Language students in Canada. Her research explores how violence occurs along an interconnected continuum and how everyday individual violence is structurally connected to systemic, institutional and national violence. Her most recent work is on how race, gender and madness shape legal constructions of racialized women charged with homicide in Canada, and on the various forms of everyday and structural violence experienced by racialized international students at Brock University. In doing so, Dr. Park theorizes all relations in Canada within the broader framework of white settler nationalism and neoliberalism.
Dr. Jennifer M. Gómez, National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellow (2019) and Ford Fellow 2015-16; 2018-19) earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 2017 from University of Oregon. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child & Family Development at Wayne State University. Dr. Gómez has published over 45 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, scholarly writings, and pieces for the general public. Additionally, she is the lead co-editor of the upcoming special issue of Journal of Trauma & Dissociation—Discrimination, Violence, & Healing in Marginalized Communities (submissions deadline: 1 December 2019). Stemming from her cultural betrayal trauma theory, Dr. Gómez’ research examines the differential impact of violence and oppression in Black and other minority youth and young adults in the U.S., with a specific focus on college students’ experiences of sexual assault. She is dedicated to contributing work that has implications for youth who are subjected to both discrimination and violence.
Website: http://jmgomez.org Twitter: @JenniferMGmez1
Suzanne Smoke, Ginew Kwe, Golden Eagle Woman is a member of Mississauga’s of Rice Lake, Alderville First Nation and she sits with the Bear Clan. Her most important role in community is being a life giver and Mother to her daughter Ogimaa Geeziko Kwe, Cedar Smoke, Head Woman of the Skyworld. Suzanne works as Area Outreach and Program Coordinator for the Muskoka/ Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services working to stem the tide of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Currently she works in Anti Human Trafficking with Simcoe Muskoka AHT Coalition as well as U.S. Consulate Greater Toronto Area AHT Strategy. Currently she is working towards developing a 24 hour response protocol model to all Stakeholders working with both Indigenous and Non Indigenous agencies and service workers. She is also the Executive Director of Biindigen Healing and Arts, a Not for profit Grassroots Agency serving the off-reserve population of Southern Ontario providing Culturally sensitive and culturally appropriate programming and healing. Her knowledge base is in Women’s Traditional Teachings, Seven Stages of Life Teachings. She is also a Pipe Carrier and Sundancer with the Gathering of Sacred Pipes in Pipestone Minnesota. She is a Proud member of the American Indian Movement and her extensive knowledge in Harm reduction, Trauma Informed healing methods come from over 30 years walking the Red Road with many Elders and teachers.
