Learning Together Discussion Group: San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program - Spring 2026

The San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program is an online learning opportunity developed by the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre in partnership with San’yas in British Columbia through collaboration with Indigenous health leaders and educators. It is designed for anyone who intends to enhance Indigenous Cultural Safety in their work and workplace. Indigenous Cultural Safety means working in ways that are more fair for Indigenous people, and free from discrimination.

The Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) is pleased to host a 7-week complementary "Learning Together” opportunity for researchers and research support staff working in academic divisions at the University of Toronto who are committed to reconciliation and learning how to respect and work to create cultural safety with Indigenous people and communities.

This 7-week program includes both asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities. Participants who are accepted into the “Learning Together” group will be provided individual access to the San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program. This program, offered asynchronously, is divided into 7 modules that cover topics including colonization in Canada, racism, discrimination, and stereotyping, and their impacts on Indigenous peoples in different contexts, and taking action to strengthen Indigenous Cultural Safety in relationships, practices, and services. Participants will receive access to online modules which include information, reflective questions, activities, discussion boards, journal entries, and videos.

In addition to participating in the asynchronous training, participants will meet synchronously over 7 weeks in a ‘book club’ format. Each week, participants will commit to completing one module from San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program prior to the weekly discussion. The weekly participant-driven discussions are an opportunity to deepen learning together with peers by reflecting on key learnings from each module, sharing experiences and making connections to your own work, and raising questions for group discussion.

Expression of Interest Deadline: Friday March 6, 2026, 5:00pm EST. Applicants will be notified of their course participation by the first week of April. 

Who should attend?

This discussion group is open the University of Toronto and TAHSN community. Researchers and their team members, and research support staff working in academic divisions who are committed to reconciliation and learning how they can respect and work to create cultural safety with Indigenous people and communities are invited to apply.

If you have multiple team members that wish to participate, please have each individual complete an expression of interest.

Session Format, Dates and Times:

The discussion groups will occur virtually on Zoom.

Dates:

• Thursday April 23, 2026 | 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Thursday April 30, 2026  | 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Thursday May 7, 2026  | 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Thursday May 14, 2026  | 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Thursday May 21, 2026  | 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Thursday May 28, 2026  | 11:00am-12:00pm 
• Thursday June 4, 2026  | 11:00am-12:00pm 

Learning outcomes and key benefits:

By participating in this 7-week learning together discussion group participants will:

• Increase their knowledge of Indigenous people in Canada
• Reflect on their own culture and their workplace culture
• Develop skills to work effectively with Indigenous people
• Have the opportunity to build connections with peers across U of T and learn from other’s experiences
• Gain supportive group accountability to complete the online program in 7 weeks.