A video presentation was made at the National Indigenous Residential School Museum near Portage la Prairie this past week. Brandon University created it showing racism against Indigenous people, and those who gathered were given opportunities to share their reactions. 

It's part of Anti-Racism Awareness Week.

The Portage la Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce helped organize the event and executive director Stefanie Dunn says they entitled it "Friendly Manitoba?"

"It's a huge partnership between a number of organizations and stakeholders here in our region: The Chamber, Portage Learning and Literacy, MANSO, Local Immigration Partnership, and Newcomers Welcome Centre. There are quite a few of us around the table who have joined up to make sure that we're getting out there, spreading the message, promoting inclusivity, and just really raising awareness that racism is alive. It still does happen. It's very prevalent hourly, daily, and weekly in our community."

She notes the event was extremely important and they focused on viewing some videos by BU (Brandon University) Cares about racism. Dunn explains the imagery was powerful and came from the point of view of some marginalized groups.

"We really hope that we can continue the discussion beyond today. But certainly, today's going to be a really powerful day for us," adds Dunn.

Manager of Small Centre Support with Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO) Don Boddy explains it's about having an important conversation. 

"We need to flip the conversation to Indigenous people in the Indigenous history in Portage la Prairie being a strength of Portage, understanding the trauma that has happened to these people for generations, how it impacts them, and how it impacts us," says Boddy. "We need to try and understand their strength and their resilience and help to become part of the solution."

He outlines a great feature of the four films that BU Cares created.

"The Anti-Indigenous one was created by the Indigenous community. The Anti-Muslim was created by the Muslim Community, and so on. There was one on anti-black racism and anti-immigrant racism, each created by that group. So, they're really powerful and really moving, I cry every time I see them."

Museum Executive Director Lorraine Daniels adds it's really important to have this Anti-racism Workshop here. 

"It ties in with Truth and Reconciliation with everybody. not just Indigenous people. It's bringing the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to learn from each other, and how to work together toward reconciling the past and working on the truth, at the same. It's to work together to make a better life for everybody."

She stresses it's important to understand where the Indigenous people are coming from. 

"They've been oppressed for a long time and they need to be on the same level as everybody else. It's all about being equal on an equal playing level."