The North Bay & District Multicultural Centre (NBDMC) is launching a new community-wide project called Unlearning Bias Using Persona Dolls.
"Persona Dolls are being used globally to engage children in productive, non-threatening conversations about unfair/discriminatory behaviors, helping them identify practices that hurt other kids who might be different, as well as come up with more inclusive behaviours," says a news release.
"This project will support the recognition and un-learning of bias with our local children, allowing for the development of a truly welcoming and inclusive community. NBDMC is currently looking for participants who have a story of discrimination to tell, for a Free Persona Doll Making Workshop, where the participants will learn to make a persona doll that represents their community."
The NBDMC is working with early childhood educators to promote the use of this technique in early childhood classrooms and use locally made dolls with stories of lived local hurtful experiences in classrooms.
"The hope is that this will create a market for these dolls in our community," adds the release.
NBDMC is looking for participants who identify as an immigrant, person of colour, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+ or a person with a disability. Individuals who have experienced any sort of discrimination based on physical or visible differences are welcome to participate. The dolls will be made to represent the diverse identities, ethnicities, cultures and experiences within our community.
If interested in participating in these workshops contact Julie Van Berkel by email: [email protected] or by phone: 705-495-8931.
There will be a virtual information session on Wednesday, June 22nd at 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. for anyone interested in learning more about the project. Please email Julie if you would like to attend the information session by June 17th.
The project is funded by the North Bay and Area Community Foundation.
