The South Surrey & White Rock Chamber of Commerce respectfully acknowledges that we live and work on the traditional and unceded territory of the Semiahmoo First Nation and Board Salish People.

Diversity & Inclusion is an ongoing matter in which our intention is to continue learning. As such, the Chamber hosted a Community Town Hall back in June 2020 to learn about personal experiences and perspectives from the community. To view the discussion on Diversity, which begins at 43:13, click here.

This page is to provide our members and the community with resources on diversity and inclusion so that we can all work together to become better educated on these important matters and start conversations within our own circles. Our hope is to amplify diverse voices and use this as a starting point. We recognize that the list is not comprehensive. We hope to provide additional resources, including a course in the future.

If you are a member of the Chamber and have additional resources to share, please send an email to info@sswrchamber.ca.​

Resources for Diversity and Inclusion

Indigenous Resources

Local Resources

• Message on National Indigenous Peoples Day from Chief Chappell of the Semiahmoo First Nation: click here

• Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee: click here

Provincial Resources​

• BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Declaration Act or DRIPA): click here

• BC Chamber of Commerce's press release on the Kamloops Indian Residential School tragedy: click here

• BC Chamber’s policy resolution recently passed and supported by our Chamber, underlining the importance of the BC business community and acting on DRIPA: click here

• British Columbia Assembly of First Nations’ Mental Health Resources: click here

• How to support the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc community: click here

• Names of the 1000s of children who were known to have died at residential schools: click here
  Note: There may be additional names of children waiting to be found that are not yet included in this registry

• Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Office of the Chief’s press release on the Kamloops Indian Residential School tragedy: click here

• Small Business BC's Business and Support Resources for Indigenous Peoples: click here

National Resources

• 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: click here

• Canadian First Nations Art Directory of Artists, Events, Links and News: click here

• First Nations Health Authority: click here

  • FNHA Residential School Resources: click here

  • Information about Residential Schools and other traumatic experiences may trigger unpleasant feelings or thoughts of past abuse. Please contact the 24 Hour Residential School Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you require emotional support.

• Free 12-week education course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada, offered through Indigenous Canada and the University of Alberta. To sign up, click here

• Government of Canada's page on the National Day of Truth & Reconciliation: click here

• Recording of the National Virtual Gathering held on September 30th: click here

• Stories of individual Indigenous People who survived residential schools: click here

UN Resources

• United Department of Economic and Social Affairs Indigenous Peoples: click here

Anti-Racism Resources

Local Resources

• City of Surrey’s Diversity & Inclusion Page: click here

Provincial Resources

• Anti-Racism Reminders from the Government of BC: click here

• Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network: click here

• Anti-Asian Racism Resources from the Government of Canada: click here

National Resources

• Anti-Racism Reminders from the Government of BC: click here

• Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network: click here

• Anti-Asian Racism Resources from the Government of Canada: click here

• Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019-2022: Building a Foundation for Change: click here

• Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Anti-Asian Racism Learning Resources: click here

• Anti-Racism Resources from the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada: click here

• Fighting Anti-semitism Together: click here

• Islamophobia Legal Assistance Hotline: click here

• National Council of Canadian Muslims Action Petition for National Action on Islamophobia: click here

• Black History Month: February marks many milestones, one being Black History Month. During Black History Month, Canadians celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who have given so much to make Canada a culturally diverse and inclusive country. Here in BC, we recognize the work that the BC Black History Awareness Society does to spread knowledge about Black History Month. For more information, click here

Other Diversity Resources

• Government of Canada's 50 - 30 Challenge: click here

• Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion: click here

Disability Resources

Local Resources

• UNITI: Resources for disabilities: click here

National Resources

• Rick Hansen Foundation's Accessibility Resources: click here 

LGBT+ and Pride Resources

Local Resources

• White Rock Pride Society: click here

Provincial Resources

• QMUNITY - BC's Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Centre: click here

National Resources

• Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce’s Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program to highlight LGBT+ friendly businesses: click here

• PFLAG Canada - Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Canada: click here

Donate

• Legacy of Hope: click here

• Indian Residential School Survivors Society: click here

• Every Child Matters Flags: click here
  25% of the purchase of each flag will be directed equally between the Orange Shirt Society, The Legacy Of Hope Foundation and the Residential School Survivors Society

• Cheques can be made out directly to Tḱemlúps te Secwepemc and mailed to 200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC V2H 1H1 (taken from Office of the Chief Tḱemlúps te Secwepemc on June 3^rd)

• Islamic Relief Canada's Statement on the London, ON attack with donation link: click here

Chamber's Response

• National Day of Truth and Reconciliation message from Chief Harley Chappell of the Semiahmoo First Nation: click here

• SSWR Chamber's June 4th Newsletter on the Kamloops Residential School discovery: click here

• SSWR Chamber's July 1st Newsletter on Reflecting about Canada Day: click here

• Community Town Hall on Diversity, Inclusion, and Racism, June 2020. Hear from local business and community leaders from South Surrey & White Rock about their personal experiences and perspectives on this important issue. The discussion on Diversity begins at 43:13: click here

• The Canadian Chamber of Commerce announces BIPOC Leadership and Inclusion Council: click here