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SHIFT Centre for Social TransformationApril 2025 |
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Spring struggled to arrive to Montreal this year—buds laboured amid the constant vacillation of frost and thaw. Like us, they are here and they are growing, together. Sometimes the conditions are favourable, sometimes not. We rely on the land, as well as on perpetual resources like knowledge and care—through this, we build community and we seed, germinate, and cross-fertilize the collective stories that we make and that make us. Care and knowledge are shared in abundance at SHIFT, through our offerings and events, but also through those who show up to learn and co-create. And all are welcome. |
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The Work of Systems-Change: Envisioning a Just Future for Immigrants, Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum-Seekers in Canada |
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Tuesday, May 6 @ 12-2 p.m., LB 145 (SHIFT Centre) In the last few years, newcomers to Canada are facing decreased resources and increased racism & xenophobia, as anti-immigration discourse and misinformation has become more prevalent. This is only intensified in the looming federal election, and regardless of who wins this election, neither party vying for power has prevented the spread of disinformation surrounding newcomers and the affordability crisis in Canada. We’re delighted to host a conversation between partners from Brique par Brique, The Refugee Center, and The Welcome Haven about how the Canadian immigration system has evolved over time, where it’s headed, and what on-the-ground work is being done to change it. |
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Other events at our space Ka-artehan: a monthly Filipinx/a/o artist tambayan with Ka Collective Thursday, April 24 @ 6pm Whether you call yourself an artist or flirting with the title, come and hang out with other Filipinx/a/o creatives: shoot the shit, talk process or just have some merienda while you meet other people. There will be snacks provided but potluck is encouraged. Everyone is welcome, even if you don't have anything to bring! Beyond the Ballot: Youth Voices, Power, and Accountability in a Post-Election Canada Friday, April 25 @ 1-3 p.m. As Canada moves through another critical election, young people across the country are demanding more than empty promises—they are calling for lasting change. This youth-led panel brings together emerging leaders, activists, and community organizers to explore how youth can amplify their voices not only during the election but in the crucial moments that follow. From mobilizing peers to vote, to holding elected officials accountable, to pushing for legislation that reflects their values and lived experiences, these changemakers will share strategies, stories, and tools for sustaining momentum after the ballots are cast. We will ask: How can youth ensure their voices are truly heard in parliament? What mechanisms for accountability exist—and which ones do we need to build? What role does reassurance and solidarity play in preventing political disillusionment? L Word: An Open Circle Discussion Sunday, April 27 @ 2-6 p.m. You’re invited to L Word, an open circle discussion. Let’s gather in a safer space to have honest conversations on our realities, struggles, experiences and personal anecdotes. Come express yourself, ask questions, reflect and connect with members of the community. Global Visions, Local Power: Film & Dialogue on Community Finance Wednesday, May 7 @ 6-8:30 p.m. Join Brique par Brique in partnership with Tapestry Community Capital for an evening of film, discussion, and action on alternative financial models that challenge economic inequalities. This event is part of an ongoing film series featuring thought-provoking screenings, followed by open discussions on community-led financial solutions. We will explore how communities can leverage collective assets—through mutual aid initiatives, community bonds, and social finance—to secure affordable housing and community-driven spaces. The event will feature a screening of the short film Tontine, a cooperative savings and lending practice, long used by immigrant communities worldwide to access capital when traditional banking systems fail them. Together, we’ll discuss how pooling resources and redistributing funds can foster financial resilience and empower communities to invest in their futures. Filipinx Full Moon Healing Circle Sunday, May 11 @ 10:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. Join culture bearers Julay Nieto and France Stohner for a gathering to discuss Filipinx diaspora mental health and healing. With values rooted in feminist therapy, narrative therapy, restorative and transformative justice, and pre-colonial Filipino/a/x histories of resistance, come share and learn self-care and self-love practices in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive brave space. Monday, May 12 @ 5-9 p.m. In celebration of Asian Heritage Month, Centre Kapwa and Sweet Like Honey will host a screening of The Handmaiden. The event is open and free to the public, with an 18+ restriction due to the film’s content. |
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Thrive Together: how a new community-university partnership is transforming student wellness "My belief is that if we can't provide the services for students within our own house, then it’s important that we be creative and look outside." |
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In February 2025, the Black Healing Centre, NouLa, and Campus Wellness and Support Services began the pilot phase of their new collaboration “Thrive Together”: a project providing holistic mental health care for racialized students at Concordia University. This fall, the project will expand to provide peer-based collective care circles. The project harnesses the expertise of graduates from the Black Healing Centre’s “Community Care Practitioners” training program. Richenda, Coordinator of Community Leadership & Capacity at SHIFT, conducted an interview with Samanta Nyinawumuntu (Executive Director, Black Healing Centre) and Elana Bloom (Senior Director, Health and Wellness) about the partnership. |
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Meet the Concordia faculty members who apply their work to address community priorities, build collaborations, and turn their research into actions that make a difference. |
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Our cohort of SHIFT Fellows are Concordia faculty who make significant contributions to the Centre through sustained research, teaching, and knowledge mobilization commitments. Our growing collective of SHIFT Scholars are Concordia faculty who contribute to SHIFT projects and partners through punctual engagements with their courses and research. Appointments are defined collaboratively and designated at SHIFT’s discretion. |
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CultivAction is offering a plethora of summer learning opportunities for beginner and intermediate gardeners. CultivAction is a solidarity cooperative campus-community farm that aims to facilitate transitions towards food sovereign communities by practicing regenerative agriculture, cultivating urban green spaces, and supporting sustainable food production. |
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Le travail de changement des systèmes : Envisager un avenir juste pour les immigrants, les migrants, les réfugiés et les demandeurs d'asile au Canada |
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Mardi le 6 mai @ 12-14 h, LB 145 (Centre SHIFT) Ces dernières années, les nouveaux arrivants au Canada ont été confrontés à une diminution des ressources et à une augmentation du racisme et de la xénophobie, le discours anti-immigration et la désinformation étant de plus en plus répandus. Cette situation ne fait que s'intensifier à l'approche des élections fédérales et, quel que soit le vainqueur, aucun des partis en lice n'a empêché la propagation de la désinformation concernant les nouveaux arrivants et la crise de l'accessibilité financière au Canada. Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir une conversation entre des partenaires de Brique par Brique, The Refugee Center et The Welcome Haven sur la façon dont le système d'immigration canadien a évolué au fil du temps, sur la direction qu'il prend et sur le travail effectué sur le terrain pour le changer. |
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D'autres événements dans notre espace Ka-artehan: un tambayan Filipinx/a/o mensuel pour les artistes avec Ka Collective Jeudi le 24 avril @ 18h Beyond the Ballot: La voix des jeunes, le pouvoir et la responsabilité dans un Canada post-électoral Vendredi le 25 avril @ 13-15h L Word: Une discussion en cercle ouvert Dimanche le 27 avril @ 14-18h Global Visions, Local Power: Projection de film et dialogue sur le financement communautaire Mercredi le 7 mai @ 18-20h30 Filipinx Cercle de guérison de la pleine lune Dimanche le 11 mai @ 10h30 - 16h30 Projection de film : The Handmaiden Lundi le 12 mai @ 17-21h |
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Thrive Together: how a new community-university partnership is transforming student wellness "My belief is that if we can't provide the services for students within our own house, then it’s important that we be creative and look outside." |
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En février 2025, Black Healing Centre, NouLa et les services de bien-être et de support ont entamé la phase pilote de leur nouvelle collaboration « Thrive Together » : un projet qui fournit des soins de santé mentale holistiques aux étudiants racialisés de l'Université Concordia. Cet automne, le projet s'étendra à des cercles de soins collectifs basés sur les pairs. Le projet exploite l'expertise des diplômés du programme de formation «Community Care Practitioners» du Black Healing Centre. |
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Rencontrez les membres de la faculté de Concordia qui appliquent leurs travaux pour répondre aux priorités de la communauté, établir des collaborations et transformer leurs recherches en actions qui font la différence. |
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Notre cohorte de Fellows du centre SHIFT est composée de membres du corps professoral de Concordia qui apportent une contribution importante au Centre grâce à des engagements soutenus en matière de recherche, d'enseignement et de mobilisation des connaissances. Notre collectif croissant de professeur.e.s du centre SHIFT est composé de professeurs de Concordia qui contribuent aux projets et aux partenaires de SHIFT en s'engageant ponctuellement dans leurs cours et leurs recherches. Les nominations sont définies en collaboration et désignées à la discrétion de SHIFT. |
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Let's stay in touch!Come see us: LB 145 |
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