Countering colonialism
On the subject of indigenization, the guide reinforces use of territorial acknowledgments, a practice that aims to include and recognize Indigenous people and perspectives. It also seeks to foster awareness and respect from non-Indigenous participants.
“When you’re leading an event remotely, you can also use your platform to consider the communities of diverse lands — the custodians of those from which you’re speaking and those from which you come,” says Allan Vicaire, senior advisor of Indigenous Directions.
“Also, consider your own relationship with the lands of Indigenous peoples. Make the territorial acknowledgement personal.”
The guide also provides information about Indigenous Elder and community protocols, proper remuneration of experts, resources for including Indigenous perspectives and links to Concordia’s Indigenous Directions Action Plan.
“Reach out to our office if you need more help, especially with content related to Indigenous people,” Vicaire advises.
Environmental sustainability
As in past editions, the guide contains lots of advice on environmental action for in-person events, like promoting sustainable transport or holding a zero-waste event — something that has become especially easy with the launch of Concordia’s new Zero Waste Event Services. The guide now also includes help for making virtual events greener, with information on video streaming and cloud-based file sharing.
“Though typically more environmentally friendly than in-person events, there are greenhouse-gas emissions related to the use of video streaming platforms,” Lamontagne says. “Encouraging people to turn off their video sharing when it isn’t essential is a simple way to cut back significantly.”
Get certified sustainable!
The Sustainable Event Guide aims to be exhaustive but also simple enough to scan for advice and specific resources. Lamontagne says those willing to go deeper and track efforts can also use it to obtain a bronze, silver, gold or platinum certification.
“In so doing, you are raising awareness, promoting your event in a positive light and doing what you can to undertake positive and real change.”
For questions about certifying an event, visit Concordia’s Sustainable Events web page and then contact the Office of Sustainability.
Those wishing to go deeper can become a student or employee sustainability ambassador.