Q&A: Online meetings aim to build understanding

Carlton County residents and others are invited to join an online series of conversations about equity, diversity and inclusion across the county 6-8 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month starting Feb. 23. Called “Niibidoon: Relationship Weaving,” the two-hour conversations will be held online via Zoom and are open to all community members.

“Really, this is about wanting to be good neighbors: indigenous and non-indigenous,” said Mandi Rosebrock, who helped organize the online forums. “The planning group recognizes the close proximity and overlap between Fond du Lac Reservation and Carlton County and aims to provide a safe place for improved dialogue and increased understanding about very relevant topics.”

Rosebrock said they chose “Niibidoon” rather than the overused “community building” because they wanted it to be more inviting and inclusive.

The first forum, “Conversation with Jay: Indigenous Perspectives on Rural Equity Work,” is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23. Jay Schlender is the primary Extension American Indian leadership and civic engagement educator for the series.

More series information can be found on Page 10.

The Pine Knot asked Rosebrock about the unique program.

QHow did this idea come about?

AThe idea surfaced through a youth-focused training group that provides training opportunities on subjects impacting youth in our community. Youth workers and youth in our community started asking a lot of questions after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last summer. [Because] schools were too overloaded with responding to ... distance learning demands, a group of community members began to explore options to bring more diversity, equity and inclusion training to Carlton County.

QWho are you hoping will participate in these conversations, and how will they work exactly?

AThe online conversation and educational series is open to everyone in the community, young and old. Research proves that more diverse groups have better outcomes, so we hope to have a broad range of people with diverse backgrounds participate. The sessions will be led by educators from the University of Minnesota Extension Community Development/Community Vitality division and the American Indian leadership and civic engagement group. There will be opportunities for participants to ask questions and time left for local discussion.

QRace is a difficult topic to discuss openly and honestly, and some people worry about offending others, looking stupid or being judged. What would you tell someone who wants to participate but is afraid to talk?

A You can join the session and know that you don’t have to talk. There is a lot to learn by simply being present and listening to information and other folks sharing their own experiences. Leaning into new and sometimes uncomfortable topics can help create space for personal and professional growth.

QCan you give us some concrete examples of everyday racism and implicit bias that occur here?

AI cannot speak on behalf of anyone else. As a white woman, I am not typically impacted by racism; this may also be called privilege. Part of the learning process includes awareness about our own identities and how we, as individuals, view the world.

I do have the ability to call out racism. When I see racism and advocate that people around me treat each other with respect and dignity, that is an important step. This is not to say that I haven’t experienced sexism or other forms of bias; a big part of growing collective understanding is having the capacity to have compassion for other people, being able to empathize and put yourself in someone else’s shoes. It is not up to people of color who have experienced the impacts of racism and implicit bias to educate those of us who have had the privilege not to experience either.