Dear ECU Community,

Recent instances of racist violence in Canada and the United States have left many of us deeply distressed.

The death of George Floyd is a shocking and painful example of the persistence of anti-Black racism. And the alarming increase of anti-Asian violence, here in Vancouver and beyond, reminds us how pervasive these hateful acts can be.

On behalf of Emily Carr University, I want to acknowledge the profound pain and grief many Black and Asian members of our community are experiencing. We stand together with you, and we are here to support you.

We must fight all forms of racism and white supremacy, including the ongoing oppression of Indigenous people, wherever we encounter them.

I want to reaffirm my commitment to addressing systemic and individual racism at Emily Carr, and to the decolonization of our campus. I know that many of our students, staff and faculty experience racism on a regular basis. We must show zero tolerance for this.

We need to work together to make profound changes so that Emily Carr is a place where diversity and equity are meaningful, and where everyone feels integral to the fabric of the community.

We will soon launch an initiative to develop a comprehensive equity, diversity and inclusion plan for our university. This work will involve deep and sometimes difficult conversations with faculty, staff and students to identify actions that will lead to transformative change at Emily Carr.

Through this process of dialogue, the university will co-create a shared understanding of our goals and what it will take to achieve them. We will then take concrete actions to implement the plan and hold ourselves accountable.

Today and every day, let us be mindful of the pain and fear so many are experiencing, and let us support each other as a community. Working together, we will take action to fight racism, end oppression and insist on a world where Black, Asian and Indigenous lives matter. Silence is not an option.

Sincerely,

Gillian Siddall
President + Vice-Chancellor
Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Click here for a list of Anti-Racism Resources, Supports and Organizations