The topic of decolonizing approaches is very relevant in Canada these days. I work in newcomer settlement, and with a local college’s international student program. All post-secondary education in Canada is now dependent on international students because of the high tuition fees they pay.
Newcomers and international students frequently have unrealistically high expectations of what a future in Canada might look like for themselves and their families. It’s a delicate balance trying to provide trauma-informed coaching with positive visioning. Very few people in the settlement sector understand transformative education approaches. I believe all training around diversity and identity needs to start with a strong foundation for understanding transformative approaches in the context of dwindling resources and increasing public mental health crises.