Youth and Anti-Racism Integration Collective
A critical intersectional, anti-racist collaboration that brings together researchers from the University of Calgary, newcomer youth of colour, community partners from four Calgary-based resettlement agencies, and creative professionals.
Our goal: To co-develop programs and services undergirded by anti-racist frameworks that dismantle systems of oppression in the resettlement process and centre newcomer visions.
Project Highlights
Project lead Dr. Pallavi Banerjee and Co-PI Dr. Pratim Sengupta introduce the project and the co-design work with newcomer youth leading up to a public installations in March 2023 (left) and December 2023 (right).
Recent Highlights
Newcomer Youth and Anti-Racism Conference:
Hope, Solidarities and Resistance
In this first-ever conference hosted by YARI-Collective, newcomer youth shared their reflections of their co-researched journeys with University of Calgary researchers. They shared their creations which make visible hope, loss, pain and solidarity—emotions that underlie forced migration but are silenced in the procedures of migration. The event took place on 22-23 March 2024, University of Calgary campus. Find more here
Landings: Anti-Racist Futures in Stories
Landings featured series of interactive re-imaginations of anti-racist futures through stories told through co-designed cinema, computer simulations of river-crossings and friendships, storywork through community gardens, podcasts about melodies, photographic montages and a mural. Find details here and news coverage here.
Past Events
Landings: Anti-Racist Futures in Stories | 17 December 2023
Landings featured series of interactive re-imaginations of anti-racist futures through stories told through co-designed cinema, computer simulations of river-crossings and friendships, storywork through community gardens, podcasts about melodies, photographic montages and a mural. Details here.
As The Garden Goes To Sleep | 24 September — 8 October 2023
An exhibition of the artworks co-designed by the youth around their experiences at the YARI-Collective’s garden will be on display at The Alcove Centre for the Arts, between 24th September and 8th October, 2023.
Details here.
Rootings: Reimagining Gardens Left Behind | 2—3 September 2023
On 2nd and 3rd September 2023, we showcased our gardening activity happening throughout this summer, featuring spatial storytelling and art by the youth.
Details here.
Embodied Storytelling: Performance by Dan Hoyle | 27 August 2023
Renowned actor and writer Dan Hoyle performed and interacted with the youth and audience in an intimate theatre event. Details here.
Landings: Anti-Racist Futures in Stories — Pilot Installation |
28 March 2023
Pilot installation of the project where we celebrated a night filled with stories from newcomer youth that reimagine the immigration and resettlement process through anti-racist lenses. Details here.