Decolonizing our Language

A few months ago, we wrote an article sharing our learning about terminology we were using in our work to raise awareness about survivors of torture and systemic violence. Through our work in the community, we learned that the term “stakeholder(s)” comes from a colonial history of land dispossession that contradicts our commitment to survivors and their families.

Since then, we have developed a short presentation to share with our member organizations and the broader community about the term and the reasoning behind using different language. It has been an honour to speak with multiple organizations and branches of the Greater Victoria Local Immigration Partnership (GVLIP) to spark discussion and inspire action around this topic.

Throughout these discussions with several branches of the GVLIP, we have learned that some local organizations and municipalities have dropped the term when referring to Indigenous communities and partners, while still using it to refer to certain working relationships. Others are considering how the term relates to industry, such as housing and construction on unceded territories.

Organizations that work with immigrants and refugees have also shared how newcomers interact with decolonizing concepts while learning about Canada, its colonial history and present-day colonial systems.

We’ve heard from participants and supporters that they have taken this discussion about the term “stakeholder(s)” to their workplaces, organizations, and communities, reaching branches of the provincial government, local hospitals, and even Camosun College. These important conversations strengthen our local community and network of businesses and organizations that work directly with immigrants and refugees, while building collective capacity and stamina to decolonize our language and processes.

It is an honour to facilitate these conversations by creating a welcoming space for essential learning and vulnerable reflection. We are happy to bring this short presentation to your organization to inspire critical thinking about decolonizing our language. The presentation is free of charge.