Introduction: Understanding the Roots of Anti-Oppression

Anti-oppression is about more than just treating people fairly - it is about actively challenging the systems, polices and everyday practices that give some groups of people more power and opportunities than others. In Canada, we often pride ourselves on being inclusive and multicultural. But the truth is, many communities still face deep and ongoing inequities rooted in our colonial history and further reinforced by our systems today.

Anti-oppression work starts by recognizing that inequality is not just caused by individual prejudice - rather it is built into systems and institutions like education, law enforcement, healthcare and employment. This is called systemic discrimination and it means that even when no one is acting with intentional bias, some people still face greater barriers because of their identities.

For example:

• Racialized Canadians earn on average, 81 cents for every dollar earned by non-racialized Canadians

• Indigenous girls and women are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing  than non-Indigenous women in Canada

These numbers reflect patterns and show us that injustice is not just the actions of an individual but also in the way our systems function.

Anti-oppression is the practice of naming these patterns, understanding the inner workings of them and choosing to act and become an ally. It is about asking, "Who is being left out, harmed, or unheard and why?" and then working to change that. It is meant to amplify the voices of those who have been forced to be silent. This certification will help you begin that journey, starting with your own identities and experiences, and then expanding to the systems that shape the world around each and every one of us.