Meet Erin Lee: Inclusion is for Everyone

1.      What does Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion mean to you or your organization?

To me personally, it means taking a good look at the world around me and asking myself if my actions, behaviours and attitudes – the way I live my life- send the message to everyone around me that EVERYONE deserves to be included in community, to have opportunities to succeed, and that sometimes people need different things in order for that to happen.  I can either be an active part of the solution, or I can remain silent and turn a blind eye to some of the injustices or inequities that still occur.  This translates into my professional life.  Running a child welfare organization – I need to help all staff examine how our policies and practices have historically caused harm to marginalized groups.  Examining and then acknowledging the hard truths of oppressive practice is something that can make social workers or practitioners uncomfortable – but if that difficult, internal reflection is ongoing and genuine  - I have observed real change in how we approach families that can lead to them feeling more respected and ultimately able to achieve more positive outcomes for their families. 

2. Is there anything EDI related you have or will be involved in, personally and or professionally, that you would like to share?   I’ve tried to participate as much as I can at our community DEI working group, and many initiatives in house at our agency.  We attempt to bring many learning opportunities to our agency and I try to get involved in whatever I can to help move the needle on supporting families in the community from a more equity centered lens. 

3. What do you think communities in Leeds and Grenville could do to be more inclusive or welcoming for newcomers or other equity seeking groups? 

Municipalities can start with a very public, bold statement of equity and commitment to anti-racism, truth and reconciliation, and inclusion for all communities (e.g. LGBTQ2+).  Public education forums, social  media blasts, these have to be ongoing.  But in reality-  EDI actually starts from an early age and is shaped by your parents or caregivers values and belief systems. So it has to be multi-pronged.  A focus on EDI in age appropriate ways should begin in day-care/kindergarten and continue through the education curriculum. Allies need to stand up with equity deserving communities for EDI policies and content in curriculums at school.  More focus on hiring for representation, kids and young professions need to see themselves in leadership roles. 

4. What organizations/services do you wish existed in this area that would make Leeds and Grenville more inclusive?  Indigenous specific programs and groups (e.g. friendship centres).  Agencies that specialize in LGBTQ2+ services across all counties. Counselling services from an ABR lens, to name a few. 

5. Have you ever felt excluded or discriminated against? What do you think could have prevented the situation?  My experiences would relate to gender, but they would pale by comparison for those from Black, racialized, Indigenous, LGBTQ2S+ communities.  Education but also interrupting

6. Since you have lived in Leeds and Grenville, do you think there is more or less diversity here? Why or why not?  I grew up in the North Grenville area, lived in larger cities for a time, then came back to the Leeds-Grenville area.  Certainly, I am seeing increased diversity, but it doesn’t necessary translate into people staying or feeling included. 

7. What do you think people or organizations can do to make others feel more included?

One Black colleague from a specific African country, who lives and works in Toronto once said to me, “why would I ever consider moving to Brockville, could I even buy the foods my family eats in your grocery stores”? That hit home for me….the EDI journey has to be across agencies, but also businesses, municipalities, neighbourhood groups, etc.