
Anti-Racism Response Training (ART) Certified Trainer Program
October 5 - October 26
Cost: Members: $180 | Non-Members: $280 RegisterTraining Overview
The Anti-Racism Response Training (A.R.T.) program, developed by Dr. Ishu Ishiyama and enhanced and adapted – including virtual adaptation – by Thanh Tazumi, Naomi L. Wolfe, & Sanchit Mittal, uses a witness-centered approach to disrupting racism. Building upon the four-part, virtual A.R.T. Series, this program takes place over four weeks and includes six hours of facilitated training, plus individual and team assignments. Week three will be an unfacilitated session meant for teamwork and the completion of team assignments.
A certificate of completion will be provided upon successful completion of the program.
Prerequisite
Completion of the virtual A.R.T. Series.
Training Requirements
- Mandatory attendance – a full commitment to attend all virtual sessions is required.
- Participants will be expected to complete assignments and group work outside the virtual workshop time.
- Ability to access a Google drive.
- Ability to access Zoom. Participants will be encouraged to have a working microphone and web camera.
Training Schedule
Part I: | Wednesday, October 5 from 2:30pm – 4:30pm (ET) |
Part II: | Wednesday, October 12 from 2:30pm – 4:30pm (ET) |
Part III: | Wednesday, October 19 from 2:30pm – 4:30pm (ET) |
Part IV: | Wednesday, October 26 from 2:30pm – 4:30pm (ET) |
Training Objectives
Building on the previous four-part virtual A.R.T. Series, participants will gain the skills to develop and facilitate A.R.T. workshops. Through this training program, participants will:
- Consider underlying values and philosophy, and choose a motto.
- Learn how to include the history of racism and key terms & concepts.
- Practice how to present the A.R.T. Program and its underlying active witnessing model.
- Identify appropriate methods, techniques and learning activities for various audiences.
- Understand the differences between online and in-person workshop delivery.
- Develop a workshop (or series) with a small group.
- Be provided templates that can be adapted to specific training needs and contexts.
Testimonials
Facilitators

Thanh Tazumi
A.R.T. Facilitator
Thanh Tazumi (she/her/hers) and her family immigrated to Canada as refugees in 1984. She worked for a multicultural organization for 10 years, coordinating anti-racism, diversity, and organizational change projects. Thanh coordinated the first anti-racism walk in Campbell River, in 1997 and formed a committee to continue this annual event until 2006. She has co-facilitated workshops on intercultural communication, equity & inclusion, and Anti-racism Response Training. Recently she and her daughter developed and delivered an anti-Asian racism workshop to audiences across Canada. Thanh also worked with marginalized youth and families for 15 years. She is grateful to live on the traditional territory of the Wei Wai Kum, We Wai Kai, and the E’iksan-K’omoks peoples. She is aware of the history of racism in Canada and many of its impacts on Indigenous and other racialized peoples. She is committed to racial justice and actively works toward reconciliation and healing.

Naomi L. Wolfe
A.R.T. Facilitator
Naomi L. Wolfe (she/her/hers) is a mixed European settler Canadian, originally from Saskatchewan, who is grateful to reside on the unceded traditional territory of the E’iksan and K’ómoks Peoples. As a teen, Naomi was a member of an anti-racism youth group in Nashville, Tennessee, during the desegregation of schools through crosstown bussing. After 10 years in the USA and 10 years in Guatemala, she moved back to Canada, and eventually to Vancouver Island. During nearly 30 years as ESL Faculty at North Island College – including 10 years as Human Rights and International Solidarity Rep. – and through her work with the local Immigrant Welcome Centre, Naomi gained a deep understanding of the barriers faced by many in her community. She began designing and facilitating intercultural training in the mid-90’s and became an Anti-Racism Response (A.R.T.) facilitator in 2002. Naomi facilitates A.R.T., intercultural communication, Theatre for Living, and Compassionate Listening (TCLP) workshops, and has presented at conferences in Canada and internationally. Naomi greatly values collaborating with others to create a more just and inclusive society.

Sanchit Mittal
A.R.T. Facilitator
Sanchit Mittal (he/him/his) came to Canada as an international student; he holds two Master’s degrees and has diverse experience working with various marginalized communities, including LGBTQ2+ and refugees. With over eight years of experience in various Indian and Canadian organizations, living as an uninvited guest on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit peoples, Sanchit deeply values Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI), and is passionate about Truth and Reconciliation and Social Justice work, including Anti-Racism. Sanchit has co-facilitated many workshops including LGBTQ2+ inclusion, Communications in
Intercultural classrooms, Microaggressions, Allyship. Sanchit has worked in Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) International Education and served as the Vice President for SIETAR BC. Currently a Partnerships Manager at an Ontario-based Edu-Tech company, he is also an EDI Consultant at VIU.