Mediate BC (MBC) is a not-for-profit organization committed to transforming approaches to conflict through the development and delivery of accessible, inclusive, and innovative conflict resolution services. We achieve our mission by managing rosters of qualified conflict resolution practitioners, offering accessible, inclusive, and innovative conflict resolution training and programs, and engaging in public education, research, and innovation.
We seek Board members with a diversity of experience (both personal and professional), and a strong interest in expanding collaborative dispute resolution while bringing an equity lens to that work. We are a voluntary “working board”, committed to advancing access to justice for all people in British Columbia. Therefore, we seek to recruit a diverse Board of Directors that shares this commitment and represents the communities we serve. We encourage expressions of interest from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, especially Indigenous people, racialized people, queer people, people living with disabilities, and people of marginalized genders.
The Mediate BC Board of Directors are thrilled to announce the Susanna Jani Award Supporting Excellence in Mediation Award winners for 2024: Colleen Cattell, K.C. and Donna Soules. Both are long-time (30+ years) conflict resolution practitioners and leaders in the field and are inspirations to us all.
Colleen Cattell, KC has been a leader in the development of so many mediation programs over the years. As President of the BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society, Colleen oversaw the development of Small Claims practicums in Small Claims, Family and Child Protection mediation. She contributed to policy development for court-based mediations throughout the province and was a leader in educating lawyers and law students in conflict resolution through her contributions at CLEBC, Allard Hall and UVic Law. Her nominators noted that Colleen is their “social justice hero”. She is also a generous, sharing mentor and leader who has opened pathways for so many conflict resolution professionals to join the field.
Donna Soules is a real community champion. She has taught, mentored and developed many mediators through her work at the Justice Institute of BC, Vancouver Island University and the Mid-Island Dispute Resolution Group / CBABC ADR Section. As her nominators noted: “Donna is a big-hearted, authentic person whose footprint in ADR is enormous and belies her small stature. She has made gigantic contributions to our field and she has modelled how to have a very successful career in practice, service to our community, and education to countless others.”
Congratulations, Donna & Colleen!
We thank everyone who sent in nomination letters for their continued support of our community.
Continuing with Mediate BC’s Equity in Conflict Resolution speaker series, we are excited to host this third session focusing on the use of power and inclusive leadership.
This session will be facilitated by Nadine Nakagawa of Bakau Consulting. It invites mediation and conflict resolution practitioners to consider their identities and positionality in relation to the identities of their clients. While we may often think that centering equity in our work means understanding and accommodating the needs of our clients, this session will guide participants into self-reflection on how we may be perceived and received by those seeking our expertise, as well as how we can use our personal and professional power ethically within our practice.
We are thrilled to welcome Frank Morven, RRM as the second presenter for our Equity in Conflict Resolution speaker series!
This session will continue discussions of equity, diversity and inclusion in our practice. We had some great conversations at the last session and are encouraged to keep building a community of practice for mediators seeking to embrace these principles in their work.
This event will be online and free. Participation will count towards Mediate BC’s annual continuing professional development requirement for EDI topics.
September 30th marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour Indigenous children who attended residential schools and reflect on the impacts of these schools. It’s one day of reflection and action in a long process of reconciliation, between survivors of residential schools & Indigenous nations and the Canadian government & non-Indigenous Canadians.
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is also a day to discuss the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and what steps have been taken towards reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was created to document the stories and experiences of residential school survivors and learn how reconciliation might be achieved in Canada. The Commission published 94 Calls to Action, which provide material steps for the Canadian government and non-Indigenous Canadians to “redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.”
Mediate BC serves communities across the lands of many Indigenous peoples, unceded, unsurrendered, and treaty. We are committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, inherent rights and self-determination. In order to do this, we commit to deepening our understanding of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing effects of colonization. Further, we commit to developing meaningful dialogue and relationships founded on respect.
