Rounding off Mediate BC’s 4-part Equity in Conflict Resolution speaker series, we are excited to host this last session focusing on anti-racism. on *June 18, 2025* from 6 to 8pm. Register via Zoom.
This session will be hosted by Aleks Besan (they/she) of Mediate BC’s EDI Committee and facilitated by Indra Hayre of Bakau Consulting. It is an immersive and in-depth workshop that exposes our complicity in racist power structures that exist all around us. This workshop is both personal and political: an exploration into bias, systemic oppression, language, cultural appropriation and intersectionality.
This event will be online and free. Participation will count towards Mediate BC’s annual continuing professional development requirement for EDI topics, as well as toward Law Society of BC CPD credits for Practice Management.
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.
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.
