RAN began meeting in 2006, under a different name: Discussion on Racism Group. Early leadership in that group included Steve Schroeder (Peace and Conflict Studies) and Adrienne Chan (then, Social Work and Human Services).
In 2010, RAN was renamed the Race and Antiracism Network, with the support of Dean Rosetta Khalideen and Dean Eric Davis. RAN was co-chaired by Adrienne Chan and Rita Dhamoon from 2009 to 2012.
Current co-chairs are:
- Sharanjit Sandhra
- Dr. Rita Atake
View all chairs of RAN since 2012
The organization has received support (mainly non-financial, but sometimes small financial support of our events) from Provost Eric Davis and members of the UFV Community (e.g. current Dean of Arts, Jacqueline Nolte, and Human Rights representatives of the FSA).
We have also worked collaboratively with Aboriginal Access (now the Indigenous Student Centre) in putting on a number of events and talks. From 2016 to present, RAN has held numerous workshops and events on campus including the annual International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.
History of RAN and Supporters
Wendy Burton, previously the Director of Teaching and Learning, was actively involved with RAN during her tenure as director. Under Wendy Burton’s leadership, RAN and Teaching and Learning delivered a number of workshops to facilitate and strengthen faculty skills and knowledge of issues regarding race, culture, and privilege.
While Wendy Burton was director and Randy Kelley was the chair of the Teaching and Learning Advisory Council (TLAC), RAN came under the "umbrella" of Teaching and Learning, following a motion at the TLAC to include RAN in their mandate. RAN afterwards was listed as an affiliate on the Teaching and Learning website.
Teaching and Learning co-sponsored and co-organized a UFV Professional Development Day in May 2010 with a record 110 people attending. The day was also organized in collaboration with UFV International, the South Asian Studies Institute (formerly Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies), and the Senior Advisor on Indigenous Affairs, Shirley Hardman.
The PD Day was supported financially, in part, by Abbotsford Community Services, who, along with community members have consistently been part of RAN. In 2011, following the Professional Development Day, the Race and Antiracism Network developed a report based on the discussions and background from PD Day.