In the research on play accessibility that inspired this project, one central idea continues to present itself in a myriad of ways: it is when adults focus on their own play, not that of the children close to them, that play seems to become most generally accessible and enjoyed. Potentially, the same can be said for approaching anti-racist work and a more peaceful and just community. There are a lot of resources on "how to talk to children about race," which are powerful and important resources. Perhaps more powerful still, is the continuing internal anti-racist work that may in turn affect our relationships, conversations, and communities but at the very least will affect ourselves and how we move through this life. If children have an opportunity to bear witness to their educators, parents, and loved ones reading, listening, and engaging in internal anti-racist work they not only have an opportunity to understand the necessity of and take part in this work for a more loving society, but will experience an upbringing in a community that is reflective of and values racialized voices. Thank you to Mireille Cassandra Harper @mireillecharper whose Instagram post titled "10 Steps To Non-Optical Allyship" has been greatly informative. Layla Saad has also been sharing wonderful lists of works and her generosity has greatly contributed to what appears on this webpage. The list of Regina-specific resources, businesses, and artists has been a community effort that has snowballed and grown. This webpage has been co-construted by many.
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Note: This page contains NO affiliate links. Project Play YQR is currently an advertisement-free website.

Anti-Racism Resources

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

The Summary of the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada can be found online here on the TRC website. Note: The summary is over 500 pages. When people talk about reading "the TRC," often they are talking about reading this document. It can also be found on YouTube being read out loud, and in audio format.

The TRC is a "component of Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement," meaning that when the survivors of Canadian residential schools won a class action (the largest class action in Canadian history) against the Government of Canada, part of the agreement was that a commission would be formed to discover and share the truth of residential schools in Canada so that people could begin to work towards reconciliation (trc.ca). The result is a stunning woven narrative of stories and findings from Canadian Government formal documents, survivors, family members, teachers, and community members surrounding the historic and ongoing horrors of residential schools in Canada.

Some Regina Public Library branches, churches, and organizations host reading groups surrounding the TRC that are free and open to all interested community members. If and when I see one is offered in the future, it will be posted to this webpage.

Social Media

Note: Many of these accounts are not organizations and "resources" in and of themselves but individual people who are generous enough to share their thoughts, experiences, and work. Author Layla Saad made a thoughtful Instagram post asking people to be patient and kind, as many of these humans who have been creating and sharing anti-racist work have gained a massive, mostly white following after the murder of George Floyd. If people have questions, Layla Saad encourages searching for sources that have already been created rather than asking people of colour for thoughts or resources on difficult topics.

Mireille Cassandra Harper (@mireillecharper)
The Conscious Kid (@theconsciouskid)
No White Saviours (@nowhitesaviours)
Layla Saad (@laylafsaad)
Rachel Cargle (@rachel.cargle)
Check Your Privilege (ckyourprivilege)
Rachel Ricketts (@iamrachelricketts)
The Great Unlearn (@thegreatunlearn)
Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renieddolodge)
​Ibram X. Kendi (@ibramxk)

Books (Adults)

Indigenous Writes by Chelsea Vowel
​How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
​Me and White Supremacy by Laya F. Saad
​White Fragility: Why It's so Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (a novel - incredible)
Pleasure Activism by Adrienne Maree Brown
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation by Monique Gray Smith (suitable for middle years/ young adult and up)
Road Map for Revolutionaries by Elisa Camahort Page, Carolyn Gerin, and Jamia Wilson
When They Call You a Terrorist by Patrisse Cullors and asha bandele
Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King

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Below is a video geared towards young children. Vera, a kindergarten teacher in Brooklyn, NY created this video for her students and other children. She reads the book Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester.

"I'm a parent, author, and a former college interviewer. Please hear me - in this time of stress people want to 'flood' their kids with books about racism. please provide 20 joyful books for every one book on racism. they also need to know poc kids are like every other kid."

-Christine Taylor Butler, via Twitter

Books (Children)

 Some of the books below are distinctly anti-racist. Others are simply joyful children's books. 

Here is a virtual library of BLM read-alouds for children.
Here is a virtual library of Indigenous book read-alouds for children. It was compiled by an educator in Regina.
You Matter by Christian Robinson
When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson
M is for Melanin: A Celebration of the Black Child by Tiffany Rose
Something Happened in this Town: A Child's Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano, PhD, ABPP; Marietta Collins, PhD; and Ann Hazzard PhD, ABPP; illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin
Shi-shi-etko by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Kim LaFave
Whoosh!: Lonnie Jonhson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton, illustrated by Don Tate
Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel
The Mocassins by Earl Einarson, illustrated by Julie Flett
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (online animated version available here)
Little You by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett
The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes (middle years/ young adult book)

Films/ Series

13th
​When They See Us
Selma
​We Were Children
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
I Am Not Your Negro
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
If Beale Street Could Talk

Websites

The Conscious Kid
An educational non-profit that curates parenting and education resources through a critical race lens. Note: this is a patreon membership with a starting rate of $1US per month. By becoming a patron, you support their non-profit organization and team comprised entirely of parents of colour.

British Columbia Teacher's Federation Antiracism Online Resources and Websites
​A long list of antiracism resources to assist educators in their work with children.

Raising Race Conscious Children
​A resource for adults speaking to children about race

Toys, Games, and Play

Strong Nations Online Store

Strong Nations is a book, gift, toy, and educational resource store and publishing house in Nanimo, B.C. (with an online retail store) that specializes in Indigenous literature and art.

​Nubian Hueman

The Nubian Hueman aims to fairly connect the consumer to independent artists from around the world. Check out their website for puzzles, cards, books, and games that represent diverse children and cultural experiences.

Native Northwest Toys

​Groovy Mama in Regina sells Native Northwest Toys, which are designed and created by Indigenous artists in Vancouver, B.C. These toys support Indigenous artists and makers while providing rich diversity and culture to children at play.

YQR and Area

Regina Public School Board ACT Teams

Regina Public Schools have an ACT (Anti-racism and Cross-cultural Training) team that students can get involved in at almost every school within the public school board. Typically they are for students in grades 6 and up to get involved in, but they do work with all grades so have an impact on the whole staff and student body. You can ask to donate to your local school's ACT team, share books and resources with them or encourage a child you love to get involved.

Regina Early Learning Centre and Regina Early Years Family Resource Centre

The Regina Early Learning Centre is a child and family development centre which works with low income families to foster the healthy development of children from prenatal to five years of age. The Early Years Family Centres provide programs and services to all parents and caregivers of children newborn to age six in Regina. They are each equipped with a play and learn space, a program room, and Early Childhood Facilitator, and a space for networking and workshops. They offer child and parent play together programs, music and literacy programs, and parent education programs and information on community supports. The Early Years Family Centres are inclusive and anti-racist in the personal and professional development they are committed to. They offer a welcoming and culturally-responsive space and their programming is authentic and diverse. We are so fortunate to have this organization in Regina. Their spaces and services are also free to all families.

Regina TRC Reading Groups

Some Regina Public Library branches, churches, and organizations host reading groups surrounding the TRC that are open to all interested community members. If and when I see one is offered in the future, I will post it in on this webpage.

Sâkêwêwak First Nations Artists' Collective Inc

Sâkêwêwak has been supporting Indigenous artists in the Regina area for over two decades by co-constructing a community of support, and connecting artists with members to engage with in order to succeed. Sâkêwêwak provides artists a greater opportunity to create, grow, and reach audiences. Sâkêwêwak hosts an annual ​Storytellers Festival, residencies, workshops, performances and exhibitions. People who identify as Indigenous artists are invited to submit work on their website; anyone who agrees with their mandate is welcome to join their community by becoming a member. More information is available on their website.

Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan

The Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan works to foster an environment in which organizations and individuals can contribute to the multicultural development of Saskatchewan. They have an Anti-Racism webpage (available in English and French), ad list many other organizations and resources which may be of use for individuals, schools, and educators.

Regina Public Library Resources

The Regina Public Library has some wonderful resources on their website. Their thoughtfully put together reconciliation page has many resources attached to it. The RPL also has an upcoming National Indigenous History Month virtual celebration with many live online events and resources.

Businesses

T-Box Concession Food Truck

T-Box Concession is locally owned and operated. They typically can be found outside of Malty National. Enjoy!

Malinche Restaurant

Malinche is a locally owned and operated authentic Mexican restaurant operated within Pile O' Bones Brewing Co.

Brandy Royale Beauty

Brandy Royale Beauty is a home-based holistic skincare and aesthetic studio offering a unique version on many treatments found in standard salon spas.

Alfarose Autobody

Alfarose Autobody shop has been operated in Regina for more than ten years. Family-owned and operated, they provide a full range of auto body services.

The Naked Sheep Yarn and Fibre Emporium

Naked Sheep Yarn and Fibre Emporium is a local yarn shop in Regina that offers a variety of yarns, fibres, classes, and social events.

Artists

Metis Makings

Nicole Morrow, the artist behind Metis Makings (@metismakings on Instagram), makes handmade beaded jewellery and lanyards. She can customize work!

Jori Cachene

Jori Cachene is a visual artist who lives in Regina. She is most well known for her large-scale portraits of Indigenous females, which she creates with a stunning mastery of many mediums including acrylic, watercolour, ink, pencil, collage, and fabric.

Kris Alvarez

Kris Alvarez is a theatre artist who addresses race, culture and identity onstage in conversations with both audience and guests. Inspired by "growing up brown" in 1980's Regina, Alvarez called Burnt Sienna her "variety show with a little more colour" presented by Curtain Razors. Click here to watch the latest edition available online.

Brandy Jones

Brandy Jones is based out of Regina. She paints and uses acrylics as her main medium. Jones' artwork is on her Instagram page @brandyjonesindigenousartist and on Facebook. She is able to make custom paintings.

Congress Wood Co

Congress Wood Company is a Regina couple with three children, who make beautiful handcrafted wood art. Instagram: @congresswoodco

Melanie Monique Rose

Melanie Monique Rose is a fibre and visual artist from Regina, Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 Territory. She attended the Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson, BC and majored in Fibre Arts. Since then, Rose has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions nationally.

Lloyd Dubois

Lloyd Dubois  is a painter who works primarily with acrylic paints. He also writes fiction. It appears that one can view or purchase some of Dubois' work at Traditions Handcraft Gallery in Regina. Some of his work is also part of the collection of the Saskatchewan Arts Board.

Jamie Reynolds

Jamie Reynolds is a Regina- based artist. Jamie has been an Artist in Residence for the MacKenzie Art Gallery, Sâkêwêwak First Nations Artist Collective, Regina Public Library, and Heritage community Association, as well as a summer researcher at the First Nations University of Canada. You can view and purchase her work at www.brushwithdepth.com.