Join me for this great conversation with Shreetee Appadu where we explore the question, “How might we decentralize our stories?”

I met Shreetee through Inspiring Communities’ Atlantic Changemakers Council. Shreetee is a queer, bisexual, non-binary settler of colour from Mauritius, who moved to kjipuktuk in 2017 for their studies. They did a Bachelor in Environmental studies with a minor in Geography at St. Mary’s University (SMU), and are very passionate about environmental justice, intersectionality and community care. They are a member of the Racialized Student Academic Network coordinated by Dr. Benita Bunjun, which is a closed space for racialised students and alumni. RSAN also organised the Critical Indigenous Race Feminist Studies student conference (CIRFS) where Shreetee presented on the institutionalisation of whiteness in universities along with deconstructing whiteness in the environmental movement. They are currently the Outreach and Administration Coordinator at South House, which is a Sexual and Gender Resource Centre. They are also one of the Residence Coordinator at SMU. They love to create spaces that prioritises 2SQTBIPOC joy and relationships, and love to read and dance.

There were a lot of threads and themes to explore in this great conversation.  Please accept my apologies for not being able to explore them all due to time!  My main takeaway is how we decentralize ourselves by asking ourselves tough questions, exploring our own position in the world, what trauma we’ve experienced - both in our lifetimes and through our ancestors - as well as we center joy amidst all of this. Decreasing polarization starts with ourselves. 

I hope this conversation helps you deepen your mindset, skillset and toolset in being able to navigate polarizing conversations. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

• All about love: New Visions - bell hooks
• There's something in the water - Dr. Ingrid Waldron
• As we have always done - Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

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