Cultivating Safe Spaces

Have you ever experienced learning so radical it changes your worldview?

On November 20, 2024, I attended the Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS) Conference in Ottawa. I invested in this experience because I’ve been following Elaine Alec and her journey for several years. I’ve even attended a few online sessions where the Cultivating Safe Spaces Framework was introduced. I felt deep in my being that I needed to learn from Elaine and her Naqsmist Storytellers Inc. team in person.

What did I learn?

I have a lot of colonial mindset defaults to unpack!

This blog shares one mind blowing example to help illustrate how transformational and widely applicable the CSS framework is.

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Transformation

One of the smartest people I know, who also happens to be from the generation before mine, does not have a High School diploma.

While intellectually I knew that formal education is not a measure of intelligence or value, I was stuck in thinking that our youth should pursue post-secondary education or become a tradesperson.

This is a restrictive colonial mindset.

As a Human Resources professional, I know that there are multiple paths to success. I know that many employers set unintended systemic barriers by making post-secondary education a requirement.

I even advise employers to welcome equivalent experience and education!

However, until I attended the CSS conference, I still unconsciously expected our youth to follow specific paths.

I've felt the visceral change, now my heart and my mind both understand that their are many paths to success beyond formal education.

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Cultivating Safe Spaces is universally applicable

I’ve realized that Cultivating Safe Spaces is applicable everywhere!

I’m thrilled that I had the opportunity to meet and learn from Elaine, Kyle, and Sierra in person. Elaine introduced everyone to this framework, while sharing part of her story. Kyle linked the True Colours personality process to Cultivating Safe Spaces. And Sierra demonstrated how to engage the participants in creating social media content to help promote CSS Learning.

I am happy to promote Cultivating Safe Spaces, and I encourage you to learn more about Naqsmist Storytellers Inc.

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